Which non-Flames UFAs do we target?

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

I staked my belief in the 2014/15 Better/Worse thread that I felt we'd move up 3-4 spots. No one is suggesting we straight up tank for McDavid or Eichel. However, even without being in range of those two, next year's draft is quite deep. We'd be likely picking up an impact player even if we don't finally win that lotto.

I feel that next year's our year - been telling that to everyone who thought we'd win this year to save the karma. It'd be funny if we won the lotto ahead of all the teams that are actually tanking.

Yeah, we might be near playoff contention, but then again we might even regress, and I'd feel a lot less awful if we lost out on a potentially high return on the 2015 1st rather than a chance at McDavid.

nobody is saying give the pick away...I am talking massive return here

I would bet my life savings that the Flames won't be drafting McDavid...Flames were almost 30 points above last this year and next year the usual suspects are gonna be tankyer than ever

[Wolfman]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

I staked my belief in the 2014/15 Better/Worse thread that I felt we'd move up 3-4 spots. No one is suggesting we straight up tank for McDavid or Eichel. However, even without being in range of those two, next year's draft is quite deep. We'd be likely picking up an impact player even if we don't finally win that lotto.

I feel that next year's our year - been telling that to everyone who thought we'd win this year to save the karma. It'd be funny if we won the lotto ahead of all the teams that are actually tanking.

Yeah, we might be near playoff contention, but then again we might even regress, and I'd feel a lot less awful if we lost out on a potentially high return on the 2015 1st rather than a chance at McDavid.

I hear what you're getting at and I know you don't want the team to tank either. My post wasn't just pointed at you but, I would almost feel greasy with the 1st overall pick. It means your team is ####.

Montreal picked 3rd overall and selected Galchenyuk 2 years ago. The year after they are back in the playoffs and find themselves in the playoffs again this year.

It can happen like that, and you don't have to always be looking forward to the draft like we have in recent years. It would be awesome to be excited about hockey after game 82.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by dino7c

you are not alone, we have acted like Oilers fans long enough

Chicago won a cup after a couple high draft picks (and some great trades, good lower round drafting)

Pens won a lottery for the best player of a generation and have one cup

Then there are a ton of teams who have high draft picks for years who still suck ass.

Look at the contenders in the league, lots of them haven't drafted first overall

Not only that, but we had a bad injury year with Gio, Russell, Cammy, Glencross, all key players that were gone for quite a bit... Additionally, I hate to put a lot of blame on Berra, but man did he suck. I don't know what Colorado sees in him (quite frankly, I don't really care), I am just glad he is off our hands because we would have not resigned him. Grabbing Elliott or Emery would breathe a sigh of relief for Flames fans in regards to our goaltending situation.

I just hope we utilize our cap space that we have. Overpaying for Vanek or Jagr at a 1-2 year deal would be amazing. Realistically though, I see Vrbata willing to come down here, or even Michalek if Ottawa doesn't resign him. We just need players that can finish from a good feed by Johnny or Jiri.

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by Wolfman

I hear what you're getting at and I know you don't want the team to tank either. My post wasn't just pointed at you but, I would almost feel greasy with the 1st overall pick. It means your team is ####. Montreal picked 3rd overall and selected Galchenyuk 2 years ago. The year after they are back in the playoffs and find themselves in the playoffs again this year. It can happen like that, and you don't have to always be looking forward to the draft like we have in recent years. It would be awesome to be excited about hockey after game 82.

I see what you did there, and while very funny - it's hardly comparable to our team.

If Edmonton/Buffalo wins 1st next year the league would call them shameless losers, if we win lotto next year the league would know we have the youth development and team mentality to turn McDavid into a legend. It would also push us into future Cup contention without a doubt. We're one of the more respected Canadian teams.

I feel like we're pretty close to being set for the future for prospects anyway, especially if we get Bennett/Reinhart this year with #4 and some good D prospects or big RW's in the later rounds.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Wolfman

I don't know about everybody else, but...I want to be in the playoffs next year. This hoping for McDavid or Eichel is a joke. With last years and this years draft we are in a better position prospect wise. I'm sick of not being in the playoffs.

I'd love for the Flames to be a playoff team next season, all I'm saying is how awful would it be to watch some other team step up to the podium in late June of 2015 and select McDavid/Eichel/Hanifin with our 1st round pick because our management thought we were better than we were, and traded that pick for more immediate help.

I'd rather be safe than sorry when it comes to that pick, but I'm all for our management finding other ways to improve our team and building the best team they can for the 2014/15 season.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

I'd love for the Flames to be a playoff team next season, all I'm saying is how awful would it be to watch some other team step up to the podium in late June of 2015 and select McDavid/Eichel/Hanifin with our 1st round pick because our management thought we were better than we were, and traded that pick for more immediate help.

I'd rather be safe than sorry when it comes to that pick, but I'm all for our management finding other ways to improve our team and building the best team they can for the 2014/15 season.

well obviously that would be a absolute disaster but you have to weigh the odds...my feeling is that the Flames will be better than people think so the value of the pick is greater now than it will ever be.

obviously it would takes stones to do it, realize I'm talking about getting a proven, young, top end guy

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by dino7c

well obviously that would be a absolute disaster but you have to weigh the odds...my feeling is that the Flames will be better than people think so the value of the pick is greater now than it will ever be.

obviously it would takes stones to do it, realize I'm talking about getting a proven, young, top end guy

They'd have to be mid 20's and of superstar quality for me to even take a sniff of interest.

[edn88]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

I know this will be unpopular here, but why would the Flames want to bring back the guy who was captain of that entitled team the Flames had for a number of years?

I love Iginla, wish him all the best now and in future. Obviously his competitive drive is back, as it should be. He is that dominant beast again. I simply never want to see him in a Flames Jersey again until he is the first ballot Hall of fame he will surely be.

I don't think he is the right guy for the Flames right now, but he is my favourite Flame, and I would love to see him finish his career in Flames colors.

[Alberta_Beef]

Who I want:

Stastny, Callahan, Downie, Iginla, Hiller, Greene, Niskanen

Who I think we will get:

Setoguchi, Reimer, Fraser

[maxpower29]

I am almost certain Reimer will be a Flame this summer. He is much better then people like to think as well, and with the likely price a 2nd round pick he is totally worth it

[Table 5]

Wasting a 2nd on a goalie who may or may not be better than what you already have, just so you may or may not be 2-3 spots better in the standings, seems like such a silly way to waste resources. Spend that 2nd on defense, spend that 2nd on skill with size...but don't throw it out for a goalie we don't even need. There are so many other holes on this team besides a goalie.

Also, just say no to Leafs.

[Da_Chief]

There will be better backups available on the UFA market. No way I wana spend a 2nd on a backup. We're not Colorado, we need those picks.

[Da_Chief]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

Who I want:

Stastny, Callahan, Downie, Iginla, Hiller, Greene, Niskanen

Who I think we will get:

Setoguchi, Reimer, Fraser

That's a lot of want.

Stastny (6 mill), Callahan (5.5 mill), Downie (2.5 mill), Iginla (6 mill), Hiller (4.5 mill), Greene (3 mill), Niskanen (5 mill) = ~32.5 mill

Setoguchi, Mark Fayne and Justin Peters is what id like to get.

Peters a decent backup (potential starter for few games).
Fayne, very under-rated good puck mover dman with size.
Setoguchi, decent tweener between top 6 and third line.

[T@T]

Originally Posted by maxpower29

I am almost certain Reimer will be a Flame this summer. He is much better then people like to think as well, and with the likely price a 2nd round pick he is totally worth it

No, We don't need a goalie who is only happy as a starter and Ramo is just as good or better... period.

[Rick M.]

I don't see Iginla having the speed to keep up. We're not good enough to have him just for his shot the way Brett Hull was used at the end of his career. I think we go for younger UFAs who can be part of the longer term solution, not an interim fix. We've got a wallet full of cash.

[Lanny_McDonald]

I'd like to see Ott, Callahan, Michalek, Niskanen, Greene, and Halak. Ott and Callahan for leadership and grit. Michalek for some offense and size on the left side. Callahan for some offense in the right side. Niskanen and Greene for right handed shots on the blueline. Halak as a 1B solution in goal. All signed for slightly over market value on shorter term contracts that act as a bridge until our prospects push them off the team. NO clauses that restrict their movement!

I'll go against the grain and say I don't want to see Iginla back. This team has finally showed signs of the culture changing, and for the better. I would hate to see a guy that was around for much of the under-performance and country club atmosphere brought back and potentially derail the gains made in that regard. Iginla should finish his career in Calgary, and be brought back, but now is not that time.

[Arsonist22]

Originally Posted by Da_Chief

That's a lot of want.

Stastny (6 mill), Callahan (5.5 mill), Downie (2.5 mill), Iginla (6 mill), Hiller (4.5 mill), Greene (3 mill), Niskanen (5 mill) = ~32.5 mill

Setoguchi, Mark Fayne and Justin Peters is what id like to get.

Peters a decent backup (potential starter for few games).
Fayne, very under-rated good puck mover dman with size.
Setoguchi, decent tweener between top 6 and third line.

Callahan is going to want 6-6.5 mill to sign anywhere. Probably more to go to a team that's still a long way from being a contender. Although I still think it would be worth spending the money on someone who's work ethic and leadership would set a great example for the younger guys on the team.

[Gaskal]

Can't see TB re-signing Callahan if they make a first round exit especially if it's a sweep. If Cammy walks that's a lot of cap hit gone when we're already having trouble making the floor. I'd back the truck up to Callahan's house if he decides to try out UFA.

[Husky]

Downie. Niskanen. Nothing major but solid pieces

[bucksmasher]

Originally Posted by dino7c

nobody is saying give the pick away...I am talking massive return here

I would bet my life savings that the Flames won't be drafting McDavid...Flames were almost 30 points above last this year and next year the usual suspects are gonna be tankyer than ever

If you could actually get a player or 2 signed like Cammy and Setogucci that you are certain will make your team better next year, would you consider trying to trade the Flames 2015 1st to Florida for their 1st this year?

Two 2014 top 4 first rounders plus free agents = ....... it could blow up in your face. One reason this makes sense to me is you might get some momentum moving forward by having a better year next season. Too many bad years and Hartley's effectiveness could wear off.