[Signing] Flames re-sign Stone (3 yrs, $3.5 mil AAV)

[Nehkara]

Reminder:

Our entire top 5 D are locked up for the next 3 years. Stability.

[Jbo]

The posters that I would expect to hate this deal, do.

All is well on CP.

[ComixZone]

This is effectively the Engelland deal, but for a younger player, and slightly adjusted for inflation.

I love this deal.

[Reign of Fire]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

The biggest reason why I don't like this is it blocks the path for somebody like Andersson.

If someone moves past him, whats stopping the Wizard (oops Treliving) from trading Stone? I am sure enough teams will want him at that cap hit.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

As a reminder Flames 2018 5th round pick will now transfer to Arizona.

Shaping up to be a boring draft day next year. Right now, the Flames only have 4 picks -- Florida's 4th (from Hudler), and their own 4, 6, and 7.


* The third rounder comes back if the Flames make the playoffs.

[Stanley]

Apparently a good chunk of Flames fans don't care about icing the best team possible and rather whine and complain about a "slightly overpaid" #5 D.

lol

jeezus...

[burnitdown]

Originally Posted by Muta

Would you rather have Wideman at $5.5M as our fifth, or Stone at $3.5M as our fifth? Any way you look at this, it's a good deal, especially if GG is looking at rolling out a more balanced defensive deployment. Also, injuries WILL happen, and even if two of our defensemen go down, we would still have an amazing top three.

This is a deal we can afford to make.

Ha - I didn't know bringing back Wideman @ $5.5M was our only other option. How about bringing in a depth D for $1.5M to to round out our bottom 6 with Kulak and use the savings on forward, where we can definitely use the help?

[tvp2003]

Never thought it would happen but Treliving comes through again. Cost seems high but it will depend on how Gulutzan spreads out the minutes.

Also with Stone being a right shot, does that mean Andersson is likely back in Stockton? Gulutzan loves his lefty/righty pairings, and I can't see him sitting in the press box as a #7. That leaves Kulak, Wotherspoon and Bartkowski fighting for #6 (and #7) -- they are all left-shot.

[SuperMatt18]

1 year too long for my liking but I'll take it.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

The biggest reason why I don't like this is it blocks the path for somebody like Andersson.

Why? Because of his playing style?

If he's good enough, he'll be plugged into that 6 spot.

[calumniate]

We were remarkably healthy on D last year. There is still room for some of the kids.. so long as Tre doesn't sign a #6 guy! Lol!

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by Samonadreau

What's our Cap hit at now?

Pat Steinberg‏Verified account @Fan960Steinberg 9m9 minutes ago
More
With Stone deal in place, #Flames have approx. $9.8 million in cap space for free agency and to sign Bennett/Ferland/Lazar. #Flames

[DJones]

I love this, he can step into Hamonics spot if he gets injured. And if a young guy is pushing it's a very tradeable contract.

[TurdFerguson]

[Parallex]

Treliving: Damnit! I'm all out of way overpaid bottom-pairing D now that Wideman, Smid, and Engellend are gone... Guess I'll have to go sign another one!

[ColoradoFlamesFan]

Love the deal, and all the moves so far

from the HF site
Oil gonna Oil

"LOL so Calgary uses up their cap space on all defense and none on offense? THose saying "Ohhhh they are scary now!" were you scared of this D-line?

Giordano-Bouwmeester
Regehr-Phaneuf
Pardy-Sarich

They were supposed to be the 'best' but they couldn't even keep it together. What makes people think this new Flames defence will be any better? I don't think so. We'll still create havoc for them."

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

Yeah, all of this is why it's an awful signing. Flames started winning once Stone was acquired and people correlated his acquisition with the winning streak as if he was the reason. He was actually pretty bad.

https://flamesnation.ca/2017/03/18/m...-being-better/

So, no, he's not a legit top four defenceman. He's a legit bottom pairing defenceman. Which is fine. But he's being paid like a legit top four defenceman, and there are other guys who are better who could have been had for less. They finally got Deryk Engelland off the books and signed someone who's not really any better for more money and three years, and it costs them a draft pick.

Again, this is to the Flames as Kris Russell is to the Oilers, just for less money. It's not a crippling, team-destroying contract, nor is he a non-NHL defenceman being paid NHL money (a la Luca Sbisa for Vegas)... but it's a bad way to use cap space and with Brouwer already eating cap he doesn't deserve, you really would rather not have two of those guys on your team at the same time.

Yup. Exactly this.

He is what he is but he will be in a different role this year. Very unlikely he'll see anywhere near 57% defensive zone starts next year in the 3rd pair. Take away last year where he was buried with defensive zone starts and he's been slightly below average.

With Hamonic and Brodie both signed for much less than defense of their level, I guess the Flames feel they can overpay for the 5th d-man role.

[Vinny01]

The Flames are an injury away from Andersen playing in the NHL. With Stone on the team the ability to plug a hole in the top 4 if needed is easier with him on the backend.

[Jbo]

Originally Posted by Parallex

Treliving: Damnit! I'm all out of way overpaid bottom-pairing D now that Wideman, Smid, and Engellend are gone... Guess I'll have to go sign another one!

[868904]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

The biggest reason why I don't like this is it blocks the path for somebody like Andersson.

If Andersson turns out as good as we hope, you trade him for a good return, OR you trade one of Hamilton or Hamonic for an even bigger return.

There's lots of flexibility for the Flames.