[Rumour] Flames scouting potential free agents in Sweden

[sureLoss]

From Friedman's 31 thoughts:

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/3...rade-deadline/

A number of NHL teams were in Sweden over the last couple of weeks to scout potential free agents. There are four I know of: defencemen Lawrence Pilut (age 22) and Joel Persson (23); winger Michael Lindqvist (23) and centre Par Lindholm (26). Pilut’s father, Larry, was born in Detroit and played in the NCAA before going to Sweden, where he settled. Among the teams who were watching: Boston, Calgary, Chicago, Nashville, Vancouver and the Rangers. Likely more.

Lawrence Pilut:
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=84938

Joel Persson:
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=63003

Michael Lindqvist:
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=37048

Par Lindholm:
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=13091


All 4 will be subject to ELCs.

Lindqvist intrigues me the most. RW right shot: 20 goals in 32 games so far this season

[TheFlamesVan]

None of the experiments have been necessarily 'successful' yet. But I like that the Flames go out and actively look into players in Europe. The right fit will happen at some point.

[Phaneufenstein]

Originally Posted by TheFlamesVan

None of the experiments have been necessarily 'successful' yet. But I like that the Flames go out and actively look into players in Europe. The right fit will happen at some point.

Sample size is small but Rittich looks like a good one

[SeanCharles]

You could argue that Rittich has been a success as he was a free agent signing out of Europe.

[AC]

Originally Posted by TheFlamesVan

None of the experiments have been necessarily 'successful' yet. But I like that the Flames go out and actively look into players in Europe. The right fit will happen at some point.

Rittich looks to be a success already, even if he never played another game again.

[Groot]

Has anyone mentioned Rittich yet as a possible success?

If the team isn't against the max number of contracts, these type of signings are very low risk signings with considerable potential upside. Go ahead.

[bubbsy]

Leafs grabbed 2 dmen from Sweden this way and one is already in their top 6 (borgman).

A free asset, no cost of acquisition, minimal initial cap hit, worst case, it's a wasted 1 of 50 contracts.

[smiggy77]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

Leafs grabbed 2 dmen from Sweden this way and one is already in their top 6 (borgman).



A free asset, no cost of acquisition, minimal initial cap hit, worst case, it's a wasted 1 of 50 contracts.

This is the key: Free asset. If one pans out, it makes all the experiments worth it, assuming you sign them to a 1 year or a 2 way. Your only risk is the extra contract on the books.

[Hey Connor, It's Mess]

I think Rittich is considered a success

[nik-]

I too am now on board with Michael Lindqvist. And even though I had never even heard of him until this thread, I've decided I will get outraged if we don't sign him.

[slcrocket]

Rittich seems successful.

[Table 5]

If circumstances had been a bit different, I think Roman Cervenka could've been a success for this team as well. The guy had 9/8/17 stat line in 39 games without ever really getting any rhythm. Maybe he's one of those guys who's better suited for Europe, but I wish he would've given it one more full year.

Either way, I love these types of experiments. They add a little bit of entertainment to every season.

[Macho0978]

Also just missed out on Panarin, that could have been ok too

[Jacks]

If they sign a player out of Europe now doesn't he have to clear waivers first?

[btimbit]

I thought pribyl had looked good too. If he stopped getti g hurt

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by Jacks

If they sign a player out of Europe now doesn't he have to clear waivers first?

Nope. And the ones sureloss mentioned would be eligible for entry level contracts. Could sign them and send them right to Stockton, no waivers

[Enoch Root]

If you can do one of these sorts of signings each year, you're laughing.

It's a simple numbers game: most won't amount to much of anything, but sooner or later, you're bound to hit a keeper. And it's a free asset.

Also, Rittich seems to be a success.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Dan Labraaten may have been the last (and only) undrafted Swedish player on the Flames, and even he came via the WHA and Detroit Red Wings.

Oh wait... I guess Henrik Karlsson too.

[Jacks]

Originally Posted by btimbit

Nope. And the ones sureloss mentioned would be eligible for entry level contracts. Could sign them and send them right to Stockton, no waivers

Gotcha, wasn't thinking of the ELC part. I know other players have been claimed on waivers after signing mid season.

[shadowlord]

For the cap-hit, I liked Nakladal as a bottom-pairing defenseman who could move up to second pair in a pinch.