2024/25 Cap Space: How to capitalize?

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

I am a big fan of trying to take on a cap dump that expires in 2025 if we are getting a good return with future assets.

Right.

Did we learn nothing from the Monahan trade? Target teams with cap issues (there will still be some even if the cap goes up), and take on an underperforming contract for picks. Can't have enough in a rebui....er....re-tool.

[Poe969]

1 year deals on over priced C's and try to trade for guys in the last year of their deal. See if Carolina will give up anything to take Orlov, the give him every chance to raise his value.

[trackercowe]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

The best thing they can do this off season to weaponize cap space is what Chicago and Arizona have done, which is to sign guys to one year “show me” deals with the intent of moving them to a contender at the trade deadline.

Give a vet or two ample opportunity to produce and then ship them off. Guys would are looking for big-money deals but don’t find a home would be good for it as well

This. Absolutely this. Do the same until 2026 when the new arena opens, and as we accrue more picks. I don't think they should make any big moves in free agency for at least 2-3 seasons. Only these short term "show me" deals.

[FlamesAddiction]

Sign cup chasing veterans to one-year deals who can't catch on with a contender, then trade them to a contender at the deadline.

Kind of like what Buffalo did when they signed Hall and traded him to Boston at the deadline for a 2nd and a younger roster player.

Philly used this tactic before as well.

[cannon7]

Thankfully the UFA market is going to be so sparse that even if the Flames wanted to load up on UFAs, there just isn't much there to tempt them.

[albertGQ]

I'd rather sign UFAs to one year contracts for slightly above market value and retain at the deadline than be a 3rd party broker

I can see us getting 2nd or 3rd (maybe even a 1st) round pick doing this instead of 4th and 5th round picks

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Funkhouser

With only Kylington & Pelletier to re-sign, we are looking at having $15M+ in cap space next season. If we trade Markstrom, this will likely be close to $20M.

How can the Flames best capitalize on this?

In typical Flames fashion, the cap is going up by $4M next year, giving lots of teams some breathing room and reducing the value of cap space. Regardless, I am sure there are still a number of teams that will be cash strapped and may need to bury some bodies elsewhere.

Looking for some creative thoughts and speculation as to what the Flames can do to acquire some assets.

Typical unfortunate timing.

However, teams are still going to be strapped, and the extra $4M is going to get used up very quickly, as many players have been holding off, waiting for the cap to go up, before they go for big contracts.

Pettersson getting $11.6M is indicative of this. Contracts are just going to be that much bigger this year, due to the extra $4m, and everyone will be a the cap right away again.

[dino7c]

"be like Arizona"
might be the worst advice ever

they have been rebuilding for 100 years and are still ####ing terrible

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by dino7c

"be like Arizona"
might be the worst advice ever

they have been rebuilding for 100 years and are still ####ing terrible

plus the strategy of signing veterans to 1 year show me deals sputtered out this season...

Zucker signed for $5.3 million --> 6th round pick
Dumba signed for $3.9 million -> 5th round pick in 2027 and they also had ship out a 2025 7th

Stecher got a decent pick, but that was because he had such a low cap hit and was one of the few veteran d-men that Edmonton could fit in their remaining cap space. Flames picked him up for basically no asset cost last season.

[CFO]

Flames should target 1st and 2nds that are 3-4 years out for short term cap dumps. Then take these pics in a few years and go hard at any elite young RFA's for offersheets.

[cannon7]

Originally Posted by dino7c

"be like Arizona"
might be the worst advice ever

they have been rebuilding for 100 years and are still ####ing terrible

You post this like the Flames have a choice. What is your plan for a small market team that no one wants to play for?

[cannon7]

Originally Posted by CFO

Flames should target 1st and 2nds that are 3-4 years out for short term cap dumps. Then take these pics in a few years and go hard at any elite young RFA's for offersheets.

Has an offer sheet ever worked out long term for the team making it?

[Muta]

Maybe we can 'pull a Monahan' and take someone's overpaid centre along with a first round pick, only for that centre to actually turn out to be ####ing awesome and then later traded for ANOTHER first round pick

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by cannon7

You post this like the Flames have a choice. What is your plan for a small market team that no one wants to play for?

Lots of people want to play here.

[Funkhouser]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

plus the strategy of signing veterans to 1 year show me deals sputtered out this season...

Zucker signed for $5.3 million --> 6th round pick
Dumba signed for $3.9 million -> 5th round pick in 2027 and they also had ship out a 2025 7th

Stecher got a decent pick, but that was because he had such a low cap hit and was one of the few veteran d-men that Edmonton could fit in their remaining cap space. Flames picked him up for basically no asset cost last season.

This is a good point. In no world is a 6th round pick worth $5M.
Like I suggested, what is a full season of _______ worth?
-Mangiapane @ $2.9M (costs the Flames $2.9M)
-Kuzmenko @ $2.75M (costs the Flames $2.75M)
-Coleman @ $2.45M for 3 seasons (costs the Flames $7.3M)

Instead of taking on overpaid UFAs and unloading them for low picks, we should be retaining on our own future UFAs and unloading them at the start of the season to teams in a cap crunch.

Mangiapane & Kuzmenko to Avalanche for a 1st.
Coleman to Dallas for Bourque & a 1st
Markstrom (no retention) and Mangiapane to Leafs for 2024 1st, Minten & Reaves

[Parallex]

This is the Calgary Flames we're talking about... the last time they were in this situation they used it to give overpayments on multi-year deals to Mason Raymond, Matt Stajan, & Derek Engellend.

Let's just say that my expectations are low.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Call it a hunch but get ready for the Chandler Stephenson overpay.

I think there's unfortunately going to be some truth to the "retooling" talk.

Hope I'm wrong, but I see the Flames offering a couple of $6mllion x 4+ year contracts.

My guess is Anthony Duclair and Brandon Montour. They'll try to bring back the Huberdeau band.

[Samonadreau]

Agree to find a Monahanish player to take on with 1 or 2 seasons left for a 1st rounder.

[PeteMoss]

Re-sign Monahan to a giant contract and then give up another 1st round pick to get rid of it.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by blankall

I think there's unfortunately going to be some truth to the "retooling" talk.

Hope I'm wrong, but I see the Flames offering a couple of $6mllion x 4+ year contracts.

My guess is Anthony Duclair and Brandon Montour. They'll try to bring back the Huberdeau band.

I could see Montour easily. I'd be fine with Duclair on a 1 or 2 year deal, nothing more than $3 million per. He is just way too fragile and inconsistent.