You've gotta think though...this years draft is expected to be really solid, teams may place more value on their first rounders. The Flames now have three. They could even look into moving two for a higher pick. Not a bad year to decide to load up on picks/prospects.

HOWEVER

Given that they are not taking back any NHL ready players/prospects...its going to be a couple of years of pain for Flames fans.
- Colin Dambrauskas

Flamers only hope for avoiding years of pain is giordano, tangay, calamari, kippersoft and glencross get packaged up for young quality NHL LEVEL centers that can be added mix of upcoming draft picks.

Currently, Kipper is not very good. Is it between his ears, or has he lost a bit..

Either way, He is not a step up for the Leafs.

Currently, Kipper is not very good. Is it between his ears, or has he lost a bit..

Either way, He is not a step up for the Leafs.
- bixll

His team isnt exactly helping him out, either. But he has been pretty good this year...his numbers do not reflect his play, imo.

GLASS HALF FULL:

Supposed to be a VERY strong draft this year...having 3 picks (hopefully St.Louis makes it and maybe more if more deals to come) can only be a good thing. The Flames will have the opportunity to grab at least 2 VERY strong franchise type players if they package and trade up at the draft.

Cap Space...in a year where MOST teams are going to have to pinch their pennies to get under the new cap (also making the JBO deal tougher to make), the Flames will have a TON of cap space. Not only does this give them the ability to sign players, but other teams aren't going to be able to spend as much, therefore you can expect prices to not be as high this off-season. And if you think the Flames won't be VERY active during the FA period, you're kidding yourself.

GLASS HALF EMPTY:

Despite being handcuffed by NTC's in both the Iggy and Jbo deals, the return has been underwhelming. Although teams are likely to hang on more tightly to their first rounders (because it's a great draft year) it would still be nice to see a prospect or 2 come back that have a little more promise. That being said, i'm not familiar with ANY of them, so I don't want to be too quick to judge. Bottom line...we aren't getting any sexy names back in these deals and it is frustrating. But until the draft that is gonna be the way things are. After that, we should have a few players which will brighten hope for the future.

GLASS HALF FULL:

Supposed to be a VERY strong draft this year...having 3 picks (hopefully St.Louis makes it and maybe more if more deals to come) can only be a good thing. The Flames will have the opportunity to grab at least 2 VERY strong franchise type players if they package and trade up at the draft.

Cap Space...in a year where MOST teams are going to have to pinch their pennies to get under the new cap (also making the JBO deal tougher to make), the Flames will have a TON of cap space. Not only does this give them the ability to sign players, but other teams aren't going to be able to spend as much, therefore you can expect prices to not be as high this off-season. And if you think the Flames won't be VERY active during the FA period, you're kidding yourself.

GLASS HALF EMPTY:

Despite being handcuffed by NTC's in both the Iggy and Jbo deals, the return has been underwhelming. Although teams are likely to hang on more tightly to their first rounders (because it's a great draft year) it would still be nice to see a prospect or 2 come back that have a little more promise. That being said, i'm not familiar with ANY of them, so I don't want to be too quick to judge. Bottom line...we aren't getting any sexy names back in these deals and it is frustrating. But until the draft that is gonna be the way things are. After that, we should have a few players which will brighten hope for the future.
- The-O-G

I would've forced STL to make the pick this year. JBO didn't have to be dealt this year like Iggy. I'm sure another month of horrible hockey and Jbo's list would've expanded come draft time. Not like the return could've gotten that much worse.

I would've forced STL to make the pick this year. JBO didn't have to be dealt this year like Iggy. I'm sure another month of horrible hockey and Jbo's list would've expanded come draft time. Not like the return could've gotten that much worse.
- Lahey

Yeah, I would have liked to seen that as well. At least it's insulated, and if they do miss we get another pick. so it isn't the end of the world. They are a strong team and I would say they are most likely going to make it. Not to mention the addition of JBo should help them a lot as well.

Like I said before, I think teams are really unwilling to let go of their first round picks this year (unlike last year), ESPECIALLY if they don't make the playoffs because of the lottery. Not to mention adding almost 7 mil in cap space. Sure Jbo's list might grow, but finding teams who would take on his 7 mil in a year when the cap is going down is a tough thing to do.

Yeah, I would have liked to seen that as well. At least it's insulated, and if they do miss we get another pick. so it isn't the end of the world. They are a strong team and I would say they are most likely going to make it. Not to mention the addition of JBo should help them a lot as well.

Like I said before, I think teams are really unwilling to let go of their first round picks this year (unlike last year), ESPECIALLY if they don't make the playoffs because of the lottery. Not to mention adding almost 7 mil in cap space. Sure Jbo's list might grow, but finding teams who would take on his 7 mil in a year when the cap is going down is a tough thing to do.
- The-O-G

It's going to get worse with regards to 1sts going forward especially if this year the team that should draft 10th overall wins the lottery.

If CGY is in rebuild mode, why wouldn't they keep part of Jbo's salary going forward to maximize the return? Really with any of the players they potentially move going forward

Potential FA Targets (in no particular order):

1. Clarkson
2. Horton
3. Weiss
4. Clowe
5. Stalberg
6. Fillpula
7. Bozak

Any idea who's next? Cammy?

Potential FA Targets (in no particular order):

1. Clarkson
2. Horton
3. Weiss
4. Clowe
5. Stalberg
6. Fillpula
7. Bozak
- The-O-G

It's going to get worse with regards to 1sts going forward especially if this year the team that should draft 10th overall wins the lottery.

If CGY is in rebuild mode, why wouldn't they keep part of Jbo's salary going forward to maximize the return? Really with any of the players they potentially move going forward
- Lahey

That's a great question....they are losing some really solid players though, the core of their team really. My only answer is that they are more than likely going to try and replace a few of these guys via free agency. The are blowing it up big time, but I don't think finishing last next season is in their plans.

- Lahey

Agree or not (I don't particularly agree)...a few of those guys I just listed are going to sign here....

I would bet money Clarkson does...

That's a great question....they are losing some really solid players though, the core of their team really. My only answer is that they are more than likely going to try and replace a few of these guys via free agency. The are blowing it up big time, but I don't think finishing last next season is in their plans.
- The-O-G

So signing a Clarkson or Horton who's careers are so up and down is going to fix the issue? The fact is you guys were a bottom feeder with Iginla. The UFA list isn't exactly full of guys that are better then Iginla.

Agree or not (I don't particularly agree)...a few of those guys I just listed are going to sign here....

I would bet money Clarkson does...
- The-O-G

http://www.nhl.com/ice/pl...&season=20122013&view=log

I hope he does too. He's going to get 20+mil and has 5 points in 23 games or so.

So signing a Clarkson or Horton who's careers are so up and down is going to fix the issue? The fact is you guys were a bottom feeder with Iginla. The UFA list isn't exactly full of guys that are better then Iginla.
- Lahey

I completely agree, but they need a few established NHLers to fill the void.

Comeau, McGrattan, Begin, Babchuck, Iginla, and Jbo (and there is going to me more) are all gone...someone has to play!

http://www.nhl.com/ice/player.htm?id=8470920&season=20122013&view=log

I hope he does too. He's going to get 20+mil and has 5 points in 23 games or so.
- Lahey

They need a guy like him....they went after Prust hard last year and missed out. He will get paid but the Flames forwards are buttery soft. Time will tell, but like I said before, with the cap going down, teams aren't going to be able to spend as much. Hopefully that means the price won't go too high.

They need a guy like him....they went after Prust hard last year and missed out. He will get paid but the Flames forwards are buttery soft. Time will tell, but like I said before, with the cap going down, teams aren't going to be able to spend as much. Hopefully that means the price won't go too high.
- The-O-G

Guys like Horton, Clowe and Clarkson always get paid. Teams are in love with big guys that have been able to play well in this league.

I'm very curious to see where Clowe goes and for how much SJ gets and how much the acquiring team extends him too. Guy is pretty useless this year, yet there will be a GM that thinks he can play top 6 and score 20+ goals.

Guys like Horton, Clowe and Clarkson always get paid. Teams are in love with big guys that have been able to play well in this league.

I'm very curious to see where Clowe goes and for how much SJ gets and how much the acquiring team extends him too. Guy is pretty useless this year, yet there will be a GM that thinks he can play top 6 and score 20+ goals.
- Lahey

Yeah...i'm not so high on Clowe to be honest. He's the type of guy that could be completely out of the league in 2 years. I didn't mean I hope the Flames go after all of those guys, just dropped a few names I could see the Flames looking into, and I know the really want to get bigger/tougher upfront.

I completely agree, but they need a few established NHLers to fill the void.

Comeau, McGrattan, Begin, Babchuck, Iginla, and Jbo (and there is going to me more) are all gone...someone has to play!
- The-O-G

Go after the 2nd rate guys. The Antropov's, Zidlicky's Penner's etc...

Try trade with CBJ at the draft who apparently want to dump some guys.

You know what really gets me about the Jbo deal and with the whole getting some players to play next year. Why didn't Feaster ask for Cole or Russel? Two guys who the Blues are now looking at moving.

I don't know if either will ever be anything more then bottom pairing guys, but both are 24-25 one being a former 1st rounder. Why not take the chance on them?

You know what really gets me about the Jbo deal and with the whole getting some players to play next year. Why didn't Feaster ask for Cole or Russel? Two guys who the Blues are now looking at moving.

I don't know if either will ever be anything more then bottom pairing guys, but both are 24-25 one being a former 1st rounder. Why not take the chance on them?
- Lahey

Ya I actually really like Russel from his WHL days...but most likely they will want him around for depth on the backend during playoffs.

Cundari is still young though, I think I heard he is 22...maybe they like him more? He made the all-star game this year, so he can't be that bad.

It all comes down to scouting I guess...the Flames are really going for the "diamonds in the rough" it seems haha (frank) me.

Apparently between Berra and Ramo the Flames have the 2 best goalies not in the NHL....someone better tell Feaster this IS the NHL

I would've forced STL to make the pick this year. JBO didn't have to be dealt this year like Iggy. I'm sure another month of horrible hockey and Jbo's list would've expanded come draft time. Not like the return could've gotten that much worse.
- Lahey

Exactly. In the summer we may have been able to snagg Philly's 1st which will be higher than St Lou's. Who cares about the prospects, I don't hold a lot of hope that any of these guys will be NHL's.

I completely agree, but they need a few established NHLers to fill the void.

Comeau, McGrattan, Begin, Babchuck, Iginla, and Jbo (and there is going to me more) are all gone...someone has to play!
- The-O-G

I'm sorry to have to have to be the one to tell you this, but you are in the same position Edmonton was in 3 years ago. No big name free agents are going to want to sign with the Flames. You're going to have to fill your team with plugs for a couple years until you get a few really solid 1st round picks that are ready to help your team. Just look at the Oiler's 09-10 roster.. Brule, O'Sullivan, Potulny, Nilsson, Comrie, Pouliot, Stortini, Jacques, Pisani, Stone, Chorney, Reddox.. that's like half of the team right there. Literally none of those guys are playing in the NHL anymore and most of them had no business in the NHL in the first place.

Potential FA Targets (in no particular order):

1. Clarkson
2. Horton
3. Weiss
4. Clowe
5. Stalberg
6. Fillpula
7. Bozak
- The-O-G

I would think that Feaster will go hard after at least 2 of Filpula, Weiss, Roy and Ribeiro and solidify our C position for the next few years. I would like to see a Clarkson and/or Horton on the RW as well. I'm sure Feaster's plan would be to utilize most of that free cap space, ala FLA from 2 summers ago. I agree that cap space should be a BIG asset come FA. Not to mention, we maaaaayyyy be able to gain more assets by aquiring some salary dumps from other teams. I also think that the frenzy that is FA should have fewer teams making big offers because nobody will have the space to do so.
The one thing that Feaster has managed to do and probably will continue to do, is free up a tom of cap space. If we move Cammi and Kipper as well, we will have a lot of flexibility.