You take that back right now. Dont make me call in the refs!!
- Colin Dambrauskas

He has a hot wife if that makes it any better

hmm a 27 year old Paul Stastny sounds like he fits into this category
- DDM-Coga

Really thought there was a deal between the Leafs and Avs for Stastny before they went and signed Bozak for five years...

He has a hot wife if that makes it any better
- DDM-Coga

It just might!

Reagardless of the financial aspects of a deal, what kind of value can Calgary offer? I look at their assets, and aside from picks, the only players that stand out as big chips are Baertschi and Gaudreau, and I don't think the Flames want to move them.
- jmatchett383

I could live with backland/gaudreau for schenn

Really thought there was a deal between the Leafs and Avs for Stastny before they went and signed Bozak for five years...
- Colin Dambrauskas

I thought so too, who knows maybe Buffalo will try and land him now since they havent done a thing this off season

I don't get why the Flames don't ever want to go head first rebuild. Trade Hudler, Wideman, Cammy, guys of this sort to see what you can get. Your going to be bad for a few years, its ok. But you need to stock the cupboard with <24 year old talent/picks and be a good team in 4 years.

I don't get why the Flames don't ever want to go head first rebuild. Trade Hudler, Wideman, Cammy, guys of this sort to see what you can get. Your going to be bad for a few years, its ok. But you need to stock the cupboard with <24 year old talent/picks and be a good team in 4 years.
- mrhattrick27

Thing is - theyve been trying to move Cammy but no interest with his cap hit. Secondly, you cant just dump all your experienced players and vets. Theyve already moved several older players and are now one of the younger NHL teams...need to insulate the youth if they are going to properly develop. Rebuild or not.

I don't get why the Flames don't ever want to go head first rebuild. Trade Hudler, Wideman, Cammy, guys of this sort to see what you can get. Your going to be bad for a few years, its ok. But you need to stock the cupboard with <24 year old talent/picks and be a good team in 4 years.
- mrhattrick27

ever hear of Ken King?

If you guys really wanted Boyle I'd move him for a 4th rounder and decent prospect. That would allow the Rangers a little more cap room to surely get both Stepan and Hagelin signed. I believe they have 6-7m right now which is probably enough anyhow. Pyatt will most likely stay since he's familiar with AV. Brassard isn't an RFA until next year and the Rangers will have plenty of space, even after HL re-signs.

If you guys really wanted Boyle I'd move him for a 4th rounder and decent prospect. That would allow the Rangers a little more cap room to surely get both Stepan and Hagelin signed. I believe they have 6-7m right now which is probably enough anyhow. Pyatt will most likely stay since he's familiar with AV. Brassard isn't an RFA until next year and the Rangers will have plenty of space, even after HL re-signs.
- Ranger71

Rangers have a TON of contracts coming up next year too...only five players currently signed beyond next year.

Rangers have a TON of contracts coming up next year too...only five players currently signed beyond next year.
- Colin Dambrauskas

Yes, with all the cap space in the world too. Richards will be bought out too so make it 4 players, one of which was JUST signed . We essentially get a clean slate. But most if not all players will be retained for sure with re-signing Lundqvist as the first order of business.

EDIT: This coincides with one of the best UFA classes in years (a bit less so with Malkin and Letang resigning) which I don't think was a coincidence..

Rangers have a TON of contracts coming up next year too...only five players currently signed beyond next year.
- Colin Dambrauskas

True Colin, but they have alot of space to work with. It'll be somewhat close but I think they'll have some room at the end for maybe one good FA. What's the story with Niemesz, Irving and Aliu, are they still part of the Flames long term plans or have they fallen behind. I know all were fairly highly touted? I wouldn't mind picking up one in a deal, the Rangers have 0 goalie prospects as of now, maybe Irving could be a future backup.

Yes, with all the cap space in the world too. Richards will be bought out too so make it 4 players, one of which was JUST signed . We essentially get a clean slate. But most if not all players will be retained for sure with re-signing Lundqvist as the first order of business.
- mrhattrick27

Could work in your favor, but could also present problems with the number of UFA's that will exist. Dont want to lose too much production for nothing, ya know?

True Colin, but they have alot of space to work with. It'll be somewhat close but I think they'll have some room at the end for maybe one good FA. What's the story with Niemesz, Irving and Aliu, are they still part of the Flames long term plans or have they fallen behind. I know all were fairly highly touted? I wouldn't mind picking up one in a deal, the Rangers have 0 goalie prospects as of now, maybe Irving could be a future backup.
- Ranger71

Irving is all but done and Aliu was let go. Its a shame because I liked Aliu....had a ton of heart. Nemisz I have no idea what their plans are with him. Depth I guess.

Could work in your favor, but could also present problems with the number of UFA's that will exist. Dont want to lose too much production for nothing, ya know?
- Colin Dambrauskas

And they also have probably 3-4 prospects who will slide into some spots for around 5m total like Lindberg, Fast, Kristo, McIlrath. Isn't the cap supposed to go up a bit?

And they also have probably 3-4 prospects who will slide into some spots for around 5m total like Lindberg, Fast, Kristo, McIlrath. Isn't the cap supposed to go up a bit?
- Ranger71

could be 4 million, could be 10million. A lot of conflicting projected numbers are floating out there. But either way its a signifcant contract value increase of a cap increase

You know, it's funny because I can see Richards having a comeback season so-to-speak. Besides, even if he does have a bounce back year that contract is a non-starter! I agree that NY has to do something but give up Stepan? I can't see it. Sather will likely shed salary in another position.

Sounds like a welfare plea

I don't get why the Flames don't ever want to go head first rebuild. Trade Hudler, Wideman, Cammy, guys of this sort to see what you can get. Your going to be bad for a few years, its ok. But you need to stock the cupboard with <24 year old talent/picks and be a good team in 4 years.
- mrhattrick27

You can't trade EVERYBODY....be a little more realistic here. Look at the changes that have been made:

In:

Knight, Galliardi, Jones, O'Brien, Russell, Ramo, Berra, Cundari, Hanowski, Agostino etc.

Out:

Iggy, JBO, Sarich, Tanguay, Begin, Kipper, Irving, Aliu, Cervenka, etc.

And its not even the middle of July....if that isn't the definition of head first I don't know what is.

I wouldn't be totally against Richards if New York was willing to eat some of the salary. I like what the Flames have been doing but they do lack veteran leadership and a second line center (if Backlund can stay healthy and be a number 1).

It's always smart to buy low and sell high. Richards value couldn't be lower right now and who knows what happens to him in a different situation. He's really only had one bad year (I'd call the year before ok) and who knows how big an effect the shortened season had on him. Stepan's value couldn't be higher and any team who wants him is going to have to overpay. I wouldn't be against an offer sheet though. People tend to overate draft picks considering even a top 10 pick usually turns out to be a coin flip as to whether or not they live up to their potential. If they kept the offer under 5 million it would be a first and a third and I'd have no problem with that. It seems that everyone who isn't a Flames fan thinks the Flames will be fighting for the top pick. I watched almost every Flames game last year and they're nowhere near as bad as they're perceived to be. I already think they're much better than last year. Their main problems last year were that they were Iginla's team and Iginla played like a third liner 80% of the time and Kiprusoff looked like he had already retired. I can't count how many times the Flames were dominating the game until Kiprusoff let in a weak goal and everything fell apart. Yes it was a problem that they were mentally fragile and inconsistent but I feel they'll have new leaders step up this year.

They're far from elite but they're far from terrible. If they signed Stepan and he is the real deal and they can get at least average goaltending I would pick them to finish in the middle of the pack. A 10-20th first and third round pick for Stepan? I think the Flames win that.

People also need to stop throwing out Gaudreau for every trade rumor. He has minimal trade value. To start he's 5'8" and 150 lbs. You really have to be special to succeed in the NHL at that size and you're really not showing your NHL potential playing in college. He also isn't signed to a contract. He could be successful but he's a huge risk. The Flames are the one's locked into that risk and I hope it pays off but no other team is going to be trading anyone of note for him.

I wouldn't be totally against Richards if New York was willing to eat some of the salary. I like what the Flames have been doing but they do lack veteran leadership and a second line center (if Backlund can stay healthy and be a number 1).

It's always smart to buy low and sell high. Richards value couldn't be lower right now and who knows what happens to him in a different situation. He's really only had one bad year (I'd call the year before ok) and who knows how big an effect the shortened season had on him. Stepan's value couldn't be higher and any team who wants him is going to have to overpay. I wouldn't be against an offer sheet though. People tend to overate draft picks considering even a top 10 pick usually turns out to be a coin flip as to whether or not they live up to their potential. If they kept the offer under 5 million it would be a first and a third and I'd have no problem with that. It seems that everyone who isn't a Flames fan thinks the Flames will be fighting for the top pick. I watched almost every Flames game last year and they're nowhere near as bad as they're perceived to be. I already think they're much better than last year. Their main problems last year were that they were Iginla's team and Iginla played like a third liner 80% of the time and Kiprusoff looked like he had already retired. I can't count how many times the Flames were dominating the game until Kiprusoff let in a weak goal and everything fell apart. Yes it was a problem that they were mentally fragile and inconsistent but I feel they'll have new leaders step up this year.

They're far from elite but they're far from terrible. If they signed Stepan and he is the real deal and they can get at least average goaltending I would pick them to finish in the middle of the pack. A 10-20th first and third round pick for Stepan? I think the Flames win that.

People also need to stop throwing out Gaudreau for every trade rumor. He has minimal trade value. To start he's 5'8" and 150 lbs. You really have to be special to succeed in the NHL at that size and you're really not showing your NHL potential playing in college. He also isn't signed to a contract. He could be successful but he's a huge risk. The Flames are the one's locked into that risk and I hope it pays off but no other team is going to be trading anyone of note for him.
- Hunkulese

The only reason NYR would trade Richards would be for cap relief, so I can't see them eating salary. If there were going to do it that way they might as well just buy his ass out. Either way it makes no sense for the Flames to go down that road.

I doubt any offer sheet for a first and a third for Stepan wouldn't be matched, so I wouldn't worry about that one either.

I disagree on Gaudreau. Sure he is small but he can flat out play. Doesn't mean he will be a superstar, but he has value and is a legitimate prospect. Look what guys like Cory Conacher and Brendan Gallagher have been able to do. This isn't the old NHL.

The only reason NYR would trade Richards would be for cap relief, so I can't see them eating salary. If there were going to do it that way they might as well just buy his ass out. Either way it makes no sense for the Flames to go down that road.

I doubt any offer sheet for a first and a third for Stepan wouldn't be matched, so I wouldn't worry about that one either.

I disagree on Gaudreau. Sure he is small but he can flat out play. Doesn't mean he will be a superstar, but he has value and is a legitimate prospect. Look what guys like Cory Conacher and Brendan Gallagher have been able to do. This isn't the old NHL.
- The-O-G

It's still cap relief for the Rangers if they're only paying Ricahrds 2-3 million per season (or is it only the cap hit? I'm not entirely clear on the rule) and they don't have to buy him out. I don't care how rich you are buying out Richards is going to sting.

Can the Rangers afford to match a 6.7/year contract? Not saying the Flames are going to or should offer that but I couldn't see the Rangers matching.

Regarding Gaudreau. There are tons of players that can flat out play before they get to the NHL. What does Conacher or Gallagher have to do with anything. Gaudreau is much smaller than either of them and they've done nothing at an NHL level except have pretty good rookie seasons. The list of sub 5'10" players who excel in junior and college but never succeed in the NHL is far longer. I'm not against him at all and he may be the next Fleury/St-Louis but right now he's still a huge risk and an unknown. Teams aren't going to part with anyone of note for that big a risk.

If you guys really wanted Boyle I'd move him for a 4th rounder and decent prospect. That would allow the Rangers a little more cap room to surely get both Stepan and Hagelin signed. I believe they have 6-7m right now which is probably enough anyhow. Pyatt will most likely stay since he's familiar with AV. Brassard isn't an RFA until next year and the Rangers will have plenty of space, even after HL re-signs.
- Ranger71

I feel like you are putting way to much value on Boyle there bud.a fourth yes, a fourth and a prospect? no.

If you guys really wanted Boyle I'd move him for a 4th rounder and decent prospect. That would allow the Rangers a little more cap room to surely get both Stepan and Hagelin signed. I believe they have 6-7m right now which is probably enough anyhow. Pyatt will most likely stay since he's familiar with AV. Brassard isn't an RFA until next year and the Rangers will have plenty of space, even after HL re-signs.
- Ranger71

Boyle is not worth that pick and a decent prospect.

Brassard is not a complete player and most of all not a winner. for those who think he's the answer. Grabo same thing. You have to be realistic flame fans, its a 5 year plus rebuild. build your team through the draft, why talk about guys who still keep you out of playoffs but may keep you out of top 5 in draft
- kovey27

Pretty much true, however what about a Damien Brunner???
Is he on the Flames radar, Baerstchi and Brunner a nice swiss combo.