I imagine BT will be talking to the Islanders about Halak and Greiss, especially after Snow's comments on Greiss. Halak could be a fit here, but I think he'll be one of the lowest guys on the list for us.

BT will most likely inquire/push for one of

Vas/Bishop
MAF/Murray
Elliott/Allen
and Reimer first

The announcement of an expansion draft would be a major influence on which route we decide to take this offseason.
- Saskabush

Add Freddy Anderson to that list and it's a set, but I agree with names and, what I took to be priority order as well. (1 and 2 are basically a push IMO)

Add Freddy Anderson to that list and it's a set, but I agree with names and, what I took to be priority order as well. (1 and 2 are basically a push IMO)
- rmull905

- DDM-Coga

is Colorado gonna keep Varly or Pickard? Varlamov's still pretty young by goalie standards

Add Freddy Anderson to that list and it's a set, but I agree with names and, what I took to be priority order as well. (1 and 2 are basically a push IMO)
- rmull905

Yep completely spaced on Andersen, also good call on Varlamov/Pickard that is another possibility.

Halak could be a good option if everything else falls through(injury issues could be a concern though).

We have what we hope to be our own version of Murray in Jon Gilies so any move we make would ideally be for a goalie that:
a.We don't waste too many good assets on.
b. Wouldn't sting too much to lose in an expansion draft.

Yep completely spaced on Andersen, also good call on Varlamov/Pickard that is another possibility.

Halak could be a good option if everything else falls through(injury issues could be a concern though).

We have what we hope to be our own version of Murray in Jon Gilies so any move we make would ideally be for a goalie that:
a.We don't waste too many good assets on.
b. Wouldn't sting too much to lose in an expansion draft.
- Saskabush

Precisely.....gotta be careful here. This is why I would be surprised if BT blew his load for a guy like Bishop. Goaltending might be shaky next year as well.

Precisely.....gotta be careful here. This is why I would be surprised if BT blew his load for a guy like Bishop. Goaltending might be shaky next year as well.
- The-O-G

My point exactly. We sign Ortio and (Ramo?) to short deals. Neither is going to getting big money on the open market...
One more year of pain and misery and if we get decent tending, bonus. Every GM knows we want a tendie so we aren't going to get great value in the trade market. Wait for the expansion to be official and THEN begin to negotiate...

Yep completely spaced on Andersen, also good call on Varlamov/Pickard that is another possibility.

Halak could be a good option if everything else falls through(injury issues could be a concern though).

We have what we hope to be our own version of Murray in Jon Gilies so any move we make would ideally be for a goalie that:
a.We don't waste too many good assets on.
b. Wouldn't sting too much to lose in an expansion draft.
- Saskabush

To be fair, the Murray-Gilles might be way too premature.
Murray has played 72 AHL games with a 1.76 GAA and 0.937 SV% and won the AHL’s version of the Vezina and Rookie of the Year
Gilles has played 7 AHL games with 2.30 GAA and 0.920 SV%
(I hope the Flames trade for Fleury

Add Freddy Anderson to that list and it's a set, but I agree with names and, what I took to be priority order as well. (1 and 2 are basically a push IMO)
- rmull905

The Ducks will not be trading Anderson to Calgary. Not granting permission to speak to Boudreau should be enough of a clue into how they plan to deal with this particular division rival.

is Colorado gonna keep Varly or Pickard? Varlamov's still pretty young by goalie standards
- TheNugeIsHuge

I think they want to keep both, but same with Murray and MAF, afraid that they would lose 1 to the expansion draft.

If Pitts doesnt move a goalie, they wont, but if MAF is traded, they might move Picks with the fear of losing him for nothing in expansion.

I think a lot of teams will be in the same mind frame

To be fair, the Murray-Gilles might be way too premature.
Murray has played 72 AHL games with a 1.76 GAA and 0.937 SV% and won the AHL’s version of the Vezina and Rookie of the Year
Gilles has played 7 AHL games with 2.30 GAA and 0.920 SV%
(I hope the Flames trade for Fleury

- DeflatedPucks

Exactly! For all we know Gillies might turn out way better than Murray!

To be fair, the Murray-Gilles might be way too premature.
Murray has played 72 AHL games with a 1.76 GAA and 0.937 SV% and won the AHL’s version of the Vezina and Rookie of the Year
Gilles has played 7 AHL games with 2.30 GAA and 0.920 SV%
(I hope the Flames trade for Fleury

- DeflatedPucks

That's why I added the "hope". But we have reasons to be excited. He dominated in the NCAA (winning the frozen four in his final year) and in those 7 games he had 2 shutouts and was forcing Flames management to put out pressers tempering expectations (our goaltending was horrendous at the time) before suffering a season ending hip injury.

I would be ok with us grabbing MAF as long as the price isn't anything more than a 2nd rounder plus maybe a 4th or mid level prospect, which might not be appealing to the Pens or their fans.

My point exactly. We sign Ortio and (Ramo?) to short deals. Neither is going to getting big money on the open market...
One more year of pain and misery and if we get decent tending, bonus. Every GM knows we want a tendie so we aren't going to get great value in the trade market. Wait for the expansion to be official and THEN begin to negotiate...
- geta02it

I like Ramo but I'd be surprised if BT resigns him. Odds are he won't be ready for the start of the season, and if the Flames finish in the lottery again next season their could be some pressure to fire BT (especially if goaltending is to blame once again).

This is a results driven industry. BT will be doing everything in his power to make sure he has done his job in giving the team a chance to improve, his job could depend on it and he knows that.

My money is on us signing Reimer to a 3 year deal at 4.5 mill (identical to Hiller's deal I believe).

Fair point. Not sure Reimer would be an upgrade over Halak, but I can imagine the $4.5M price tag for 2 more years on Halak may level those two in terms of overall value.

Blues are going to be in a tough spot. Not sure what Elliott is worth to them. They can run the tandem one more year which A) keeps things the same and B) will give Allen less leverage when it comes time to negotiate his next contract (RFA after next year). But then they'll likely lose Elliott to UFA after next season. Plus, Elliott's price is going to be at an all-time high after the back-nine of this season & playoffs.

I'd completely rule the Pens out. MAF has a NMC and there's no chance in hell they are moving Murray.

Bishop has a NMC as well, no idea if he'd waive it or not. But he's likely due for a raise after next year. If he is willing to waive and the Bolts don't want to pay him then there may be a deal there. Seems risky for the Flames to acquire a goalie who will be a pending UFA in a year and is due for a somewhat significant raise. Vasy seems like the future for them, but I guess it depends what BT wants to pony up.

Halak probably isn't the best option ever, but for a mid-round pick you'd get a goalie that can steal games for you. He's not perfect and can be somewhat injury prone, but he can be a real top-flight goalie for stretches, too.
- eichiefs9

No you get Jonas Hiller 2.0

No you get Jonas Hiller 2.0
- LittleRickyV2

- eichiefs9

- LittleRickyV2

Just let me get my 3rd round pick and be on my merry way.

Then Jaro can turn into a Hiller at midnight.

To be fair, the Murray-Gilles might be way too premature.
Murray has played 72 AHL games with a 1.76 GAA and 0.937 SV% and won the AHL’s version of the Vezina and Rookie of the Year
Gilles has played 7 AHL games with 2.30 GAA and 0.920 SV%
(I hope the Flames trade for Fleury

- DeflatedPucks

I hope to God they don't.

The Ducks will not be trading Anderson to Calgary. Not granting permission to speak to Boudreau should be enough of a clue into how they plan to deal with this particular division rival.
- ConnorMcDaigle

Hey, uh, have you forgotten he's an RFA? Have you also forgotten how Martin Jones went to San Jose through a 3rd team facilitator... more than one way to crack an egg my friend.

There is also no evidence the Flames asked for permission to speak to Boudreau at any time

I imagine BT will be talking to the Islanders about Halak and Greiss, especially after Snow's comments on Greiss. Halak could be a fit here, but I think he'll be one of the lowest guys on the list for us.

BT will most likely inquire/push for one of

Vas/Bishop
MAF/Murray
Elliott/Allen
and Reimer first

The announcement of an expansion draft would be a major influence on which route we decide to take this offseason.
- Saskabush

Does anyone know if they are going to announce the expansion draft soon? Are they just waiting for the NHLPA to approve the format? It would be nice for BT to know before the draft so he can put those three 2nd round picks to work.

If they announce the Expansion draft before the Entry draft I think those 2nd's become almost as important as the 1st round pick as 2nd round picks seem to be the currency of choice for GM's these days for most trade scenarios.

Forget about the details about NTC/NMC being an issue with the expansion draft what 7 forwards, 3 defensemen and 1 goaltender OR NHL teams can opt for option B as well which is protect any 8 skaters and 1 goalie. Which ever scenario you pick ..... who do you protect on your team?

Note: Any player starting their ELC or any Pro contract after and including the 2015-16 season in the NHL or AHL is exempt from this draft. (Which means there is a surprising amount of the Flames prospect exempt from this draft as long as it is announced this year.)

1.Monahan
2.Gaudreau
3.Bennett
4.Backlund
5.Frolik
6.Ferland
7. Open Spot for FA Forward or player acquired in future trade

1.Giordano
2.Brodie
3.Hamilton

1. Open Spot for FA Goalie or Goalie acquired in future trade

Does anyone know if they are going to announce the expansion draft soon? Are they just waiting for the NHLPA to approve the format? It would be nice for BT to know before the draft so he can put those three 2nd round picks to work.

If they announce the Expansion draft before the Entry draft I think those 2nd's become almost as important as the 1st round pick as 2nd round picks seem to be the currency of choice for GM's these days for most trade scenarios.
- buddy_doug

I'm pretty sure Bettman said if they're going to announce an expansion draft for next year, they would have to do it before this years entry draft. I would expect it to be announced sometime between the end of the playoffs and the draft. Maybe at the player awards.

I'm pretty sure Bettman said if they're going to announce an expansion draft for next year, they would have to do it before this years entry draft. I would expect it to be announced sometime between the end of the playoffs and the draft. Maybe at the player awards.
- TandA4Flames

I hope its announced this year because if it pushes out an extra year it looks like there is a large group of Flames prospects that become eligible for the expansion draft.

If the draft pushes out a year all these prospects get exposed to the draft (I believe):

Gillies
Morrison
Poirier
Shinkaruk
Klimchuk
Kylington
Grant
H. Smith
Carroll

I hope its announced this year because if it pushes out an extra year it looks like there is a large group of Flames prospects that become eligible for the expansion draft.

If the draft pushes out a year all these prospects get exposed to the draft (I believe):

Gillies
Morrison
Poirier
Shinkaruk
Klimchuk
Kylington
Grant
H. Smith
Carroll
- buddy_doug

The crappy thing is, is that the NHL said they may expand by 2 teams. They may get done the same year, but it might go one next year and 1 the year after that. That would complicate things for a lot of teams. Especially teams like CGY and EDM that are just now beginning to complete their rebuilds with good players in the NHL and in the developing ranks. That could set our team back another couple of years if that happened.

I'm pretty sure Bettman said if they're going to announce an expansion draft for next year, they would have to do it before this years entry draft. I would expect it to be announced sometime between the end of the playoffs and the draft. Maybe at the player awards.
- TandA4Flames

It's been reported that expansion (if it happens) will be announced sometime in June. So we should be finding out for sure within a month.

It's been reported that expansion (if it happens) will be announced sometime in June. So we should be finding out for sure within a month.
- Saskabush

Potentially a huge kick in the pants to any team that has been trying to build through the draft.

But potentially could be a lot of movement.