I wonder if not qualifying Alex was to prove to Spencer Foo they are serious about giving him a chance?

I wonder if not qualifying Alex was to prove to Spencer Foo they are serious about giving him a chance?
- Yeah...Baby

Nah. Similar to colborne... if they qualify him then he can take them to arbitration and would likely be awarded more than we are comfortable to give him. This way, he can still come back if we want him, but on our terms. Unless someone wants to overpay him like they did colborne...

Hey maybe the avs want him?

I'm just pissed you assume someone is soft because they want to live close to their family hahaha. Pretty sure that factor determines about 0% of how someone plays the sport of hockey. Family always #1!
- The-O-G

Dude you're naive if you don't think personal matters don't affect these players, they are still human.
Since asking for a trade his play hasn't been at its best... It's the same as players who have trade talks surrounding them... Even Brodie last year may have seen a drop in play because of dealing with his wife's new MS diagnosis (on top of who he was playing with... I'm not discounting that)

Just saying a guy like Hamonic who is probably really tight with his mom since his dad's passing could be affected by these personal issues.
Just cause I say it's a concern doesn't mean I think it's highly likely, I'm just saying I really hope not... And I'm hoping his mom has a really good recovery from whatever it is. Not all guys respond like a Craig Anderson and play at a higher level when dealing with family adversity

I remember Bart and Engs getting trapped in our own end against Anaheim. I would want to be sure that the 3rd pair is at least NHL capable.
- DuranDuran

I think Kulak has proved that he is. He probably could have been our 4th best defenseman last year. He really got shafted because of the expansion draft

Bart/Engs & Wideman couldn't skate. Those young guys can all move and make a good first pass. They've been progressing quite well, and I very much doubt that they could do any worse than Engelland and Bartowski. That was an awful pairing

I think Kulak has proved that he is. He probably could have been our 4th best defenseman last year. He really got shafted because of the expansion draft

Bart/Engs & Wideman couldn't skate. Those young guys can all move and make a good first pass. They've been progressing quite well, and I very much doubt that they could do any worse than Engelland and Bartowski. That was an awful pairing
- Saskabush

Cheer up young flatlandbush ...better days ahead

As it sits now the Flames have 15.7 mil in cap space, and basically need to add 4 forwards, 2 defence, and a goalie to the roster (an possibly an additional player for a full 23 man roster).

Ideally buy out or bury Bouma and AHL. That, at worst (if buried) brings them to 16.74 in cap space.

For RFA's sign (with intent to keep on main roster):

Bennett - 2.5 for 2 years
Ferland - 3.0 for 3 years
Gilles - 0.95 for 2 years
Kulak - 0.95 for 2 years
Lazar - 0.85 for 1 year

From AHL:

Jankowski - 0.925 mil
Andersson - 0.756 mil

Own UFA's to sign:

Versteeg - 2.5 mil, 3 years

All that brings them to 22 players, 13 forwards, 7 defencemen, 2 goaltenders.

Gaudreau - Monahan - Ferland
Tkachuk - Backlund - Frolik
Bennett - Jankowski - Versteeg
Lazar - Stajan - Brouwer
F. Hamilton

Girodano - D. Hamilton
Brodie - Hamonic
Kulak - Andersson
Bartkowski

Smith
Gilles

From there they have 4.3 mil in cap space left to see if they can find an upgrade. Not many assets desired by other teams left to make a trade with that I would want to part with. I don't see any top end UFA's that I would want to spend the money on, unless it is a 1year bonus heavy contract to a veteran like Marleau or Vrbata or Vanek. Bottom 6 forwards, maybe some grit. 1 year to Doan, maybe Iginla (but not likely) or maybe a guy like Dwight King into the 4th line. Somebody to replace the toughness that will be leaving with Engelland. For defence maybe a 5/6 just to give more experience to partner with one of Kulak or Andersson. Would Stone take 2.5 mil

But for the most part this is what I predict this team will be. Looks good to me.

As it sits now the Flames have 15.7 mil in cap space, and basically need to add 4 forwards, 2 defence, and a goalie to the roster (an possibly an additional player for a full 23 man roster).

Ideally buy out or bury Bouma and AHL. That, at worst (if buried) brings them to 16.74 in cap space.

For RFA's sign (with intent to keep on main roster):

Bennett - 2.5 for 2 years
Ferland - 3.0 for 3 years
Gilles - 0.95 for 2 years
Kulak - 0.95 for 2 years
Lazar - 0.85 for 1 year

From AHL:

Jankowski - 0.925 mil
Andersson - 0.756 mil

Own UFA's to sign:

Versteeg - 2.5 mil, 3 years

All that brings them to 22 players, 13 forwards, 7 defencemen, 2 goaltenders.

Gaudreau - Monahan - Ferland
Tkachuk - Backlund - Frolik
Bennett - Jankowski - Versteeg
Lazar - Stajan - Brouwer
F. Hamilton

Girodano - D. Hamilton
Brodie - Hamonic
Kulak - Andersson
Bartkowski

Smith
Gilles

From there they have 4.3 mil in cap space left to see if they can find an upgrade. Not many assets desired by other teams left to make a trade with that I would want to part with. I don't see any top end UFA's that I would want to spend the money on, unless it is a 1year bonus heavy contract to a veteran like Marleau or Vrbata or Vanek. Bottom 6 forwards, maybe some grit. 1 year to Doan, maybe Iginla (but not likely) or maybe a guy like Dwight King into the 4th line. Somebody to replace the toughness that will be leaving with Engelland. For defence maybe a 5/6 just to give more experience to partner with one of Kulak or Andersson. Would Stone take 2.5 mil

But for the most part this is what I predict this team will be. Looks good to me.
- dal_johnson

I actually think your not too far off here


Imagine if we didn't have stajan or Brouwer contracts

I actually think your not too far off here


Imagine if we didn't have stajan or Brouwer contracts
- Redmile247

Yeah his contract is high, but I'm ok with Stajan. What he has become for this team as a leader in the dressing room, a guy that the team rallies around, and as a mentor and teacher to the younger players are things that stats can't quantify. He still steps up when needed, plays his role on the ice and contributes as he is expected to.

Again I do wish his contract was lower at this stage, but he brings those immeasurables that I think have been of huge benefit to the youth on this team. And I expect it to be there for Jankowski again next season.

That said I don't expect him to be back after next season. His cap space will be needed with resigning Backlund. But I will not be happy to see him go.

I hope treliving does nothing on July 1.....his worst moves come in free agency, and they Flames don't need any more Brouwers/Raymonds. What he can do is buy out Bouma

Edit: I dont mind something small like maybe King for the fourth line. But can he keep up?

Yeah his contract is high, but I'm ok with Stajan. What he has become for this team as a leader in the dressing room, a guy that the team rallies around, and as a mentor and teacher to the younger players are things that stats can't quantify. He still steps up when needed, plays his role on the ice and contributes as he is expected to.

Again I do wish his contract was lower at this stage, but he brings those immeasurables that I think have been of huge benefit to the youth on this team. And I expect it to be there for Jankowski again next season.

That said I don't expect him to be back after next season. His cap space will be needed with resigning Backlund. But I will not be happy to see him go.
- dal_johnson

Yeah I agree he most likely won't be back ... I could even see a scenario this year where he ends up in the press box at some point

All round good guy who is well liked and respected in the room

I hope treliving does nothing on July 1.....his worst moves come in free agency, and they Flames don't need any more Brouwers/Raymonds. What he can do is buy out Bouma

Edit: I dont mind something small like maybe King for the fourth line. But can he keep up?
- The-O-G

Don't get my hopes up

#BuyOutBoumaWillNeverHappen

As it sits now the Flames have 15.7 mil in cap space, and basically need to add 4 forwards, 2 defence, and a goalie to the roster (an possibly an additional player for a full 23 man roster).

Ideally buy out or bury Bouma and AHL. That, at worst (if buried) brings them to 16.74 in cap space.

For RFA's sign (with intent to keep on main roster):

Bennett - 2.5 for 2 years
Ferland - 3.0 for 3 years
Gilles - 0.95 for 2 years
Kulak - 0.95 for 2 years
Lazar - 0.85 for 1 year

From AHL:

Jankowski - 0.925 mil
Andersson - 0.756 mil

Own UFA's to sign:

Versteeg - 2.5 mil, 3 years

All that brings them to 22 players, 13 forwards, 7 defencemen, 2 goaltenders.

Gaudreau - Monahan - Ferland
Tkachuk - Backlund - Frolik
Bennett - Jankowski - Versteeg
Lazar - Stajan - Brouwer
F. Hamilton

Girodano - D. Hamilton
Brodie - Hamonic
Kulak - Andersson
Bartkowski

Smith
Gilles

From there they have 4.3 mil in cap space left to see if they can find an upgrade. Not many assets desired by other teams left to make a trade with that I would want to part with. I don't see any top end UFA's that I would want to spend the money on, unless it is a 1year bonus heavy contract to a veteran like Marleau or Vrbata or Vanek. Bottom 6 forwards, maybe some grit. 1 year to Doan, maybe Iginla (but not likely) or maybe a guy like Dwight King into the 4th line. Somebody to replace the toughness that will be leaving with Engelland. For defence maybe a 5/6 just to give more experience to partner with one of Kulak or Andersson. Would Stone take 2.5 mil

But for the most part this is what I predict this team will be. Looks good to me.
- dal_johnson

Sportsnet had an article that there may be multiple offers for Versteeg given his play last year. I know he said he'd like to come back here but at the twilight of your career I'd assume he'd be looking for a "final" big contract. Where do you guys see the cut-off in terms of max $ offered and what term?

Sportsnet had an article that there may be multiple offers for Versteeg given his play last year. I know he said he'd like to come back here but at the twilight of your career I'd assume he'd be looking for a "final" big contract. Where do you guys see the cut-off in terms of max $ offered and what term?
- geta02it

2.5M/3yr or 3M/2yr

Sportsnet had an article that there may be multiple offers for Versteeg given his play last year. I know he said he'd like to come back here but at the twilight of your career I'd assume he'd be looking for a "final" big contract. Where do you guys see the cut-off in terms of max $ offered and what term?
- geta02it

In my opinion .... $3.0 Mil for 3 years.

I would say he had similar stats with more flexibility, and skill within the lineup than Bouma did the year he got his contract so that's why I edged him higher in the pay scale.

I would pay him that much just because he can play either wing and on just about any line. Him and Frolik are such key guys that can keep your team patched together when injuries occur. Plus a veteran like him could be good to have on the team especially if Stajan gets replaced by one of the younger centermen.

I hope treliving does nothing on July 1.....his worst moves come in free agency, and they Flames don't need any more Brouwers/Raymonds. What he can do is buy out Bouma

Edit: I dont mind something small like maybe King for the fourth line. But can he keep up?
- The-O-G

Wonder who Monny will live with if Bouma is buried in the minors?

but I agree....I'm hoping for some internal promotions rather than speding big $$ in free agency