Todd Cordell: Notes on quotes from the Flames' locker room clean-out day

Hey Todd,

I just want to say thanks for being the Flames blogger and you do a great job.

Still no comment on the goalies in the system, if Gillies and Rittich are not ready for the backup roall next year when.

It was quite strange how Gulutzan handled the right wing position for the entire year, also right defence are hard to find Brodie was a proven performer at that spot and laboured to find his game on the left. These are two issues that need to be explained before he goes too high in my book.

Hey Todd,

I just want to say thanks for being the Flames blogger and you do a great job.
- FlamesFan1230

Thanks a lot, I really appreciate that. Hopefully you guys will all stick around for the summer!

Burke doesn't feel he's getting enough credit. He's decided to stop pretending that he's not GMing the team and is going to take the official title.

So... Flower looking solid huh? And with your 1st round pick being just in the 2nd half of the round this year, I think a trade could work out this time.

So... Flower looking solid huh? And with your 1st round pick being just in the 2nd half of the round this year, I think a trade could work out this time.
- Guile

Bouma and a 4th or no deal

Hey Todd,

I just want to say thanks for being the Flames blogger and you do a great job.

- Flamesfan1230

Agreed. He's definitely earned a new contract.
My guess would be around 4 x 4, maybe 4.5 tops.

Thanks Todd, good job! You are worried that we won't stick around for the summer, but really we have no place to go.

Some of us are not on twitter so when you do Q&A could you give us a couple days heads up so we can send in questions? Would be greatly appreciated.

Elliott - I would bring him back. Sucks how he went out and I expect him to rebound. Last year he played lights out in the playoffs. Hopefully one of the young guys can steal that backup. Goaltenders are strange folk.

Stone - Not sure whom else they could look at bringing in besides Alzer, whom I think will get paid too much money. Maybe they can make a trade happen. But if not maybe Markov? Would be another great vet that the young guys can learn from.

Engelland - First game of the year he hit McDavid and answered to Lucic. Flames need someone in the roster that can bring that on the back end. I would be happy bringing him back and making him the 7th D. Dude has earned it.

Sign TRE already. I like Conroy but it seems to be like his in the perfect position right now. A couple more years learning from Burke and Tre would serve him well.

How much will Ferland get?

If i look at that last season, too many players were not earning their ice time. What I loved about the team a couple years ago was that there was competition for spots. Miss that energy the guys bring fighting for a position.

Thanks Todd, good job! You are worried that we won't stick around for the summer, but really we have no place to go.

Some of us are not on twitter so when you do Q&A could you give us a couple days heads up so we can send in questions? Would be greatly appreciated.

Elliott - I would bring him back. Sucks how he went out and I expect him to rebound. Last year he played lights out in the playoffs. Hopefully one of the young guys can steal that backup. Goaltenders are strange folk.

Stone - Not sure whom else they could look at bringing in besides Alzer, whom I think will get paid too much money. Maybe they can make a trade happen. But if not maybe Markov? Would be another great vet that the young guys can learn from.

Engelland - First game of the year he hit McDavid and answered to Lucic. Flames need someone in the roster that can bring that on the back end. I would be happy bringing him back and making him the 7th D. Dude has earned it.

Sign TRE already. I like Conroy but it seems to be like his in the perfect position right now. A couple more years learning from Burke and Tre would serve him well.

How much will Ferland get?

If i look at that last season, too many players were not earning their ice time. What I loved about the team a couple years ago was that there was competition for spots. Miss that energy the guys bring fighting for a position.
- DuranDuran

When it comes to Elliott I wonder what kind of deal he is after ...I suspect he will try to get a longer term deal which isn't ideal ...if he really wants to bet on himself he could take a one year to try to maximize his value ...but players very rarely choose that direction

I like having engelland but I wonder if one or more of the kids in Stockton won't beat him out ? The only way I see him returning is on a bottom if the barrel deal

With the way the flames have brought in young centerman by playing them on the wing I wonder if they might do the same with janko ? I know most have this idea of him as a 3C and Bennett on the wing ...who's to say they don't leave Bennett at centre and use janko as a winger at first

When it comes to Elliott I wonder what kind of deal he is after ...I suspect he will try to get a longer term deal which isn't ideal ...if he really wants to bet on himself he could take a one year to try to maximize his value ...but players very rarely choose that direction

I like having engelland but I wonder if one or more of the kids in Stockton won't beat him out ? The only way I see him returning is on a bottom if the barrel deal

With the way the flames have brought in young centerman by playing them on the wing I wonder if they might do the same with janko ? I know most have this idea of him as a 3C and Bennett on the wing ...who's to say they don't leave Bennett at centre and use janko as a winger at first
- Redmile247

I think if Elliott really wants to prove himself he takes a similar deal to this year.

I think Engelland at the 7th D would be more than fine. Bring him in when we need him. Let him teach the young guys grit.

I would love to see what jango could do. Get him in playing. Make it a competition between him and Bennett. Maybe Janko takes the Defensive draws. Lots of options. But the kid is ready.

I think jankowski makes the team next year, as well as one or two of Andersson, Kylington, and Kulak. Pretty sure we never saw Kulak because the Flames wanted to keep him safe from the expansion draft.

I think Bouma will be on the team to start next year but I think he's on a very short leash. Ditto Brouwer. Playing on the 4th line because they can't cut it is usually the last straw. Whether the Flames can convince vegas to take him or not...

I think if Elliott really wants to prove himself he takes a similar deal to this year.

I think Engelland at the 7th D would be more than fine. Bring him in when we need him. Let him teach the young guys grit.

I would love to see what jango could do. Get him in playing. Make it a competition between him and Bennett. Maybe Janko takes the Defensive draws. Lots of options. But the kid is ready.
- DuranDuran

I feel the flames won't put Bennett and janko together to start the season ...maybe if they've played well in the preseason ...but they tend to give rookies more responsible linemates ...at least off the start.

I know most will look at our line combos now and assume the top 6 stays in tact ...but there could be a scenario where janko is slotted in on the 3M line as they are the most responsible line

I think jankowski makes the team next year, as well as one or two of Andersson, Kylington, and Kulak. Pretty sure we never saw Kulak because the Flames wanted to keep him safe from the expansion draft.

I think Bouma will be on the team to start next year but I think he's on a very short leash. Ditto Brouwer. Playing on the 4th line because they can't cut it is usually the last straw. Whether the Flames can convince vegas to take him or not...
- ScotsonFire

Be interesting to see if whoever is in charge can get a contract or two off the books that is less than desirable

I think jankowski makes the team next year, as well as one or two of Andersson, Kylington, and Kulak. Pretty sure we never saw Kulak because the Flames wanted to keep him safe from the expansion draft.

I think Bouma will be on the team to start next year but I think he's on a very short leash. Ditto Brouwer. Playing on the 4th line because they can't cut it is usually the last straw. Whether the Flames can convince vegas to take him or not...
- ScotsonFire

Kylington is such a question mark. Watching him at the World Jr's you could tell the guy was holding back not wanting to make mistakes. He has an amazing skillset but not sure if he is ready. Not a lot of points this year in Stockton. I think he still needs a couple years to pull it together.

I'd bet Elliott signs for something like 2 years for 9 million or 3 for 12.

I'd bet Elliott signs for something like 2 years for 9 million or 3 for 12.
- Hunkulese

If he does return I expect the flames to add a cheap backup option that allows gillies and/or Rittich to compete for the back up role

Versteeg wants to return next year ...I wonder how much of a deal he is willing to give and how high the flames would go on his AAV

Versteeg wants to return next year ...I wonder how much of a deal he is willing to give and how high the flames would go on his AAV
- Redmile247

Not sure but he did say he would prioritize being here for family purposes.

The team should move on from Elliott. Goals like we saw in the playoffs from Brian Elliott cannot go in at this time of the year. The opener in game 2. The few goals in Game 3. Especially the opener in game 4, those cannot go in. I felt like the inconsistency of his game was shown this year. You need a guy who can hang in tall when the moment or stage is huge, and Elliott failed to do so. Is he a great goalie? Sure. Karri Ramo's final season in Calgary is a good comparable to the similar season that Elliott had (minus getting his knee demolished). Elliott failed to lock up the number one job this past year and I feel like Ben Bishop or MAF would be a better option, especially come playoff time.

Just seems like Bishop would be the perfect fit here and I am second guessing why Brad Treliving did't pull the trigger on the trade. Maybe because he was lobbying to get Fleury? Idk

The team should move on from Elliott. Goals like we saw in the playoffs from Brian Elliott cannot go in at this time of the year. The opener in game 2. The few goals in Game 3. Especially the opener in game 4, those cannot go in. I felt like the inconsistency of his game was shown this year. You need a guy who can hang in tall when the moment or stage is huge, and Elliott failed to do so. Is he a great goalie? Sure. Karri Ramo's final season in Calgary is a good comparable to the similar season that Elliott had (minus getting his knee demolished). Elliott failed to lock up the number one job this past year and I feel like Ben Bishop or MAF would be a better option, especially come playoff time.

Just seems like Bishop would be the perfect fit here and I am second guessing why Brad Treliving did't pull the trigger on the trade. Maybe because he was lobbying to get Fleury? Idk
- TheMayor9312

Why would Bishop be the perfect fit? Elliott objectively had a better season than Bishop last year. Two years ago, they put up almost identical ridiculous stats in the regular season. Elliott was also the biggest reason the Blues made the West final last year and beat two teams they shouldn't have beaten in getting there. Fleury was awful in two games in his series, fighting the puck and giving up brutal rebounds, but it's forgotten because Bobrovsky was worse and Crosby is on his team.

Elliott clearly locked up the number one spot this year and was one of the better goalies in the entire league for the second half of the season. He was consistently solid from the middle of December to the end of the season. All of that shouldn't be forgotten because of a couple of bad games, especially when no one on the team played particularly well for the series.

If he does return I expect the flames to add a cheap backup option that allows gillies and/or Rittich to compete for the back up role
- Redmile247

I think Rittich did enough this year to at least be in consideration for the backup job next year. Gilles needs at least another half season in the AHL to prove he's worth the hype.

I think Rittich did enough this year to at least be in consideration for the backup job next year. Gilles needs at least another half season in the AHL to prove he's worth the hype.
- Hunkulese

Either could get a shot imo

I think Rittich did enough this year to at least be in consideration for the backup job next year. Gilles needs at least another half season in the AHL to prove he's worth the hype.
- Hunkulese

Agreed, did exceptionally well In the first half of the season when he was getting about one start every two weeks. Lead the AHL in shutouts, save% during that span.

Not all goalies can excel with such inconsistent starts.

Agreed, did exceptionally well In the first half of the season when he was getting about one start every two weeks. Lead the AHL in shutouts, save% during that span.

Not all goalies can excel with such inconsistent starts.
- fry

I doubt most NHL goalies could