Free Agent Open Thread
Kent Wilson
June 30 2010 10:28PM
I was going to prepare a Flames primer to free agency, but decided not to re-invent the wheel when I saw Haley had already done an admiral job of things. Make sure to visit M&G for a thorugh overview.
I have to say, this is perhaps the murkiest July 1 for the Flames I've seen since the lock-out. Previously, whether facing many or few obstacles, the obstacles were at least apparently obvious.
Not so this year. The Flames cap room is not only tenuous but also completely muddied by Dawes (buy-out?)
Kotalik (uh...waived for an as-of-right-now unclear purpose) and pending $3M+ contract of Ian White (maybe?). The lackluster free agent pool makes things even less certain - we know the Flames want "offense", but there's no clear method to acquire the requisite players. Big trade on it's way? Almost every Flame worth anything on the trade market has a NTC. And the club doesn't have much in the way of prospects or draft picks to dangle either.
As such, we enter things almost completely blind. There's a chance the coming week will end without any significant changes whatsoever. And probably an equal chance the face of the team may have been altered irrevocably. We can only sit back and watch as things unfold. And hope.
Anyways, Pat, Bob, Myself and Ross Creek will endeavor to keep up with on-the-spot updates and analysis as things come down tomorrow. Feel free to share you comments, questions, fears, hopes, dreams and reactions in the comments.
He had slightly better season than Biron didn't he?
@Kent Wilson
Yes and no. Biron played on the Isles, who were far far worse than the Lightning, especially on the back end. And regardless, neither was ever able to really take over the #1 spot.
A little late to the party this morning, but I'm LOVING the Tanguay signing at that price. He's a lot more likely to be worth more then the price then less at 1.7. Good call. I hope this doesnt mean Higgins is gone though, but is there room?
Also, good signing by toronto on Armstrong.
I like that signing... I like Niittymaki. Figured him or Ellis would be good fit in SJ.
@Kent Wilson
I didn't realize they didn't have Ellis. I didn't see all the details of the Kostisyn trade, I thought they both had contracts. My bad.
Nitty the starter in SJ..hmmm. not sure that's an upgrade over Nabby. Certainly way cheaper though. Nabakov is going to price himself out of a job.
I've probably had a little more Nittymaki exposure here on the east coast, and he's a guy who will play VERY well for about 3 weeks, then just be straight awful for 2. Zero consistency there. He works well in a 1A-1B type role.
@Arik
Agreed on a platoon-type system with Nitty (50-32 split). I think that's what Sharks are looking to do. Also, significantly cheaper than Nabokov... leaves more $ elsewhere.
@ Lawrence
Nitty the starter in SJ..hmmm. not sure that's an upgrade over Nabby. Certainly way cheaper though. Nabakov is going to price himself out of a job.
Nabokov thinks he can command high dollar value because of the Oligarchs of Russia who are willing to throw money at players. As far as im concerned if him and Kovalchuck want to get 10+ mil per season they can goto the frigid, mafia infested, Crime riddled league that the KHL is.
Like seriously, any player who thinks that any NHL team is afraid of what the KHL offers needs to get real.
The KHL is a joke... There is nothing like playing infront of a home crowd, and I get that, but the only reason Nabokov of Kovalsuck are interested is just for the money. Get over there you sell outs; enjoy the 5K crowds at the outdoor rinks in Siberia.
2.5 for malhotra? REALLY Canucks?
@RossCreek
The savings will really depend on who the platoon is with. I figured the Sharks would go for someone like Ellis who will play pretty okay most of the year and spend money on a top 4 D, like Kubina.
So, assuming Regher goes for Savard that leaves the line up as:
Tanguay-Savard-Iggy
Bourque-Langkow-Higgins
Glencross-Backlund-Hagman
x - Sutter-Moss
Buow - Gio
Sarich - White
Pardy - Staios
Pelech
Realistically Pelech will likley replace Staios and make him the 7th defender. Face it people, Staios is staying.
I dont mind that line-up though. It's intriguing. Lots of X-factors although it could turn out very good. Higgins, Tanguay, and Savard need to rebound...
Manny Malholtra's PDO for 09/10 was 105.1. Buyer beware...Oh, it's the Canucks? 2.5 mil x 3 years? Why, go right ahead, Mr. Gillis.
Brent,what about stajan? Unless im missing him there somewhere
I still do NOT understand the Staios deal. What happens with this particular albatross? Even if Regher is traded? He's not a replacement...
Yeah, that's just after aquiring Ballard @ 4.2 to replace Mitchell.
Is it just me or is Ballard not and upgrade over Mitchell (when he was healthy) and 2.5 not an overpay for Malholtra. I'd take Tanguay at 1.7 over Malholtra @ 2.5 6 days out of 7.
good... I hate the canucks.
Down to Abby, hopefully. His actual pay is less than his cap hit.
Yea, I don't know.
If only the Staios and Kotalik trades could be stricken from history.
Sorry, late starter
What's our cap situation like? Any word on Higgins?
I'm just not sure, unless Kotalik goes to the KHL or actually plays, how much salary is the ownership willing to bury in the AHL? That's a huge chunk of change to bury both of them.
I forgot about Stajan. Realistically I would assume he is going to be traded is Savard is added. I just dont see how he fits in. Not even from a salary cap standpoint just from a pure space stand point. You dont pay a 3rd line center 3.5 mill and Backlund needs to be there.
The caveat around Savard is his limited NMC. Calgary is reportedly not on his list in any of his years.
He can certainly nix this deal and the rumour is that he wants to be around Ontario for family concerns...
Sutters on a 2 way isnt he? I dont think hes NHL ready (or will ever be a very good NHL player frankly)
Cap issues are marginally unchanged - Dawes out, Tanguay in.
No word on Higgins.
Where does Langkow fit into all of this? I really feel like we pay way too much for him and he isnt a goto guy. Langkow feel liks a second player, like he compliments somebody.
So in my opinion, i'd rather see Langkow go if Savard comes.
One thing I will also add, is that Langkow is a good two way player.
Yes, I'm sure he is.
Mark my words...
... I've been saying it since they got Kotalik - he WILL play in KHL next year. Sutter will loan him out to a place of Ales' choosing in Russia and he'll be off the books.
Haha, RO's meltdown will begin in:
5...4...3...2..
I agree; only thing that makes any sense.
Even if thats the case and he isn't on the 4th line, that is a cheap replacement they can get in 3 weeks.
I hate how Vancouver seems to make bad moves on UFA day, and never really suffers for it.
Demitra, Sundin, Schneider....
I'd rather keep all of them. Then the gamble surrounding Savard's concussion or Backlund's "emergence" are muted.
edit: any time they acquire players. Not just UFA day.
He's on his entry level contract, so yes. 2 way.
I don't know...the Sundin thing seemed to blow up in their face.
LeBrun says nothing new on Savard front. Maybe he's still a little confused from his Cooke-cussion, and can tell him that Calgary is East of Vancouver.
Nope. ELC ended last year. He's now RFA.
@Kent Wilson
Sort of. They didn't really miss out on too much other than getting crushed by Chicago (for the first time)
Demitra was awful, and so was Schneider - but the team didn't really suffer any sort of setback.
Jody Shelley at 1.1 per YEAR?
What is Philly thinking?!?!?!
Just stumbled on this: "Boomer reporting that the Flames are kicking the tires of a "veteran centre." Modano?"
SIGH...
...Savard will probably go to the Leafts.
Via Mike Russo...
Agent's calling around telling teams Boogaard's got four-year deal on table worth $1.65 million per. We'll see if true or "agentspeak"
@Kent Wilson
I definitely had a complete misreading of Cap Geek there.
Clearly Philly wasnt thinking lol
That would be an absolutely terrible contract.
Via Ian Mendes...
B. Murray just told me "Please pour cold water on the Spezza rumors." His intent is not to deal him. Will speak with him again in 2 wks.
Oh Philly, never change.
???
For a guy that can barely skate?? This better not be a Darryl deal after 20 years I may hang up the jerseys.
If the Flames get Savard, they would be very deep down the middle with Savard, Langkow, and Stajan, maybe one of the best in the west (outside of Van, SJ, LA). And if Higgins resigns, all of the Flames top 6 would be tough minute capable, not bad considering what a disaster last year was.
Another thing to keep in mind is the Flames would be better at driving possesion with the additions, thus put less of a need of having tough minute dman due to less zone time in the defensive zone. In my mind, Sarich slipping back into the top 4 wouldn't be awful.
What if its Sutter offering that contract to Boogaard.... If so, mass suicide taking place in Calgary lol
Uh-oh. Via Ryan Rishaug...
NYR, Flames and Oilers likely in the mix on Boogard. Rangers lost shelley to Philli, they like their knuckle chuckers out there