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.
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
@RossCreekNation
There may be much beer and sobbing tonight.
Anyone paying 1.65 for Boogard who is solidly a one dimensional player is retarded. I think he had a goal last year I guess.
I have a black cat/Friday the 13th feeling about the Boogard thing with the Flames.
Maybe he's the "one player" that makes the Flames an "elite" team again. LOL :D
Yeah I think Boogaard is the diamond in the rough, we just need to put him on the top line with Iggy and im sure he will notch 100 pts lol
Paul Martin a Pen? That's a pretty strong D reboot there.
That's a good signing for them
Signing Boogaard would pretty much undo all the good from signing Tanguay.
GAWD, I shouldn't laugh. Every time I think "There's no way that's true", it happens. I remember thinking "There's no way that Kotalik will pull on Flames silks."
Epic fail for me.
Boogard went to the Rags. Thank god.
BOOGARD TO RANGERS!!!
THANK GOD FOR SATHER!!
He's the only GM I've scratched my head with more than Sutter
Oh, thank God. Slats saves the day.
THANK GOD!!!! Phew! Boogaard in NYR, the land of overpaid garbage on skates.
Thank god they say hes going to the NYR. I honestly dont think dutter would sign a puglist this year. Butter didnt use MacG much last year. They should go after someone who can fight but also play (hello prust)!
They should go after Downie for the 4th line.
Or Asham. The possibilities are endless.
Boogard hasnt scored in FOUR YEARS. that is insane.
What happened to Kovalchuk and Nabokov? Kovalchuk is likely getting a lot of interest but Nabokov is going to find it very tough to get a contract considering just about all of the teams in need of a starting goalie have their issues solved. Sucks for him... he was never that good really.
Reportedly Boogard is 4 years 6 million +
I'm happy I'm not a Rangers fan today.
Considering the flames farm system; i'm positive there is 4th line talent somewhere in there. Thats the last thing we need to do, use free agency to fill out the 4th line lol.
Oh sather...Don't ever change.
So Pitts has spent over 10 mill per season on 2 defenders. It really has to make you wonder how they have the cap space for Jordan Staal on the 3rd line. Dutter should explore that...
The reason they dont have contracts yet is cuz its close to 11pm in moscow and the H & B special is wild tonight.
Derek Boogaard. Glen Sather. That's absolutely spectacular.
Just some quick math...
Boogard could optimistically be expected to average 3 minutes a game for 70 games I figure. 6 Million over 4 years is 1.25 million per year which means that he'll get paid $5952.38 per minute.
It's good money if you can get it I guess.
what time is the presser today? so are we going to get a centre or are we signing frolov???
Yesterday: Buy out Brashear contract. Today: Sign Boogaard to contract he'll have to buy out later.
Dumb da dumb dumb!
...LOL. Agreed.
tanguay only 50k more than boogard? hahaha
That would be incredible. I wonder what hes worth. Funny you dont hear too much about him today. If he could be had for about 2.5 to 3 he would fit perfectly in on the 1st/2nd line.
we need that live chat thing from the draft any chance of that kent??
The only thing I can think about Slats at this point is:
Mr. Burns: [holding a model airplane] We'll take the spruce moose! Hop in!
Smithers: But sir, it's just a mod...
Mr. Burns: [takes out a pistol] I said, "Hop in."
If we do go for frolov; can we be smart and just do a one year deal?
I hadn't considered it because UFA day tends to be so long and diffuse. It might be too late for it, frankly.
That's pretty much it.
i think the forgotten guy is hagman i think he is going to have a pretty good season here. if we can sign white i think that dion trade can work out pretty good. i think staj can be a 70 point guy? if nothing else done a staj igg and tang line would be pretty decent i think
Pure Gold!
In all honesty there must be something we can offer to Pittsburgh for Jordan Staal. They always need scoring wingers...
@Kent Wilson
hey no worries man just like how every could have converstations and call katz's son fat too. so while im at it did every see chunky at the draft. you had a good name for him but i can't recall it right now
Kotalik, Moss, & worthless prospect of choice for Staal.
Oh wait, Sather is in NYR....
Yeah I can't remember either.
How about Marc Staal then?
I think they would be decent but by no means the best top line in the Western Conf. My hopes will be up on the team with the addition of a quality Center. Maybe I'm dreaming but maybe they could get:
Savard J. Staal J. Carter
My first choice would be Carter but I have no idea what they could give Philly for him. Their needs seem met unless they trade draft picks or prospects but I am flat out against that.
I'd like to get Brad Richards as well, although his salary is a significant issue.
@Brent G.
i dream of 2 of those players as well and who knows. either would be great but savy's age and concussion problems don't sit well with me.
We need defenders like we need third round picks lol.
But since we are on the topic, Kotalik & Pardy for Marc Staal. But even Mr. Sather knows the limits of the spruce moose.
FYII Rob Kerr tweets: "Alex Tanguay on The FAN: Last summer, I was almost a Flame again."
So it really was a Keenan thing.
I think that could be doable, tho. Dallas could take salary back in form of 3 players... $ better spent in their situation. Stajan+
I like that, it shows he does want to be here with the team. Plus this time no expectations, and no Jimmy Playfair to flip out after 5 games.
Note: I do respect Playfair.
and Ellis going to TB... looks like a better team come september.
Yup. No surprise there. I heard from a couple of people that Keenan abused that guy behind closed doors. Like, screaming at him in the office kind of stuff.
@Kent Wilson
yup and either thro staios in there or send him down.
Good signing by Phoenix, Whitney is solid.
Now we just have to hope Sutter avoids Laraque.