2008 CALGARY FLAMES OFF SEASON

Another year gone and another off-season too look forward too, it is just too bad I am writing this, this early on. The Flames once again have work to do after a season of inconsistency. Game 7 was the whole year put into one game and anyone watching that game and the Flames for the first time would have understood what we Flames fans sat through all year. Once again like I said last year and it finally became more apparent to everyone else this season is the Flames lack youth in their line-up.

Throughout the year players such as Nystrom, Lombardi and Moss really added some jump to the Flames line-up but never really got the chance to show what they could really do. It looks like from Sutter's and Keenan's interviews that it should change next year starting with Lombo getting top-6 forward ice time. With Mikael Backlund just signing a entry-level contract last week and him being the Flames best prospect, Backlund will be and should be given a very good shot at cracking the club next year especially with all the veteran UFA's we have.

Anyways the Flames have a lot of holes to fill and need to make some decisions on some very heavy contracts. Players like Aucoin, Warrener, Primeau and Eriksson have to somehow get their huge over-paid contracts off this hockey team. It is a waste of money that could be spent else where on more valuable assets. Whether this comes through a trade, a buy-out or bye, bye to the minors, something has to be done.

Here is a list of the Flames current UFA's and RFA's:

UFA:
Craig Conroy, C
Eric Godard, RW
David Hale, D
Kristian Huselius, LW
Curtis Joseph, G
Daymond Langkow, C
Owen Nolan, RW
Mark Smith, C/W
Jim Vandermeer, D
Stephane Yelle, C

UFA VI: (Players who are set to become UFA's because of # of years played in the league)
Eric Nystrom, LW
Curtis McElhinney, G
Brent Krahn, G

RFA:
Adam Pardy, D

STAY:
Daymond Langkow- From reports from newspapers, radio etc. A new contract for Langkow sounds like a done deal and why not he has been awesome for the Flames the last couple of seasons and has really found a higher level in his game especially offensively. He has created some good chemistry with Iggy the last couple of seasons, helping Iggy to two of his finest years ever. This guy would get some big offers elsewhere if he was allowed to reach the open market.
Jim Vandermeer- After the late season acquisition from Philadelphia, I thought Vandermeer really fit in with the Flames. He played well beside Phaneuf and even had the odd game at forward which worked well for him and the Flames. He is still young at 27 and should come at a decent price. I think he is definitely worth it for a 5/6 defensemen.
Eric Nystrom- Even though he will probably never be worth his 11th overall selection, Nystrom showed he still as some value as a bottom 6 forward. He showed alot of grit and hard work and good speed every time he played. Every team needs a guy like this guy and I hope the Flames dont give up on him.
Craig Conroy- Conroy has definitely has taken a step back in his game but has said that he wants top stay in Calgary and is willing to take a pay-cut to do it. Anything around 1-1.3 million dollars would go a long way next year compared to a 2.8 million he earned last year especially in a 3rd or 4th line center role. There isn't much out there for centers who would fit in a role like Conroy would on the Flames.
Stephane Yelle- I like what Yelle brought to the Flames last season and from his play in the playoffs, I think he is worth the money to bring back. Even though I want the Flames to get younger you still need a couple of vets to help out along the way.
Eric Godard- It is a strong possibility that he will be re-signed with the club next year cause Keenan always seemed to think that an enforcer was necessary night in and night out. He is one of the best in the league when he starts throwing the fists, it is just too bad that is the only thing he is good for.
Curtis Joseph/Curtis McElhinney- I wouldn't mind seeing Cujo back in a Flames jersey next season but only for the right price(less than a million). Kipper seems to like a more veteran back-up behind him so I think Cujo would be a good fit. But if the price isn't right then McElhinney is probably the guy who would be right for the job.
Adam Pardy- He will be re-signed and from what Sutter has said, Pardy is progressing well down in Quad Cities and is close to being a NHL defensemen.

GONE:
Kristian Huselius- With all the talent he has, the last 20 so games and playoffs was a big waste of time for him and the Flames. I think his value came down a little bit but with the way free agency is these days he will still get some decent money. He is just too inconsistent for the Flames to even consider re-signing him.
Owen Nolan- He showed his value at some points in the season and I did enjoy his grit but I'm just not sure if he is worth bringing back. He isn't a top-6 forward anymore and I cant see him taking much of a pay cut. He floated around the ice way too much too and I think it is between him and Yelle whether who to bring back.
David Hale- I like this guy alot but I just dont think that there is the space or money to keep him not that he is going to sign for much. The only way I think we should keep this guy is if we can get rid of our dead weight/huge contract defensemen(Warrener, Aucoin, Eriksson) but that would be the easiest job.
The rest of the guys can explain by themselves why they aren't worth bringing back.

Now for replacement players who could fit in the empty spots nicely for next year, position by position.

Forwards:
Lines from last year.
1- HUSELIUS-LANGKOW-IGINLA
2- TANGUAY-LOMBARDI-NOLAN
3- NYSTROM-PRIMEAU-MOSS
4- YELLE-CONROY-GODARD
E- NILSON, BOYD, SMITH
...Players in red are the ones I dont think should be part of the Flames organization next year.

Other than the UFA's that I dont think the Flames should re-sign, there is one other player who the Flames need to get rid of. This honor goes to Wayne Primeau and at 1.4 million dollars he isn't worth for the role he will play. He showed alot more jump near playoff time but with another 2 years remaining on his contract and my idea of the Flames getting younger, the Flames should just send him down to the minors or buy him out to save a little but of cap space. So with that my predicted Flames will have a top 6 LW, a 2nd line RW and a 3rd/4th line centerman to fill up the empty spots. With not alot of cap room to work with most of these spots would have to come from within the organization.

Jeff Carter, C(RFA/PHI)- I realize that Carter is a centerman but I think that if the Flames would go after him, he could slid in as the #2 center while Lombo could move to the wing. The Flyers have 49.5 million dollars locked up already going into next year with Carter, R-J Umberger, Vaclav Prospal, Randy Jones and Jason Smith to re-sign and with the cap predicted somewhere around 55-56 million dollars next season the Flyers will be hard pressed to re-sign at least Carter, Umberger and Jones who will all be looking for raises. Carter will also be looking for Mike Richards type of money which is around 6 million bucks. Flyers GM Holmgren said that signing Carter is a top priority but will there be enough money to go around? Carter would also be a perfect fit for the Flames. Carter registered 29 goals and 53 points last season and moving Lombo and his speed to the wing could turn into a special thing. Finally at 6'3, 200 pounds Carter has the size that Sutter has always looked for in a center. Other things will have to be done to re-up space for this guy but I think it is completely worth it.
Jason Williams, RW(UFA)- For the last couple of years Williams has shown that he can produce as a top-6 forward. I think he could fit alongside guys like Carter and Lombo very nicely on the Flames #2 line. He has to get a littler grittier but could be a good player at a relatively good price. Williams recorded 13 goals and 36 points in 43 games last season.
Micheal Ryder, RW(UFA)- This could be a huge risk and one that I'm not sure the Flames should be willing to make. Ryder definitely needs a change of scenery and after seasons of back-to-back 30 goals before last years dismal 14 a change of scenery could be what Ryder needs to get back on track.
Darcy Tucker, RW(TOR)- There is alot of talk that Tucker will be bought out by the Leafs, this making him a UFA. I love this guy but he isn't worth the 3 million dollars the Leafs where paying him(another fantastic move by JFJ). If he were to be bought out by the Leafs, he would be my first choice for the Flames to sign as their #2 RW. He would be the perfect fit alongside Carter and Lombo.
....All three players above could really only be looked at if the Flames weren't to go after Carter
Mikael Backlund, C- Backlund is the Flames top prospect and will lead the way with the Flames getting more youth into their line-up. He may not be quite ready for the NHL yet but If you put him with the right players, I think he could do some special things in this NHL which is suited for the young players. Look at guys like Jordan Staal in Pittsburgh or Milan Lucic in Boston as guys who did the same thing as Backlund could do. I think he would be a good fit on our third line. If he isn't quite ready come the start of the season, then the Flames still have Dustin Boyd to jump up into one of the center spots.

My Picks is only Carter, the rest of the spots would have to be filled from within the organization because this move wouldn't be a cheap one. If not I think Tucker would fit in great on our 2nd line too.

Defense:
Pairings from last year.
1- PHANEUF-VANDERMEER
2- REGEHR-SARICH
3- AUCOIN-HALE
E- ERIKSSON, WARRENER
...Players in red are the ones I dont think should be part of the Flames organization next year.

Once again there are players here that the Flames need to get rid of. Eriksson, Aucoin and Warrener all carry a very pricey contract and none of them are worth what they are getting.
Aucoin would be the hardest person to move with a 4 million dollar price tag. He wasn't that bad, actually pretty good for a 3rd pairing defensemen but no defense playing that kind of role is worth 4 million dollars. Options for him could be a buy-out but a more likely scenario would be a trade. Even if the Flames only got a draft pick in return, I still think it is worth it. Finding a team that would be willing to take him would be the hard part. Buffalo, Carolina, Los Angeles and New York Rangers could be possible suitors. Carolina would probably be the best suitor, they are looking for a puck moving defensemen and having Bret Hedican and Glen Wesley expected to retire they have some holes. Getting rid of Aucoin too would also be the best time to do it because he had pretty decent numbers last year, so his stock isn't that low. Now Eriksson, the Flames hopefully will either buy this guy out or just send him to the minors. The only question left with him is who was worse him or Zyuzin? Finally Warrener, now I dont want the Flames to get completely rid of him but I think he will either retire or take a huge pay-cut which would be good for depth on the blueline. So with that the Flames will need 2 defensemen, probably a top 4 and a 5/6 guy.

Mark Giordano- From reports from the newspaper/radio it sounds like a deal with be done with Giordano to bring him back to Calgary next season. THANK THE LORD! Why this guy was even let go, I have no idea but at least it was only for one season. From what I have heard, Gio had a pretty decent season playing over in Russia, even good enough to be named a reserve for Canada's World Championship team. Gio will be a great addition for the Flames next season, whether he plays as a 5/6 guy or pairs up with Dion, which I think would work out is the only question surrounding this guy going into next season. He will also hep the PP.
Mike Commodore- If the Flames were to go after Carter there wouldn't be much money to go around especially with all the other re-signings they will have to do. Commodore is a good deal at about 1.3-1.6 million dollars a year and would be a good fit back here in Calgary on our 3rd pairing.
Brooks Orpik- Orpik is much like Commodore and would also be a good fit for the Flames 3rd pairing. Orpik is only 26 so the price for him will probably a little bit higher, that is if Pittsburgh doesn't re-sign him.

My Picks are obviously Giordano and then Commodore to add a little bit of leadership.

Goalies:
1- KIPRUSOFF
2- JOSEPH
...Players in red are the ones I dont think should be part of the Flames organization next year.

The Flames goaltending is pretty much set for next season. I mentioned earlier that I wouldn't mind seeing Cujo stick around for the right price but I dont think that will be the case. The Flames should just re-sign Curtis McElhinney and ride Kiprusoff like every other year.

The Lines for next year would then look like as follows:
Forwards:
1- TANGUAY-LANGKOW-IGINLA
2- LOMBARDI-CARTER-MOSS
3- NYSTROM-BACKLUND-YELLE
4- BOYD-CONROY-GODARD
E- NILSON-STEVENSON-PRUST
Defense:
1- PHANEUF-VANDERMEER
2- REGEHR-SARICH
3- GIORDANO-COMMODORE
E- WARRENER-PARDY
Goalies:
1- KIPRUSOFF
2- McELHINNEY
3- KEETLEY

Well it is going to be a very interesting summer for the Flames and all of us fans. There is going to be alot of hard decisions to be made but hopefully Sutter is able to get rid of some of those if not all of those dead weight contracts. If he does a whole new door will be opened up to the Flames which could include a signing of a player like Jeff Carter. My scenario I went over has a ton of what ifs and revolves around those dead weight contracts being lifted off the Flames back. If they all aren't, I look to guys like Tucker and Stuart to maybe come into the fold next year and probably some more depth. If some of these moves were to be made the Flames would then be looking at around 54-55 million dollars wrapped up in salaries and with the expected salary cap to be around 56 million it wouldn't give the Flames much room to wiggle. I know I'm dreaming with the Carter thing but even if we were to get rid of lets say Eriksson, Aucoin or Primeau and bring in a Tucker and Stuart I still think it would make the hockey team stronger going into next year. I just thought I would throw it out there and see what everyone thought!

GO FLAMES GO!