The_People1

I'd rather keep a top 6 prospect and give Ortio an opportunity.

Given the state of the local economy, i would say negotiations are off the table for the next two years at least. I did however notice that GSL has overtaken the parking space just south of Bow Trail, like between the railroad tracks and Bow Trail. Would they be preparing to relocate? I didn't even realize that was usable land until i saw them park new vehicles in there.

Eric Duhatchek was just on Fan960 saying the new Giordano contract will be either; 1) $9-mil-per for 5-years 2) $7-mil-per for 7-years. And he said it with no hesitation as to suggest it's just common knowledge that a top 5 Dman in the NHL should be making that kind of money. Like, he would pay that no problem if he was a GM and that no other GM in the NHL would hesitate either. He said it's essentially PK Subban money (and that it's got to be more than Dion Phaneuf). Duhatchek also made a great point that Giordano has not made a lot of money in his career (relatively speaking). This is his first opportunity at a big contract and so Giordano will probably max it out and that if the Flames offer him a 3-year deal, then that's a bit of a slap in the face. All in all, these numbers are not far from what I was personally expecting but obviously, a lot of you guys will be shocked to find out the numbers are this high.

I recall from a few years ago, Ramo was not happy being a backup in the NHL and nearly refused to come over to North America because of it. He wanted to be a starter. Although given the state of the KHL, i'm sure we're safe he won't bolt back to the KHL, I also don't believe the Flames will be his first choice on July 1st as long as Hiller is here. He has options, like Edmonton for example.

Yea, that's part of the trick. We must sign Mike Green first. Green is a RHS RD who can play top pair and many many teams are looking for that. Once Green is off the UFA market, the Flames can put Wideman on the trade market and demand the moon, or very close to it. Wideman has increased his trade value during these playoffs with the Flames. He and Russell was basically the top pair and played very well.

I can't remember if Wideman has a NTC or not but the reason i suggested Green was because we can trade Wideman for a RW. There are not many high end RWs availlable via UFA so we will likely have to trade for one. If Wideman can get us a RW better than what's available via UFA, then we sign Green. I also suggested Green because he's from Calgary and so i hope we have an inside edge on other teams bidding for his services.

I like Bartkowski too.

Is there any word on Smid returning? Is his career done? Sounds like he has a back problem but there's been no updates.

Firstly, i would reach out to the Mike Green camp and see if he has any desire to come play in his hometown Calgary. If so, then i think you give him Wideman's money (and up to $6-mil-per) and move Wideman because Wideman has just had a career year and it's unlikely he's going to repeat. It's time to sell high and try to get that RW we need. Green is a RHS RD. He may no longer be a #1 stud Dman but he's definitely still 2/3 and can play 22 to 25 minutes per game, and QB the PP. This was not his most productive season and yet, was able to have 45-points in 72-games. Quietly going about his business. He's an offensive Dman at heart and Hartley happens to play the style of hockey that could allow him to return to 60+ point form. By next season, he will turn 30 (2 years younger than Wideman). He will also be 3 years removed from some significant injuries that he's suffered. He could put all that behind him knowing he's getting a fresh start on an up and coming team, and his home town team, and come back next season strong and motivated.

Pre-2004, an ideal blueline would include: 2 D for puck moving 4 D for size and toughness In today's NHL, an ideal blueline would include: 4 D for puck moving 2 D for size and toughness The Flames enjoyed a lot of surprising success from their D this season because their D is basically built around this ideal. With Smid healthy, it was 4 puck movers and 2 for size and toughness. We ended the playoffs with only Engellend for size and toughness which was one reason for the downfall. Moving forward, Giordano - Brodie Russell - Wideman (A BIG & TOUGH D) - Engellend We don't really need to upgrade the top 4 unless we bring in a Dman who can do both, move the puck and offer size.

I knew that wouldn't make any sense. Without the puck, he's done okay. WITH the puck however, i think there is room for improvement. He hangs onto the puck a second too long and doesn't make the simple/expected play. When a pass requires very high skill to complete, he will try that as a first option instead of looking for a safer out. His shots from the point get blocked more than any other Dman as well. Sometimes when the shot's not there, don't force it. Like, shoot wide intentionally and hope for a rebound off the boards to come out infront of the net. It's the little things like that.

I haven't liked Schlemko so far in the playoffs. I think he tries too hard, if that makes any sense. Too many pump fakes and head fakes to the point where he fools his own teammates. He also setup Bennett with a suicide pass. In his role, he's got to keep it simple. He doesn't play Flames hockey yet and makes dangerous decisions which has to stop. Of all our Dmen, whenever Schlemko has the puck, i cringe a bit because i can't tell what he's thinking.

Thanks cross, that's exactly what I wanted to say too. We've got a "good" D group but where are we in the standings? Did we win a divisional title or anything? We are in no position to have an untouchable top 4.

Backlund is quickly turning into a Matt Lombardi, a player drafted with offensive potential but ultimately defining himself as a primary shut down Center only. With the injuries, the lack of consistent scoring, and lack of finish, both careers look like they parallel one another. When the Flames traded Lombardi, i felt it was a mistake and a large reason for that is the Flames haven't groomed a replacement for him before hand. Before we trade Backlund, i think we need to be sure Sam Bennett can produce in a 2nd line role with good two-way play and shut down capability. I don't feel Stajan is nearly the same level. Granlund and Jooris are close but not quite the same level of effectiveness.

Wideman has been outstanding this season but Norris talk is going too far. I feel like we haven't seen a second pair guy do what a second pair guy is suppose to do and so we feel they are Norris material. If you look around the league at teams who have good D groups, all their second pair guys play their role as well as Wideman.

Lots of speculation on Wotherspoon making his season debut on Saturday to rest a Flames D... who do you guys think should rest? Russell, Wideman, or Brodie? Considering we only have one D practicing with the team in Wotherspoon, who would you switch him with in the line-up?

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/flames-to-propose-new-arena-football-stadium-and-sports-complex-says-report-1.3019167 So reportedly, the Flames have made closed door proposals to levels of government in regards to a new facility in the West Village (a.k.a. Greyhound/GSL area). I'm so excited about this.

Totals man. Giordano is a top 5 Dman in the NHL right now and is in a defenseman's prime (30-to-35-years-old). He's going to get offers in the $8 to $8.5-mil range. I'm thinking/hoping the Flames can give him term and bring that cap hit down to something like $7.25-mil-per. Yes, he will get paid more than most younger D in his level but by the time those young D have contracts due, they will make in the $10-mil range due to further inflated salary caps and rising salaries to match.

In 5,6, and 7 years, $7.25-mil will be the new "Wideman money". Furthermore, PK Subban won the Norris and is now making $9-mil-per. If we let a Norris-level D-man hit UFA two summers from now on a further inflated salary cap limit, do you think he's going to get less than $9-mil-per? Your numbers are way off market value.

Niklas Lidstrom won his first Norris when he was 31-years-old. Then, he went on to win 6 more Norris Trophies after that and played until he was 42. Chara won his first Norris at 31 and has been highly effective Dman after that for another six years. Basically, some of the best Dmen in recent NHL arrive at their own around 31 and they can last until their late 30s. Giordano is 31 this year and he could be a highly effective Dman until he's 38 based on sound hockey sense, dedication to physical conditioning, hunger to improve every year, etc. This season is not a one-off either. He's demonstrated all this throughout his career. Lastly, his salary is based on a $73-mil cap while others signed their deals when the cap was much lower. It's just inflation at work and the cap will continue to inflate over time. By the time Gio is into the 5th or 6th year of his 7-year deal, there will be probably 20-to-30-Dmen in the NHL who will make more than $7.25-mil-per.

Agreed, lots of contract work this summer. With this being a "Flames Defense" topic, i was focusing primarily on D and specifically on Russell. Giordano should be locked up as soon as possible. Based on next year's cap estimated at $73-mil, and Giordano's Norris-like performance this season, i think Gio should be looking at $7.25-mil-per for 7-years. That will pay him until he's 38-years-old and his salary would be inline with Suter, Letang, Doughty, etc.

If Kris Russell continues to play this well down the stretch and help the Flames make the playoffs, then the Flames should focus on extending his contract this summer. It's looking like maybe $4-mil-per for 4-years is a fair number for both sides.

Considering Ortio is signed at league minimum, it makes sense to have him in the NHL full time next season. Plus, he's got higher upside than the other two. When it comes to Hiller vs Ramo, it may just come down to dollars. Hiller is at $4.5-mil. If Ramo wants more than that, then let him walk. If Ramo agrees to less than that, then sign him and trade Hiller.

The railway has a very wide Right Of Way spanning halfway into what appears to be a giant vacant lot. Only about 60% of the perceived size of the vacant lot is usable, unless they purchase all the houses on the two adjacent blocks to the South. There's no a lot of room there for an NHL sized facility.

http://stats.nhlnumbers.com/teams?year=2015 According to NHLnumbers, the Flames are the 11th youngest team in the NHL. There's this idea the Flames are one of the youngest because of Monahan, Gaudreau, etc but fact is, most of the team is made up of the Stajans, Hudlers, Widemans, etc. They bring up the average age of the team. The Flames are on average, on par with the rest of the league in terms of age.