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Panthers cap is in a pretty terrible situation due to the Bobrovsky contract. They are sitting on only 15 mill in cap space next season with Spencer Knight to re sign as an RFA. They were not going to be able to afford Weegar which is why he was on rumors all off-season. Seems very presumptuous to me to assume they are going to be difficult to deal with given the 2 situations are different.

I caught it but I don’t really think it means anything. I think the majority of athletes honestlh don’t care about their contracts, negotiations, long term future etc. I think they live more in the moment and just play the game. He’s getting ready to play this season and is probably pretty focused on that. I don’t get the sense he’s media savvy enough to drop that on purpose.

I mean let's call a spade a spade here. Lucic is on the team because it was the only way the Flames were going to get out of the disaster James Neal contract and isn't going to go anywhere because of his contract. It's turned into a small positive for the Flames but it's not like he is here by their choice.

I think this is a great move for Anaheim. Get's them above the cap floor, let's them protect Dyrsdale and they can flip Klingberg for assets at the deadline.

Wow. Swing and a miss for Klingberg in FA. This also puts Anaheim over the cap floor so I'd be very surprised to see Lucic moved at this point. That was one of the last places I could see him going.

Where did I say it was ok? And just so we're clear on something even if there wasn't this incident out there I would give you the same answer. Jake Virtanen is not very good at hockey and the Flames should not sign him. The only thing that changes for me here is if they disagreed with me and chose to sign I would be very disappointed in them as an organization. Whereas before I would just stay "well that's a dumb signing" and move on.

Even if we put the legal thing aside for a second, he isn't a good hockey player. But there is also no "stigma". Just because he was found not guilty doesn't mean he did nothing wrong and a player in this position I don't want playing for my organization.

Before Weegar the Flames definitely needed some transition ability in their top 4 so I was interested in Klingberg for that. But now you have someone who is almost as good in transition and in zone offence as Klingberg PLUS the benefit that he can actually defend at an elite level, where Klingberg sucks at it. There isn't room in the top 4 and I don't think you want Klingberg on you 3rd pairing. Just isn't a fit but I also don't think there is money to sign him even if there was.

Absolutely not. Should not even be discussed by the organization IMO.

I cant' say it isn't but if it is he has a terrible agent. Waiting weeks past FA and waiting for teams to spend money and make moves isn't a good strategy if you are waiting for them to come up to your price. I don't doubt he didn't get the offers he was looking for but I think that's made him want to go back to Colorado more.

You right because he technically didn't "retire". He isn't going to play anymore due to his injury but he just won't formally retire with the league. So the cap hit stays and he'll still collect his salary even though he wont' play a game.

Kadri feels really simple to me. If he wanted to go somewhere else he would be there by now. See what happens and things could change but he clearly has a suitor in mind to me.

I actually see these deals as being pretty similar. Key difference for me is with Siegenthaler they bought 4 UFA years and Forsling only 1. I think the AAV on Kylington really comes down to what term they can agree on. Likely would need to be a 2 year deal or less to keep it under 3.

it would be weird for their contracts to move and have them retire. I think both Buff and Arizona acquired those as cap dumps to get to the floor.

You only put a player on LTIR if you need his cap space. If you don't, he'll stay on IR and count against the cap so Buffalo and Arizona would not appear to me to be in the market for Lucic unless you gave them something. Arizona also has to sign Hayton and Crouse. Perhaps i'm wrong and they can I'm just really skeptical. Like I said I could see Lucic more than Monahan but I also don't think the Flames are going to be in a rush to move Lucic now.

Klingberg really isn't a fit or need anymore and they don't really have the cap space to sign him anyway.

They really don't. I think realistically it's about 11 min in cap room right now with Mang going to take at least half of that. Kyliington would take a bulk of the rest if they get him signed. There is flexibility but not a ton of space. Sure if you can move Monahan and/or Lucic but i'm skeptical. Anahaim is really the only team under the cap floor so maybe they are interested but also kind of feels like a deal that would have been done already if there was something there. I don't think you can move Monahan without a sweetener. You lose Monahan/Lucic next offseason but a bulk of that money you sure hope will go to Huberdeau and Weegar. Lindholm is then UFA the next offseason and probably should be extended next summer. They've got flexibility but not as much as you think.

Good graphic that highlights a major problem for the Flames in the playoffs. Key for the Oilers was forcing turnovers and exploiting the Flames off the rush. Graphic shows this. You'll also see how Weegar should be a big boost in this area.

One thing to point out with Huberdeau that while he is the born in the same year as Gaudreau he is hitting UFA one year later. So the 8th year offer that took Gadureau to 37 takes Huberdeau to 38. If the Flames are offering the 8th year then the AAV should absolutely come down as they are buying what is in all very likely a retirement year or a year of not top line play.

For me he is the ultimate test of eyes vs analytics. My eyes tell me he is depth. Plays too fast, defends at an average level and doesn't really offer much while in the o zone. Good transition player though. But then analytically he keeps grading out really well and actually wasn't bad even when Tanev went down in the playoffs.

Can't speak to the credability here. He is a writer that appears to cover Leafs and London Knights

That's pretty fair at that term Still not sure I want to sign that deal but that value feels fair.

And that rationale makes sense to me. I'm a convert to the idea that if you can make an elite line, make it and let them go dominate. I think with Mang on that line they can honestly rival what Gaudreau-Lindholm-Chucky did last year.

No all good. I don't want to make it seem like a negative comment or that i'm thinking he won't sign here because I read nothing into it. Like you said it appeared to be a very random rumor that was quickly put to bed.

For me right now: Huberdeau - Lindholm - Mang. I'm comfortable with the idea that this spot is open but I like the load it up idea Coleman - Backlund - Toffoli. ??? - Monahan - Dube. Really don't like the looks of this. This area needs work Lucic - Rooney - Lewis. Would be a good hard forechecking line Weegar - Tanev - Would be my new top pair Hanifin - Andersson Z - Kyl/Valimaki/Mackey. Whoever is left and wins the battle in camp. Just reallly highlights that the Flames badly need a top 6, or at worst a middle 6, center.