|
Calgary Flames lose out in Micheal Ferland sweepstakes |
|
|
|
|
|
Follow me on Twitter @ToddCordell
The Calgary Flames weren't active in free agency. They simply didn't have the money to be.
That didn't stop them from sniffing around select targets, but it did play a part in preventing the team from actually landing said targets.
I know they were interested in bringing back Micheal Ferland. Understandably so. He worked well with Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan in the past, has put up 40+ points in consecutive seasons, is a pretty efficient 5v5 producer, and he brings physicality in spades. That's something the Flames have talked about wanting more of.
Given the affinity for those kinds of players, it was not hard to envision a team really paying up for Ferland in free agency. That didn't prove to be the case.
He signed a four-year, $14 million ($3.5M per) contract with the Vancouver Canucks, who were in serious pursuit of him from the get go. He visited the team early on in free agency.
Notable UFAs have a tendency to get overpaid but, honestly, I think that's a pretty fair and reasonable contract for a 15+ goal, 40+ point winger with bite.
Even so, the Flames weren't in position to match it. They might need to clear additional cap space just to take care of their own players.
There won't be *any* room to add unless some significant salaries start moving out. The Flames are almost certainly stuck with James Neal, and T.J. Brodie is more likely to be dealt for a quality forward (see the nixed Nazem Kadri trade) than salary relief, so Michael Frolik and Michael Stone (via buyout) are the shoes likely to drop. Until that happens, if at all, GM Brad Treliving's hands are completely tied – like we saw in Ferland's case.
They'll once again be seeing plenty of the player they coveted. Just not in a Flames jersey.
Recent posts:
Arbitration dates set for four members of the Flames
On the Nazem Kadri trade that never was
The Flames should go after Nikita Gusev
Michael Frolik could be traded sooner than later
Reviewing the Flames' 2019 draft class
Giordano makes history with well-deserved Norris victory
Five pieces the Flames could use as trade bait
Three potential trade partners for the Flames
Calgary Flames Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»