If the Flames weren't in such cap trouble, the Talbot signing would be fine. But seeing them pay Talbot too much and seeing Hathaway leave on a pretty reasonable contract doesn't look good. Maybe Hathaway wanted to move on, but if he didn't, he did everything right and was a kind of player that the Flames are lacking. The 750k for Talbot is the difference in being able to bring back Hathaway.

The Flames obviously didn't have a chance at the decent goalies available this year, but is Talbot really worth paying as the best of the rest? Is Talbot better than Elliot? Is Talbot better than Smith? Is Talbot better than Kinkaid? Is Talbot better than McEhinney? Is Talbot better than Pickard? Is Talbot better than Nilsson? Is Talbot better than Miller? The answer to all of those questions is maybe. Even though some of those goalies were never going to sign in Calgary, why is Talbot getting paid more than all of them when they're all basically at the same level after last year.
- Hunkulese

Washington gave Hathaway a 4 year deal & good on Hathaway. I liked him, but 4 years, meh, you can pick up players that would do what Hathaway did without the term & probably a little cheaper. Just because Treliving hasnt moved any contracts yet doesnt mean he cant. Bob Mackenzie confirmed a Kadri for Brodi deal was in place. That says if push comes to shove, Tre can move Brodi for picks & gain that cap space in a pinch. I think Frolik is very tradeable as well without having to bring a contract back. & if we need any more, Stone will be gone in the next buyout window in August after the Arbitration period. Im glad Treliving has a return he would like to have & is patient to get it.

Washington gave Hathaway a 4 year deal & good on Hathaway. I liked him, but 4 years, meh, you can pick up players that would do what Hathaway did without the term & probably a little cheaper. Just because Treliving hasnt moved any contracts yet doesnt mean he cant. Bob Mackenzie confirmed a Kadri for Brodi deal was in place. That says if push comes to shove, Tre can move Brodi for picks & gain that cap space in a pinch. I think Frolik is very tradeable as well without having to bring a contract back. & if we need any more, Stone will be gone in the next buyout window in August after the Arbitration period. Im glad Treliving has a return he would like to have & is patient to get it.
- Kevin R

None of that changes the fact that Talbot is getting paid more than every goalie I listed and was outperformed by all of them except Pickard last year. Treliving has had to give every UFA he's signed a million more than they're worth. He should probably stop doing that.

None of that changes the fact that Talbot is getting paid more than every goalie I listed and was outperformed by all of them except Pickard last year. Treliving has had to give every UFA he's signed a million more than they're worth. He should probably stop doing that.
- Hunkulese

Well you're getting too hung up over $750K cap space. Signing UFA's are usual overpays for most GM's & the reason they do is because they dont have to give up an asset to acquire that player with the exception of cap space & once the player is signed is an asset & can get a return. Flames could probably flip Talbot at the TDL & get a pick or two, depending on the situation. Vancouver way overpaid to get Myers. Philly way over paid to keep Hayes from going UFA. It's just not Calgary & I dont think criticizing Flames for overpaying Talbot by $750K to take a 1 year deal is warranted.
Just my opinion buddy.

Well you're getting too hung up over $750K cap space. Signing UFA's are usual overpays for most GM's & the reason they do is because they dont have to give up an asset to acquire that player with the exception of cap space & once the player is signed is an asset & can get a return. Flames could probably flip Talbot at the TDL & get a pick or two, depending on the situation. Vancouver way overpaid to get Myers. Philly way over paid to keep Hayes from going UFA. It's just not Calgary & I dont think criticizing Flames for overpaying Talbot by $750K to take a 1 year deal is warranted.
Just my opinion buddy.
- Kevin R

Your comparisons don't work. Myers and Hayes are useful players that other teams would have given contracts to, and there weren't really a bunch of comparable players to sign if they couldn't get those deals done.

There were a ton of marginal backup goalies on the market looking to bounce back this year, and there's no reason that the most money should have been thrown at Talbot. Compare Talbot to Kinkaid. How is Talbot worth a million more that Kinkaid? They were almost identically awful last year, and Kinkaid was better the year before. The only contract that got close to Talbot was Nilsson, and he was a lot better than Talbot last year.

Do you really think teams were lining up to bid for Talbot?

Wasting a million here and a million there is exactly how you end up with cap problems.

Your comparisons don't work. Myers and Hayes are useful players that other teams would have given contracts to, and there weren't really a bunch of comparable players to sign if they couldn't get those deals done.

There were a ton of marginal backup goalies on the market looking to bounce back this year, and there's no reason that the most money should have been thrown at Talbot. Compare Talbot to Kinkaid. How is Talbot worth a million more that Kinkaid? They were almost identically awful last year, and Kinkaid was better the year before. The only contract that got close to Talbot was Nilsson, and he was a lot better than Talbot last year.

Do you really think teams were lining up to bid for Talbot?

Wasting a million here and a million there is exactly how you end up with cap problems.
- Hunkulese

It's a one year contract. I'd get the uproar if he was signed for 2 years or more but he isn't. The Flsmes had to sign somebody to tandem with Rittich and $2.75 million for one year is hardly egregious. If Talbot doesn't work out he's gone at the end of the season anyway. We also have no idea which, if any, of those goalies wanted to come to Calgary or that nobody else wanted Talbot. Saying otherwise is nothing but rampant speculation and is entirely unfounded.

Tre has the assets to make cap space. It's already been confirmed he had a deal in place for Brodie.

We aren't even a month into the off-season. It is way too early to panic. Tre still has lots of time to move assets out and make space and Talbot's contract isn't going to be the reason we can't sign someone else. Not when it is a one-year.

Your comparisons don't work. Myers and Hayes are useful players that other teams would have given contracts to, and there weren't really a bunch of comparable players to sign if they couldn't get those deals done.

There were a ton of marginal backup goalies on the market looking to bounce back this year, and there's no reason that the most money should have been thrown at Talbot. Compare Talbot to Kinkaid. How is Talbot worth a million more that Kinkaid? They were almost identically awful last year, and Kinkaid was better the year before. The only contract that got close to Talbot was Nilsson, and he was a lot better than Talbot last year.

Do you really think teams were lining up to bid for Talbot?

Wasting a million here and a million there is exactly how you end up with cap problems.
- Hunkulese

Talbot was fourth in Vezina voting 3 years ago & he has been in the voting for Vezina twice. Go to Flames Nation & there is a very good write up on Talbot comparing numbers. Talbot played 73 games for the Oilers. 73 games!!! Kinkaid hasnt even come close to that nor Nilsson. In fact neither of these guys came anywhere close to getting even 1 Vezina vote in their entire careers. Your not changing my mind & obviously I'm not changing yours. So at this point, we will just disagree & Im sure the topic will come up at some time next year.

Talbot was fourth in Vezina voting 3 years ago & he has been in the voting for Vezina twice. Go to Flames Nation & there is a very good write up on Talbot comparing numbers. Talbot played 73 games for the Oilers. 73 games!!! Kinkaid hasnt even come close to that nor Nilsson. In fact neither of these guys came anywhere close to getting even 1 Vezina vote in their entire careers. Your not changing my mind & obviously I'm not changing yours. So at this point, we will just disagree & Im sure the topic will come up at some time next year.
- Kevin R

Thing is, if we're going to complain about bad contracts, Talbot's 1 year 2.75 isn't even worth mentioning and it may turn out to be a steal. Obviously BT has to move at least one contract so that's more of a concern than anything. I'm a bit surprised he hasn't been able to do anything yet. Stone, Frolik and Brodie are the contracts everyone knows need to be moved. As far as Hathaway, was glad to see him get rewarded, but he benefitted playing with Derek Ryan last season and so will whoever is on his right side next season.

The longer it takes for Tre to trade Brodie, Frolik, or whomever to free up space, the more I worry. It's kind of crazy to me that one of them hasn't been moved.

The longer it takes for Tre to trade Brodie, Frolik, or whomever to free up space, the more I worry. It's kind of crazy to me that one of them hasn't been moved.
- Ol_Boy_Wop

If they're trying to win the Cup this year, it makes sense to keep them. He's probably working on convincing Tkachuk to sign a deal that lets everyone stay.

If they're trying to win the Cup this year, it makes sense to keep them. He's probably working on convincing Tkachuk to sign a deal that lets everyone stay.
- Hunkulese

That’s what’s concerning. I think that Tkachuk probably wants to stay in Calgary, but I don’t think his dad would let him take a team-friendly deal. Keith held out on Winnipeg so I’m sure the kids a chip off the old block.

Yea that's exactly who the Flames need a small guy with NO toughness. I am not a Flames fan and never will be but I do live in Calgary so I hear a lot of excuses about why they lost.The last 3 playoff series they've won 2 games and the reason in 2014-15 and this season is the same the 2 Top forwards are too small and get pushed around. The Only thing they should be trading for is BULK and I don't mean a GOON or a Fighter I just mean someone with a little size that can skate James Neal was the perfect size but can't skate. Wayne Simmonds should of been there #1 target. This of course is my opinion. Flames need size that can skate but hopefully for Me as an Avs fan they get smaller and easier to eliminate

Yea that's exactly who the Flames need a small guy with NO toughness. I am not a Flames fan and never will be but I do live in Calgary so I hear a lot of excuses about why they lost.The last 3 playoff series they've won 2 games and the reason in 2014-15 and this season is the same the 2 Top forwards are too small and get pushed around. The Only thing they should be trading for is BULK and I don't mean a GOON or a Fighter I just mean someone with a little size that can skate James Neal was the perfect size but can't skate. Wayne Simmonds should of been there #1 target. This of course is my opinion. Flames need size that can skate but hopefully for Me as an Avs fan they get smaller and easier to eliminate
- Hewey8

Gaudreau was fine in the playoffs and wasn't pushed around at all. The problem was the rest of the team didn't show up. Monahan has size, but his game disappears after the all-star break and he's slow. Simmonds would have been an awful pickup. He's one of the worst skaters in the league now.

Depending on who they're forced to get rid of to sign Tkachuk, the Flames don't have any needs or question marks outside of the crease.

Gaudreau was fine in the playoffs and wasn't pushed around at all. The problem was the rest of the team didn't show up. Monahan has size, but his game disappears after the all-star break and he's slow. Simmonds would have been an awful pickup. He's one of the worst skaters in the league now.

Depending on who they're forced to get rid of to sign Tkachuk, the Flames don't have any needs or question marks outside of the crease.
- Hunkulese

Yeah. I don’t remember seeing the Flames getting pushed around at all against Colorado for extended periods of time, they just couldn’t keep up.

Gaudreau was fine in the playoffs and wasn't pushed around at all. The problem was the rest of the team didn't show up. Monahan has size, but his game disappears after the all-star break and he's slow. Simmonds would have been an awful pickup. He's one of the worst skaters in the league now.

Depending on who they're forced to get rid of to sign Tkachuk, the Flames don't have any needs or question marks outside of the crease.
- Hunkulese

Gaudreau was fine in the playoffs? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA 4 goals in 20 playoff games.