Young kid whos shown he can work hard...wouldnt be a big upgrade, but it would be another young piece to add who might add some spark to the roster.
- noename09

yeah i understand. i had always thought the kennedy and martin deals for iggy were kind of insulting, but i would not mind at all having him be a piece that got thrown in if something were to happen

I think it's crazy that people are still crying about the JBo contract. At the time it was signed how many teams would've gave that to him? 10 or12 is my guess.
- KABLOOEY

This is certainly true...Bouwmeester did attract many teams and could still very well attract teams even with his cap hit. He can be a good defenseman on most teams, he just wasnt working out of late with Calgary.

And further, there isnt really a need to move him either....with a new coaching change and a few fresh faces, he could be needed in Calgary and Feaster may see this. For me, however, it would be smarter to move him if a team shows interest and if we can walk away with some younger talent.

This is certainly true...Bouwmeester did attract many teams and could still very well attract teams even with his cap hit. He can be a good defenseman on most teams, he just wasnt working out of late with Calgary.

And further, there isnt really a need to move him either....with a new coaching change and a few fresh faces, he could be needed in Calgary and Feaster may see this. For me, however, it would be smarter to move him if a team shows interest and if we can walk away with some younger talent.
- noename09

totally feel that one. that fits paul martin as well

Every team has bad contracts, there's no denying that. But Calgary is starting to look like a joke at times. That Wideman deal is outrageous. He's a 3rd pairing PP guy getting paid to be a top pairing guy, with a full NMC. How is that a good deal?

The Flames continue to get older (Iggy, Kipper aren't getting younger), and expecting results to change. That is the very definition of insanity.
- Brian Huddle

I really dont think the Wideman deal was "outrageous". It was a slight increase from his previous cap hit of about 4M, but what it gave the Flames was an opportunity to replace JBo for about 1.5M less in salary.

Feaster liked the guy and wanted him to commit to the team. The one thing I didnt agree to was the added NMC, as they already had too many.

And youre right, they are getting older...however as mentioend in the blog, they have also gotten slightly younger. I do sincerely hope they decide to make a few bigger moves this year to sell some older assets and bring in nice young shinny ones. Iginla could bring in a nice prize(s)...one who could still keep this team competitive.

I really dont think the Wideman deal was "outrageous". It was a slight increase from his previous cap hit of about 4M, but what it gave the Flames was an opportunity to replace JBo for about 1.5M less in salary.

Feaster liked the guy and wanted him to commit to the team. The one thing I didnt agree to was the added NMC, as they already had too many.

And youre right, they are getting older...however as mentioend in the blog, they have also gotten slightly younger. I do sincerely hope they decide to make a few bigger moves this year to sell some older assets and bring in nice young shinny ones. Iginla could bring in a nice prize(s)...one who could still keep this team competitive.
- noename09

if the pens were to dangle some of these d prospects, would that be too young for you guys? not trying to be condescending, i just didnt know if you guys still want the slightly younger but not straight youth kind of guys

Thats just it. The notion that a team MUST tank to better themselves isnt something most GMs are willing to accept. Granted we can all assume Edmonton *should* be a powerhouse in a few years, thats still left to be seen.

Keeping your team competitive and your fans interested is very important, but this must not be at the cost of the teams future. It does seem that Feaster acknowledges changes are needed, and the fact that hes remaining patient is nice to see. There were some CRAZY contracts being signed out there, and I dont think Feaster did too bad!

I expect more changes to come this summer as it appears Feaster is currently replacing a few parts to strengthen his "vets" if you will.

Whats needed is more youth, and Feaster himself noted that the team played best with the injection of youth. Just because his last signings were 25-29 years old, I didnt expect to bring much youth through free agency. Expect Feaster to shop some of the older, no longer needed guys for youth. This is where the aforementioned "retooling" begins...
- noename09

glad to have a blogger that supports that view.

I'd say each signing has about a yr longer then I would like...and wide mans NMC. Otherwise I'm ok with the.

Coumeau, sarich are good deals. Stemper and Hudler, my problem is I wish one of them was a different type of player, they are pretty similar in the roles they play.

if the pens were to dangle some of these d prospects, would that be too young for you guys? not trying to be condescending, i just didnt know if you guys still want the slightly younger but not straight youth kind of guys
- stayinthefnnet

at this point, Feaster needs to address adding talent. If he can get a highly touted defensive prospect, it needs to be done. Thing is, Bouwmeester can be let go without hurting the team, imo, and they should bring in the "best available" talent within a trade.

Whether this means an 18 year old or 24 year old....dosnt matter, as long as its not another 30 year old.

glad to have a blogger that supports that view.

I'd say each signing has about a yr longer then I would like...and wide mans NMC. Otherwise I'm ok with the.

Coumeau, sarich are good deals. Stemper and Hudler, my problem is I wish one of them was a different type of player, they are pretty similar in the roles they play.
- numbear

For sure! Feaster brought back a few guys for less money who he felt could help the club out. The team, unfortunately, doesnt have a ton of NHL ready prospects who could step in and use the ice time...so it makes sense for the time being to keep the guys you liked, and improve upon the guys you didnt.

Where I officially give a thumbs up to Feaster will be through trades, and if said trades addresses adding youth into the core of the team. This needs to be done. The can keep drafting youth, but they should also bring some in via trade while they have older assets who have worth.

Been screwin around on the capgeek calculator all morning. Love that site lol....Ive guessed your depth chart will look something like


Tanguay Cervenka Iginla

Cammalleri Backlund Hudler

Glencross Stajan Stempniak

Jackman Jones Comeau

Bouma


JayBo Wideman

Giordano Sarich

Butler Babchuk

Smith


Kipper
Karlsson

at this point, Feaster needs to address adding talent. If he can get a highly touted defensive prospect, it needs to be done. Thing is, Bouwmeester can be let go without hurting the team, imo, and they should bring in the "best available" talent within a trade.

Whether this means an 18 year old or 24 year old....dosnt matter, as long as its not another 30 year old.
- noename09

tk harrington and a first as a starting point for the negotiations for iginla?

Been screwin around on the capgeek calculator all morning. Love that site lol....Ive guessed your depth chart will look something like


Tanguay Cervenka Iginla

Cammalleri Backlund Hudler

Glencross Stajan Stempniak

Jackman Jones Comeau

Bouma


JayBo Wideman

Giordano Sarich

Butler Babchuk

Smith


Kipper
Karlsson
- t_leafs21

I think more like
tnaguay/cammy/iggy
GelnX/Cervenka/Hudler
Baert/Backland/Stemper
Coumeau/Jones/Jackman

(I would actually like to see coumeau on 3rd line, but no where else for stemper)

Jbo/Wideman
Gio/Butler
Sarich/Brodie
Smith

Kipper/Leiland

Would also like to see Brodie with Gio this year

I don't have an issue with any of the contracts save the NMC. This is free agency and you pay or you miss out. Its not a Feaster thing, not a Flames thing. Bouwmeester at the time was THE free agent and I remember everyone saying how fortunate the Flames were to get him. Problem is, he never put up the offensive numbers that was expected (from a contract that size...).

The Flames choose not to sh*t the bed every year for that top pick. I'm envious of the talent the Oilers have but its not equated to TEAM success so for all those saying the Oilers "plan" is the right way, the jury is still out...

So really if the Flames don't sign Wideman or Hudler, they sign elsewhere for probably the same money and no one says boo... But because its the Flames...

I'd rather have a Feaster than say a Burke. At least he's trying to improve this team rather than let his ego effect his decisions...

and btw... nice write up Colin! Keep up the good work!

Every team has bad contracts, there's no denying that. But Calgary is starting to look like a joke at times. That Wideman deal is outrageous. He's a 3rd pairing PP guy getting paid to be a top pairing guy, with a full NMC. How is that a good deal?

The Flames continue to get older (Iggy, Kipper aren't getting younger), and expecting results to change. That is the very definition of insanity.
- Brian Huddle

Geez, for a 3rd pairing D man I was surprised to see that Wideman averaged 24 minutes a game last year.

Nice try though...

BOO YOU SUCK AND YOU SMELL LIKE CHEESE.

Good write up Colin.

It's clear to see that what the Flames are trying to do is draft well under Feasters regime and in the mean time stay competitive with legitimate NHLers.

As a season ticket holder I am OK with this. I don't want to go to the Dome every game and get blown out of the water for 5 straight years, only to pray our draft picks eventually win us the Stanley cup. There are no guarantees with that model. At the end of the day, it all comes down to drafting!!!

tk harrington and a first as a starting point for the negotiations for iginla?
- stayinthefnnet

Calgary needs added grit and talent down the middle...just like most teams unfortunately. They would have to bring in a talented forward to replace Iginla down the road, and Im not entirely sure the Penguins first could do that.

I dont know enough about harrington to comment.

Good write up Colin.

It's clear to see that what the Flames are trying to do is draft well under Feasters regime and in the mean time stay competitive with legitimate NHLers.

As a season ticket holder I am OK with this. I don't want to go to the Dome every game and get blown out of the water for 5 straight years, only to pray our draft picks eventually win us the Stanley cup. There are no guarantees with that model. At the end of the day, it all comes down to drafting!!!
- The-Dalai-Lama

you are correct sir, and like Burke in Toronto, Feasters draft picks have not even come to fruition yet. We will get a better idea in 2 years how hes done, and hopefully in the mean time he can bring in more youth via trade/draft.

BOO YOU SUCK AND YOU SMELL LIKE CHEESE.
- jbold

I see Burke has done one hell of a job with free agents. I love his quote that he would've picked MR 1st overall. What a dumb a$$!

Calgary needs added grit and talent down the middle...just like most teams unfortunately. They would have to bring in a talented forward to replace Iginla down the road, and Im not entirely sure the Penguins first could do that.

I dont know enough about harrington to comment.
- noename09

I'm pretty sure it's safe to say Iginla is staying put for now...

However, if come trade deadline day the Flames are out of it (I doubt they will be), I could see them moving him if the offer was fantastic.

Calgary needs added grit and talent down the middle...just like most teams unfortunately. They would have to bring in a talented forward to replace Iginla down the road, and Im not entirely sure the Penguins first could do that.

I dont know enough about harrington to comment.
- noename09

fair enough man. if you guys are looking for the talented young front line forward the pens certainly dont have that right now. however, they are going to be very tough to pry out from someone. harringon is regarded as a very solid d prospect, although not having say shea weber potential, but still has decent value. im honestly not sure what kind of offers would be there for iginla. im sure the some teams could top what the pens could throw in, but the pens could also offer better than most. i still dont see him being moved though, but you have to admit it may be wise to

and btw... nice write up Colin! Keep up the good work!
- geta02it

Thanks! If you guys keep up the discussions and bring about interesting debates, I will very much enjoy putting together blogs every day/so (if I get the spot, that is)

Im looking into new topics as we speak...problem with Canadian teams is that the media jumps on new stories which get regurgitated over and over...Im going to try my best to bring up different angles and topics that arent all over the news.

Calgary isn't going to rebuild.

Thanks! If you guys keep up the discussions and bring about interesting debates, I will very much enjoy putting together blogs every day/so (if I get the spot, that is)

Im looking into new topics as we speak...problem with Canadian teams is that the media jumps on new stories which get regurgitated over and over...Im going to try my best to bring up different angles and topics that arent all over the news.
- noename09

I hope you get the post, you do a great job!

Calgary isn't going to rebuild.
- Thehabsfan93

Thanks Sherlock!