After a quiet draft weekend for the Flames compared to usual (four previous drafts Treliving had made a major trade), and the cap number for next year finally known, the team will have to work fast with the free agency period upcoming to retain their key RFA's, and perhaps later delve into the UFA market to bolster what was a solid team last season. Key items on the to-do list include fitting Tkachuk, Bennett, and Rittich with cap space left over to find the second piece of the solution in net for this team, as well as bolstering the top six forward group (something last year's UFA signing James Neal failed to deliver on last season).
RFA's
Tkachuk - Comments on Mathews deal leads me to believe he is wanting a short term deal at UFA $. Treliving drives a hard bargain and gets him on the 6.75M Gio/Johnny cap for the first three years and Tkachuk's camp gets Skinner money (9M) for each year after the third. 5 x 7.65M.
Bennett - Had a great playoffs and Treliving's comments lead me to believe he sees the guy as a long term supporting piece for this Flames team. Key will be finding the right dollar value and term to get him to sign before seeing what offer sheets come his way (he is a target as Calgary is cap strapped and his value to Calgary is well above the RFA compensation for what he likely gets offered (2nd round pick)). I think he enjoys the new role he's found on this competitive team and wants to be here for a while. Flames management seems to like him as well and he's consistently stepped up his game in the playoffs. I think they settle on a 5 x $2.95M.
Rittich - Looks like he is developing well and went from solid backup to platoon starter over the course of last season. Likely wants a short term deal betting on himself to cement his starting role on Calgary over a couple seasons. Signs a short term deal similar to Gibson's second contract (3 @ 3.3% of cap) but for two years. 2 x 2.75M.
Mangiapane - Signs a short term extension looking to build on his solid back half of last season. 2 x 925k.
Quine - Accepts an offer for one year at 800k to be the 13th forward on a good team rather than play more frequently on a bad team.
Rychel - Brought back for the AHL team on his qualifying offer.
Valiev - Returns to help lead the AHL team on his qualifying offer.
UFA's
Hathaway - Will be offered a contract that the Flames can't match due to their cap crunch. Flames will hope Tuulola will fill the vacated role after some conditioning to the North American size rink down in the AHL.
Fantenberg - Could be brought back if the Flames move both Brodie and Stone. I expect he signs somewhere where he will be an everyday player though.
Smith - Flames could circle back and sign him if all other goal tending options fall through.
All other Flames UFA's will not be returning.
Flames target a right shot
Trades
I've commented on each one I've made within the trade itself. Overall, the Flames need to move out a bit of money, find a platoon level goalie, and ideally find an upgrade to the top six forward group.
Calgary swaps Neal (who is a bad fit on a rush team) for Turris who should be better fit on a quick team and is a right hand shot who has but up good offensive numbers in the past (something their line up is lacking). The pick is added for moving out Jankowski and for Turris' deal being a little more expensive and one year longer than Neal's
After landing Duchene as a UFA, Nashville brings back Neal who was successful in their system in a bad contract swap for Turris (who hasn't been a good fit). They also bring in Jankowski to be a low cost center developing behind Duchene, Johansson and Bonino.
Calgary acquires a goalie they look to bounce back to be a platoon caliber starter behind a better defensive team for a defender that they can't afford this season. Florida retains a bit of salary due to the extra year on Reimer's deal.
Florida brings in a guy who will likely play #4D alongside Yandle for their current roster which is thin at defense and move on from a backup goalie they no longer need.
Flames move on from Gillies as there is a bit of a log jam in net for their AHL team and they brought in an experienced platoon type backup. They acquire a winger prospect with size who the Marlies/Leafs have a bunch of with Engvall, Marchment, Mikheyev, and Korshkov. They chose to move on from Engvall as they see him as having the least upside of their group of big bodied wingers.
Toronto acquires a guy who may just become their NHL backup if he has a strong showing in camp and beats out Sparks, or worst case they have room in the AHL for him to continue his development.
Calgary makes a move to acquire Drouin, a #3/4F who the Habs were unhappy with to end last season (they sign Nyquist who they play opposite of Tatar to offset trading Drouin). Montreal's fourth is conditional on either trading Brodie at the deadline, or retaining him beyond next season (no pick is sent if they lose him for nothing).
Montreal acquires a #2/3 D that will really boost their defensive core for this year in their push to get into the playoffs. If they have a bad year they can move him at the deadline for a similar return as the Muzzin trade (1st + prospect). They also obtain a first rounder (top 3 protected) to make up for the fact Brodie is on a one year deal.
5.
CGY
Choix de 3e ronde en 2020 (SJS)
Détails additionnels:
Calgary moves out a player disgruntled with his playing time / the coach for cap space for a mid round pick.
Detroit gets a great middle six winger who they can feed playing time and likely recover better picks at the deadline. He will also be a good Czech mentor to Hronek & Zadina.
McDavid, Connor
250 000 $)
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