Can't sleep. As usual. Thought I'd make idle predictions on what the Calgary Flames could do and end up looking like by the start of the season. Idle hopes.
Tanguay (3.5) - Richards (6.5) - Iginla (7.0)
Glencross (2.55) - Jokinen (3.0) - Moss (1.3)
Bourque (3.33) - Backlund (1.27) - Jackman (.555)
Kostopolous (.916) - Byron (.600) - Bouma (.600)
Ivanans (.600)
= 31.7 total.
Apparently the Flames have made a contract proposal to Brad Richards that is equivalent to the Rangers deal. Now it depends on which team Richards prefers to play on (he supposedly loves New York - and is also being courted by other teams such as the Kings and Leafs).
BUT if he does choose to sign for the Flames... that would make for a pretty sweet first line. And the second line showed it can be productive after it was formed late in the season. Third line has potential and keeping Bourque would allow for someone to step up to the top 6 when needed. Keeping Kostopolous on the fourth line to help stabilize the 4th line and allow us to bring in more young bodies like Byron (since Feaster says he's ready for the big time) Bouma, Meyer or any other combination would reward players and allow for actual development to occur. Keep Ivanans for situations requiring a tough guy (IF he's even able to play again...)
Bouwmeester (6.68) - Giordano (4.02)
Sarich (3.6) - Butler (1.25)
Carson (.575) - Brodie (.716)
Mikkelson (.800)
= 17.641
Time will tell if Regehr was holding Bouwmeester back due to his slow skating and poor puck handling... or if it was Bouwmeester holding Regehr back. (I'm hoping for the former). This is the next step for Giordano's development and allows for the opportunity for a player like Brodie to step in to the NHL. However, it does make for a lot of unknowns in the bottom 4, so signing someone like Babchuck to help shore the defense would not be a poor idea (depending on how much he is asking for - if Pardy can get a 2mil per year contract... what is Babchuck going to ask for??)
Kipprusoff (5.83) - Karlsson (.862)
= 6.692
Kiprrusoff may not be as good as he once was, but he still performs at a pretty elite level. Though he did have more bad games over the past season, Karlsson should be able to play more this year after proving his worth. Granted, Irving performed great in the AHL last year as well, so there may be some competition for the backup.
Total cap hit = 56.033 mil which is approximately 7mil below the salary cap which would then allow us to sign a depth d-man to shore up the bottom 4 and maybe even Morrison to shore up the middle.
HOWEVER, this all depends on IF we're able to get rid of Hagman (3.0), Stajan (3.5) and Langkow (4.5). Though, with 7mil cap space with my proposed lineup, you could theoretically keep Langkow as depth down the middle and still sign a depth d-man. But you would still need to bury or trade Hagman and Stajan.
