Rittich Signs

Big Save Dave did not look like he was going to sign before the arbitration hearing. But in his own words, the work got done overnight. Boy, do I feel foolish; I was under the assumption that it was not going to happen.   Well, the Flames didn't think it was going to happen, but you never know!  One thing I have learned while covering the Flames is to expect the unexpected.

So what went right?  Rittich knew he would get a one- or two-year deal. So Dave went down to two years from his three-year stance. The Flames then upped their offer to $2.75 mm for two years. Presto, we have a deal! My source said no big deal; sometimes things get done.

It seems that most people are quite happy about this deal. Rittich was asking $3-3.5 mm. Nice to see the Flames up their offer to $2.75 mm. Big Save Dave has earned his coin. I'm glad Rittich signed two years instead of one.  About the only downside is that the Flames get no UFA years.

That likely means that the Flames think Parsons is close to being ready. He has two years to become NHL ready. Rittich might be willing to stay longer, but the Flames may have to pay the piper unless they are confident in the progress of Parsons.

So what does this mean for Talbot?  I don't think it will mean much. The Flames will be going with a 1A and 1B combo. They seem to feel it is working to a rested goalie going into the playoffs.

WHAT'S NEXT? WHAT ARE THEIR OPTIONS?

The team has to do another deal to make room for the Tkachuk signing. They do have options. First, there is the trading of TJ Brodie. The second option IS using the second buyout window. The likely choice is Michael Stone. The second buyout window closes Thursday, August 1 at 3 pm. The Flames do not want to use that option but may be forced to go that route. Another option is trading Michael Frolik. Michael Frolik's major problem is his cap hit. The Flames feel that his term reduces that; I beg to differ, but only time will tell. Every team can use Frolik. He is an excellent penalty killer and a third liner; just not at $4,300,000. In my opinion, it will be easier to trade number one defencemen  TJ Brodie at $4,650,400. Teams foam at the mouth to get a chance at a number one or two defensemen.  

Now there are other options, but they are too radical to consider. The Flames could look at trading Janko. I would hate to lose him because he has so much potential.  They have no interest in trading Gaudreau unless someone blows their mind.

34th Street meets Elm Street

So yesterday was nothing special. Not like anything significant happened, right?

Just a little dash of humour.

Let's talk about the  Milan Lucic for James  Neal. I had some time to think about why the Flames executed the deal. I understand it, but I don't like it.

Nightmare on Elm Street - Trading Neal for Lucic

What does Milan Lucic bring to the Flames? When I  asked my source, he said, "Milan gives us a different dimension, something this team has not had for some time." Milan is a true power forward who can get the garbage goals." Take it for what it is worth; the Flames lack toughness. They got pushed around too much last season. The coaching staff felt the Flames lacked leadership; a player who will do what it takes to win. They love Lucic's attitude. He is a player's player. He will lead by example.

He asked me what I thought of the trade. My response: "I did not like it at first. But now I understand it. Lucic will help the powerplay and give us a big body in front of the net. It is a fresh start for both players and both teams. Neal will produce at a higher rate in Edmonton. Lucic will perform better than in the past few years, so it will help the Flames also.

My initial thoughts on the deal

I  will be honest. My first reaction that it was like getting a kick in the teeth. That is the main reason I put off the blog for a day. I was looking at the stats. But the stats did not tell the full story. My heart understands Lucic putting too much pressure on himself, but my head says that is why he gets the big bucks. It comes down to my feeling that Neal has more potential than Lucic. I understand the transaction, but I still don't like the trade. Whether Lucic succeeds or not depends on how he handles the pressure in Calgary.

What does this have to do with Bennett?

I wish I had some insight here. What it comes down to is that the Flames are trying to keep Bennett. The main problem is that there are not too many other options.   The potential to trade Brodie is there, but the Flames are asking a lot, and teams feel it is too much. There is the option, of course, of Stone being bought out. But the Flames prefer the trade. That pretty much leaves Bennet in limbo with no place to go.

Miracle on 34th Street: The new building announcement

The Flames and the City are close to getting a new arena. It is nice to see the parties coming to a tentative agreement. A new arena will make it easier to entice players to come to Calgary. According to the Flames, they were never leaving Calgary. This is just one step closer to getting our fans into an arena that works for everyone.

The Flames needed the new arena for the suites; it will bring in more revenue. And like I say, players will want to come here. The finalization of terms should take about six months and construction could begin by the spring.

One final word

What is going on with Tkachuk?  Nothing new to report here. My source says when it is done, it is done.  It is close, but sometimes when it is close, there is still a lot of work to be done. There are no worries, though.

So far this season, the Flames edition

The Flames seem to be trying to find a way to sign Tkachuk. They feel things will progress quickly on Matthew. It is the term that they are working on now.

Same old, same old. Tkachuk appears to want a five-year term, but the Flames aren't interested in only five years — they are more interested in buying some free agency time. Tkachuk wants freedom as fast as he can get it. The Flames are trying to slow down the process.

The situation reminds me somewhat of an overprotective parent clipping their wings of the child trying to move out. The bright side is that Tkachuk is trying to prove his loyalty by turning down all offer sheets and saying he wants to stay. The other good news is that the parties are close enough on the cap issue. They are just working on the term. Then there is the human issue, meaning if there is a way to screw up, they will find a way. You know, like a husband trying to find an anniversary gift; it is not a matter of whether it will be bad, but of how bad the gift will be.

FLAMES QUALIFY FOR THE SECOND BUY OUT WINDOW

Thanks to David Rittich, Sam Bennett, Ryan Limberg, and Rinat Valiev filing for arbitration, the Flames can exercise the second buy-out in August. There is a feeling the Flames knew this was going to happen, so there was no hurry to buy out Stone. The Flames are not commenting on that. Of course, why would they? That is over a month away. It might be handy down the stretch. I suspect that the Flames are happy with the defence. If they had planned on buying out Stone, they would have done it the first buy-out period.  

BRODIE NOT BEING SHOPPED

Fans take everything out of context. If there is a deal to be had, the Flames will explore it, but they are not doing a deal if it doesn't help the team. That pretty much says that they are listening on Brodie, but not necessarily shopping him. Of course, a trade has to happen to fit in the RFA's; they are just in no hurry.

THE GOALIE ISSUE 

The goalie tandem is Talbot and Rittich. But there is another goalie on the payroll. If my research is correct, Jon Gillies is on a one-way contract, which begs the question of what are going to do with him. There is one option waiving him; they already said they are not planning out on using the second buy-out window. Of course, the second option is the trade route. Expect this to addressed closer to the end of the season.

FINAL WORD

The Flames won't make any plans on buy-outs or moving salary until they know more where guys are going to come in cap wise.

The Flames have some essential free agents right now, and that is the top priority.