Noted NHL enforcer Brian McGrattan is back with the Calgary Flames organization, joining the team today as a player development coach. The veteran of 317 games actually played last season for the Nottingham Panthers of the Elite Ice Hockey League in England, where he registered 19 points and 138 penalty minutes in 47 games.
Flames Rumors
Calgary Flames Sign Dylan Olsen To PTO
- Darren Dreger of TSN is reporting that the Calgary Flames have invited Dylan Olsen to training camp on a professional tryout, bringing him back to the NHL for at least a short while. After being selected in the first round and playing 124 NHL contests, Olsen spent last year in a Senior A circuit away from professional hockey. The left-handed defenseman is now 26, and could potentially earn a minor league deal if shows any semblance of his former self. It’s hard to imagine he’ll ever see the NHL, but stranger things have happened in the past.
Calgary Flames No Longer Pursuing New Arena In Calgary
Calgary Flames President and CEO Ken King told media today that the organization is “no longer pursuing a new facility” in Calgary (audio link). King stated that the city and the organization have reached an impasse and that the organization sees no point in continuing talks. The Flames currently play out of the Scotiabank Saddledome which was built in 1983. It remains the second oldest arena in the NHL after Madison Square Garden, but the Garden received a recent billion dollar renovation.
The roadblock between the City and the Flames seems to center on public funding. King would not get into specifics, but he sighted differences in opinion on contributions as the main impediment. It is reasonable to assume—given the proclivity of public stadium financing—that the Flames want the city of Calgary to provide some sort of substantial funding and a specific location. Calgary’s mayor, however, has repeatedly indicated that he will do what’s best for the city.
The timing of this announcement is peculiar for two reasons. One, the current Calgary mayor just started his re-election campaign yesterday, and two, Seattle just announced an agreement to build a $600MM arena. The first means that the NHL may lobby for a mayoral candidate that supports a new arena. King even mentioned the mayor’s re-election campaign numerous times during the press conference. The second—the new Seattle arena—presents an implied and unspoken Plan B for any city who cannot agree on a new stadium.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman weighed in as well, stating that the city and team needs a new arena (audio link). He does state that the Flames are not immediately going to move, but that no new arena will have long-term consequences. Both King and Bettman stressed that they are not trying to pressure the city to build a new arena, but the conversational undertones seem to imply otherwise.
Flames Re-Sign Sam Bennett To Two-Year Deal
The Flames announced that they have agreed to terms on a two-year deal with center Sam Bennett. The deal carries a cap hit of $1.95MM.
The fourth overall pick back in 2014 is coming off of his second career professional season and his sophomore campaign didn’t go as well as his first. Last season, Bennett posted 13 goals and 13 assists in 81 games which checked in below his 2015-16 output (18 goals and 18 helpers in 78 contests). He did, however, pick up a pair of goals in Calgary’s first round sweep at the hands of the Ducks back in April.
The fact that he was coming off of a down year and has yet to realize his potential made a bridge deal like this a much more likely outcome than some of the larger contracts that have been handed out to young players this summer. The breakdown of salary by year has not yet been announced but it will be interesting to see if the contract is back loaded as whatever his 2018-19 salary is will represent his qualifying offer that summer.
Bennett will likely begin the season as Calgary’s third line center behind Sean Monahan and Mikael Backlund. That will give him time to continue to work on his game without too much extra pressure being put on him right away. With Backlund eligible for unrestricted free agency in July, the 21-year-old could be in line to slide up into his spot one year from now if the Flames can’t get Backlund re-signed.
After re-signing defenseman Tyler Wotherspoon yesterday, Calgary has all of their players left under contract for the upcoming season. They have a little over $5MM in cap space remaining, per CapFriendly. League-wide, there are now just eight remaining restricted free agents left to re-sign.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Signing Sam Bennett Before Camp Still A Priority
Calgary Flames’ GM Brad Treliving was on Sportsnet radio this morning, and spoke at length about the continued negotiations with restricted free agent Sam Bennett. While there was a report yesterday that Bennett and the Flames still had a “sizable gap,” Treliving was very positive that a deal would be done before the start of the season. Bennett isn’t skating in Calgary yet, but Treliving does speak to the importance of getting it done before training camp starts.
Our goal stays the same as it was when the season end. That’s to get Sam signed, and to get him signed prior to us starting [training camp]. History has shown that missing time—or people that don’t get there on time—usually is not a good thing. To get ready for an NHL season is difficult; you’ve got to get the reps, you’ve got to get playing at NHL pace, you’ve gotta get doing it every day prior to the start of the season.
Treliving reiterated that they still have time for the contract to to be signed before training camp starts in just over a week, and that this isn’t that unusual for restricted free agents. There are nine such free agents still unsigned around the league, including Bo Horvat in Vancouver and David Pastrnak in Boston.
It’s clear that there is still a divide between the two camps, but there doesn’t seem to be any animosity brewing. Both sides “want to get something done” and in time for the season. Coming off a disappointing second season in Calgary, Bennett is a tough subject to negotiate on. His potential is still very high and the Flames sunk quite a bit of draft stock into him by picking him fourth-overall in 2014. He’s only scored 63 points at this point in his career, and hasn’t found that offensive breakout just yet.
The Calgary front office should be used to these late negotiations, as Johnny Gaudreau waited until October 10th to sign his contract extension last year. Gaudreau was already going to miss training camp because of his appearance at the World Cup of Hockey, meaning signing just before the season didn’t change much in his preparation. Still, the Flames would like to get this done long before October and get Bennett back on the ice with a team that is poised to compete for the Stanley Cup this season.
Flames Hope To Sign Bennett Before Training Camp
- In an update to the ongoing Sam Bennett contract negotiations, Calgary Flames beatwriter Kristen Odland of Postmedia reports that the Calgary Flames hope to have something done before training camp. Flames GM Brad Treliving told Odland that he is not focusing on threats of Bennett playing overseas until he receives a contract. Bennett is currently a restricted free agent without a contract as training camp approaches.
[SOURCE LINK]
Tyler Wotherspoon Signs With Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames have locked up one of their two remaining restricted free agents, inking Tyler Wotherspoon to a one-year, two-way contract worth $650K at the NHL level. The team now has just Sam Bennett left to sign, with the latest report indicating that there is still quite a gap between the two sides.
Wotherspoon played just four games for the Flames last season has yet to reach his second-round draft potential, but remains an interesting young option for the team. In 30 career NHL games he has just five points, but has proven himself a capable two-way player in the AHL. The 24-year old defenseman gives the Flames some nice depth behind a defense corps that should be among the best in the NHL.
There is still a chance that Wotherspoon cracks the roster out of camp, but at this point it seems more likely that Brett Kulak and Matt Bartkowski will fight for the final spot next to Michael Stone, sending Wotherspoon back to Stockton this year. Should he falter at the AHL level the Flames have several prospects ready to jump over him on the depth chart, making this a very important year for the young defender.
“Sizable Gap” In Sam Bennett Contract Negotiations
Minutes after informing us that Andreas Athanasiou is still considering a move to the KHL, Darren Dreger of TSN reports that Calgary Flames’ forward Sam Bennett could consider a similar move until he can reach a contract with the team. Bennett and the Flames still have a “sizable gap” in terms of his next contract, after an up-and-down first few years in the NHL. Again, this could be an agent—notably Darren Ferris, who also represents Athanasiou—creating leverage for his client, but those reports usually come out earlier in the summer. Now there is just over a week until training camps begin, and the two should be relatively close on contract terms.
Bennett is coming off a season in which he registered only 26 points, and has still yet to breakthrough in the NHL. Though he’s clearly good enough to stay in the checking center role that Calgary has deployed him in, his fourth-overall draft position means the team should expect much more. Many fans were hoping for a breakout this season if given the opportunity, but it could be delayed if he’s not able to reach an agreement.
While starting the year in Europe would technically make him available for the Olympics, it would mean giving up his entire season. Restricted free agents must sign by December 1st in order to be eligible to play for the rest of the season, which is obviously too early for the Olympic team. It seems doubtful that Bennett would miss much time, as Calgary is poised to be a Stanley Cup contender this season and need the center depth that Bennett provides. While there may be a sizable gap now, it’s unlikely negotiations would last deep into the season.
Minor Transactions: 9/2/17
With the calendar flipping from August to September, there has been a flurry of activity across hockey. Players who have been holding out for more money or better situations are feeling the pressure of an impending season and finally settling for what they can get. Thomas Vanek is one example, while a plethora of PTO’s in recent days provides another. Outside the NHL, lower tier players are facing the same scenario. Here are some minor moves as evidence:
- Michael Kostka is headed overseas, at least for now. Calgary Flames beat writer Ryan Pike reports that Kostka has agreed to a tryout with Skelleftea AIK of the Swedish Hockey League. This is the first time that Kostka has ventured across the pond, as he has made a career out of being a dependable AHL depth option for several NHL teams. A four-year starter and eventual captain for the UMass Minutemen, Kostka signed a two-year deal with the Florida Panthers out of school in 2008 and and then returned to the Panthers in 2011 after a breakout campaign on an AHL contract in 2010-11. This began a pattern of one-year, two-way contracts for the reliable defenseman. Kostka made his NHL debut in 2012-13, skating in 35 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs, then signed with the Chicago Blackhawks and played in nine games with them in 2013-14 and another 19 games with the Tampa Bay Lightning following a mid-season trade. Kostka then played in seven games with the New York Rangers in 2014-15 and 15 games with the Ottawa Senators in 2015-16. All the while, Kostka has provided consistency on offense and defense in the AHL, as well as veteran leadership. However, only last year with the Senators and later the Flames organizations – following the Curtis Lazar trade – did Kostka have his first season since his NHL debut without a game played at the highest level. Now 31 years old, it appears the yearly demand for Kostka as AHL depth has ended and he will now take his talents to Sweden in hopes of playing a major role once again, this time with Skelleftea. Should he fail to make the team or simply wish to return to North America, the veteran blue liner would undoubtedly be welcomed by a number of AHL teams happy to take him on a minor league deal.
- The AHL’s Rockford Ice Hogs, affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks, announced that they have signed defenseman Brandon Anselmini to a one-year deal. The former Ferris State University rearguard played for the AHL’s Texas Stars, the affiliate of Chicago’s Central Division foes, the Dallas Stars, last season. However, Anselmini only skated in ten AHL games, spending the bulk of the campaign with the ECHL’s Idaho Steelheads. Although Anselmini performed well in his first pro season at the ECHL level, it’s doubtful that he’s ready for a full-time AHL role. The undersized defender is a good depth option for Rockford, but is likely destined for more time in the ECHL.
- Yet, at least Anselmini found an AHL contract to begin with. A player he could help to replace with the Ice Hogs, Nolan Valleau, has not been so lucky. Valleau, who signed with the Chicago Blackhawks out of Bowling Green State University two years ago, was not tendered a qualifying offer by the team this off-season and became an unrestricted free agent. After a 2016-17 season where he played entirely in the AHL, but scored just eight points and played to a -19 rating, there hasn’t been much interest in the 24-year-old in the AHL, nevertheless another NHL team. Instead, Valleau has signed with the ECHL’s Orlando Solar Bears, the team announced. The Solar Bears’ press release indicated that they are very excited to have Valleau, who could take on a leadership role for the “AA” squad. Perhaps the puck-moving defender could find his way back to the AHL next season and beyond if he makes the most of his time in Orlando.
- Another non-qualified UFA settling for an ECHL deal after being on an NHL contract is Zach Pochiro. Pochiro, a 2013 fourth-round pick of the St. Louis Blues and St. Louis native, has signed with the Allen Americans, the team confirmed. Unlike Valleau though, Pochiro is extensively familiar with the ECHL. The former Prince George Cougars standout has played in 103 ECHL games since signing with the Blues in 2014. In comparison, he has only skated in five AHL games and of course no NHL games in that span. Even after being traded to the Edmonton Oilers in the Nail Yakupov deal last summer, a change of scenery was not enough to change his career trajectory, leading to the Oilers passing on retaining his rights. Perhaps the reality of an ECHL contract will help the once-promising 23-year-old to re-focus.
More to come throughout the day
Flames GM Treliving On Free Agency, Bennett’s Contract Discussions
Although the Flames have been speculatively linked to some veteran free agents over the past few weeks (including Jaromir Jagr recently and former Flame Jarome Iginla), GM Brad Treliving told Postmedia’s Eric Francis that he’s not sure where that talk has come from and wouldn’t acknowledge if any talks have occurred:
“You can’t help but respect them. But, this notion we’ve been in contract talks with them is rumour and I’m not going to comment on them. Are we going to go to camp with the group we have? Good chance. Are we poking around at a few things and could there be additions before camp? Yes. Is that a guarantee? No. I wouldn’t say there’s anything significant on the horizon, but we look at everything every day.”
Calgary is thin on the right side with Micheal Ferland, Michael Frolik, and Troy Brouwer currently comprising their top options. That’s likely part of the reason why Jagr has been suggested as a potential fit for them as he’d represent an upgrade on that group and would slide into a top-six role for the Flames.
[Related: Calgary’s Depth Chart]
As for Iginla, the talk of him rejoining the team seems more nostalgic than anything else. He struggled considerably last season with Colorado and while he played better after his trade to the Kings, he’s not a top-six forward anymore and isn’t a great fit for a bottom-six role either.
Calgary currently has some room to make another addition or two as they currently sit with a little more than $7MM in cap space, per CapFriendly. However, they still have center Sam Bennett to re-sign who will cut into that amount. While talks don’t appear to have progressed too much, Treliving is confident they’ll get a deal done with the former fourth overall selection:
“We’re going to get Sam signed. Every contract is unique and takes its own course. We’re working away at it and we think Sam is going to be a good player in this organization for a long time. He’s growing and I know he’s had a good summer. We’ll keep banging away at it.”
Earlier this summer, Treliving acknowledged that contracts for players like Bennett tend to take longer than some others. This case is particularly interesting with the 21-year-old’s production taking a dip last year down from 36 points to 26. That all but certifies that he will receive a bridge deal so now, it’s all about finding the right structure, particularly when it comes to how much to backload the contract as his ending salary would represent his qualifying offer at the completion of the deal.