FLAMES REPORT
Trying to show gratitude to players that helped this team make it to the Cup finals, and create a cohesive unit in Calgary, GM Jamie Hoover was excited to have Zubov stay. "He's an elite defensman. His offense may be the best amongst dmen in the league, and he's likely still top ten in terms of defense. He's a rare breed, and Calgary will continue to try and attract big name FA's to go for another run," Hoover was quoted.
Some hockey people around the league seem to be cutting the Flames short, but despite all the turnover, the team still looks solid, and with Zubov to the cap, they still have roughly, $14 million in cap room, and a roster that looks like this;
Smyth-Brind'Amour-*****
*****-Spezza-Fedotenko
Stefan-Nieuwendyk-Sjostrom
Cleary-Chouinard-Laraque
(Nickulas, *****)
Zubov-*****
Gleason-Murray
Cairns-Henry
(Mezei, Fitzpatrick)
Legace
Hedberg
(*****)
So, the Flames are still looking for 1st line RW, 2nd line LW, league minimum forward, top 4 defensman, and a league minimum goalie.
Breaking it down further:
1st line RW: $4-$6 million
Top 4 dman: $3-$5 million
2nd line LW: $2-$3 million
extra forward: $.45 million
extra goalie: $.45 million
The Flames will be contender again this season, one way or another. And let all FA's know this.
(this has been a paid advertisement to the player agents from the Calgary Flames)