July 1st marks the opening day in the NHL for free agency. What does that mean? For the pats couple years it’s the first day struggling hockey teams can pay exorbitant amounts for semi-decent hockey players. We’ll let TSN and the Calgary Herald point out the debacles for you–we’ll stick to the moves that impacted the Flames.
Free Agency Moves With Calgary Flames Connection
First off Calgary gave up a conditional second round pick for Rene Bourque. Bourque will be a 3-4th line LW.
Curtis Joseph will be the new backup for Toronto; closer to his family.
Owen Nolan has coveted alot of interest from other teams, and it seems as though the Flames haven’t been willing to let him go (despite his UFA status.) The pressure from other teams has perhaps increased his stay with the Flames to a two year deal. More details to come.
Eric Godard is no longer patrolling for the Flames. This DOES have impact for the team as Hordichuk goes to Vancouver, Minnesota has Boogaard, Edmonton Stortini (hahah), Colorado with Parker, Anaheim with Porn-stache, Detroit with nobody, San Jose with Shelly, and so on. Expect Calgary to make a move for someone with skills with punches.
Godard was a cheap mans goon. He signed with Pittsburgh for a couple years at 550K. Rumors have always pitted Laraque coming the other way. George Laraque a Calgary Flames? Unlikely unless he takes a paycut from the expected 1.5-2 million he wants. However, Calgary does require someone with more fists that can dance with the bigs. Vandermeer (perhaps coming back, we’d like to see him) can’t take on the world.
Lastly it appears Huselius may end up with a NW division rival but details are sketchy at this point. An updated salary expectation chart will come out tomorrow. Stay tuned for that.
