If you are a Calgary Flames fan then the 2015 entry draft, and now the July 1st UFA opening, are somewhat anti-climactic. General manager Brad Treviling surprised everyone by fleecing the Boston Bruins out of Dougie Hamilton, a blue chip proven right-handed defensemen standing at 6’5″, four three draft picks in this year’s draft. The rumours of Boston sounded like a smear campaign against Hamilton, painting him as difficult in the room and greedy.
Don Sweeney, GM for Boston, reportedly offered Hamilton a 5 year deal worth about 5 1/2 million, which his camp reportedly turned down and countered with 2 million higher. Another surprise as the Flames quickly signed Hamilton to a six-year deal worth just under 6 million a year. So not only did Calgary especially rip off Boston, but they managed to sign their man around the same price Boston offered, but one year longer.
This may be the quickest rebuild in NHL history, or at least the antithesis of the debacle in Edmonton. Calgary has now gone from a bottom cap floor team to one that sitting about average. The cap space will be taken up in the next three years as the young talent will exit out of their entry-level deals and look for long-term extensions. Also Mark Giordano is due for a significant raise.
Hamilton for this part isn’t getting Doughty kind of money, but more like Oliver Ekman-Larsson kind of money, which seems about right.
Another fantastic step in the right direction to make this team a Cup contender.
