Calgary Flames: Ten free agents they should target at Free Agency

10 – James Van Riemsdyk

James van Riemsdyk is an interesting name that I haven’t heard a whole lot of people buzz about him. He’s very good on the powerplay which is one of the issues the Calgary Flames need major fixing on. The problem with JVR is that his PP is one of the only good things about him.

This season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, he spent the majority of the time on the third line (and first PP unit). For what he may be asking for which could be higher, if not at least similar, to his previous contract ($4.5 million AAV), that may be too expensive for a third liner whose great on the powerplay but average otherwise. Another somewhat con of JVR is that he’s a left-shooting LW, which is exactly what the Flames don’t need. However, wingers can generally alternate without facing too many problems.

While this is unlikely, if the Flames can lock him down on a $3 million AAV contract that isn’t longterm, I think they should go for it. He can help provide some secondary scoring – another issue the Flames were facing this past season – and even play at the top-six level when/if needed. If he’s going to be around $5 million on say a six-year deal. I would be opposed to that. He’s 29 years old and will start hitting his decline in a couple of years.

The good news about JVR is that he has been improving with his goal scoring over the last few years. So who truly knows the full extent of what he could provide to the Calgary Flames.

He’s number ten on this list because it’s unlikely for him to sign for that cheap with the Flames and it wouldn’t be worth it for the team otherwise.

9 – Michael Grabner

Michael Grabner would be another interesting pick. He’s had somewhat of an inconsistent career thus far but with the right linemates, he could succeed.

He had an incredible run in the season and a half spent with the New York Rangers, but otherwise, hasn’t been that great since his first couple season in the NHL. Since he was traded to the New Jersey Devils a few days before the trade deadline, he hit a massive decline. He went from 25 goals and 31 points with the Rangers to just two goals and five points with the Devils.

The weird thing is that his possession metrics were never that great and they didn’t see that much of a difference either. So it could have been his linemates, but depending on linemates to make a player good isn’t a good thing.

While he has been somewhat inconsistent, there are some pros to Grabner. He can be a perfect third-liner for the Calgary Flames and help them with their secondary scoring issues. He’s incredible at even-strength and since his decline with the Devils, he could be much cheaper than he would have been if he stayed with the Rangers.

If the Flames can pick him up on a bridge deal or even a one-year contract of $2.5 million, that could have some benefits. However, based on his last couple of years, that may be somewhat pushing the price. But you never know. Brad Treliving has magic-like abilities when it comes to negotiations (I wrote that sentence before the Dougie trade).

8 – Riley Nash

Riley Nash could be an ideal third-line centre for any team that needs it. The Calgary Flames aren’t in desperate need for a centre right now, but nobody quite knows what’s in store for Mark Jankowski’s future.

Nash hit a big improvement in offence this year, more than doubling his goals, assists, and points compared to last season. He has also consistently had above 50% CF% since the start of his NHL career, which has been primarily on the third line.

While his faceoff percentage is slightly under 50%, the comforting thing is seeing his CF% being above 50% even though his oZS% has been under 50% the last few seasons. Meaning that the team trusts him to take faceoffs in his own zone and it doesn’t negatively impact the team.

The con for him is, well, he’s a centre. And like I mentioned, the Flames aren’t exactly in critical need of a centre right now. While there are areas of improvement basically everywhere with this team (except Mikael Backlund who is perfect), a third line centre isn’t at the top of the priority list. That being said, Nash has also played on the wing before, which means he can, but he seems more comfortable at centre.

His previous contract was a bridge deal with an AAV of $900,00 which would be an awesome price for any team to pick him up. But with this last season, I doubt any team can get him for that cheap. But again, Brad Treliving is a magic man (again, this sentence was written a couple weeks ago).

Nash is at number 8 on our list because, while he’s a safe pick for a bottom-six centre, it’s also not what the Flames need to be focusing on.

7 – Patrick Maroon

In the last few seasons, Patrick Maroon has really established himself as a dependable second-line winger. Yet I haven’t seen anybody talking about the Calgary Flames picking him up. Given they don’t necessarily need a second-line winger, but still.

While Maroon isn’t the most offensively gifted goal scorer, he contributes in other areas. Of his 10 assists in 17 games after being traded to the New Jersey Devils, eight of those were first assists. Of his 43 points total this season (including the Edmonton Oilers), 32 of those were primary points.

He’s also consistently had above 50% CF% for most of his NHL career and has had a positive Rel.CF% over the last four seasons. He was also on the third on the Devils in GC/GP with 0.26 – after Taylor Hall and Kyle Palmieri.

By his playing style, he is somewhat similar to Michael Frolik, but the Flames could use a player like that on their bottom-six. While Maroon is technically listed as an LW, he spent most of his time in New Jersey playing on the right side. I think him or Frolik on a bottom-six role can help those guys out a lot as well.

Maroon isn’t the guy who gets a lot of points on the powerplay, but he’s good to plant in front of the net to provide a screen, which is what he was doing in New Jersey in their successful PP.

A one-year contract of what he’s getting paid right now ($2 million) would be a great option for the Flames.

6 – Austin Czarnik

Austin Czarnik could be a great fit on the bottom-six to provide some secondary scoring. He doesn’t have a whole lot of NHL experience, playing a total of just 59 games and 10 games last season, he was one of the best forwards in the AHL last season. He had 25 goals and 69 points in 64 games with the Providence Bruins last season and could provide any team with some depth on the RW.

Czarnik could also play at centre if needed, but the Calgary Flames biggest concern, as we all know, is their RW.

Last season, Czarnik played in just ten games with the Boston Bruins and posted four assists. However, right now, it’s been reported that several teams are interested in the highly-touted prospect. He could be signed at a sub-$1 million contract, but with the amount of interest he’s been generating, that could be difficult.

Signing a player like Czarnik on a cheap two-way contract would be a low-risk high-reward for any team, including the Flames. He’s well on his way to entering his prime and can be a reliable bottom-six to start his career off.

5 – Carter Hutton

First, let me just say that I don’t believe that the Calgary Flames are looking to add a goaltender, but I still wanted to include one. It seems like the Flames will be sticking to Mike Smith, and while I wouldn’t mind David Rittich as a backup, we’ve seen him crumble under the pressure when he needed to take the reigns when Smith got injured.

Secondly, I originally had something written for Philipp Grubauer. But again, teams like to make me suffer and he was traded and got a deal. The next best option would definitely be Carter Hutton.

Calgary Flames

Last season with the St. Louis Blues, Hutton had the best season of his career. He went 17-7-3, had an sv% of 0.931, EV sv% of 0.932, PK sv% of 0.912 (second best in the league min. 100 TOI), and had a QS% of 0.731. The one concerning aspect of Hutton is his HDSV%. He had well above average LDSV% (was at 100%!) and MDSV%, but his HDSV% was at a mere 0.825. However, as a backup goalie, that number was one of the best.

He’s also played more than 30 games the last two seasons and is experienced with that, unlike David Rittich, who we saw somewhat crumble under the pressure when Mike Smith got hurt and he was forced to take the reigns. Don’t get me wrong, Rittich was an incredible backup goaltender, and for a few months, was one of the best backup goalies. But he couldn’t hold his own when Smith got injured.

Even when Smith came back from injury, he wasn’t the same. A player like Hutton can help. Over the last few years, we’ve seen a more common theme of teams sort of having two ready goaltenders, rather than a primary and a backup. If Smith gets injured or starts lacking, Hutton would be a perfect fit for the Calgary Flames.

4 – Brian Gibbons

Brian Gibbons would be another interesting pick. Another bottom-six role to provide some secondary scoring for the Calgary Flames. He had 12 goals and 26 points last season in 59 games with the New Jersey Devils. Most of his points came at even-strength, showing that he can provide that secondary scoring.

Gibbons was on a cheap $650,000 contract with the Devils last season. The Flames could sign him on a cheap one-year contract and not risk a whole lot. He was primarily playing on the wing last season, but altered between centre and RW.

The downside to Gibbons is that his possession metrics aren’t great. But it’s not exactly out of the ordinary that you have some bottom-six players sub-50% CF%.

He’s fast and versatile and can provide secondary even-strength scoring. Putting him on the third line with Mark Jankowski and Sam Bennett, two fast and young players, could help them out too. Gibbons also played at the World Championship this year for Team USA, meaning he’ll already have a familiar face (Johnny Gaudreau). He’s not the biggest guy, but he’s willing to stick up for his teammates.

This seems like another low-risk high-reward type of player.

3 – Mark Stone

Let’s reunite the Stones, shall we? Mark Stone has been a player on Calgary Flames fans radars since last season. I mean, there’s still time make a trade! Let’s swap the Stone brothers.

Over the last few seasons, Mark Stone has proved himself as a 20+ goal scorer who’s great at scoring at even-strength and is a great option on the powerplay. He’s a right-shooting RW, exactly what the Flames need, and has shown that he’s a top-line player. Playing on a line with Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan could definitely fix their consistency issue with trying to find the right winger for that duo.

*Mark Stone’s part written before the Ottawa Senators offered him a qualifying offer, so other teams won’t be able to exactly pick him up. But! If the Senators want to swap brothers after he’s given a contract, I wouldn’t be opposed to that.

Having him signed at $4.5-$5 million could be a little steep for the Flames, but they could make it work. Especially if that’ll complete the top-line trio and have arguably one of the best offensive lines in the NHL. Monahan and Gaudreau have already shown that they’re one of the best duos in the entire league, and the addition of Stone could be a perfect fit.

It just depends on how much he’s asking for.

2 – Tomas Vanek

Thomas Vanek is another player with lots of upsides. He shoots right (a bonus for the Calgary Flames), has over a decade worth of experience under his belt, and can provide great secondary-scoring. He has played for five different teams over the last four seasons, which isn’t exactly a bonus, but it shows that he doesn’t exactly need a whole lot of time to gel with a new group of guys.

Most of his points come at even-strength, which is again a bonus, especially on the bottom-six.

Vanek also has quite a few years of playoff experience and has 21 goals in 69 playoff games in his career. While his possession metrics aren’t that great, they seem decent when he actually plays on a decent team (who would have thunk, right?).

Vanek has managed to score 20+ goals in most of his full seasons. And in his shortened seasons, he still averages 20+ goals/game. At 34 years old, that’s still quite impressive. And since he is 34, no matter what team he goes to, it looks like it would most likely be a one-year contract.

He may be asking for roughly the same price he had last season ($2 million) and I’m not sure if he would fit in a top-six role with the Flames. He could potentially go on the top-line and provide that right show, but I’m not sure if the Flames would be willing to plant Elias Lindholm on a third line for someone like Vanek.

It’s somewhat of a gamble for Vanek, especially if he’s asking for more than $2 million, but I’d say it’s a good gamble.

1 – John Tavares

Do I even need to say anything about John Tavares?

We all know his strengths and what he can bring to any team. I don’t think I necessarily have to talk about what he’s good at. But can you imagine a line of Tavares, Sean Monahan, and Johnny Gaudreau? Absolutely lethal.

The bad news is it appears that the Calgary Flames aren’t in talks for John Tavares. But it’s still fun to have hope. It’s also been rumoured that he’ll be paid as high as an AAV of $11 million, and with some new contracts for the Flames coming up with Matthew Tkachuk, Noah Hanifin, and Elias Lindholm, they most likely can’t afford that. However, you make room for a player like John Tavares.

And again, it’s fun to hope. Even grandmas are getting involved.

There are trends on Twitter with the hashtag #TavaresWatch. He really is the next bachelor… just as a hockey player.

It seems like he’s most likely going to the San Jose Sharks or the Toronto Maple Leafs. The effect grandmas have, hey? But knowing how hockey works, he’ll most likely just end up re-signing with the New York Islanders which would be an ultimate troll move.

Or he could always come to Calgary! That would definitely be an ultimate troll move, John. You should absolutely do that.

Next: In defence of the Dougie Hamilton trade

Who would you like to see come to Calgary tomorrow?