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

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).