Lance Bouma can be replaced with scrub like Hathaway....
Spending money on the bottom lines (Stajan, Bouma, Bolig, Jones, Raymond...etc) is not wise and that's one of the reasons the Flames is at the bottom of the league
1. Jones is gone.
2. Said players and contracts were required two seasons ago when we needed warm bodies and/or needed to reach the salary floor. Bouma's was due to a risk of the arbitrator giving more so management compromised.
3. So many kids stepping up and getting regular NHL jobs over vets wasn't predictable at the time. Gaudreau nearly was sent down to the AHL for the season instead of going top 3 in Calder voting. Hathaway in for Bouma who is really injured and banged up this season. Bouma was easily still far superior to Hathaway at the beginning of the season prior to dealing with 2 bad injuries.
4. Said contracts are not bad. Perhaps a year too long, but I'd further argue without said contract, the kids may not have developed as quickly and as effectively as they have these last two seasons.
5. Said 5 players alone are not the reason we are at the bottom of the league. This fall was a result of the ENTIRE team. Sure you said "one" but you're making it sound like the main reason.
6. Who do we have now who can consistently replace those guys?
7. Which kids do you want in the press box instead of actually developing?
8. Rebuild. Standings go up and down till fine tuning happens. Last season was an anomaly.