Speculation: Bring Ference back to Calgary
- Thread starter The Hendog
- Start date
Flames Fanatic
Mediocre
I'd be more than okay with bringing Ference in. A great leader and mentor and a solid #4. I'd even be okay with some overpayment.
Gritty
Registered User
- Nov 28, 2011
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Great post. Couldn't agree more
2yrs at 3.5 - 4 sounds right. Overpayment to avoid term.
Ace Rimmer
Stoke me a clipper.
herashak
Registered User
- Mar 24, 2013
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It's not like we're going to be spending the cap on anything else major. And Ference is still a number four guy and probably will be for the next couple of years.
I think Flames can afford to swallow 8 million to have a solid leader on the backend. He'll greatly help the likes of Cundari, Breen, and Wotherspoon.
What's really going to be funny is if we do nothing to address our defensive issues, end up dead last in GAA, and ruin what little chance Ramo or Berra have at being starting goalies in the NHL. It's about more than just Ference, it's also about the players around him.
Gritty
Registered User
- Nov 28, 2011
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Lunatik
Registered User
- Oct 12, 2012
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My thoughts on Andrew Ference returning:
The Reasoning
I would welcome Ference back with open arms. When he left the Flames at the 2007 deadline I was fine with it, I liked him as a player but always saw him as no more than a good, reliable third pairing defenseman. But what I never considered was that he was probably the most popular guy in the dressing room, that he was a team builder and that he was a fantastic leader. Ference always puts the greater good ahead of himself and I never realized how valuable he was off the ice, I am guessing neither did Sutter or the Flames.
The Term
2 years. With a ton of defense prospects knocking on the door in the next few years, most of whom will be vying for 3rd pairing minutes it is important we have space for them when they are ready. I expect Breen & Cundari to be challenging for spots this year, Wotherspoon & Ramage could potentially be 1-2 years away and Seiloff potentially 2-3 years away.
In that time I would want Andy to take Giordano under his wing and show him what it takes to bring a team together. I would want to see Brodie and Butler's lockers on either side of Andy so they could absorb what Ference brings to the team.
The Dollars
Who cares?As long as the term is right, the dollars don't matter to me. But if it requires an overpayment so be it. But realistically Ference is a $2-3 million defenseman.
Another former Flame I want back for almost the exact same reasons is Eric Nystrom, but I would be willing to give him up to 4 years as I feel our forwards are further away.
The Reasoning
I would welcome Ference back with open arms. When he left the Flames at the 2007 deadline I was fine with it, I liked him as a player but always saw him as no more than a good, reliable third pairing defenseman. But what I never considered was that he was probably the most popular guy in the dressing room, that he was a team builder and that he was a fantastic leader. Ference always puts the greater good ahead of himself and I never realized how valuable he was off the ice, I am guessing neither did Sutter or the Flames.
The Term
2 years. With a ton of defense prospects knocking on the door in the next few years, most of whom will be vying for 3rd pairing minutes it is important we have space for them when they are ready. I expect Breen & Cundari to be challenging for spots this year, Wotherspoon & Ramage could potentially be 1-2 years away and Seiloff potentially 2-3 years away.
In that time I would want Andy to take Giordano under his wing and show him what it takes to bring a team together. I would want to see Brodie and Butler's lockers on either side of Andy so they could absorb what Ference brings to the team.
The Dollars
Who cares?As long as the term is right, the dollars don't matter to me. But if it requires an overpayment so be it. But realistically Ference is a $2-3 million defenseman.
Another former Flame I want back for almost the exact same reasons is Eric Nystrom, but I would be willing to give him up to 4 years as I feel our forwards are further away.
Backlund
Registered User
I'd have no problem bringing back Ference unless his cap hit was ridiculous and the term was longer than 2/3 years.
Gritty
Registered User
- Nov 28, 2011
- 7,474
- 175
Excellent thoughts on Ference and Nystrom.
Constructing the right atmosphere and culture for our players to grow and mature under is key. I'd love a veteran core of Ference, Nystrom, Gio, GlenX moving this rebuild forward and mentoring the young guys.
Ace Rimmer
Stoke me a clipper.
My objection to giving Ference $4 million / year is more philosophical than anything else.
Ference gets $4 million, someone else in arbitration / negotiation points to that contract and says "I want that much, or more" and so on.
These kinds of contracts will be why the NHL winds up crying during the next CBA negotiations that they are losing money, need more of the share of revenue, etc. etc. and we'll end up losing another season.
Beats By CoRD
Tommy Fresh
I'd love Ference back. I remember him and Regehr going to Africa to teach young kids to play hockey.
2 years @ $7.5M
1st year - $4M, 2nd year - $3.5M
2 years @ $7.5M
1st year - $4M, 2nd year - $3.5M
InfinityIggy
Zagidulin's Dad
Flames7676
Registered User
Overpay him we could use a leader like him on the roster so I'm all for him comming back to Calgary,
Johnny Hoxville
The Return of a Legend
I'm fine with giving Ference 4. If you look at guys like Wideman, Jbo etc., its really not that bad at all.
I also really want Nystrom back. He's close to Prust, and Nystrom was always one of my favorite players in his time here. Him and Ference would be great additions IMO. And you know Weisbrod has seen Andrew up close, I'm sure he'll be a target.
I tweeted at him as well.
I also really want Nystrom back. He's close to Prust, and Nystrom was always one of my favorite players in his time here. Him and Ference would be great additions IMO. And you know Weisbrod has seen Andrew up close, I'm sure he'll be a target.
I tweeted at him as well.
Wouldn't RFAs going to arbitration be unable to use Ference as a comparable because he is a 34 y.o. UFA?
As for Free Agency, yes, but the precedent of ridiculous contracts has been set. 8 million for two years for a guy like Ference is pretty good when 35 year old Mark Streit is pulling in 5.25 million for the next four years.
Beats By CoRD
Tommy Fresh
Zirakzigil
Global Moderator
I think term length will be the key where he signs. I highly doubt he signs for less then 3 years unless someone offers him a stupid amount short term.
Just offer him 2 years @4-5 million per. We need to spend the money if Cammy and Tanguay are traded. Then sign Nystrom 3 years @ 6 million (the smae type of contract that Torres got).
