Flames sign a pair of FA; As well as a great Draft Day
The Calgary Flames have signed defenseman Mark Fraser to a two years contract worth 1 million per year, as well as forward David Steckel to a one year two-way contract, worth 600 000 in the NHL.
''Mark (Fraser) will be a solid depth defenseman on the back end for us. He's a big who's tough as nail, he's a hard hitter that finnishes his checks, he's a good shot blocker and one of the best defenseman at clearing the crease. He'll bring a load of character and leadership to our team. He's a team 1st player that will do everything for the team. He'll be a real leader in this locker-room".
''Dave (Steckel) is a guy Brian (Burke) and I like and really wanted to bring him as a mentor for our team. He can be a useful 4th line center for us, a giant body who's still one of the best in the faceoff dot, as well as being a solid defensive and PK guy with experiance and leadership qualities. We have great young two-way center in our system like Monahan, Bennett, Couturier, etc. And he'll be a great mentor for them, teaching his faceoffs skills, his active stick in the D zone, his experience and work-ethic, etc. Can also be a great mentor for some of our giant wingers like Colborne and McLaren".
Hockey operation president Brian Burke and Gm QMJHLfollower are very pleased with their 2014 NHL Entry Draft. They believe it can be really big for the future of the franchise. Here's some of their comments about their five new players acquired in the top two rounds.
''Sam Bennett will be a franchise center for us. He's everything we want in a player, he fits our style perfectly, we had him rankes number one, we can't believe we got him at 4. He's got great offensive tools, high hockey IQ, really fast skater as well as great vision, playmaking abilities, shot and hands. He's also a guy who competes every night, have a motor that never stop, an heart and soual guy with great two-way game and leadership qualities. Having Monahan, Couturier and him will make us one of the top teams down the middle in the future".
''Travis Sanheim is a defenseman with huge upside. He plays in the dub in our hometown Calgary, he's a tall defenseman who's a very sooth and fast skater, with great skills and offensive abilities. once he fill out his frame and improve his overall game, we believe he can be a top pairing defenseman for us in the future".
''Alexis Vanier is a huge defenseman with a mean streak who plays physical, hits hard and csn drop the mitts if needed. He has decent mobility and puck moving, very good hands and a booming shot from the point. His overall upside are really high".
"Brett Polluck is a forward with very high upside. He really exploded offensively this year. He's got decent size, a really great shot, high IQ, very solid down low and in the corner, as well as very good hands and vision. Plays a solid two-way game, once he fill out his frame and improve his game-to-game consistency, he can be a really good for us in the future".
''Connor Chatam is the definition of a power forward. He's a really big forward who has a good 1st season in the OHL this year. He plays really physical, complete his checks, hits really, can lay big hitsand can drop the gloves. He's a solid skater with good IQ and offensive skills, good hands and shot. He also very resposibable two-way player and in the defensive zone. He can be a really useful player for us in the future".
2014-2015 TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
