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Offseason Gameplan: Wildcats
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09-Jul-2009
Jim Oxnard
(AP)
Team: Calgary Wildcats
Coach: Wayne Gretzky
Record: 51-31 108 points (1st in Orr Conference)
Playoffs: Lost first round against Blades
The Wildcats really gave fans in Calgary big hopes this season being first place in the Orr Conference, but they would eventually end up losing again and letting the great fans down yet again. The Cats are now really have a few big questions and that is re-signing their captain Dany Heatley, at the right price though. Then they have to focus in on getting Ryan Malone under contract their other big free agent name, who the team will most likely want to hold onto.
Returning Forwards:
C Jason Spezza 6.400.000 (2 years)
RW Thomas Vanek 3.500.000 (2 years)
RW Todd Bertuzzi 3.150.000 (1 year)
RW Mike Knuble 2.500.000 (1 year)
C Craig Conroy 2.000.000 (1 year)
C Dany Frische 925.000 (2 years)
RW Alexei Ponikarovsky 475.000 (1 year)
Salary Committed: 18.950.000
Unrestricted Forwards:
LW Dany Heatley 4.750.000
LW Peter Forsberg 3.000.000
LW Ryan Malone 1.750.000
C Ben Guite 540.000
Restricted Forwards:
LW Tomas Fleischmann 600.000
Dany Heatley lead the team in scoring, and really his the heart and soul of the Wildcats. Though he is a upcoming free agent, the team will most likely use their one of their Unrestricted free agents offers for him. If the right deal comes up, don稚 be surprised if GM Hamblin tries to move him out.
Todd Bertuzzi was last years big name free agent pickup for the Cats and he had very good success for the team. Scoring close to sixty points, and really showed that he can be a bruiser that the team was missing. So far he has really been one of the more surprising players last season.
Peter Forsberg was really a somewhat disappointment after they picked up at the trade deadline. The team was hoping the Swede would really propel them into a long playoff run. Instead he got injured and really became a non-factor for the Cats. He is a free agent but most people feel he値l go over to Sweden and finish off his career. We most likely saw the end to the number one overall pick NHA history.
Jason Spezza is another one of those franchise players the Cats has along with Vanek and Heatley. He signed a long term deal with the team last year and he showed he bounced back from last season. Even though he was out nine games due to injury, and that could start beginning to become a concern.
Dan Fritsche has to be the teams surprising player of the year. The 23 year old kid had a solid season for the Cats. Expect him to become a main-stay for the team. The fans in Calgary have to be hoping he値l turn out to become a long time player for the team.
Thomas Vanek is just a pure scoring threat for the Cats. He値l go in and out of a game with a scoring touch. His line with Spezza, and Heatley are devastating. He値l be back again for the Cats next season, and many saw him fuming after the first round loss which hopefully it motivates him.
Mike Knuble was a good player for the squad after the team traded for him last year at the draft. He played on the third line and manage to put up good numbers. The team might shift him to left side depending on how the free agent market turns out.
Ryan Malone had a good season for a third line player for the squad. Had some good numbers, he痴 a upcoming UFA, and the team will use their second UFA offer to try to bring him back next season.
Alexei Ponikarovsky had a solid season for the team, at a limited role. Next year he値l be playing for his contract so we値l have to see what type of play he comes up with next year. If the team moves Knuble over to left side he could get a longer role with the squad.
Craig Conroy was brought in this past off season to be the number two center, and it didn稚 turn out very well. Expect him to be moved down to the third line next season.
Tomas Fleischmann was finally brought up this season from Houston and didn稚 really have a good season statistical. He値l have to have a great off season to be brought back to the club next season.
Ben Guite has been a decent fourth line player for the WildCats, and will most likely be let go due to his contract being up.
Top AHA Players:
Robin Figren
Jonathan Filewich
Nathan Smith
Returning Defenseman
D Tom Pressing 2.700.000 (1 year)
D Toni Lydman 2.400.000 (1 year)
D Marek Mailk 1.925.000 (2 years)
Salary Committed: 7.025.000
Unrestricted Defenseman
D Teppo Numminen 2.000.000
D Aaron Ward 1.950.000
Restricted Defenseman
D Joni Pitkanen 1.750.000
Tom Pressing lead the defense in points last year, and really showed that he can play for the Cats. Many expect him to become a bigger factor point due to his contract being up next season. So he might take his game to a whole new level.
Joni Pitkanen had a great season, and he値l be even more special as he is one of the teams top young defenders. He is a RFA and will be resigned.
Toni Lydman wasn稚 very effective due to him being in the box so much for the Cats. He is still a good solid defensmen who the team will keep relying for next season.
Aaron Ward was good cheap pick up from last season, they signed him due to his veteran presence. He will be a upcoming UFA and the team will most likely try to resign him once the open market hits open.
Teppo Numminen had been a good veteran leadership to the team but most likely he値l be gone, and the team will most likely not resign him back.
Marek Malik was picked up for his defensive ability, but he値l most likely be on the trading block to free up some cap space if a team is looking for a good veteran defenseman.
Top AHA Players:
Matthew Spiller
Jakub Kindl
Returning Goaltenders
G Carey Price 900.000 (1 year)
G Joey MacDonald 500.000 (1 year)
Committed Salary: 1.400.000
Unrestricted Goaltenders
G Marc Denis
Carey Price really had a coming to age season last year for the Cats. He is the clubs franchise goalie, and the team will be holding onto their prize possession for a long time.
Joey MacDonald is a good backup tender, and the team will likely hold onto him to be a goalie, or they might send him down as a insurance policy depending on the goalies out in the free agent market.
Marc Denis has ran his course in Calgary and will be let go into the free agent market. Had a ok season, but his salary made the team send him down to Houston.
Total Salary Commited: 27.370.000
Team Needs 1 Centers, 2 Left Wingers, 3 Defenseman
Trade Block: Dany Heatley, Marek Malik
Current Depth Chart
C Jason Spezza
C
C Craig Conroy
C Dan Fritsche
L Dany Heatley (TEAM UFA-OFFER)
L
L Ryan Malone (TEAM UFA-OFFER)
L Tomas Fleischmann (RFA-OFFER)
R Thomas Vanek
R Todd Bertuzzi
R Mike Knuble
R Alexei Ponikarovsky
D Joni Pitkanen (RFA-OFFER)
D Tom Pressing
D Toni Lydman
D
D
D
G Carey Price
G Joey MacDonald
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