Flames Get Wideman 5 years!

[hockey01]

Just saw this on nhl.com. I think this is a pretty good move for calgary.
Wideman is a hard worker, 29 years old, has a good future ahead of him.

anyone have any input?

[30ranfordfan]

I think it's a gross overpayment for a mediocre dman. Good player? Yes. Great player? No. Does Wideman make them a better hockey club? For sure he does. Signficantly better? No.

Feaster did just take the best player in the draft though, so I'm sure he knows what he's doing.

[flopfish]

One thing to consider is defenceman around that salary... it doesn't seem bad but still....

[azrael_vat]

On the surface it's a bit scary given that the Flames did the same thing with JBow, signing him to contract he doesn't deserve. On the other hand, Wideman brings a very hard-working mantality that the Flames hae been lacking for too long. It'll take some time still, but the Flames are on the right track.
I'm just glad that they now have a GM with the guts to reshape the team.

[xelloss1012]

I'm certain this is related to Bouwmeester's lack of offensive production since signing with the Flames. Maybe a little competition may wake him up to do a little more on the powerplay.