The Flames were in need of adding a little bit more quality depth to their blue line this summer if they were going to get in shape to contend for a playoff spot this season. With the free agent choices available being as slim as ever, Flames GM Jay Feaster made a solid move in landing former Capitals defenseman Scott Hannan.
Hannan signed with Calgary for one year at $1 million and with the Flames being close to the salary cap, it’s a frugal deal. According to CapGeek.com the Flames will be at $63.9 million, just $400,000 from the cap. Feaster had nothing but glowing words for Hannan in explaining why the Flames signed him.“Throughout the summer we have consistently said that we were not yet finished adding to our hockey club, and while we have great confidence that one of our second-year prospects or quality depth defensemen we added this off-season will step-up and make our hockey team in training camp, we have also recognized the need for some veteran leadership at that position,” said Flames General Manager Jay Feaster.
“Scott not only brings a wealth of experience to our blue line, but he also brings a great deal of knowledge about the Western Conference in general and our Division in particular. Just as importantly, he has demonstrated his commitment to our organization and his desire to be a part of our team by agreeing to a contract that enables us to fit him under the salary cap. We are very pleased to add him to the Flames family, and we look forward to his contributions to our success both on and off the ice.”
Hannan takes a massive pay cut to sign with Calgary. His last contract paid him $4.5 million a year against the cap in a deal he signed with Colorado in 2007. He’ll join a Flames team where he’ll plug in as a top four guy alongside Jay Bouwmeester, Mark Giordano, and Anton Babchuk. With other guys like Cory Sarich and Chris Butler in the mix, Hannan provides quality defensive skills and a solid veteran presence to the back line.
The Flames were close to making the playoffs last year and while they didn’t go wild in free agency, Hannan is a quality signing. With this being Feaster’s first offseason with Calgary, he’s trying to piece things together to get Calgary back in the postseason. Guys like Jarome Iginla, Olli Jokinen, and Alex Tanguay aren’t getting any younger and with the dearth of prospects in their system, building through smart free agent signings is how they need to do things for the time being. Getting Hannan is a good move towards that goal.