Two members of the 1989-90 Salt Lake Golden Eagles were not offered contracts and six others were sent termination contracts by the Calgary Flames. Those termination contracts must be returned by this weekend, or the Flames will lose those players.
The defending Stanley Cup-champion Flames were eliminated in the first 1990 playoff round and are restructuring from the coaching staff on down.Forwards Jeff Wenaas and Rick Barkovich played out their option years and were not offered further affiliation by the Flames.
Goalie Wayne Cowley, defenseman Chris Biotti and forwards Randy Bucyk, Rick Hayward, Stu Grimson and Doug Pickell were sent termination contracts.
That meant they could negotiate with other teams through June and decide whether to sign the Flames' termination contract and play out their option years or sign with another club.
Flames' assistant to the president Al Coates said Thursday that only Bucyk had so far accepted the Flames' contract. He will be back.
Biotti, a former No. 1 draft choice, is expected to return to studies at Harvard University, said Coates.
Hayward said he expected to sign with the Boston Bruins' organization. He said Vancouver, Winnipeg and the New York Rangers had also shown interest.
By Thursday, the Flames had not heard from the others, who have until Saturday to reply. Coates said players will be given a grace period until Tuesday, becaue of the holiday weekend.
Coates said most other Eagles are expected back, though defenseman Jim Leavins, who plays the season in Europe and returns in the spring for the playoffs, won't be able to do that any more. The International League adopted the Jim Leavins/Mike Stapleton rule that says European exports must return to North American teams by Feb. 6.
Forward Mark Holmes may not be back immediately. His postseason knee surgery was more serious than expected.
Forward Darren Banks, signed to a tryout in the spring, will be invited to try out at training camp. Forward Randy Smith was the property of Minnesota.
Coates said the Flames drafted several players who are 20 years old-plus and have completed junior eligibility, meaning they can join the Eagles in the fall. Among them are left wing Paul Kruse and defensemen Greg Somner, Mark Osiecki and Kevan Melrose, who is from Harvard where "he terrorized that league," said Coates.
The Flames have traded away Joe Mullen and Brad McCrimmon, opening at least one wing and one defensive spot on the big club. Coates said they will invite several free agents to camp in hopes of filling out the Eagle roster with quality players, and they may make some deals to acquire a good center and scorer for the Eagles.