Mason Raymond signs with the Flames

Toronto’s loss is Calgary’s gain as Mason Raymond signs with the Flames.

Since this deal involves two Nation Network teams, here’s the deal from both perspectives with input from myself and Kent Wilson.

The Calgary Flames have signed Mason Raymond for three years and $9.5 million. You have to think that Raymond’s camp is absolutely thrilled with that. The rumour was that Raymond’s asking price was three years and $9 million, so he gets a little bump there. The part where Raymond’s camp is thrilled is how the season began.

Following a tenure with the Vancouver Canucks that saw him suffer a career-threatening back injury against the Boston Bruins in the Stanley Cup Final, Raymond signed with the Maple Leafs on a measly PTO (pro tryout) contract. He ended up earning a spot on the Leafs in camp and earned himself a one-year, $1 million dollar deal. It was a smart deal on Raymond’s part: Just sign somewhere, see if you can still get it done, and if you can, reap the rewards.

Before we get to Mason Raymond’s production, let’s get to what might be the most important number with him: 82. Raymond played in all 82 of the Leafs’ games this past season. He hasn’t played more than 70 games since 2009-10. He’s healthy and that was the biggest question mark with him.

Raymond awarded the Leafs with his second-best season in goals (19), assists (26), and points (45). Those totals say him finish fifth in Leafs scoring, although both Tyler Bozak and Joffrey Lupul likely would have passed him if not for injuries.

Dave Bolland began the season with Raymond and the pair were hot out of the gate, as were the Leafs. Raymond never really went on a huge slump but he never had a huge hot streak. His most productive game with the Leafs was a four-assist performance in a surprise 7-3 drubbing of the Blackhawks.

Calgary lost Lee Stempniak at the trade deadline and then Mike Cammalleri to the New Jersey Devils today, so they desperately needed to add a top-9 winger to fill out the depth chart. Not to mention some money to get to the cap floor.

The Dollars and terms aren’t outrageous, making Raymond an ideal stop-gap player as the club rebuilds. He’s not going to score 25-30 goals like Cammalleri, but he’s a fast, capable NHLer who will at least replace Stempniak’s contributions.

A quality first signing for Brad Treliving.