Calgary Flames
The Flames finished 3rd in the NW division but could not get out of the first round of the playoffs. At 229 goals, the Flames had the 3rd best offense in the NW (just 2 goals behind the Avs) but the 227 goals allowed was only 4th best in the division. While one could argue that Miikka Kiprusoff had an off year, it’s also worth pointing out that Kipper’s GAA has gone up substantially every single year he’s been in Calgary, just as it did in San Jose. That goes for the regular season and the postseason. Perhaps he’s just a guy who needs some new scenery every few years. Or perhaps playing him 80+ games a year is not such a hot idea.
Either way, Kipper is going to be the guy in Calgary for a while - he’s contract runs out in 2014. Some dude named Curtis McElhenney will be his backup, as Curtis Joseph has delayed retirement (again) to sign with the Leafs. Like Vancouver, the Flames will rely heavily on their goaltender and any significant injury could do serious damage to the season.
One interesting thing about the Flames - their roster is a tad heavy on Canadians. No, seriously. They have six non-Canadians on their roster, and two of those guys - Andres Eriksson and Marcus Nilsson - we’re placed on waivers and may spend the season in the minors.
Defensively, the Flames remain mostly unchanged. Dion Phaneuf and Robyn Regehr both got big raises and will eat up a lot more cap space. The only guy leaving was David Hale who cashed in with Phoenix after his big 2-point season with the Flames.
Up front, the Flames finally traded Alex Tanguay (to Montreal). Kristian Huselius, Erik Godard and Owen Nolan bolted in free agency and Stephane Yelle remains unsigned. To replace them, the Flames added Michael Cammalleri, Rene Bourque, Curtis Glencross and some dumbass named Todd Bertuzzi. What a joy it will be to have Phaneuf and Bertuzzi doing their cowardly act for the same team. I, for one, am thrilled.
I don’t know that the Flames got any better or worse this offseason. I like Cammalleri over Tanguay, but I’m not sure that the rest of the moves will be much in the way of upgrades. Bertuzzi will be joining his 5th team since the lockout (Glencross will be on his 4th). Speaking of assclowns, it’s about time for Mike Keenan to start ruining another goalie, is it not? They’ll certainly be in the mix this year, but their window to dominate the NW has closed.
Well with Bertuzzi and Phaneuf on one team, I can concentrate my hate. The only other goon they could add to make a perfect three amigos would be Darian Hatcher.
they would need Matvichuk too, Zach. God I hated him.
This isn’t really a Calgary thing, but check this out: http://nhlpa.wordpress.com/2008/07/07/sedins-for-kovalchuk/
Kovalchuk + prospect for the Sedins and Beiksa. If they got Sundin too the whole thing would be O_O.
I don’t agree with Cammalleri over Tanguay. I think Tanguay really made Iginla even more dangerous. But, we shall see there. The loss of Huselius is a big blow, that guy scored 25 last season and 34 goals the year before. Between him and Tanguay that’s a lot of firepower coming off the front line.
Keenan is already killing his goaltending and the team. Some of his gems from last season was 1. Starting Cujo over Kipper in the playoffs. 2. He had to have lost the lockeroom (maybe even before this) when he sat Sarich to end his 453 game ironman streak. He gave him a healthy scratch. A guy who just signed five year free agent deal. Hey, who else wants to go to Calgary!? No one? Oh, it’s you Bertuzzi…
I was really worried about the Avs’ chances this season until I started thinking about the other teams in the division. If Kipper can rediscover his groove the Flames are contenders, but if last season was any indication, he’s no longer firing on all cylinders. The Oilers are better, but they’re still not the team they were a few seasons ago. Vancouver is a joke. And Minnesota is treading water.
What could the NW look like at the end of the coming year?
1. Minnesota
2. Colorado
3. Edmonton
4. Calgary
5. Vancouver
Spots two and three could easily be switched, probably. All in all, the NW looks pretty dull overall. All five of the teams are pretty lackluster in many ways.
for a guy who’s not thinking about hockey this week, you sure are thinking about hockey a lot
This is the last time I ever comment to your blog, jerk head.
you should have seem the hoity-toity email I sent to Mike!
oh wait, you did.