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Canada, AB • Canada •
" ... This summer is shaping up to be a very busy one for the Flames organization.

Should the Flames not make the playoffs as expected then it certainly seems likely that Brent Sutter will be fired, this will be more about his results than his ability. It should be noted that in my opinion no coach will be successful in Calgary until the entire culture of the organization has changed and to me that means ripping out what remains of the “core”. There has been too many players who have come from loser organizations to expect this team to be winners. Cast off from the Leafs, The islanders, The Panthers from when those teams were poor make up an un-coachable squad. So Sutter being fired for not making the playoffs is fairly certain however I personally do not lay a huge amount of blame at his feet.

This summer could also mean at least one huge piece moving out, Kiprusoff. The fan base is very split on a move that involves the franchise’s best goalie since Vernon, however the signs and tea leaves seem to point in a direction that means a new home for Kipper next year. The first is that his no movement clause is lifted after this season, the second is he is not getting younger and his value is high after a season where he played lights out. His cap hit will be higher than his salary, this is important to note because it greatly increases his value to the poorer teams of the league who are looking to hit the cap floor but pay less in salary, as Kipper is only making 6 Million over the final two years of his contract he is a great value. The final year of his contract pays 1 Million dollars, often looked at as his “retirement” option year, the Flames know that Kipper has value today but it may be diminished by age and contract status following next season so the time to trade might be right now. With Irving showing decent results at the NHL level and the Kari Ramo acquisition as part of the Cammalleri deal you have to think the Flames have been eyeballing this idea for a while. Ramo is perhaps the best goalie in the KHL which may not be saying a ton but he does have some interesting trends like a better save percentage every year and a better goals against average every year. A Ramo/Irving one two punch might be what the Flames are looking for next year. Kiprusoff would bring in the return this club needs, Darren Dreger commented he would bring back more than Iginla would, I have to think a 1st round pick and either a decent prospect or a top six forward or a top 4 D..."

Read the rest here including trade ideas, the center issue and more:

http://west.thecheckingli...r-might-bring-huge-change
Filed Under:   Flames   Kipper   Iginla   Leafs   Connelly   Colbourne   Sutter  
March 5, 2012 1:26 PM ET | Delete
Great post Sane. We need a new young up
March 5, 2012 1:47 PM ET | Delete
I think that this year was the last big push for the flames, and I dont see them making any noise now. If they can offload some big names like Kipper during the offseason for some draft picks or youth then they are moving in the right direction. As an Oiler fan I think it would be really stupid to trade iginla unless your getting an offer that is absolutely knock your socks off amazing tho. I dont think feaster has a clue about building a winning team tho.
March 5, 2012 2:17 PM ET | Delete
Kevin- Thanks. Oilfan- Agree on the offloading remark for sure. 29 G.M.'s do not build a winner though, tough job.
March 5, 2012 4:34 PM ET | Delete
If he was traded to Tampa....I will seriously consider a new team to cheer for. I don't want to trade him, but if we have to, ANY team but Tampa or Edm.
March 5, 2012 5:48 PM ET | Delete
I like your blogs.... when do you get shaune's job?
March 5, 2012 6:30 PM ET | Delete
Kipper would bring back alot but with out him the next season will be terrible. Irving has one win the season Karlsson has zero. Ramo might just choose to stay in th KHL. The Flames really don't have any other legit options for goalies. We would have to fill through a UFA.
March 5, 2012 8:35 PM ET | Delete
I think nows a good time to sign Jokinen and see what to get for him. Next year there aren't many 1st/2nd line centers. He could be a good trade to upgrade a pick in a big way, or to a team that needs more scoring (we need the setup man and faceoffs).I still hope Jbo can be dangled out there before Kipper....but unlikely.
March 5, 2012 10:54 PM ET | Delete
Let's see what happens with the new CBA before we start worrying about teams having to reach the cap floor
March 5, 2012 11:45 PM ET | Delete
possible out on a long contract to with the new CBA. Stajan? Jbo?
March 6, 2012 9:36 AM ET | Delete
Flamming- Kent Wilson at FN wrote a great piece on life without Kipper, equals roughly 2-3 loses stats wise. Numb- You're right but his agent and the NHLPA will want him to get a hefty raise. That is a possibility and also there is talk of another roll back. Clarick- the poor teams will still be the poor teams really.
March 6, 2012 9:37 AM ET | Delete
Jetsfan, Thanks. I am from the peg and will be cheering Jets this spring!
March 6, 2012 8:26 PM ET | Delete
if sutter was fired. who would be a possibility?
March 6, 2012 9:11 PM ET | Delete
THe tampa idea is interesting... we would probably have to include Butler but most of our guys are really trade bait anyway if Kipper is going to be moved... honestly I'd rather keep Kip and Iggy, get rid of the Bouwmeesters
March 6, 2012 9:13 PM ET | Delete
fill spots with young guys and then we would have cap space if a UFA opportunity or trade opp comes around... this team could turn around quicker than we think... we just need a top D, and a couple top 6 forwards.... but how to get them without giving up comparable players?
March 6, 2012 9:19 PM ET | Delete
Im with ya BJ. jbo out. lots of good ufa D next year that can take his spot (suter, wideman, garrison).I think we are closer then people give us credit for if we go the young route....just missing that elusive centre no matter what we do.
March 7, 2012 11:09 AM ET | Delete
Numb- Ward would be the likely candidate, especially in a youth movement. JBO might actually cost the team to move so I think he'll be here playing huge minutes. BJ- You buy them!
March 7, 2012 3:35 PM ET | Delete
My worry in all this talk of trading Iginla or Kip over the last couple of years is that people aren't actually offering a solution like you have here with the Tampa trade. People just think that trading our big chips will automatically fix the solution.
March 7, 2012 3:41 PM ET | Delete
They don't realize that contenders don't or won't offer what we want (No one was willing to pay the piper for Nash), and that Iginla is not going to waive to a team that is not a contender... now with Kipper's notrade expiring a reasonable move is possible...
March 7, 2012 3:48 PM ET | Delete
Which brings me to another worry... if we trade away our big chips for picks and prospects that don't pan out... we lose winners like Iggy and Kip and we are left with a Floridaesque losing culture from which we can never emerge.... How many years has FLA missed the post season? Took Chicago 9 years of top 10 picks to put their team together.
March 7, 2012 9:31 PM ET | Delete
if its possible to move jbo as part of the trade for nash. do it. then pick up suter, wideman to fill his spot. is garrison available this summer to?Nash I think will fit in with our new guys. we need the size. And the next step would be to get a centre no matter what, or exchanging jokinen for roy.
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