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Canada, AB • Canada •
There is a legitimate numbers game going on with the current Flames lineup, no one thinks Sutter is done making some moves but it's hard to tell where he'd move from and what he'd want back. Aside from Cap restrictions the positions are all out of whack if you consider that players are most proficient when playing from their comfort position.

At Center:
Jokinen, Langkow, Stajan, Backlund, Sutter, Macmillon, Stone.

Jokinen- Will be given a chance at the #1 center position, I personally feel that he is certainly capable of 60-75 points this year playing with Jarome and Tanguay.

Langkow- Could (and should) be trade bait however his neck injury and his salary compared to his performance will limit that option. When healthy will play with Bourque as they had good chemistry last year.

Stajan- While Langkow is hurt, Stajan will be the number two to start the year, this will be his time to earn his contract and prove his worth. Should he fail to prove that he is a 2nd line guy Sutter will have this contract around his neck like a noose.

Backlund- In most fans eyes a guy that should have Jokinen's shot or at least a chance at the second line however with Jokinen at 2 years, Langkow with another couple, Stajan with 4 more it seems that Backlund at centre is not a viable option for this team any time soon. Too skilled to be a checker, too young to get a legit chance.

Sutter and Stone with Jackman would be hilarious to watch, I hope that is a line because nothing is safe if it moves. Please let tis be the checking line!

Macmillon will either be in the press box or in the minors.

Right Wing:

Iginla- a player that you may not be familiar with, has a terrific release, probably will be the first line right wing.

Kotalik- actually is pretty consistent with his 15-20 goals and does hit a lot, you heard it here first, 2nd line right wing to start the season.

Ivanans- usually a left wing but when you don't actually shoot or pass the puck does it matter? A press box casualty to start the season but will be used when there's a toughie on the other side.

Jackman- Might get Nystrom like numbers but is unafraid and also very tough. Pretty decent size too!

Left Wing:

Tanguay- As per La Frere Sutter, Here is your first line left wing, a guy who is going to be counted on to pass pass and more pass...which works out because he has a shooteritis a little know psychologic disorder that hampers men from shooting a puck towards a net.

Bourque- Really the best left winger on the team with size, decent hands and blinding speed.
Has good chemistry with Langkow and is counted on to provide much needed second line scoring punch.

Hagman- Interesting with Hagman because he is actually pretty good for finding the net in recent seasons with 25-30 goals, it seems weird to have him slotted as the #3 left wing but there you have it.

Moss/ Glencross- They both offer something, both could also play the right if needed, more so for moss who has been there already. Glencross as a 4th line guy seems to be wasting him though, his skill and speed make him a perfect 3rd liner. Moss is a power forward with average hands and an average shot.

SO... If you agree with my assessment and you probably don't:

Tanguay-Jokinen-Iginla

Bourque- Langkow- Kotalik

Hagman- Stajan-Ivanans/Moss

Glencross- Backlund- Jackman

Sutter and Stone likely on the bench.

Listen, Backlund is not a checker, if that is the spot for him then he will be in the AHL getting 1st line time or, part of a trade package. The ramification of adding in a Backlund mean that teams would take a bad contract off of your hands. Food for thought.

Also the right wing is kind of dodgy. Kotalik?? We hope not but these Flames and their crazy moves... The Flames need him gone to get his cap space...unless a crazy trade comes...

Too may left wings!! Even with Dawes bought out there is a tone of them! all pretty good too!

To recap: The Flames have too many skilled centers to possibly play. They are a little weak on the right and have too many left wings and they also have 8 D on one way contracts. If Eklund wanted to find a team ripe for trades we have a winner!!

The cap is the other major factor here. Kotalik and Langkow could be buried in various ways, Langkow could return half way through the season and be a lot less of a cap hit from the IR. ..IF that is the case then the Flames are REALLY weak on the right side, have enough centers UNTIL Langkow comes back and still have too many D.

What this tells us is that, pending what White signs for we will see at least three defencemen shipped out at some point this season. Probably at least one that we as fans don't want to lose.

We will see a trade that ships out a center, as Stajan just signed long term, Langkow is Sutter's boy and hard to move and injured. Jokinen has a no move clause for two years... it will likely be Backlund or Sutter. As much as it would rip my heart out to see Backlund moved. Unless you've seen some of the passing he's done... The Flames could very will be shipping out a young Adam Oates.

So tell me what you think if I said to you, "I'll give you Regehr, Hagman and Backlund for X, your first round pick and a great prospect?

What would a top pairing defencemen, a 25-30 goal guy and a prime prospect get?? We might find out in the next couple months.

S>O>
Filed Under:   Flames   Sutter   Backlund  
July 8, 2010 2:02 AM ET | Delete
So what Dman do you see the fans not wanting to lose? If we suck
July 8, 2010 2:03 AM ET | Delete
If we suck at trade deadline, I see Gio moved. Ottawa would be nuts not to take those 3 for Spezza
July 8, 2010 2:28 AM ET | Delete
We have plenty of RW even without Kotalik. Tanguay-Jokinen-IginlaHagman-Stajan-BourqueGlencross-Backlund-MossSutter-Langkow-Jackman13th forward Ivanans
July 8, 2010 8:08 AM ET | Delete
Calgary should trade Backlund, Regher and Bourque to Toronto for Kaberle, Scrivens, and Bozak. Just a rumor... Never, ever would happen!
July 8, 2010 11:59 AM ET | Delete
Bourque willnot be going anywhere. The point of trading regehr with backlund would be to get picks and prospects I think. Melnyk paid Heatley a signing bonus and then had him leave a few days later, now that Spezza got his bonus too Melnyk will not let him be traded, spezza to anywhere can be put to bed.
July 8, 2010 12:00 PM ET | Delete
Kevin- sutter said that he think Gio is a high priority, I think White, especially if he just gets a one year deal.
July 8, 2010 12:06 PM ET | Delete
Hey guys just wanted to clear something up I meant Backlund is getting moved to wing not being traded sorry for the confusion. Ian White I think will be traded next year if we do not trade regehr this year.
July 8, 2010 12:12 PM ET | Delete
I can not get this confirmed but I really have sneaky feeling that Robin won't be a flame soon. I can't get any conformation but I really think if he waives he is gone.
July 8, 2010 12:22 PM ET | Delete
I think Sutter needs to resign both White
July 8, 2010 12:24 PM ET | Delete
July 8, 2010 12:31 PM ET | Delete
sign O'Sullivaniggy/joker/tanguaybacklund/stajan/borkHagman/Langkow/O'SullivanGlencross/Sutter/MossX-Jackman and Ivanas
July 8, 2010 12:33 PM ET | Delete
Sign Patrick O'Sullivan.. lines then are:Iggy/joker/tanguayBacklund/Stajan/BorkHagman/langkow/O'Sullivanmoss/stone/glencrossx-Jackman and Ivanans
July 8, 2010 12:36 PM ET | Delete
Sign Patrick O'Sullivan.. lines then are:Iggy-joker-tanguayBacklund-Stajan-BorkHagman-langkow-O'Sullivanmoss-stone-glencrossx-Jackman and Ivanans
July 8, 2010 1:12 PM ET | Delete
resign both White
July 8, 2010 2:16 PM ET | Delete
I would love for Backlund to me on the right wing but hope he eventually gets his shot at center.
July 8, 2010 4:39 PM ET | Delete
I have a real concern for Backlund. I dont want to see him forced into Sutter style hockey by playing the whole season as your 3/4 center.
July 8, 2010 4:40 PM ET | Delete
Was really hoping to see Langkow gone, a true #1, Backlund as 2/3 splitting time with Stajan and Sutter as #4. Basically if Backlund is rolling he plays 2 if Stajan is hot he plays at 2
July 8, 2010 11:10 PM ET | Delete
How about Sarich
July 8, 2010 11:43 PM ET | Delete
I don't think sarich would be a good top line center...... ;)
July 9, 2010 12:31 AM ET | Delete
No Sarich
July 9, 2010 12:32 AM ET | Delete
This is frustrating, my messages dont show 95% of the time
July 9, 2010 12:33 AM ET | Delete
Try it again, Sarich
July 9, 2010 10:43 AM ET | Delete
Sarich would be an obvious choice to move but there are two problems. One he's not on the top of a lot of wish lists and the other problem is that he actually played awesome at the end of the year after the break as he had fully recovered from his foot injury.
July 9, 2010 11:30 AM ET | Delete
07/09/10- lokomotiv looking at signing Kotalik...
July 9, 2010 12:06 PM ET | Delete
Sane I agree about Sarich but we have young guys we need to get in, then we wonder why none of our prospects ever evolve in the NHL. There has to be a formula to ensuring young guys play with big club.
July 9, 2010 12:31 PM ET | Delete
sutter has a mantra of win now...perpetually. Young guys don't figure into that very often. I agree with you, i think it's needed to push the veterans, it hasn't been forefront though. One rumor, if Kotalik signs in KHL, is Staios in the AHL.
July 9, 2010 11:41 PM ET | Delete
So what I gather, then, is we have a lot of skill :) So, in conclusion, we should be at the bottom of the division...right. If our cap can handle it, I would rather have Kotalik on the 3rd line with Backlund and GlenX then Moss or Langkow. That would be an interesting line. Go Flames!
July 12, 2010 8:07 PM ET | Delete
this season's gunna be a wild one, hopefully old faces will help iggy get back into that scorer he is
July 13, 2010 5:11 PM ET | Delete
Hopefully Iggy helps get these guys back to the scorers they were!
July 13, 2010 11:31 PM ET | Delete
July 14, 2010 4:09 PM ET | Delete
hey backlund just keep the messages a little shorter and they'll post for you.
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