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Before reading on i would like to introduce the Calgary Flames Drinking Game, it's pretty simple, every time there is a Flames press conferance you do a shot when Sutter says, "To be honest". Prepare for a hangover my friends....

on to the blog...

I feel confused. At first I thought I have just lost some perception, sometimes it's hard to take a step back and see what is going on but the reality is the Flames are confusing right now.

AFTER the draft they hire Jay Feaster, I'm confused by this because Jay is not an AGM. He is a GM, in fact he is a cup winning GM. My confusion is why hire him after the period that trades are being thrown at you and using his insight into drafting? Does this not lead us to think that Sutter has this year to be #1 in the nw?

I see Jokinen coming back, Tanguay being signed, Kotalik up in the air, rumors Sutter is still calling teams about major players and Langkow's uncertain neck injury. I see Backlund being possibly shoved down the ladder again despite Brent Sutter liking him and his style. I see Dawes being waived even though he was cheap and productive albeit a little defensively liable and I see too many players signed to 1 way contracts.

Right now the only move that made real sense to me was Karlsson. The Flames needed a mature back up and even though he doesn't have NHL experience he does have elite level experience in Sweden where he was very good. He was cheap and has huge up side. If you see him in net he reminds me of Turek, say what you will about Turek he was pretty good, especially as a back up!

Every Flames fan I talk to is basically waiting for the move, we all feel as though nothing is done, there has to be something else right?

Why bring in another center when we have several that are capable? Jokinen, Langkow, Stajan, Backlund, Sutter... one too many and none fit where they are supposed to. Backlund is a playmaking center, not a checker but with Jokinen, Langkow and Stajan you have too many players of the same ilk. With the Cap being tight it seems to suggest that the Flames will send Backlund to the minors again even if they trade a center away. Langkow is a Sutter favorite and is actually a pretty decent player in more than one regard and once he returns, likely in late October, there will be three centers for the scoring lines.

The glut on defense is another thing that I have a problem wrapping my mind around. There is a lot of talk about Pelech and Negrin pushing for jobs on the Flames, this from the hourse's mouth... That seems really far fetched right now considering that Regehr, Bouwmeester, Sarich, Giordano, Staios, Pardy, Kronvall and presumably White, after arbitration, will be one one way contracts. I would personally love to see Pelech in as he is a mean defenseman but unless no less than 2 or 3 defense get moved they have no shot. All things being equal the guy with a one way contract will stay. Having said that one big rumor is Staios being waived to go to the AHL, i don't see this happening, it's not Sutter's style. He respects the veterans and Calgary has to maintain a good reputation as a player friendly club so they can score the best ufa's...like Tanguay.

Another confusing thing was signing Ivanans to a two year contract, he's a pure enforcer, I'm not sure if he's actually ever gone after a puck. Enforcers have their role and he is a good one to have but is he worth a two year contract? To me enforcers now should be able to play the puck as well and Ivanans doesn't fit that mold. They also signed Tim Jackman who also racks up a lot of majors. I like Jackman a little more as he offers some 4th line qualities that are decent like hitting and checking but did they need him too?? Why not bring up a guy who wants a chance? Why draft players?? They only thing Calgary has drafted, aside from a select few, are checkers, the last thing we need is to go sign one! What about an agitator like J.D. Watt? I know they want size and team toughness but it seems like Chucko is a wasted draft pick so why not try him out as a checker? The one thing he has shown is that he is strong on his skates. Either way I think the Flames should have signed one or the other but not both.

Presuming that one of those two guys is playing every night, who plays with them? Stone, McMillan, Glencross, Ivanans, Jackman, Glencross, Sutter and Moss will be the bottom feeders. A line of Stone, Sutter and Jackman would be hilarious to watch I would really like that just to see how many hits per shift occur. That would leave Gelncross beside Stajan and Moss on your 3rd line. If that played out the 2nd line would be Bourque, Langkow and Hagman. The first being Tanguay, Jokinen and Iginla. Not horrible but not crazy awesome either. Backlund, as I said, on the outs.

So we have management in confusion and possibly lame duck, defense over stocked, forwards being underwhelming and no room for the much needed push from the younger guys who are not so young anymore.

Is there more to this master plan? or is this it.

Once Kovalchuck signs and Kaberle gets trades a bunch of trades and signing will probably occur and we'll know by that point. I nothing happens then I am a little disappointed that this will be the 2010/2011 Flames TO BE HONEST. SHOT!

S>O>
Filed Under:   Flames   Sutter   Backlund   Langkow  
July 14, 2010 6:30 PM ET | Delete
It all seemed to make sense for me. At least most of it, anyway.
July 14, 2010 6:32 PM ET | Delete
I think Jokinen and tanguay made sense in one way, the biggest concern for me is for the younger players. I'm scared the Flames are the next NY rangers.
July 14, 2010 6:49 PM ET | Delete
What is the latest update on Lanks neck? If he is healthy anytime expected before Christmas than it makes no sense. If not then 1. Tanguay-Jokinen-Iggy 2.Bourque-Stagen-Hagman 3. Glencross-Backlund-Moss( could surprise and be a great line IMO) and 4. Jackman-Sutter-Stone. Langkow doesnt fit anymore Backlund has to play
July 14, 2010 6:52 PM ET | Delete
I just can't believe that Sutter's done here... it feels to me like he's been stockpiling depth, waiting for a deal that will allow him to take 3 or 4 pieces and turn them into 1 or 2 pretty solid players. I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop.
July 14, 2010 6:53 PM ET | Delete
Well sutter kind of projected octoberish but it was in sutterese. He said it's been 100 days and he was 50% so they are forecasting another 100 days... There is the possibility of it being carreer ending although his agent has said that isn't the case.
July 14, 2010 6:54 PM ET | Delete
jtom- I think a lot of people share that sentiment...or at least hope for it.
July 14, 2010 6:55 PM ET | Delete
Pete, I agree with you, but it still makes no sense... You can't turn around and trade a player after just signing him, so Stajan and Jokinen aren't going anywhere. Backlund's the only decent homegrown prospect we've had since Dion, and doesn't make sense as a 4th liner, and Langkow has a NTC. WTF?
July 14, 2010 6:57 PM ET | Delete
So Langkow would be back by mid November?
July 14, 2010 7:39 PM ET | Delete
If a move is to be made, it seems that would happen close to the start of the season/after the current team plays together for preseason/beginning of Oct. I am sure Feaster needs some time to evaluate, and he wasn't hired just for window dressing.
July 14, 2010 9:33 PM ET | Delete
What happened to make it all go bad for Calgary? And believe me, it's only going toget worse. Just 2 years ago they were a solid contender. Somewhere Sutter gotlost along the way. OK fine if he wanted to deal Phanuef that's one thing but hecould have got a much better return than the replaceable parts he got in return.Living in Toronto, I got a first hand look at Stajan, Hagman, White
July 14, 2010 11:03 PM ET | Delete
we were not a solid contender 2 years ago.
July 15, 2010 12:17 AM ET | Delete
Great read, it shows complete bewilderment all of us feel right now. This city needs a Calder nominee
July 15, 2010 12:19 AM ET | Delete
This is an accurate analysis and I've been waiting for this "masterplan" move since the Phaneuf deal but the re-signing of Jokinen and waiving of Kotalik shows me Sutter has absolutely no plan and is just grasping at straws.
July 15, 2010 12:19 AM ET | Delete
I would put money on Backlund if he plays with Iggy
July 15, 2010 12:20 AM ET | Delete
Over Hall or Eberle. We need it
July 15, 2010 2:06 AM ET | Delete
July 15, 2010 2:06 AM ET | Delete
July 15, 2010 1:19 PM ET | Delete
Staios will not be able to play the full year so that is 7.25 Defense on one way contracts. I hope Langkow can make a full recovery, but if he misses the start of the season that opens up a spot for Backlund on the second. Ivanis should only be needed in the first half of the season making room for younger players later in the season. It's good to have excess centers as it is easier to put them on the wing then a winger at center.
July 15, 2010 1:43 PM ET | Delete
I do like Ivanans
July 15, 2010 1:45 PM ET | Delete
July 15, 2010 2:24 PM ET | Delete
Backlund struggled at the beggining with the WHL and AHL but once he gets it, he turns into a ppg player. I hope if he starts he's givenmore than the start of the season to prove himself.
July 15, 2010 3:24 PM ET | Delete
Sane if we dont we may as well trade our picks. Ivanans
July 15, 2010 4:07 PM ET | Delete
that seems to be the prevailing attitude hey? Just sign veterans and ship out prospects, it's kind of sickening.
July 15, 2010 10:23 PM ET | Delete
i really hope that this team can get goals, that was the whole reason i think we started making trades in the first place
July 16, 2010 4:31 PM ET | Delete
Well...I'll take top 20 in the league after last year! lol
July 17, 2010 2:56 PM ET | Delete
Youth seems to be the buzz ward
July 17, 2010 2:58 PM ET | Delete
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