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Calgary, AB • Canada • 29 Years Old • Male
The Flames signed Craig Conroy to a two-way contract today. He will make the league minimum $500,000 if he plays in the NHL.

He is 38 years old and in the twilight of his career. He scored all of THREE goals last season in 63 appearances.

Now, I don’t mind that the Flames stay loyal to someone, but stay loyal to him by making him a coach or a consultant or something, maybe a man-leader (that’s a man cheerleader for those confused).

The only thing he was good for last year was face-offs and I think that was the reason we traded for Matt Stajan in the first place. Plus, if you need extra help on the dot, your Captain is pretty darn good at winning the puck duels.

This just creates even less room for any young prospects vying for a spot on this roster. I personally hoped they signed him just for some veteran presence in Abbotsford, but I am probably dead wrong.

Wouldn’t anyone rather see Brett Sutter, Mitch Wahl, Greg Nemisz, Bryan Cameron, John Armstrong or Mikael Backlund get more ice time than see CC get any? I know he is a lovable guy, but at some point you have to want to see some skill on the ice.

Just please don’t come out and tell me they signed him for another solid veteran presence in the locker room. That’s the apparent reason for trading for Staios last season; a player that no one, outside of Sutter, thinks should be playing the NHL. The Flames have Iginla, Bouwmeester, Regehr, Sarich, Langkow, Jokinen and even Hagman who is 30 years old.

This was a pointless deal and I hope, for the Flames sake, that Conroy spends half the season in minors and then realizes he is better suited doing colour commentary or being the teams’ media coach (i.e. showing everyone else how to make interviews more interesting. His first student should be Jay “I am more boring than Dion Phaneuf Bouwmeester).

If Conroy does play for the Flames this year, you can just count another prospects potential stunted due to Sutter inserting useless slow veterans into an already elderly laden squad.


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Filed Under:   flames   conroy   nhl   old  
August 12, 2010 3:19 AM ET | Delete
I personally dont see anything bad about this one. Its two-way for 500k. So, where is a problem? This is Backlunds year, no doubt about that, so do you really think that Flames will start the season with two rookie centers??? No way! Connie is a great guy and for that price it is the best patch of Langkow lost. When he will be back, Connie is in Abbotsford. He will probably make his 1000th game till that time and everybody is happy.
August 12, 2010 9:11 AM ET | Delete
I think think Connie will play to get to his 1000 game and then retire. I'm sure there is already an office for him.
August 12, 2010 9:26 AM ET | Delete
Conroy is still an effective player no matter how you look at it.. especially for the flames. He is a good checking forward, defensive minded, and a leader in the dressing room. There is no pressure here, no high expectations... A good deal for Calgary if you ask me.
August 12, 2010 9:29 AM ET | Delete
Besides... someone has to be able to skate on that fourth line...
August 12, 2010 5:01 PM ET | Delete
Yeah there does have to be someone on the fourth line, but it doesnt have to be old guys. We have lots of young guys chomping at the bit. Brett Sutter for instance...
August 13, 2010 4:35 PM ET | Delete
Newman, I don't know about you, but I don't want Brett Sutter taking a faceoff in our zone with 6 minutes left in the 3rd of a tie game... Connie in the same situation? I'm completely comfortable.
August 14, 2010 4:02 AM ET | Delete
Really? Why not have Stajan in there then. Why have Conroy at all? That's why we got Stajan wasn't it, because he is great on face-offs. There is no place for Conroy.
August 14, 2010 4:03 AM ET | Delete
And another point, how often is our fourth line out there at all in the 3rd period, especially with 6 minutes to go. Just sayin
August 15, 2010 2:59 PM ET | Delete
Why do they even let you post? How is the Conroy deal bad. Why do people always go to the stats. Don't forget the intangibles. There are positives to keeping character like connie around.
August 24, 2010 6:55 PM ET | Delete
The Conroy Deal is a great one for many reasons. 1) He can be moved down for most of the year to offer experience in Abbotsford if Needed. 2) He can play his 9 games, including the Heritage Classic, and retire a Flame with a milestone complete. 3) He is solid on the Faceoff, on the PK, and a great setup man in the Power Play. 4) He is Craig Conroy...The Ultimate Flames Fan's Flame. As the Germans would say: KWITCHERBITCHEN!
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