The Flames status quo
Posted 5:16 PM ET | Comments 2
While I hope Sutter does have something up his sleeve for all Flames fans to rejoice over, i really wouldn't mind going into next season with the current line-up. Each line has some size and speed, should be more responsible in their own end and has some scoring touch. I'm also another one who doesn't mind seeing Kotilik in a Flames jersey, when he got into that fight after coming over from the Rangers i was cheering my head off, even if he did get a penalty for his straps not being tied down, i think in our hockey environment, he will succeed again.
Another issue I don't understand, why is everyone is so quick to want to get rid of Darryl Sutter? Please, just close your eyes for a moment and remember what it was like when Doug Risebrough traded for Gary Leeman or when Craig Button was at the helm and almost traded Iginla for Micheal Peca. Al Cotes, a former Flames GM who i thought was doing a terrific job and who shouldn't have been fired either but once he got the axe, it all went down hill from there.
Again, we have another GM with great hockey sense, has proven he can find talent (Bourque, Glencross, Kiprusoff), has brought a big name free agent to the team (Bouwmeester) you all know how excited you were when he pulled that one off. And has demonstrated that he isn't afraid to really go for it in trades (Jokinen, Tanguay, Cammalleri)
Id be lying if i said that part of me doesnt wish that Dion was still here. At first i really hated that trade but it gave us a really good center, a 30 goal scorer and a top four defense man but its just because they were all former Leafs, right? Looking at it last year, i could only come up with one other team who might have given us that same package (Connolly, Pominville, Tallinder) which i dont think is as good. The only other move I've questioned was the recent acquisition of Staios but i fully believe by Christmas, we will all be extremely happy with Darryl Sutter and our Flames once again.
Bourque-Stajan-Iginla
Tanguay-Jokinen-Kotalik
Hagman-Langkow-Moss
Glencross-Stone-Jackman
x: Ivanans, Sutter
Regehr-White
Bouwmeester-Sarich
Giordano-Staios
x: Pardy
Kipper/Karlsson
There is absolutely nothing wrong with Backlund getting another year in Abbotsford. He is only 20yrs old, let him put on more weight and keep gaining confidence while centering the top line and power play unit in Abbotsford.
Another issue I don't understand, why is everyone is so quick to want to get rid of Darryl Sutter? Please, just close your eyes for a moment and remember what it was like when Doug Risebrough traded for Gary Leeman or when Craig Button was at the helm and almost traded Iginla for Micheal Peca. Al Cotes, a former Flames GM who i thought was doing a terrific job and who shouldn't have been fired either but once he got the axe, it all went down hill from there.
Again, we have another GM with great hockey sense, has proven he can find talent (Bourque, Glencross, Kiprusoff), has brought a big name free agent to the team (Bouwmeester) you all know how excited you were when he pulled that one off. And has demonstrated that he isn't afraid to really go for it in trades (Jokinen, Tanguay, Cammalleri)
Id be lying if i said that part of me doesnt wish that Dion was still here. At first i really hated that trade but it gave us a really good center, a 30 goal scorer and a top four defense man but its just because they were all former Leafs, right? Looking at it last year, i could only come up with one other team who might have given us that same package (Connolly, Pominville, Tallinder) which i dont think is as good. The only other move I've questioned was the recent acquisition of Staios but i fully believe by Christmas, we will all be extremely happy with Darryl Sutter and our Flames once again.
Bourque-Stajan-Iginla
Tanguay-Jokinen-Kotalik
Hagman-Langkow-Moss
Glencross-Stone-Jackman
x: Ivanans, Sutter
Regehr-White
Bouwmeester-Sarich
Giordano-Staios
x: Pardy
Kipper/Karlsson
There is absolutely nothing wrong with Backlund getting another year in Abbotsford. He is only 20yrs old, let him put on more weight and keep gaining confidence while centering the top line and power play unit in Abbotsford.
A few ???? marks. Gio needs to top4
Gio earned it last year. Tangs must play with Iggy. Langs may IR. Rookie spots proper combos= Cap Managment. cant spend 9m on 3rd line