The Flames announced the re-signings of C Daymond Langkow, C Craig Conroy, LW Eric Nystrom and G Curtis McElhinney. No official announcement has been made on the terms on the contracts but it believed Langkow is in the 4-5 year, 20 million dollars range, while Conroy is two years at about 1.1 million a season so not bad. They should be officially announced on July 1st.
I like all the re-signings, a little surprised at the McElhinney one but it doesn't really matter who is behind Kipper. McElhinney's and Nystrom's are both one-way contracts, insuring them a spot on the team next year. Also it is expected that Owen Nolan and Eric Godard will both be re-signed. I didn't think Nolan was worth re-signing but he did show some value last year. Hopefully he will come at a good cost and play a lesser role on the team next year. It was also announced that Warrener will be bought out too, while I expect Eriksson and Nilson hanging out down in the minors next season.
With these re-signings and expected re-signings the Flames dont have many holes to fill. Sutter said he wants vets down the middle with youth on the wings. He said the young guys will be given a chance to contribute to the club this up coming season.
1- BOYD-LANGKOW-IGGY
2- CAMMALLERI-LOMBARDI-(UFA SIGNING)
3- MOSS-CONROY-NOLAN
4- NYSTROM-PRIMEAU-(UFA SIGNING)
E- GODARD, PRUST, STEVENSON
1- PHANEUF-VANDERMEER
2- REGEHR-SARICH
3- AUCOIN-GIORDANO
E- (UFA SIGNING), PARDY
1- KIPPER
2- McELHINNEY
3- KEETLEY
Note: With the expected Nolan signing, I think that all but eliminates the chances of Yelle re-signing
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Friday, June 27, 2008
Holes
With the news from today that the Flames have put Nilson, Eriksson and Warrener on waivers, all but ending their tender with the Flames, there are more holes to fill. The Flames are now in the market for 1 maybe 2 top 6 forwards, a checking line winger/forward depth, defensive depth and a back-up goalie. With Sutter freeing up about 4.5 million dollars in cap space, with these moves today, the Flames have roughly 17.5 million dollars to spend.
1- (UFA SIGNING)-LANGKOW-IGGY
2- CAMMALLERI-LOMBARDI-(UFA SIGNING)
3- BOYD-CONROY-MOSS
4- NYSTROM-PRIMEAU-YELLE
E- GODARD, (UFA SIGNING), (UFA SIGNING)
1- PHANEUF-VANDERMEER
2- REGEHR-SARICH
3- AUCOIN-GIORDANO
E- (UFA SIGNING), (UFA SIGNING)
1- KIPPER
2- (UFA SIGNING)
3- KEETLEY
Like I said before I would like to see the Flames go after Darcy Tucker to fill in their 2nd RW spot. Possibilities for the other holes are as follows(other than the bold players I think the Flames should re-sign):
- Jason Williams, LW(1st line)
- Andrew Brunette, LW(1st line)
- Brenden Shanahan, LW(1st line)
- Ryan Malone, LW(1st line)
- Marty Reasoner, C(4th line/depth)
- Ryan Johnson, C(4th line/depth)
- Brad Stuart, D(top 6)
- J-M Liles, D(top 6)
- Mike Commodore, D(top6)
- Brooks Orpik, D(top 6)
These are probably dreaming a little bit especially with Malone and Shanahan but I think Williams could come for a fair price and I think there would be enough cap space to sign one of those defensemen. I dont know it is a tough year to pick UFA's cause the class isn't very strong at all. I like all the defensemen I mentioned, Stuart and Liles fit the needs more than the other two, so if we were to bring in one of them and then Tucker, I think that would make me pretty happy. Boyd or Moss could be given a chance playing on the #1 line but I dont think either of them are ready for that yet, I would pick Boyd over Moss if I had to though.
It should be an interesting next couple of weeks!
1- (UFA SIGNING)-LANGKOW-IGGY
2- CAMMALLERI-LOMBARDI-(UFA SIGNING)
3- BOYD-CONROY-MOSS
4- NYSTROM-PRIMEAU-YELLE
E- GODARD, (UFA SIGNING), (UFA SIGNING)
1- PHANEUF-VANDERMEER
2- REGEHR-SARICH
3- AUCOIN-GIORDANO
E- (UFA SIGNING), (UFA SIGNING)
1- KIPPER
2- (UFA SIGNING)
3- KEETLEY
Like I said before I would like to see the Flames go after Darcy Tucker to fill in their 2nd RW spot. Possibilities for the other holes are as follows(other than the bold players I think the Flames should re-sign):
- Jason Williams, LW(1st line)
- Andrew Brunette, LW(1st line)
- Brenden Shanahan, LW(1st line)
- Ryan Malone, LW(1st line)
- Marty Reasoner, C(4th line/depth)
- Ryan Johnson, C(4th line/depth)
- Brad Stuart, D(top 6)
- J-M Liles, D(top 6)
- Mike Commodore, D(top6)
- Brooks Orpik, D(top 6)
These are probably dreaming a little bit especially with Malone and Shanahan but I think Williams could come for a fair price and I think there would be enough cap space to sign one of those defensemen. I dont know it is a tough year to pick UFA's cause the class isn't very strong at all. I like all the defensemen I mentioned, Stuart and Liles fit the needs more than the other two, so if we were to bring in one of them and then Tucker, I think that would make me pretty happy. Boyd or Moss could be given a chance playing on the #1 line but I dont think either of them are ready for that yet, I would pick Boyd over Moss if I had to though.
It should be an interesting next couple of weeks!
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Waiver Wire
News from Flames camp today, the team has put D Rhett Warrener, D Andres Eriksson and LW Marcus Nilson on waivers. This making all three players in good position to be bought out unless some ridiculous team picks one of them up. This move was ultimately made to free up cap space and the Flames need all the space they can get. It will free about 4.5 million dollars for the Flames which puts them in even better position for free agency on Tuesday.
I have to start with Eriksson. THANK THE LORD HE IS GONE!!! I hated this guy throughout the whole year. Everytime he was on the ice or touched the puck, I had to close my eyes and pray for the best. I never did have a problem with Warrener's role on the team, I thought he played hard whenever he did play but his contract is just too rich for a 6th defensemen who only plays about 40 games a year. Hopefully he retires and stays with the organization in some sort of role. I dont care about Nilson, he rarely ever played but is definitely not worth the million dollars he is signed on for. So it is just a little more to spend somewhere else!
This is another good move to start the summer for Sutter, maybe he will do the same thing for Primeau too which would make it even better. The Flames will now be looking for some extra blueline depth with this extra cash and Im more than positive that a puck mover is on their way in.
I have to start with Eriksson. THANK THE LORD HE IS GONE!!! I hated this guy throughout the whole year. Everytime he was on the ice or touched the puck, I had to close my eyes and pray for the best. I never did have a problem with Warrener's role on the team, I thought he played hard whenever he did play but his contract is just too rich for a 6th defensemen who only plays about 40 games a year. Hopefully he retires and stays with the organization in some sort of role. I dont care about Nilson, he rarely ever played but is definitely not worth the million dollars he is signed on for. So it is just a little more to spend somewhere else!
This is another good move to start the summer for Sutter, maybe he will do the same thing for Primeau too which would make it even better. The Flames will now be looking for some extra blueline depth with this extra cash and Im more than positive that a puck mover is on their way in.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Tucker Anyone?
News coming from Maple Leafs camp, GM Cliff Fletcher has announced that the Leafs will be buying out the remainder of RW Darcy Tucker's 3 year contract, this making Tucker a UFA.
To me Tucker is a perfect fit for the Flames if we can get him for the right price. I love his style of play and toughness and I believe he is more than capable of scoring 20 goals still. He seems like a Sutter type player and a Flames type of player. He puts his heart into the team he is playing for and plays hard every shift. I think he would be the perfect player alongside Cammalleri and Lombo on the Flames 2nd line. He doesnt add much size but his toughness and nose for the net would give the Flames a awesome 2nd line, full of speed, scoring ability and the right amount of toughness provided by Tucker.
I hope Sutter goes after him!
To me Tucker is a perfect fit for the Flames if we can get him for the right price. I love his style of play and toughness and I believe he is more than capable of scoring 20 goals still. He seems like a Sutter type player and a Flames type of player. He puts his heart into the team he is playing for and plays hard every shift. I think he would be the perfect player alongside Cammalleri and Lombo on the Flames 2nd line. He doesnt add much size but his toughness and nose for the net would give the Flames a awesome 2nd line, full of speed, scoring ability and the right amount of toughness provided by Tucker.
I hope Sutter goes after him!
Mike Cammalleri
Well I wish my computer had not died so this post could of came closer to after the Flames made their draft day deals but what can you do, here is my take on both of the deals the Flames made Friday at the NHL draft.
1. Flames acquire C/W Mike Cammalleri from LA in a three-way deal including the Anaheim Ducks.
2. Flames trade LW Alex Tanguay to Montreal for the 25th overall pick.
I love these deals, not to say I don't like Alex Tanguay but I just like Cammalleri a little bit more. I called for the exact move to be made back in a January post, except it had Tanguay going to LA for Cammalleri.
I hate to see a talented player like Tanguay go especially with the Flames in such need of top 6 forward talent but he didn't play up to his contract value last year and didn't want to be here anymore. I know he wasnt playing in the right role for most of the season but even when he was given the chance to play with Iggy and Langkow he simply didnt perform well enough and I know I wasn't the only one calling "SHOOT!!!!" whenever Tanguay had the puck. He was a good player to set of Iggy but players come and players go especially in the new cap world unless they are part of the teams core and Tanguay definitely wasn't part of it for the Flames. I think Tanguay will have success in Montreal but the pressure is going to be just as much, probably even more for him to produce so Tanguay better get used to it.
Now Cammalleri. I have liked this guy for a long time and have selected him in many of my hockey pools. He had a injury filled season last year which was too bad because he got off to a fantastic start. He has speed to burn and a ton of scoring ability. He can play center or wing which is always a plus. He isn't that big but like we have seen in the new NHL it doesn't matter how big you are anymore. He sounds excited to be in Calgary and has played with Conroy, Lombo, Phaneuf and a few others before. I like him alongside Lombo, tons of speed and I think he is the right kind of player, similer to Lombo with more talent that could really help Lombo break into a top 6 forward. To make up for size/toughness you would just have to add someone via free agency.
I like this move alot like I mentioned and I think the Flames are a better team because of it. Cammalleri will put up equivalent numbers if not better than Tanguay but for a cheaper price. The cap hit is a huge part of this deal and I give kudos to Sutter for making it happen.
Here is a potential look at our depth chart:
(players in bold are UFA's I think the Flames should bring back)
1- (UFA SIGNING)-LANGKOW-IGGY
2- CAMMALLERI-LOMBARDI-(UFA SIGNING)
3- BOYD-CONROY-MOSS
4- NYSTROM-YELLE-(UFA SIGNING)
E- GODARD, NILSON, PRIMEAU
1- PHANEUF-VANDERMEER
2- REGEHR-SARICH
3- AUCOIN-GIORDANO
E- ERIKSSON, WARRENER
1- KIPPER
2- (UFA SIGNING)
3- KEETLEY
1. Flames acquire C/W Mike Cammalleri from LA in a three-way deal including the Anaheim Ducks.
2. Flames trade LW Alex Tanguay to Montreal for the 25th overall pick.
I love these deals, not to say I don't like Alex Tanguay but I just like Cammalleri a little bit more. I called for the exact move to be made back in a January post, except it had Tanguay going to LA for Cammalleri.
I hate to see a talented player like Tanguay go especially with the Flames in such need of top 6 forward talent but he didn't play up to his contract value last year and didn't want to be here anymore. I know he wasnt playing in the right role for most of the season but even when he was given the chance to play with Iggy and Langkow he simply didnt perform well enough and I know I wasn't the only one calling "SHOOT!!!!" whenever Tanguay had the puck. He was a good player to set of Iggy but players come and players go especially in the new cap world unless they are part of the teams core and Tanguay definitely wasn't part of it for the Flames. I think Tanguay will have success in Montreal but the pressure is going to be just as much, probably even more for him to produce so Tanguay better get used to it.
Now Cammalleri. I have liked this guy for a long time and have selected him in many of my hockey pools. He had a injury filled season last year which was too bad because he got off to a fantastic start. He has speed to burn and a ton of scoring ability. He can play center or wing which is always a plus. He isn't that big but like we have seen in the new NHL it doesn't matter how big you are anymore. He sounds excited to be in Calgary and has played with Conroy, Lombo, Phaneuf and a few others before. I like him alongside Lombo, tons of speed and I think he is the right kind of player, similer to Lombo with more talent that could really help Lombo break into a top 6 forward. To make up for size/toughness you would just have to add someone via free agency.
I like this move alot like I mentioned and I think the Flames are a better team because of it. Cammalleri will put up equivalent numbers if not better than Tanguay but for a cheaper price. The cap hit is a huge part of this deal and I give kudos to Sutter for making it happen.
Here is a potential look at our depth chart:
(players in bold are UFA's I think the Flames should bring back)
1- (UFA SIGNING)-LANGKOW-IGGY
2- CAMMALLERI-LOMBARDI-(UFA SIGNING)
3- BOYD-CONROY-MOSS
4- NYSTROM-YELLE-(UFA SIGNING)
E- GODARD, NILSON, PRIMEAU
1- PHANEUF-VANDERMEER
2- REGEHR-SARICH
3- AUCOIN-GIORDANO
E- ERIKSSON, WARRENER
1- KIPPER
2- (UFA SIGNING)
3- KEETLEY
25th Overall: Greg Nemisz
With their 1st round selection the Flames nabbed center Greg Nemisz from the Windsor Spitfires of the OHL. I dont know much about this guy but from what I have heard he is definitely no the ideal player I wanted the Flames to take. He is big and looks to be projected as a power forward, Sutter's favourite.With Jordan Eberle and Mattias Tendenby already gone, I was disappointed with who the Flames had left to pick from and Nemisz was probably one of the best avaiable especially in the forward positions.
Here is some info found on tsn.ca on Nemisz:
Pos: Centre
Shoots: R
Height: 6'3
Weight: 197 lbs.
Born: 06/06/1990, Courtice, ON
RANKINGS:
TSN: 27 CSB: 22 NASISS: 28 RLR: 45 McK: 32 THN: 21
Comparable: John LeClair
From TSN: A big, diligent forward with an NHL-calibre shot who protects the puck well and understands the game. But he needs to pick up his skating, add a little more energy to his game. That could mean a fall into the second round, but then they were saying all the same things about Shawn Matthias a couple of years ago.
From NHL Central Scouting: Greg is a big player that goes to the net, he's not overly physical but he doesn't get knocked around either. He is good on the power-play, in the sense that he sets himself at the front of the net, he's hard to move and he bangs in a lot of rebounds from there.
His skating problems really scare me, but he sounds like he is a hard working kid so lets hope he really improves his skating. I like many other Flames fans would have prefered them to select a winger but what can you do. Hopefully Nemisz pans outs and becomes a key part of the Flames future.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Draft Update
Wow this draft has started out with a bang, first with Calgary's two trades and followed by another one....
-FLA sends C Oli Jokinen to PHO for D Keith Ballard, D Nick Boynton and the 49th overall pick
-And with no surprise the Lightning select Steven Stamkos 1st overall.
-FLA sends C Oli Jokinen to PHO for D Keith Ballard, D Nick Boynton and the 49th overall pick
-And with no surprise the Lightning select Steven Stamkos 1st overall.
Cammalleri, the Newest Flame
Our beloved Flames just acquired RW Mike Cammalleri from the LA Kings in a three way deal with the Los Angeles Kings and the Anaheim Ducks. Anaheim acquired the 28th overall pick and our 17th overall pick while the Kings acquired the Ducks 12th pick.
From this it sounds like we traded LW Alex Tanguay to the Canadiens for the 25th overall pick. This assures the Flames a first round pick and frees up about 3 million dollars in cap space. To me these trades make perfect sense.
Good way to start the draft!
From this it sounds like we traded LW Alex Tanguay to the Canadiens for the 25th overall pick. This assures the Flames a first round pick and frees up about 3 million dollars in cap space. To me these trades make perfect sense.
Good way to start the draft!
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Mock Draft 2008
With the draft tomorrow, I decided to do my 2nd annual mock draft. So without further a do, here is my best shot of what I think could happen tomorrow.....
1. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING- Steven Stamkos, C, Sarnia (OHL)
2. LOS ANGELES KINGS- Zach Bogosian, D, Peterborough (OHL)
3. ATLANTA THRASHERS- Drew Doughty, D, Guelph (OHL)
4. ST.LOUIS BLUES- Nikita Filatov, LW, Russia
5. NEW YORK ISLANDERS- Luke Schenn, D, Kelowna (WHL)
6. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS- Alex Pietrangelo, D, Niagara (OHL)
7. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS- Mikkel Boedker, LW, Kitchener (OHL)
8. PHOENIX COYOTES- Tyler Myers, D, Kelowna (WHL)
9. NASHVILLE PREDATORS- Cody Hodgson, C, Brampton (OHL)
10. VANCOUVER CANUCKS- Colin Wilson, C, Boston Univ. (NCAA)
11. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS- Kyle Beach, C, Everett (WHL)
12. ANAHEIM DUCKS- Colten Teubert, D, Regina (WHL)
13. BUFFALO SABRES- Michael Del Zotto, D, Oshawa (OHL)
14. CAROLINA HURRICANES- Luca Sbisa, D, Lethbridge (WHL)
15. NASHVILLE PREDATORS- Zach Boychuk, C, Lethbridge (WHL)
16. BOSTON BRUINS- Joe Colborne, C, Camrose (AJHL)
17. CALGARY FLAMES- Mattias Tedenby, LW, Sweden
18. OTTAWA SENATORS- Chet Pickard, Tri-City (WHL)
19. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS- Colby Robak, D, Brandon (WHL)
20. NEW YORK RANGERS- Jordan Eberle, C, Regina (WHL)
21. NEW JERSEY DEVILS- Jacob Markstrom, Sweden
22. EDMONTON OILERS- Joshua Bailey, C, Windsor (OHL)
23. WASHINGTON CAPITALS- Zac Dalpe, C/RW, Penticton (BCHL)
24. MINNESOTA WILD- Aaron Ness, D, Roseau, Minn. (U.S. high school)
25. MONTREAL CANADIENS- Greg Nemisz, C, Windsor (OHL)
26. BUFFALO SABRES- Tyler Cuma, D, Ottawa (OHL)
27. PHILADELPHIA FLYERS- John Carlson, D, Indiana (USHL)
28. LOS ANGELES KINGS- Kirill Petrov, RW, Russia
29. ATALANTA THRASHERS- Erik Karlsson, D, Sweden
30. DETROIT RED WINGS- Anton Gustafsson, C, Sweden
One final note, from what I have heard through internet/TV it looks like Columbus, Atlanta, Los Angeles are looking to maybe trade away one of their first round draft picks. While San Jose, Pittsburgh, Carolina, Toronto and Florida could also be looking to make some deals.
*UPDATE- Well I only got 3 of 30 correct but with the record amount of deals in Friday's first round it could have been worse. I had Greg Nemisz and John Carlson picked at the right spots just to the wrong teams.
1. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING- Steven Stamkos, C, Sarnia (OHL)
2. LOS ANGELES KINGS- Zach Bogosian, D, Peterborough (OHL)
3. ATLANTA THRASHERS- Drew Doughty, D, Guelph (OHL)
4. ST.LOUIS BLUES- Nikita Filatov, LW, Russia
5. NEW YORK ISLANDERS- Luke Schenn, D, Kelowna (WHL)
6. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS- Alex Pietrangelo, D, Niagara (OHL)
7. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS- Mikkel Boedker, LW, Kitchener (OHL)
8. PHOENIX COYOTES- Tyler Myers, D, Kelowna (WHL)
9. NASHVILLE PREDATORS- Cody Hodgson, C, Brampton (OHL)
10. VANCOUVER CANUCKS- Colin Wilson, C, Boston Univ. (NCAA)
11. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS- Kyle Beach, C, Everett (WHL)
12. ANAHEIM DUCKS- Colten Teubert, D, Regina (WHL)
13. BUFFALO SABRES- Michael Del Zotto, D, Oshawa (OHL)
14. CAROLINA HURRICANES- Luca Sbisa, D, Lethbridge (WHL)
15. NASHVILLE PREDATORS- Zach Boychuk, C, Lethbridge (WHL)
16. BOSTON BRUINS- Joe Colborne, C, Camrose (AJHL)
17. CALGARY FLAMES- Mattias Tedenby, LW, Sweden
18. OTTAWA SENATORS- Chet Pickard, Tri-City (WHL)
19. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS- Colby Robak, D, Brandon (WHL)
20. NEW YORK RANGERS- Jordan Eberle, C, Regina (WHL)
21. NEW JERSEY DEVILS- Jacob Markstrom, Sweden
22. EDMONTON OILERS- Joshua Bailey, C, Windsor (OHL)
23. WASHINGTON CAPITALS- Zac Dalpe, C/RW, Penticton (BCHL)
24. MINNESOTA WILD- Aaron Ness, D, Roseau, Minn. (U.S. high school)
25. MONTREAL CANADIENS- Greg Nemisz, C, Windsor (OHL)
26. BUFFALO SABRES- Tyler Cuma, D, Ottawa (OHL)
27. PHILADELPHIA FLYERS- John Carlson, D, Indiana (USHL)
28. LOS ANGELES KINGS- Kirill Petrov, RW, Russia
29. ATALANTA THRASHERS- Erik Karlsson, D, Sweden
30. DETROIT RED WINGS- Anton Gustafsson, C, Sweden
One final note, from what I have heard through internet/TV it looks like Columbus, Atlanta, Los Angeles are looking to maybe trade away one of their first round draft picks. While San Jose, Pittsburgh, Carolina, Toronto and Florida could also be looking to make some deals.
*UPDATE- Well I only got 3 of 30 correct but with the record amount of deals in Friday's first round it could have been worse. I had Greg Nemisz and John Carlson picked at the right spots just to the wrong teams.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
07/08 CHAMPS
Congrats to the Detroit Red Wings on winning their 11th Stanley Cup. They were easily the class of the NHL and probably one of the best teams I have ever seen play. They were strong at every position starting with Datsyuk and Zetterberg up front, Lidstrom and Rafalski on the back end then Osgood in the net, definitely not the busiest/best goalie in the series or NHL but made key saves at key moments throughout the playoffs.Congrats to Hank's well deserved Conn Smyth trophy playing solid both ways like he has done all year and also to Lidstrom on becoming the first European captain to lead his team to a Stanley Cup Championship.
Finally, what a show the Pittsburgh Penguins put on for us hockey fans. Making this a very interesting series right to the final shot and throughout the whole playoffs. Scary how good this team will be will all their young players especially with Fleury finally showing that he was worth that 1st overall selection.
Another great playoffs in in the books and I must say I enjoyed every minute of it. Whether it was last games 3 overtime thriller, with Fleury's remarkable toe save or Dallas and San Jose's 4 overtime thriller back in round 2, it was a very interesting and exciting run to the cup.
Now it is time for the off-season!
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