In light of Edmonton and Minny inproving their rosters.... Calgary is fast becoming insignificant. They need a rebuild. What they currenty have is only good enough for a dog fight for 10 to 7 position in April. With their competators improving, they very well could be flighting for 13 to 10.

Why no mention of Joni Ortio?

Why no mention of Joni Ortio?
- flamminghead

*Seems to be a popular question...see page one of comments. I will update the blog with my reason for leaving him out.

Bernier to CGY??

Bernier to CGY??
- LA_Kings6720

Im not so sure too many teams will pay the price the Kings will want. At the end of the day, Bernier is a great goalie, but one who is unproven. There will certainly be interest, but from what I've read it sounds like the asking price may be too high.

Im not so sure too many teams will pay the price the Kings will want. At the end of the day, Bernier is a great goalie, but one who is unproven. There will certainly be interest, but from what I've read it sounds like the asking price may be too high.
- Colin Dambrauskas

It is too high....Someone will budge, not in the offseason though.

My guess is at the draft, then LA will know for sure where all teams are drafting and can maybe get somthing decent for him.

133(gp) 73(w) 39(l) 1.89(gaa) 9.26 (sv %)

Interesting to see that he's stopping 9.26 pucks of every 1 puck shot at him and yet his team still isn't winning every game! Seems like a perfect fit to replace Kipper in Calgary Stops more pucks than humanly possible and still doesn't get a win Just kidding around, of course!

Good read, Colin! I've enjoyed a lot of your stuff so far, and I hope you're around for quite some time! Keep it up!

Interesting to see that he's stopping 9.26 pucks of every 1 puck shot at him and yet his team still isn't winning every game! Seems like a perfect fit to replace Kipper in Calgary Stops more pucks than humanly possible and still doesn't get a win Just kidding around, of course!

Good read, Colin! I've enjoyed a lot of your stuff so far, and I hope you're around for quite some time! Keep it up!
- MaximumBone

Haha, apparently I'm not paying my editor enough!

And thanks!

Haha, apparently I'm not paying my editor enough!

And thanks!
- Colin Dambrauskas

Fire him!

Why no mention of Joni Ortio?
- flamminghead

I'm still hoping he's a late bloomer like kipper was

In light of Edmonton and Minny inproving their rosters.... Calgary is fast becoming insignificant. They need a rebuild. What they currenty have is only good enough for a dog fight for 10 to 7 position in April. With their competators improving, they very well could be flighting for 13 to 10.
- Beatle_john

Well if you are right, we'll have our lottery pick without having to blow things up because thats what happens, right? Everyone will keep getting better except the Flames until the Flames blow things up. You blow up team, you get lottery picks for several years. So am I missing something in your post?

Well if you are right, we'll have our lottery pick without having to blow things up because thats what happens, right? Everyone will keep getting better except the Flames until the Flames blow things up. You blow up team, you get lottery picks for several years. So am I missing something in your post?
- Kevin R

Well yes and you and your lotto picks will need to wait untiil 2018 to make the playoffs again. (See Edmonton and Toron.... actually... no one is worse off than Toronto)

Well if you are right, we'll have our lottery pick without having to blow things up because thats what happens, right? Everyone will keep getting better except the Flames until the Flames blow things up. You blow up team, you get lottery picks for several years. So am I missing something in your post?
- Kevin R

Well yes and you and your lotto picks will need to wait untiil 2018 to make the playoffs again. (See Edmonton and Toron.... actually... no one is worse off than Toronto)

Well yes and you and your lotto picks will need to wait untiil 2018 to make the playoffs again. (See Edmonton and Toron.... actually... no one is worse off than Toronto)
- Beatle_john

For those wanting lotto picks in Calgary, I just dont see it happening. Not all GMs are fine with tanking for years in a row...

Calgary will likely battle for a playoff spot again, while Feaster continues to tweak the roster. One big trade could change the team quite a bit and change the opinions about Feaster. Its whether or not he has the approval to do such things if presented with the option.

Morning

For those wanting lotto picks in Calgary, I just dont see it happening. Not all GMs are fine with tanking for years in a row...

Calgary will likely battle for a playoff spot again, while Feaster continues to tweak the roster. One big trade could change the team quite a bit and change the opinions about Feaster. Its whether or not he has the approval to do such things if presented with the option.

Morning
- Colin Dambrauskas

GMs don't choose to tank. They lose their talented players and can't replace them because of weak drafting and the inability to draw quality free agents to a club on the decline. Suddenly they're at the bottom of the league and they're fired.

It's up to the next guy to try to rebuild the team, and as the free agents still don't want to sign there, and their current roster is undervalued in the trade market, the draft is really the only place where they can make an impact.

The Oilers didn't choose to tank. This is the hand they were dealt. They missed out on some big free agents, they lost some existing talent, and suddenly they just couldn't compete anymore.

The 4 wunderkind will give them a shot to improve over the next while, but they still need to work to improve their team, just like we do.

Our problem (as is often pointed out by opposing fans) is that our best players are getting towards the end of their career. We don't have a dynamic young core that will improve every year. Baertschi might be the start of our new core, along with Brodie and potentially kids like Gaudreau and Jankowski but we're definitely a few years away with most of those kids.

For those wanting lotto picks in Calgary, I just dont see it happening. Not all GMs are fine with tanking for years in a row...

Calgary will likely battle for a playoff spot again, while Feaster continues to tweak the roster. One big trade could change the team quite a bit and change the opinions about Feaster. Its whether or not he has the approval to do such things if presented with the option.

Morning
- Colin Dambrauskas

I agree, teams that get lottery picks have extraordinary circumstances like injuries & key players just totally under perform, which happens more often than not. Any team that starts a year knowing they have a good shot at a lottery pick are ones that have gone thru the extraordinary and blew up their team and are sticking with young inexperienced players in top/critical roles. Calgary isnt there as of now. Big year for us. would like to see the team do well but hope the right moves will be made if we dont. I really dont expect much more from Feaster other than if he can find a way to pawn Babchuk & Stajan. Why in Gods name would Philly be putting out a monster offer sheet at the beginning of the CBA negotiations? If that cap drops back down to 60 million, you have 1 guy eating up 20% of your cap & no 1st rounders for 4 years. Weber is good but really, he hasnt gotten out of the 2nd round of the playoffs. If Nashville loose both Suter & now Weber, I see a hawk at the CBA negotiations.

GMs don't choose to tank. They lose their talented players and can't replace them because of weak drafting and the inability to draw quality free agents to a club on the decline. Suddenly they're at the bottom of the league and they're fired.

It's up to the next guy to try to rebuild the team, and as the free agents still don't want to sign there, and their current roster is undervalued in the trade market, the draft is really the only place where they can make an impact.

The Oilers didn't choose to tank. This is the hand they were dealt. They missed out on some big free agents, they lost some existing talent, and suddenly they just couldn't compete anymore.

The 4 wunderkind will give them a shot to improve over the next while, but they still need to work to improve their team, just like we do.

Our problem (as is often pointed out by opposing fans) is that our best players are getting towards the end of their career. We don't have a dynamic young core that will improve every year. Baertschi might be the start of our new core, along with Brodie and potentially kids like Gaudreau and Jankowski but we're definitely a few years away with most of those kids.
- jtommyt

Precisely, but a GM may have the intention to tank by moving his star players for picks or prospects who are not NHL ready and who cannot contribute right away.

Feaster may only move one/two of his larger assets to bring in new players, and these players will be NHL ready...but I find it hard to believe he moves Iginla, Kipper AND Jbo...as this may invite a tanked season.

I agree, teams that get lottery picks have extraordinary circumstances like injuries & key players just totally under perform, which happens more often than not. Any team that starts a year knowing they have a good shot at a lottery pick are ones that have gone thru the extraordinary and blew up their team and are sticking with young inexperienced players in top/critical roles. Calgary isnt there as of now. Big year for us. would like to see the team do well but hope the right moves will be made if we dont. I really dont expect much more from Feaster other than if he can find a way to pawn Babchuk & Stajan. Why in Gods name would Philly be putting out a monster offer sheet at the beginning of the CBA negotiations? If that cap drops back down to 60 million, you have 1 guy eating up 20% of your cap & no 1st rounders for 4 years. Weber is good but really, he hasnt gotten out of the 2nd round of the playoffs. If Nashville loose both Suter & now Weber, I see a hawk at the CBA negotiations.
- Kevin R

Jbo aside, I dont expect much to happen before the deadline either...but unless the team is sitting pretty in the standings, it will be time for one of Iginla or Kipper to be moved.

If Baertschi is playing great and the new acquistions are holding their own, Iginla may go.

If Irving steps in and shows he can hold the fort, or further if Ramo comes back and they both show promise, Kipper could be moved as well.

I dont see too many options where both remain on the team, unless as noted, they are playing outstanding hockey under Hartley.

Jbo aside, I dont expect much to happen before the deadline either...but unless the team is sitting pretty in the standings, it will be time for one of Iginla or Kipper to be moved.

If Baertschi is playing great and the new acquistions are holding their own, Iginla may go.

If Irving steps in and shows he can hold the fort, or further if Ramo comes back and they both show promise, Kipper could be moved as well.

I dont see too many options where both remain on the team, unless as noted, they are playing outstanding hockey under Hartley.
- Colin Dambrauskas

I wonder what it would take to pry Adam out of Buffalo, who was a kid I had hoped we could have gotten in the Regehr trade. He really seems to have slid down the chart & maybe could be had for a decent price. From the games in Calgary where I watched him play, he's big and had a lot of upside.

I dont think Ramo will be here for the start of the year, there were hints he could get away later in the year. Best timing would be before the trade deadline. If Irving shows well as backup & Ramo gets back, then yeah, I see a Kipper trade. Interesting, yesterday I heard on the radio(sports guy on a regular Rock station)talking about good chances Iggy wont be back after next year. Then my dog started to bark & I missed the details

In light of Edmonton and Minny inproving their rosters.... Calgary is fast becoming insignificant. They need a rebuild. What they currenty have is only godo enough for a dog flight for 10 to 7 position in April. With their competators improving, they very well could be flighting for 13 to 10.
- Beatle_john

I hate these kind of comments. Seriously, it just shows how little you know about the Flames. They are rebuilding! Just because they are not burning it to the ground and drafting 1st overalls doesn't mean they aren't rebuilding. Look at the roster from 2 years ago; significantly different and more importantly, younger. They are taking a different approach to the traditional "blow it up & start from the ground (draft) up, but they are rebuilding. And just like the traditional rebuild, it will take time to realize the vision.

I wonder what it would take to pry Adam out of Buffalo, who was a kid I had hoped we could have gotten in the Regehr trade. He really seems to have slid down the chart & maybe could be had for a decent price. From the games in Calgary where I watched him play, he's big and had a lot of upside.

I dont think Ramo will be here for the start of the year, there were hints he could get away later in the year. Best timing would be before the trade deadline. If Irving shows well as backup & Ramo gets back, then yeah, I see a Kipper trade. Interesting, yesterday I heard on the radio(sports guy on a regular Rock station)talking about good chances Iggy wont be back after next year. Then my dog started to bark & I missed the details
- Kevin R

Adam eh?...cant say Ive paid much attention to him honestly.

And the consensus seems to be that Iginla is as good as gone, but I wouldnt bet on it. Iginla may want to remain in Calgary, Feaster may want to extend his services to attract UFA's....although its well known Iginla wants a cup and soon...so its going to be a damn interesting year to say the least.

In light of Edmonton and Minny inproving their rosters.... Calgary is fast becoming insignificant. They need a rebuild. What they currenty have is only good enough for a dog fight for 10 to 7 position in April. With their competators improving, they very well could be flighting for 13 to 10.
- Beatle_john

Also, how did Edmonton improve there roster exactly? By drafting another 17 year old kid and putting him on the roster? Or is it by adding an unproven, albeit promising, young defender. There is nothing of significance to say they have improved enough to say CGY is becoming insignificant.

Also, how did Edmonton improve there roster exactly? By drafting another 17 year old kid and putting him on the roster? Or is it by adding an unproven, albeit promising, young defender. There is nothing of significance to say they have improved enough to say CGY is becoming insignificant.
- TandA4Flames

People need to start realizing that Calgary is by no means stuck in a corner with no possible direction. They have options for this upcoming year and the years to follow. They currently ice some elite players, and have a few new prospects many havnt heard about who may turn some heads.

Things are not bleak for the Flames, by no means. Sure they need more talented youth, and they could use some more playoff experience...but they have a new GM, looking to recreate a new blueprint....along with a new coach with a new game plan for the team.

If things are not going well, they have the options of moving a few vets who still have a ton of value on the trade front who will bring in upgrades. They may also have a competitive roster with their current group and a few minor tweaks could get them some good playoff hockey.

Dont sell the Flames short because they dont have cupboards filled with 1st round picks...they can acquire more of these via trade, or draft some more on their own.

The team didnt have the luxury of picking a whole lot in the last few drafts because of previous mistakes...but that is not reason to blow your team up. The only reason you move big assets like Jerome and Miikka is because the talent coming back fits the model of your team.

This year will be a very big indication of what Feaster thinks about his group, and what his blueprint may look like. We already know hes trying to surround his supporting cast with players who have a high level of hockey sense...and now hes working on trying to make the team tougher.

Those who expect to walk over the Flames this year may be in for a surprise, because in my opinion they either do really well and turn heads, or do OK and start retooling for youth.

End Rant.

People need to start realizing that Calgary is by no means stuck in a corner with no possible direction. They have options for this upcoming year and the years to follow. They currently ice some elite players, and have a few new prospects many havnt heard about who may turn some heads.

Things are not bleak for the Flames, by no means. Sure they need more talented youth, and they could use some more playoff experience...but they have a new GM, looking to recreate a new blueprint....along with a new coach with a new game plan for the team.

If things are not going well, they have the options of moving a few vets who still have a ton of value on the trade front who will bring in upgrades. They may also have a competitive roster with their current group and a few minor tweaks could get them some good playoff hockey.

Dont sell the Flames short because they dont have cupboards filled with 1st overall picks...they can acquire more of these via trade, or draft some more on their own.

The team didnt have the luxury of picking a whole lot in the last few drafts because of previous mistakes...but that is not reason to blow your team up. The only reason you move big assets like Jerome and Miikka is because the talent coming back fits the model of your team.

This year will be a very big indication of what Feaster thinks about his group, and what his blueprint may look like. We already know hes trying to surround his supporting cast with players who have a high level of hockey sense...and now hes working on trying to make the team tougher.

Those who expect to walk over the Flames this year may be in for a surprise, because in my opinion they either do really well and turn heads, or do OK and start retooling for youth.

End Rant.
- Colin Dambrauskas

Agreed!

Precisely, but a GM may have the intention to tank by moving his star players for picks or prospects who are not NHL ready and who cannot contribute right away.

Feaster may only move one/two of his larger assets to bring in new players, and these players will be NHL ready...but I find it hard to believe he moves Iginla, Kipper AND Jbo...as this may invite a tanked season.
- Colin Dambrauskas

I somewhat agree... but at the same time, if Feaster can bring in young NHL ready talent for those guys, I think he'd do it (provided NTC/NMC's were waived etc).

Think Iggy for Couturier, JayBo for Dougie Hamilton, or Kipper for Neuvirth and Marcus Johansson. (Not saying these are likely to happen, but in my mind if these types of players were available and I were Feaster I'd pull the trigger immediately).