Preface: Well there's only one team left in the Northwest, and only one spot left for them to be.
To recap, the Vancouver Canucks will be bringing up the rear, while the Avs (barring any dynamo additions up front) will be eyeing fourth. The Wild will tumble a bit from last year to third, while the Oilers will take a surprising second.
Let's keep in mind though, that even with this team coming in first, the Northwest is a division that could really be won and lost by anyone—kind of like last year's Southeast Division, which we'll get to next week.
Anyways, let's get down to business:
The Calgary Flames have had a lot of memorable players in their day—Joe Nieuwendyk, Gary Roberts, Lanny McDonald, Al MacInnis, Theoren Fleury, and Mike Vernon, just to name a few.
Ironically enough, all six of those—including another fan favorite, Doug Gilmour—were members of the 1989 Stanley Cup championship Flames team.
With their near-win in 2004—about two inches on another Martin Gelinas series-clinching goal away from victory—the Flames seemed to be turning a corner.
Four years later, though, there stands to be just as much optimism for the Flames today as in the future.
Roster Additions: Todd Bertuzzi-F (F.A.), Michael Cammalleri-F (Trade), Rene Bourque-F (Trade/Sign)
Roster Subtractions: Alex Tanguay-F (Trade), Curtis Joseph-G (F.A.), David Hale-D (F.A.), Owen Nolan-F (F.A.), Stephane Yelle-F (F.A.), Kristian Huselius-F (F.A.)
How did 2007-08 go? 42-30-10, 94 points, Seventh in conference, third in Northwest, lost in first round of 2008 playoffs (Western Conference).
2008-09 Goal: First in division, Conference Finals.
Let's break'er down!
Some people think that the Calgary Flames are overrated, while some think that the Calgary Flames are underrated—so it’s really a damned-if-you-do, damned-if-you-don’t scenario.
The only question I have is how are there still people out there that don’t appreciate Jarome Iginla?
To get a little, you have to give a little
The Calgary Flames' big responsibility this offseason was to re-sign some of their key players, and they did that with contracts to David Langkow and Craig Conroy—their top playmaking centre coming off back-to-back 30 goal seasons, and one of their best two-way players.
In doing that however, the Flames failed to retain Kristian Huselius—a player who developed some serious chemistry over the course of last season with Jarome Iginla—and they also dealt Alex Tanguay to the Montreal Canadiens, a deal which has been expected for the past two seasons.
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2 months ago
Ok, well people did tell me I was crazy when I said Calgary wasn't going to make the playoffs...But we'll just have to find out who was right between us, BT! I'm excited for this season, I think that Calgary is going to crash and burn before the playoffs start..
from 2 months ago
BT's right, Alan. This article hits the nail on the head--this team is going to win the Northwest and is the only serious contender for the West other than Detroit that is not in the Pacific.
However, Alan, I will agree with you about the crash and burn just not the timing--Kipper will be too heavily relied on and human in the playoffs. they might even lose in the first round (God willing--in case you don't know, this is my Public Enemy #1).
2 months ago
"The Flames have depth like you wouldn’t believe" - this statement is completely laughable and the exact reason why the Flames will be lucky to make playoffs, let alone contend for the division title.
The Flames have an excellent first line and an excellent fourth line. Only problem is their 4th line (which would normally feature guys like Glencross and Bourque) will be appearing where their 3rd (or even 2nd line) should be playing. Lombardi and Bertuzzi are duds and I can't see Wayne Primeau picking up the slack.
Also, you mention Rhett Warrener "controlling the defensive flow"? Will he even suit up for the Flames this year?
from 2 months ago
When you have Regehr, Aucoin, Phaneuf, Sarich, and Kiprusoff, then who cares if he does suit up?
from 2 months ago
Sorry Ian, but I wrote what I wrote and I agree with it.
Maybe I was wrong about Rhett Warrener on defense and I put too much stock into him, but I feel the Flames have some solid youth coming up that can fill in below the first line. Down the middle alone the Flames have Conroy, Langkow, and Lombardi, while Camalleri is also able to play centre. Jarome Iginla heads that list, and in each of their own respects, I think those are five quality players to start with.
Todd Bertuzzi, although he's not what he once was, still will be able to provide this team with a larger body that will provide them with a small amount of offense. Rene Bourque is a perfect third-line player for this team, while Nilson, Boyd, Nystrom, and Roy all provide solid third and fourth line options.
I watched Brandon Purst while he was here in London, and he's going to be providing the team with energy, and a little bit of scoring at the NHL level if he can crack that lineup.
Personally, I think the Flames will be just fine depth-wise, but differences of opinions are always welcome.
And to be completely honest, I thought I'd get ripped for not touching on Sarich or Aucoin enough, not for Rhett too much. I don't know what his status within the organization is, but he still has an "A" on the Flames' roster, and despite being placed on waivers earlier this year, he's still listed on their depth chart, as well as that of TSN.ca, so I'm left to assume he'll play some sort of role with the Flames this season.
Thanks for reading,
BT
from 2 months ago
I don't agree that they have depth among their forwards, but the statement is not at all laughable. In fact, you make BT's point when you point out that Warrener might not even suit up--they are SO deep they will have a solid blueliner scratched. And the fourth line is only needed for about five minutes a night, so they'll be good enough there, too.
2 months ago
Great read, I could not agree with you more.
2 months ago
As always, the truth will unfold on the ice ... Warrener, for one, won't be on it - nor will this Flames depth that we're discussing (I'm referring, of course, to their forwards more than their D).
2 months ago
Great article
As I've said before on these posts, I think Edmonton will make a serious run at the title, but you have to like the moves the flames made this offseason
how anyone can say bertuzzi is a dud when he put up 40 points in 62 games (.65 points per game) in an injured season... you've got no clue what you're talking about, the guy is rebounding, look for him to break 50 points possibly, especially under gritty iron mike (if he plays at least 70 games.)
Kipper is not the goalie he once was, he has lost some fire or something... I'd rather have Toskala if I was taking San jose developed trade-aways
You make a lot of good points though BT and I have been forced to reconsider my Edmonton winning the division stance, I guess at this point it will become youth and style vs grit and depth
from 2 months ago
If Bertuzzi wasn't a dud he would still be in Detroit or Anahiem. Smart hockey people have passed on this guy. He is, at best a project. I hope he comes to camp in good shape and does well. He didn't dig Crawford in Vancouver and it poisoned the room. I hope he likes Keenan and fits the system. He has serious off ice distractions going on (civil trial),too. Good luck.
2 months ago
Great article. I also feel that are underrated. Sure alot of things have to go their way, but with the changes that they have made, and with the solid top players returning and all signed for a few years this team is being built to contend for the Cup.
Losing Huselius and Tanguay is more like addition by subtraction. Huselius is an enigma. he has a boatload of talent, but won't work the corners and when he's not feeling like playing he won't. Playing for Hitch will be no different than playing for Keenan. As for Tanguay, his pass first mentality was his problem.
This is a solid team, with scoring, toughness, goaltending, and a coach that is out to prove that he can still get the job done.
2 months ago
I think one of the biggest acquisiitons of the offseason, but one of the more understated ones is that of, Mark Giordano back into the fold. Giordano is the purest puck-moving defencemen the Flames will trot out. Not to mention the fact that he's a great skater that can pinch and generate offense, a huge sore spot for them in years past.
The additions of Glencross and Bourque were absolutely IDEAL and I think both players will make an impact. Obviously love the Cammy/Tanguay trade-off as Alex, like Huselius, just didn't have the grit to play when the physicality ratched up. They were both talented but weren't gonna be there in the playoffs.
Bertuzzi is a low-risk-high reward pickup. He knows he's on his last chance, if he can't make it playing with Iginla, than he's truly done. I think, personally, he's gonna be motivated like heck being back in Canada, playing alongside the best leader in hockey today barnone, in Jarome. Bertuzzi has the skills, Iginla and Kennan will make sure there's accountability and bert doesn't wanna end his career floundering like he has the last few seasons.
I think Phaneuf, Regehr, Sarich, Giordano are as good as anyone's top 4 and will show that once everyone gels by year's end.
Iginla, Langkow, Cammy, Bert, Lombardi will provide solid front line scoing while Glencross, Bourque, Boyd, Nystrom (who i'm very excited about the way he finished last season) and to a leasser degree Lundmark, will provide the secondary scoring. And I think Conroy, Roy, and Prust will provide grit and tenacity.
The key then is once again, Kipper and his mindset. If he returns to form, and I mean the savage beast that spearheaded a Cup run form, this team has got me smiling from ear to ear. You still have to go thru the journey, play the games, take it one opponent at a time, but the talent is there.
They do have a tendancy to take some nights off and play down to their competition, hopefully those nights, which happen to every team, are few and far between.
Outside of that, if they peak at the right time, stay healthy and get some set lines and diversity in their scoring along with solid, physical defensive play, honestly? I could logically see them raising the Stanley Cup come June.
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