By D. Newman
Well now that the two-week party known as 2011 Calgary Stampede is over, I can get back to writing.
By the way, if you have never been to the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, I would highly recommend it. It’s...a lot of fun.
Anyways, enough bull bustin’, let’s talk some puck.
The Flames have been busy of late making a couple of signings and a small trade.
Jay Feaster traded a fifth rounder to New Jersey for tough guy-grinder-checker Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond, or P-to the triple L.
Leblond has had a prolific career in the NHL putting up three assists in 37 games over a period of three seasons. Prolific might not have been the word I was looking for.
He’s what amounts to an AHL calibre player who likes to throw up his dukes. Case in point: he had 334 PIMs in 64 GP with the Albany Devils last season. At 26, his NHL aspirations aren’t shot, but I just don’t see the point.
I’m not entirely sure why the Flames need another player like this.
I figured Jackman was good enough. But I guess I missed the arms race memo.
Edmonton brings in Hordichuk and Eager so the Flames stock their turrets with PLLL.
This also means, most likely, that Raitis Ivanans career is done.
The Flames also re-signed Brendan Morrison and Brendan Mikkelson.
Now I know I’m going to take flak for this, but I just don’t care for the Morrison signing or the Mikkelson signing for that matter.
Sure, Morrison played great last season and he provided some great depth for a team that sustained some injuries, but I’m tired of seeing Flames sign older players in favour of young talent.
I’ve been saying for years that it’s time for a youth movement in Calgary. However, it’s never going to happen if they continue to make moves like this. Plus B-Mo just had knee surgery as is likely out till mid-October.
The Flames now have Langkow, Jokinen, Stajan, Backlund, and Morrison as natural centers. Plus, throw in Bouma and Nemisz and you have an even half dozen.
It simply just bumps Bouma and Nemisz down a peg before the season even starts, and that really grinds my gears.
Morrison is not going to take this team to first place but if you start giving these young kids an actual chance at some decent playing time, they might turn into decent NHLer’s and take this team in the right direction. B-Mo is a short term solution to a long term problem.
It’s sort of become the Flames motto in the last half decade.
I would rather see some young bucks grow in the show than see the Flames win maybe two more games because they insist on employing older players in the twilight of their careers.
As for Mikkelson, he has never done anything to really impress me. In 86 career NHL games, he has all of six assists and 40 PIM. His contract is a two-way so he will be battling with the likes of Brodie, Breen, and Negrin for that 7th spot. Brett Carson is in that battle too but being on a one way contract it gives him a bit of leverage – however, a training camp trade is never out of the question if one of the young bucks outperforms him.
It’s not as if these moves are game changers by any means and they probably won’t hurt the club all that much. I just don’t see the need for a majority of them.
The only move left now would be to somehow get rid of Niklas Hagman or, god willing, Matt Stajan.
Wouldn’t that be something if every single player from the Phaneuf deal was off the team before the fall of 2011? I cry a little inside every day thinking about that debacle.
And remember to check out some new posts in TSR's JERSEY FOULS!
Newman
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9 comments:
I'm mostly agreeing with ya here. But to be the devils advocate, I raise the question to you, "is feaster just writing off this next season?". Next year the flames lose the likes of Langkow, Hagman, Jokinen, Moss, B-Mo, and Sarich. Do the flames just coast through this year with hopes of doing well, and then start the rebuild when the time is perfect? Feaster will keep all the main pieces of the squad. But of course I really agree with you about the young guns, because if this year really was a write off then why not let your rookies gain some nhl experience for the rebuild year. and why sign B-MO?
Exactly. There is no way the owners would let a manager write off an entire season but Ive always said we will never know what feaster can really do until July 2012. As that's when darryls mess gets a little less murky
I hope we keep Moss at the end of the season - injury free. He's only 26-27 and a good addition with grit and solid work ethic.
The rest of those bums can hit the road. Jokinen was THE BIGGEST MISTAKE Sutter ever made... wouldn't resign Cammelleri (who led the team in goals that year), to instead get Chokes-again. B-Mo is a great Vet and a natural leader but his legs are weakening. Unless Langkow can rebound and play first line centre there is no need for him. Hagman is a waste of space.
I think we keep Sarich - maybe a 2 year deal at low money, just to teach Brodie and other youngsters the "stay at home" aspect of defense...
Thoughts?!
I understand the Hagman & Stajan hating, both have swollen contracts and should be shipped out. However, as per Olli Jokinen... I mean 3 million for a 50 point man that can really anchor your second line? I know he came in to be the Calgary first line big name center Calgary always needed... but he doesn't click with Jerome; yet had made a massive impact on the second line.
Maybe Backlund steps up to fill his 2nd line duties next year?
One thing is certain, Flames are about to shed over 21 million dollars next year, and even more if they can sucker someone into paying for the services of Matt Stajan.
If we hypothetically traded Hagman/Stajan away, we still have something to show for the Phaneuf deal. Remember? We flipped Ian White for Anton Babchuk and Tom Kostopolous, which turned out to be a great trade. Babchuk has provided more offense than Phaneuf and Kostopolous is a decent 4th liner.
I was never a fan of the Jokinen signing but his point production (5) with his salary ($3 mill), its hard to stay mad. I dont like his style of play and not sure I ever will, butCalgary is stuck with him for now. As for keeeping Sarich, I dont really see the point with J-Bo and Gio there as well. Bring in Brodie now! Can't learn if he doesnt play IMO. And Im hoping Backlund can center the top line but I may be dreaming o that one with Sutter's reluctance to move young players along verrrrrrrrrry slowly.
signing bmo really only makes sense to me if they are moving another center. Maybe even buying out stajan? Langkow Retiring? If olli plays the way he did during the second half of the last season he's worth the 3 mil but the log jam at center really will hinder backlund's development. He's had flashes of brilliance and seem's to want to play in calgary. I hope he gets the top line from day 1 and they only move him if he buckles.
Just to clarify to Brandon: The money that the Flames used to sign JBo was the money that would have been used to sign Cammelleri not the Joker money as Jokinen was already signed for another year.
As for the Phaneuf trade we still have Babchuk(resigned) who we got when we trade white from that TO trade.
Babchuk: was 1.4m cap hit
82 games 11 goals 24 assists 35 points +14
Phaneuf: was 6.5m cap hit
66 games 8 goals 22 assists 30 points -2
Things don't look nearly as bad, you can stop crying over that one.
Wait till Keith aulie becomes a star. Just saying. And we got raped on that trade. Darryl didn't get a single prospect for one of his biggest assets. Just ridiculous.
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