By far and away so far this season the giants of the Northwest division are the Calgary Flames under the leadership of good guy Jarome Iginla. For the first time since they went to the Stanley Cup final in 2004 they actually have some secondary scoring which is the biggest change that has allowed this resurgence of sorts. Todd Bertuzzi, while not the top flight power forward he once was, has established himself as a solid secondary offensive source. Rene Bourque has been surpassing expectations, Matthew Lombardi has finally developed into the second line centre that Calgary envisioned and of course Daymond Langkow along with Craig Conroy are giving steady offence and a veteran presence. But probably the biggest help given to Iginla this season has been the acquisition of Mike Cammelleri. The trade that brought him over from LA for draft picks is looking like a steal. If he continues his current pace he’ll probably score over 40 goals and possibly come very close to 50.
Everything Darryl Sutter touched this past summer turned to gold. Unfortunately his touch at the draft table isn’t that great and this is going to leave Calgary in a very precarious position after this season with Bertuzzi, Adrian Aucoin and the aforementioned Cammelleri will be unrestricted free agents. Calgary is right up against the salary cap with their current cap numbers and with Bertuzzi and Cammelleri will both being in line for raises(the latter will be getting a huge one) and with them probably having to sign a UFA defenseman to replace Aucoin if he’s not brought back things will get very dicey. With Iginla, Regehr, Phaneuf, Kiprusoff, Sarich and Langkow all signed to long term contracts there is really little chance that Calgary will re-sign Bert and Cammelleri and there are no offensive prospects in Calgary’s system that could replace them next season. Therefore this is probably Iginla’s last chance to win the Stanley cup at the very least in his prime as he’s signed on for a long time in Cow Town.
Everything Darryl Sutter touched this past summer turned to gold. Unfortunately his touch at the draft table isn’t that great and this is going to leave Calgary in a very precarious position after this season with Bertuzzi, Adrian Aucoin and the aforementioned Cammelleri will be unrestricted free agents. Calgary is right up against the salary cap with their current cap numbers and with Bertuzzi and Cammelleri will both being in line for raises(the latter will be getting a huge one) and with them probably having to sign a UFA defenseman to replace Aucoin if he’s not brought back things will get very dicey. With Iginla, Regehr, Phaneuf, Kiprusoff, Sarich and Langkow all signed to long term contracts there is really little chance that Calgary will re-sign Bert and Cammelleri and there are no offensive prospects in Calgary’s system that could replace them next season. Therefore this is probably Iginla’s last chance to win the Stanley cup at the very least in his prime as he’s signed on for a long time in Cow Town.
I really wouldn't underestimate Sutter's ability to strengthen his team this off-season. He seems to have the touch with bringing in players who everyone else has lost hope in. I wouldn't be surprised if Bertuzzi even takes a pay cut to stay there. It's the only place he's had success in years. He'd be crazy to not want to stay. (Then again, Bert isn't exactly the brightest guy)
ReplyDeleteHe's only making 1.33 million Dannyboy. How much of a pay cut do you think Bert would be willing to take? And alot of Sutter's personel moves prior to this season haven't exactly worked out.
ReplyDeleteWell come on though, not every move is going to be a good one, but he has an all star goalie, a first line that any coach would kill for, and a strong defensive core. In my opinion, he's done one hell of a job.
ReplyDeletePersonnaly I find Calgary's defense core to be very overrated(especially Phaneuf). Kipper constently has to bail them out in the playoffs the last few years. And that top line won't exist next year after Cammelleri leaves for a bigger contract that Calgary won't be able to afford to give him.
ReplyDeleteTo Mock and Dannyboy-How many angels can dance on the head of a pin? Suffice it to say that Calgary plays good, solid, old time hockey. If their goal- tending holds , they have a good shot.How about them Habs? Too many Russians in one dressing room.
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