Calgary Flames - Page 10

jeffwhit · #**181** Posted **Jul 1, 2009, 1:18 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yume-sama

Sawwwwweeeet!

x1000!!

frinkprof · #**182** Posted **Jul 1, 2009, 1:26 AM**

Nevermind.

freeweed · #**183** Posted **Jul 1, 2009, 2:19 AM**

I'm very happy with this signing so don't get me wrong, but... one thing many people have realized is that the defensive game is dying, if not dead. It's one reason Darryl isn't back behind the bench, he knows damn well his style doesn't work anymore. While I'm happy the Flames have one of if not the best D corps in the league, I'm very scared up front.

I know a lot of you will respond with Jokinen, but man - I'd rather they re-signed Camelleri than yet another D man when we already have 2 (or even 3) of all-star caliber. Beyond Iginla, once again, we're still sorely lacking up front. Sure we have the Langkows and hopefully Bourque etc can shine again, but still - the people comparing the Flames to the Wings are missing some pretty serious things.

Still should be one hell of a season anyway. I've never had "my" team with such great defense. They won't need to rely on Kipper nearly so much anymore.

Wooster · #**184** Posted **Jul 1, 2009, 2:35 AM**

Bouwmeester!

Wooster · #**185** Posted **Jul 1, 2009, 2:51 AM**

Although Calgary doesn't have a ton of big name offence past Iginla and Jokinen, there still is a lot of scoring depth. Really, Jokinen is the player that 'replaces' Cammalleri's production since Jokinen came late in the year. Bourque was also missing the last 1/4 of the season along with much of the second line.

I think you can expect this kind of production:

Iginla 40-45 goals (solid as a rock)
Jokinen 35-40 goals (should have a good full year with Iginla)
Bourque 25-30 goals (we all know what happened to him, but he is a keeper)
Langkow 20-25 goals (he was pretty banged up all of last year but is really consistent)
Moss 20-25 goals (one of the most underrated forwards around)
Glencross 15 goals (solid two way player)
Phaneuf 15-18 goals (Should have a great year under Sutter)
Bouwmeester 15-18 goals (playing for a good team should propel him)
Giordano 10-12 goals (healthy, he has good scoring touch)
Boyd 10 goals (maybe one of those players poised to have a bit of a breakout?)
Conroy 10 goals (had a really solid year last year, really valuable)
Backlund? 10-15 goals (I have a feeling he will crack the club even if it's mid year)
The rest of the team (20 goals)

On the conservative side of estimates, that would easily produce 250-275 goals. Calgary had 254 goals underachieving in 5th place last season.

Calgary continues to have a nice balanced scoring presence, I don't know why people think they're weak offensively. The other side of the equation is that GAA is sure to drop with that frickin awesome defensive core. Holy Fuck.

I also think that Bouwmeester's puck moving and skating abilities and great hockey vision will make everyone on the ice with him better. Bouwmeester will help produce offence, odd man rushes and boost the PP.

What I'm really anxious to see is strong team defence under Sutter and consistency. The flames should be performing consistently at the elite level with Detroit, San Jose and the other perennial level. I can't take these streaky inconsistent 1st round exit teams anymore!

Yume-sama · #**186** Posted **Jul 1, 2009, 3:12 AM**

Edmonton trying to steal our thunder

Heatley is an Oiler, and they are pursuing Hossa who has said he will go FA on July 1.

freeweed · #**187** Posted **Jul 1, 2009, 3:56 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wooster

Calgary continues to have a nice balanced scoring presence, I don't know why people think they're weak offensively.

Partly because if Jokinen scores 40 goals I'll eat my hat, but also because I suspect we'll see another few major injuries that will take some of your 20+ goal guys down a decent amount. Then again, maybe it was purely Keenan's uselessness that turned Jokinen from a week's worth of hot into a complete and utter waste of skates for 6 weeks.

The problem is that past Iginla, we still don't have any proven elite-level scoring. Bourge, Moss, Glencross - guys like that are very underrated, but we'll see if they can actually produce year in, year out. For every one that does there's always 3 more than have one good 25 goal season and then get half that for the rest of their careers. I'm also extremely worried about Langkow having major problems this year or next. He's just seemed off his game lately, but again, maybe that was Keenan's complete fucking up the team.

I'll be happy when I'm proven wrong, but this is at least the 3rd if not 4th season in a row where everyone is talking about how on paper the Flames rank as an "elite" team - and in every past case, they've exited early. Remember the circuslike atmosphere when we signed Tanguay? I'm getting deja vu all over again.

Of course, seeing what Sutter did in Jersey last season, I have somewhat more hope for the guys this year. Did I happen to mention that I really, really dislike Keenan, and all along said he'd not improve the team one bit, if not make it worse?

Jokinen better finally do something with himself this season. He's a key (maybe THE key, or at least the important link in the chain) to this team's success right now and if his history so far is any indication... it's golfing in May for sure. I still wonder if we could trade Kipper for Luongo and re-form the perpetual playoff-missing Panthers of the past.

wild wild west · #**188** Posted **Jul 1, 2009, 5:47 AM**

With Bouwmeester on board and Regehr, Bourque etc. hopefully healed and ready to go in Sept, I'm excited for the coming season. Then again, I was excited for the last one and we all know how that turned out.

Freeweed: I know what you are saying about D, but one thing about Bouwmeester is he is good at moving the puck into the O-zone...something I feel we've lacked last year. The guy got 42 points with the freaking PANTHERS! And we got him for about the same as we paid for Phaneuf.

Stang · #**189** Posted **Jul 1, 2009, 6:20 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yume-sama

Heatley is an Oiler, and they are pursuing Hossa who has said he will go FA on July 1.

Apparently the Heatley deal fell apart...

Although I think he's handling the situation poorly (demanding a trade, then declining a trade, and probably hoping to drag it out long enough to get his bonus), it is funny to see the Oilers get snubbed. Again.

They could still make a deal, but it sounds like he's only going to waive his no-trade clause for a team that he wants to (like the Rangers).

Chinook Arch · #**190** Posted **Jul 1, 2009, 6:31 AM**

The upcoming year promises to be pretty exciting with Bouwmeester. I disagree with the comments about the team being too defensive and that the defensive game is dying. The game isn't the same as it was in 2004, but good defense will still go a long way.

As for the Flames offense, with guys like Jokinen, Iggy, Langkow, Bourque, they have some skilled offensive players. I also believe guys like Nystrom and Boyd and Moss and Glencross are capable of more if given the opportunity. Backlund may add some offense - assuming he makes the team of course.

jeffwhit · #**191** Posted **Jul 1, 2009, 7:08 AM**

Not worried about goal scoring. B. Sutter got a lot of offence out of the Devils, and since we might actually have some sort of power play, and give up far,far fewer goals the differential will almost certainly increase on the + side substantially.

As awesome as schadenfreude can be, I feel for those Oil fans tonight.

freeweed · #**192** Posted **Jul 1, 2009, 5:28 PM**

Heh. TSN is parroting basically my exact thoughts - look forward to a lot of 2-1, 1-0 games, Flames fans.

Who knows though - I completely forgot about Backlund. Not sure if he's ready for 80 games yet, but when he is, I could see him easily potting 30. I hope he gets a good chance this year, maybe a 20 game stretch at least, just to see how he does.

freeweed · #**193** Posted **Jul 1, 2009, 9:29 PM**

Well, there go 8 more losses for the Flames this coming season.

Ah well. Colorado should be easy pickings at least.

mersar · #**194** Posted **Jul 2, 2009, 4:17 AM**

Sounds like the Flames signed Fredrik Sjostrom, formerly a forward for the Rangers at $1.5M over 2 years

Habanero · #**195** Posted **Jul 2, 2009, 2:16 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by mersar

Sounds like the Flames signed Fredrik Sjostrom, formerly a forward for the Rangers at $1.5M over 2 years

Didn't Sjostrom play for the Hitmen?

You Need A Thneed · #**196** Posted **Jul 2, 2009, 3:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Habanero

Didn't Sjostrom play for the Hitmen?

Yup.

lubicon · #**197** Posted **Jul 2, 2009, 4:16 PM**

Adrian Acoin signed with Phoenix.

Cowtown_Tim · #**198** Posted **Jul 2, 2009, 5:32 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by lubicon

Adrian Acoin signed with Phoenix.

So the defense doesn't change too much: Bouwmeester in place of Aucoin and Leopold.

Add in a recovered Phaneuf and Giordano, and the defense looks pretty darn good, on paper that is.

freeweed · #**199** Posted **Jul 2, 2009, 7:11 PM**

Bouwmeester is a hell of an improvement over either, and I'd almost say both. Leopold never really seemed to fit back into the Flames, and Aucoin.. well, as a 7th defenseman I wouldn't toss him but wasn't he making something like $4m?

I hope Giordano continues to improve as he did last season. He'll make a heck of a good 3rd (or even 2nd) pairing.

Look way up · #**200** Posted **Jul 2, 2009, 7:35 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cowtown_Tim

So the defense doesn't change too much: Bouwmeester in place of Aucoin and Leopold.

Add in a recovered Phaneuf and Giordano, and the defense looks pretty darn good, on paper that is.

It improves dramtically with Bouwmeester in place of the other two. If Phaneuf and Giordano get back to normal health, the defense will be vastly improved over last season's playoff time defense.