First off, I demand props for making a Neil Diamond reference before even starting this thing.
Thank you.
Secondly I want to thank Sean Avery for doing something stupid on a Tuesday because this article is due by Wednesday morning and I really had nothing. We were looking at a very sub-par power rankings that I thankfully do not have to submit. So his timely stupidity is most welcome. Anyway, let’s get into this.
Alright, look. I am in no way defending Sean Avery right now, but if ever there was a reason to want Gary Bettman to die… this is it. Let me start with what actually happened. Then we’ll break it down and hopefully, you’ll come to understand how the NHL looks like complete idiots right now.
Shortly after a morning skate yesterday, Sean Avery made his way over to some reporters. He asked if there was a camera there… which, there was… and then made the following comment: “I’m just going to say one thing. I’m really happy to be back in Calgary; I love Canada. I just want to comment on how it’s become like a common thing in the NHL for guys to fall in love with my sloppy seconds. I don’t know what that’s about, but enjoy the game tonight.” And he walked away. There was no interview. This was not a response to a question. He saw reporters and did his thing. If you want to know what the comment is in reference to, Avery’s ex-girlfriend, actress Elisha Cuthbert is dating Calgary defenseman Dion Phaneuf; she also had been involved with Mike Komisarek of the Montreal Canadiens.
I’m not going to defend Avery here as I normally would. I’m usually a fan of Avery if only for his entertainment value. But it was completely stupid. This is the class clown acting up in class without any of his friends playing along and then getting sent to the principal’s office. Depending on your standards, the comment is either mildly vulgar to completely tame. There’s obviously more to this than we know because the comment seems like a response to something as opposed to an initiation. The comment wasn’t nearly as stupid as his decision to make it.
The NHL looks like complete idiots right now for several reasons and I’m going to touch on each one of them. A hit to the head that causes injury is a 1-3 game suspension but Bettman-forbid you make a throw-away comment about your ex-girlfriend and it’s an indefinite suspension. So what the league says is that PR is more important to protect than player safety? Get the hell out of here. Stop it! If the NHL cared half as much about hits to the head as they do about Sean Avery's BS, Simon Gagne might not get dizzy whenever he closes his eyes.
So what, you think that I think Avery should be let off the hook? Not at all, but there was a right way to handle this. Bettman should have called Tom Hicks immediately and demanded the Stars suspend Avery. Make this an internal team matter. Let Avery destroy his own locker room relations. Believe me, his entire team hating him is FAR WORSE than any fine or suspension he can receive. The league suspending Avery makes him a free speech martyr. Once again, Sean Avery wins. Yet again, the league has to make special considerations based on the actions of one player… the same player. Once again Sean Avery is the #1 NHL headline.
If his team suspends him, it’s the other way around. The NHL can quietly condemn Avery’s behavior and save all face. Avery still gets suspended, fined, whatever, AND his locker room will hate him. But the league suspending him makes the isuue bigger and gives someone the opportunity to come to his defense. Whether or not anyone will remains to be seen, but the opportunity is there. Make the Stars punish him and this will all go away a lot faster. But right now, it’s huge news and whether he intended it or not, Avery is looking bigger than the game. When the Stars come to town, people now have yet another reason to talk about Avery before talking about the Dallas Stars.
I’m not saying players should be able to say whatever they want. Comments like this deserve some kind of punishment. Avery mentioned no names, but it was a verbal attack on an opposing player which the NHL does, in fact, have rules against. The problem is Bettman only chooses to enforce this rule when he sees fit. We know this because Ian White of the Toronto Maple Leafs wasn't suspended after telling the media that Ilya Kovalchuck will "get what's coming to him" the next time they meet. Apparently a direct threat is not a punishable offense but a throw-away frat house burn is. It absolutely infuriates me. Or was it the timing? If Avery made the comment after the game would it have been less of an offense than prior to the game? Snide remarks are made after games all the time and it’s no big deal, just like White’s threat.
I’m sorry there were no jokes this week but I am absolutely livid about how the situation was handled. Because there was a way to give Avery the exact same punishment without making the league look like idiots AND making this “issue” go away quickly and quietly at the same time. This could have been “just another Avery story” but the NHL has made it league-wide news. They’ve made it a huge sports story that is not limited to just hockey news. Avery’s pedestal is elevated even higher and this incident goes from footnote “in other news” to full blown headline.
Good job, Bettman. Good job. Now Sean Avery is all anyone wants to talk about. Again. This crap should be the footnote following the game summary. Instead, it will be the other way around.
By the way, Dallas won 3-1
Showing posts with label Calgary Flames. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Calgary Flames. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Ice Fishing: Keepers and Tossers of the Week
Let me come right out and apologize for not getting this up yesterday. I sustained a severe Rock Band 2 injury(my GM has asked me not to disclose the specifics but I am allowed to say that it is an upper left hand injury) and my typing was suffering as a result. I'm still not at 100% but the swelling has subsided enough that I've been cleared to surf the net and engage in some short article typing. I'm a gamer though so I'm going to bring it to you today until I literally cannot do it anymore.
You'll notice the title of the add/drop column has changed to a slightly more creative and undeniably more fanciful title. I like it. The content is the same however. Let's have a look at which players are good pickups this week in your fantasy hockey league, and which you should just throw back.
Grab 'em:
Todd Bertuzzi
LW, Calgary
Don't look now but big Bert is scoring goals again. His shot totals and +/- are ugly but his 10 PIM and 5 goals in 5 games make up for it. He's also seeing significant powerplay time. I'm not sure if this is going to keep up but for now Bert's a good add.
Milan Hejduk
RW, Colorado
Holy crap is it 2001 in here this week? Well, looking at Hejduk's career this WOULD be the time for him to have a 70+ point season. Hejduk is also seeing powerplay time, 3 PP goals in 6 games, and has been the biggest beneficiary of a healthy Paul Stasny so far this season. The Stasny/Hejduk/Smyth line is red hot and Hejduk is probably the only one on it who MIGHT have gone undrafted. If you are in need of a RW, or if you just want to bench Selanne for a while, he's worth a look.
Mikko Koivu
C, Minnesota
Minny is red hot right now as well, undefeated through their first four. They are scoring an uncharacteristic number of goals without Marian Gaborik's services. This won't last but I suspect that Koivu is the real deal. Think of him as a short term addition or a bench player for now, but if this keeps up you don't want to be the guy who passed on him.
Phil Kessel
RW, Bos
Kessel was the Bruins 5th overall pick in 2006. Translation he's supposed to be good. Kessel had some early setbacks in his career when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Translation he's overcome adversity. Despite all of that Kessel continued to play a gritty game upon his return. This season he is logging more ice time and has moved up to the second line with Marc Savard, who, we can all agree, dishesthe puck like few others. When I recommend guys I like to recommend guys that are supposed to be as good as they look. Kessel was always supposed to be THIS good. Enjoy him, even if he is from Boston.
Alexander Edler
D, Vancouver
He's doing a little bit of everything for the Canucks right now. In the last game he logged 20:34 of ice time. That was second only to Sami Salo. He leads the team with a +6, which is spectacular when you consider that the Canucks have only won three of their six games, giving up 20 goals and only scoring 21. Edler is playing solid D, taking shots, getting PIM and seeing powerplay time. If you are short a D-man Edler is worth a roster spot. Its only going to get better in Vancouver.
Weigh 'em:
Aaron Voros
LW, New York Rangers
9 points in 9 games is nothing to sneeze at, particularly from a big guy that will get you some PIM as well. That said he owes all of that to Dubinsky and Zherdev. Also all of those points were scored at a time when the Gomez line and the Naslund line were not clicking. Voros will slow down. (crosses fingers) Another thing to remember... the numbers may look impressive but the Rangers have played almost twice as many games as everyone in the league.
Mike Modano
C, Dallas
Modano has 6 points through Dallas' first six games. He is also playing point on Dallas' number 1 power play unit (at least until Zubov comes back) and looks comfortable in that role. Its hard to hate on a guy that literally put USA hockey on the map but Modano's time is coming to a close. He will have several bursts like this throughout the season but he is, now, a glorified third line center.
Ales Kotalik
RW, Buffalo
Buffalo is red hot. No one is hotter then Thomas Vanek. But a close second to Vanek is Ales Kotalik who has 4 goals, 3 assists, and 6 PPP to start the season. Kotalik's success is underscored by the relatively quiet seasons that are being had by Jason Pominville and Derek Roy, Buffalo's 80 point players of a year ago. Maybe Buffalo is going to trade that mantle back and forth between lines each year, but more likely Buffalo's second line is stepping up while the first line adjusts to new defenses.
Annti Miehtinen
RW, Minnesota
I'm Anti-Miehtinen. Now that I've got that out of the way... I said above that I like to recommend players that are supposed to be as good as they look. I was looking squarely at Annti here when I said that. Minnesota is not a high scoring team, but their stars will obviously do fairly well. Mikko Koivu is one of their stars. Annti Miehtinen... used to play for the Stars. He was drafted in the 7th round. In three seasons he has never put up more then 35 points and that was on Stars teams that needed wingers as badly as Minnesota does. Also, while Miehtinen is receiving top line minutes and powerplay time now, he is usually third on the depth chart to the injured Pierre Marc Bouchard and Marian Gaborik. This too will pass.
Toss 'em Back:
Chris Drury
LW/C New York Rangers
Yes its time to panic. Through nine games Drury has 2 assists. Ouch. He's still a great hockey player and is bound to have a streak or two here and there but Chris is settling into the second half of his career. He's a 60 point player at best now and its starting to look like breaking 50 might be a stretch.
David Booth
LW, Florida
Mea Culpa. Maybe I got carried away on this one. My bad.
Steven Stamkos
C, Tampa Bay
Unless you are in a keeper league, Stamkos looks like he isn't going to have much value this year. Melrose is barely playing the young center, who frequently looks like the best player on the ice and relegating him to third line duty with no ice time on the powerplay. Whether this is a wise move or a foolish one it does seem to be the direction the Mullet is going. So long as that stays as is, Stamkos will be a "keep in mind for next year" kinda guy. Put him back in the pond. Let him grow.
That's all for this week. The BTT injury report and some other random news and notes will be coming your way later on today.
You'll notice the title of the add/drop column has changed to a slightly more creative and undeniably more fanciful title. I like it. The content is the same however. Let's have a look at which players are good pickups this week in your fantasy hockey league, and which you should just throw back.
Grab 'em:
Todd Bertuzzi
LW, Calgary
Don't look now but big Bert is scoring goals again. His shot totals and +/- are ugly but his 10 PIM and 5 goals in 5 games make up for it. He's also seeing significant powerplay time. I'm not sure if this is going to keep up but for now Bert's a good add.
Milan Hejduk
RW, Colorado
Holy crap is it 2001 in here this week? Well, looking at Hejduk's career this WOULD be the time for him to have a 70+ point season. Hejduk is also seeing powerplay time, 3 PP goals in 6 games, and has been the biggest beneficiary of a healthy Paul Stasny so far this season. The Stasny/Hejduk/Smyth line is red hot and Hejduk is probably the only one on it who MIGHT have gone undrafted. If you are in need of a RW, or if you just want to bench Selanne for a while, he's worth a look.
Mikko Koivu
C, Minnesota
Minny is red hot right now as well, undefeated through their first four. They are scoring an uncharacteristic number of goals without Marian Gaborik's services. This won't last but I suspect that Koivu is the real deal. Think of him as a short term addition or a bench player for now, but if this keeps up you don't want to be the guy who passed on him.
Phil Kessel
RW, Bos
Kessel was the Bruins 5th overall pick in 2006. Translation he's supposed to be good. Kessel had some early setbacks in his career when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Translation he's overcome adversity. Despite all of that Kessel continued to play a gritty game upon his return. This season he is logging more ice time and has moved up to the second line with Marc Savard, who, we can all agree, dishesthe puck like few others. When I recommend guys I like to recommend guys that are supposed to be as good as they look. Kessel was always supposed to be THIS good. Enjoy him, even if he is from Boston.
Alexander Edler
D, Vancouver
He's doing a little bit of everything for the Canucks right now. In the last game he logged 20:34 of ice time. That was second only to Sami Salo. He leads the team with a +6, which is spectacular when you consider that the Canucks have only won three of their six games, giving up 20 goals and only scoring 21. Edler is playing solid D, taking shots, getting PIM and seeing powerplay time. If you are short a D-man Edler is worth a roster spot. Its only going to get better in Vancouver.
Weigh 'em:
Aaron Voros
LW, New York Rangers
9 points in 9 games is nothing to sneeze at, particularly from a big guy that will get you some PIM as well. That said he owes all of that to Dubinsky and Zherdev. Also all of those points were scored at a time when the Gomez line and the Naslund line were not clicking. Voros will slow down. (crosses fingers) Another thing to remember... the numbers may look impressive but the Rangers have played almost twice as many games as everyone in the league.
Mike Modano
C, Dallas
Modano has 6 points through Dallas' first six games. He is also playing point on Dallas' number 1 power play unit (at least until Zubov comes back) and looks comfortable in that role. Its hard to hate on a guy that literally put USA hockey on the map but Modano's time is coming to a close. He will have several bursts like this throughout the season but he is, now, a glorified third line center.
Ales Kotalik
RW, Buffalo
Buffalo is red hot. No one is hotter then Thomas Vanek. But a close second to Vanek is Ales Kotalik who has 4 goals, 3 assists, and 6 PPP to start the season. Kotalik's success is underscored by the relatively quiet seasons that are being had by Jason Pominville and Derek Roy, Buffalo's 80 point players of a year ago. Maybe Buffalo is going to trade that mantle back and forth between lines each year, but more likely Buffalo's second line is stepping up while the first line adjusts to new defenses.
Annti Miehtinen
RW, Minnesota
I'm Anti-Miehtinen. Now that I've got that out of the way... I said above that I like to recommend players that are supposed to be as good as they look. I was looking squarely at Annti here when I said that. Minnesota is not a high scoring team, but their stars will obviously do fairly well. Mikko Koivu is one of their stars. Annti Miehtinen... used to play for the Stars. He was drafted in the 7th round. In three seasons he has never put up more then 35 points and that was on Stars teams that needed wingers as badly as Minnesota does. Also, while Miehtinen is receiving top line minutes and powerplay time now, he is usually third on the depth chart to the injured Pierre Marc Bouchard and Marian Gaborik. This too will pass.
Toss 'em Back:
Chris Drury
LW/C New York Rangers
Yes its time to panic. Through nine games Drury has 2 assists. Ouch. He's still a great hockey player and is bound to have a streak or two here and there but Chris is settling into the second half of his career. He's a 60 point player at best now and its starting to look like breaking 50 might be a stretch.
David Booth
LW, Florida
Mea Culpa. Maybe I got carried away on this one. My bad.
Steven Stamkos
C, Tampa Bay
Unless you are in a keeper league, Stamkos looks like he isn't going to have much value this year. Melrose is barely playing the young center, who frequently looks like the best player on the ice and relegating him to third line duty with no ice time on the powerplay. Whether this is a wise move or a foolish one it does seem to be the direction the Mullet is going. So long as that stays as is, Stamkos will be a "keep in mind for next year" kinda guy. Put him back in the pond. Let him grow.
That's all for this week. The BTT injury report and some other random news and notes will be coming your way later on today.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
News and Notes + Site News
A couple of quick news items of fantasy interest:
-Petr Sykora made his return last night and was skating on a line with Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal. Though the line was 0's in the box score Sykora added a jump and depth to that line that was lacking previously. He also played on the first powerplay unit.
-Also from the Pittsburgh game the Sidney Crosby line continued to evolve. Satan played Sidney's right wing and Tyler Kennedy and Pascal Dupuis split time on the left side. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out.
-Final note on Pittsburgh. Though he hasn't scored since his first game Alex Gologoski is really starting to settle in in his role as pointman on the first powerplay unit. The unit has been quiet but not for a lack of trying, and really appeared to be gelling in the third period last night.
-The Sharks could very well be the most complete team in hockey this year. They appear to have finally found a balance between first and second line scoring and have the ability to move the puck on defense better then at any time in the history of the franchise. If Rob Blake, Devin Setoguchi or Jonathan Cheechoo are available in your league, now may be the time to grab them.
-Kristian Huselius is selfish and lazy. Nash had 9 shots last night but it wasn't because Huselius was a good linemate. At every turn Huselius wold shoot when he should pass, skate in on the off wing and make lazy undirected passes. RJ Umberger also looks lost on this line at the moment.
-Kipprusoff's performance thus far (15 goals in 3 games) is not unprecedented as he looked like this for stretches of last season as well. I'm worried about Calgary's chances this year.
-I'm less worried about Anaheim. Though they and Giguere have been lit up so far this season I expect them to bounce back once their defense gets rolling. Which brings me to...
Site news:
-Tomorrow I will be debuting a new weekly feature to BTT: Breaking the Slump. Each week I'll analyze a player or player who is slumping and give you my advice on whether to bench, drop or keep them rolling. The subject of our first Breaking the Slump J.S. Giguere.
-Also, coming later today the second Two Minute Minor, the new weekly from our contributor Nick Giammona. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
-Petr Sykora made his return last night and was skating on a line with Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal. Though the line was 0's in the box score Sykora added a jump and depth to that line that was lacking previously. He also played on the first powerplay unit.
-Also from the Pittsburgh game the Sidney Crosby line continued to evolve. Satan played Sidney's right wing and Tyler Kennedy and Pascal Dupuis split time on the left side. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out.
-Final note on Pittsburgh. Though he hasn't scored since his first game Alex Gologoski is really starting to settle in in his role as pointman on the first powerplay unit. The unit has been quiet but not for a lack of trying, and really appeared to be gelling in the third period last night.
-The Sharks could very well be the most complete team in hockey this year. They appear to have finally found a balance between first and second line scoring and have the ability to move the puck on defense better then at any time in the history of the franchise. If Rob Blake, Devin Setoguchi or Jonathan Cheechoo are available in your league, now may be the time to grab them.
-Kristian Huselius is selfish and lazy. Nash had 9 shots last night but it wasn't because Huselius was a good linemate. At every turn Huselius wold shoot when he should pass, skate in on the off wing and make lazy undirected passes. RJ Umberger also looks lost on this line at the moment.
-Kipprusoff's performance thus far (15 goals in 3 games) is not unprecedented as he looked like this for stretches of last season as well. I'm worried about Calgary's chances this year.
-I'm less worried about Anaheim. Though they and Giguere have been lit up so far this season I expect them to bounce back once their defense gets rolling. Which brings me to...
Site news:
-Tomorrow I will be debuting a new weekly feature to BTT: Breaking the Slump. Each week I'll analyze a player or player who is slumping and give you my advice on whether to bench, drop or keep them rolling. The subject of our first Breaking the Slump J.S. Giguere.
-Also, coming later today the second Two Minute Minor, the new weekly from our contributor Nick Giammona. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
TEAM PREVIEWS: THE CALGARY FLAMES
Introduction:
Continuing the sprint to the finish line, lets turn our gaze on a team that should have been so much better then it was last season. This is a team that has a franchise forward, defenseman and goaltender... and still struggled to get the 8 seed last year. They are tight both defensively and offensively... so what is the problem?
Put simply, depth, and the interest of Mikka Kipprusoff. Before the lockout this team made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals. Since then it has seen a first round exit the last three years. Will there be a turnaround this season? I wouldn't count on it.
Key Departures:
Kristian Huselius
Alex Tanguay
Huselius really came alive on this team. Unfortunately for him, and for the team's depth at forward, he got on the wrong side of Herr... er I mean Coach Mike Keenan.
Tanguay, on the other hand, never really played up to his potential for this squad. As a playmaker Tanguay has yet to show that he can set up anyone other then Joe Sakic. I think Huselius was the bigger loss here.
New Faces:
Mike Cammalleri
Todd Bertuzzi
I think Cammalleri is going to turn out to be a huge acquisition for the flames. He is better then either of the big forwards that they lost and perhaps better then both of them combined. I suppose we'll see but I expect his interaction with Iginla to be pretty magical.
Bertuzzi on the other hand is now one team closer to playing on the last team he'll play for. He's running out of second chances and its safe to say that if Todd doesn't rediscover his magic this year he'll have officially used his last get out of hockey hell free card.
The Offense:
You've got one really good line here, but the departure of Huselius means that the depth doesn't extend past line 1. Bertuzzi is too old to be a catalyst on a second line, and most of the other forwards have yet to show that they can step up and own a game. Its going to be a long wait between shifts of the Iginla line.
You Want to Draft:
Jarome Iginla
Mike Cammalleri
Daymond Langkow
One of the best players in the game, Iginla finally shaked off the streakiness that had plagued his earlier career by posting a second consecutive 90 point season. Jarome is simply one of the best players in the game and should be the first RW off the board in any format.
FACT: Iginla's full name is Jarome Arthur-Leigh Adekunle Tig Junior Elvis Iginla.
Cammalleri has been asked to do a lot in his young career. As one of the only real standout players with the Los Angeles Kings Cammalleri performed admirably, scoring 80 points in the 2006-2007 season. He had a slow start last season and never really recovered from a rib injury he suffered in December. Cammalleri will get a fresh start in Calgary. In my opinion, if he plays on Iginla's line he and the Captain will find themselves with the best linemates they have yet had in their respective careers.
FACT: Cammalleri played in the AHL during the lockout and amassed 109 points in 79 games, tying with Jason Spezza for the AHL scoring title.
Langkow is Iginla's center, and he has flourished in that role. Until he loses that spot he is a good pick on any fantasy team.
FACT: Langkow has finished with 50 or more points every season since 1999-2000, but never cracked 65 until he was centering Iginla. I wouldn't be surprised if he makes Jarome breakfast and does his gardening.
You Want to Keep an Eye On:
Todd Bertuzzi
Particularly if he's behind you. Sorry. Too soon? Just as this is Todd's last real chance in the NHL so it is his last chance from me. If Bertuzzi doesn't crack 60 points this year I'm done thinking about him. Because his PIM have never slowed down, and they never will so long as the name Bertuzzi is still on the back of his jersey, he is an interesting pick, but don't overvalue him.
FACT: Bertuzzi DID have 40 points in 68 games last season while amassing 97 PIM. Triple digit PIM and low 50's scoring is not out of sight.
The Defense:
Dion Phaneuf is the number 1 fantasy d-man in the NHL and behind only Nicklas Lidstrom for value to his real life club. Beyond that though...
You Want to Draft:
Dion Phaneuf
Adrian Aucoin
Phaneuf is a top two round pick in most leagues, and should be the first d-man off the board because of his excellence in all categories. I think its optimistic to expect another 180 PIM season, but the triple digits are nearly guaranteed.
FACT: Dating Elisha Cuthbert. Doesn't that just make him your personal hero? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BE5qKw7tR_E
Aucoin has slightly less of a heroic taste in women, and is nowhere near as valuable as his blue line counterpart, but he had a nice comeback season last year. There are very few other options on the powerplay so ...
FACT: He's a good fourth or fifth d-man. His career high is 44 points and he doesn't do much else for you besides play on the powerplay. Don't get too excited, but don't lose track of him either.
The Powerplay:
Jarome Iginla
Michael Cammalleri
Daymond Langkow
Dion Phaneuf
Adrian Aucoin
I think this is where the acquisition of Cammalleri will really prove its worth. Cammalleri is sneaky on the powerplay and has a habit of getting lost in traffic and popping up in the perfect spot for a scoring opportunity. He could really tie the immense talent on this unit together.
The Goalie(s):
The precipitous decline of Mikka Kiprusoff doesn't seem to be scaring the Flames' management but it is certainly making fantasy owners a little jumpy. One thing can be said for Miikka, he is going to win you games. I would expect a turn around in the slide in both GAA and Sv. % because Kipper is too talented to continue down this path. Draft him as a second goaltender to be safe though. There are at least 11 options out there better then this one.
FACT: In 38 games with the flames in 2003-2004 Kiprusoff posted a GAA of 1.69, a modern NHL record.
The Verdict:
I'm convinced of two things. 1) This is still a playoff team. Even if they have to scratch and claw their way in they will. 2) That top line is going to be very very difficult to stop. Beyond that I think there are a lot of unanswered questions. For the Flames sake I hope Kipper turns it around and that some of their young players step up, otherwise an early exit for the fourth consecutive year looks pretty certain.
Continuing the sprint to the finish line, lets turn our gaze on a team that should have been so much better then it was last season. This is a team that has a franchise forward, defenseman and goaltender... and still struggled to get the 8 seed last year. They are tight both defensively and offensively... so what is the problem?
Put simply, depth, and the interest of Mikka Kipprusoff. Before the lockout this team made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals. Since then it has seen a first round exit the last three years. Will there be a turnaround this season? I wouldn't count on it.
Key Departures:
Kristian Huselius
Alex Tanguay
Huselius really came alive on this team. Unfortunately for him, and for the team's depth at forward, he got on the wrong side of Herr... er I mean Coach Mike Keenan.
Tanguay, on the other hand, never really played up to his potential for this squad. As a playmaker Tanguay has yet to show that he can set up anyone other then Joe Sakic. I think Huselius was the bigger loss here.
New Faces:
Mike Cammalleri
Todd Bertuzzi
I think Cammalleri is going to turn out to be a huge acquisition for the flames. He is better then either of the big forwards that they lost and perhaps better then both of them combined. I suppose we'll see but I expect his interaction with Iginla to be pretty magical.
Bertuzzi on the other hand is now one team closer to playing on the last team he'll play for. He's running out of second chances and its safe to say that if Todd doesn't rediscover his magic this year he'll have officially used his last get out of hockey hell free card.
The Offense:
You've got one really good line here, but the departure of Huselius means that the depth doesn't extend past line 1. Bertuzzi is too old to be a catalyst on a second line, and most of the other forwards have yet to show that they can step up and own a game. Its going to be a long wait between shifts of the Iginla line.
You Want to Draft:
Jarome Iginla
Mike Cammalleri
Daymond Langkow
One of the best players in the game, Iginla finally shaked off the streakiness that had plagued his earlier career by posting a second consecutive 90 point season. Jarome is simply one of the best players in the game and should be the first RW off the board in any format.
FACT: Iginla's full name is Jarome Arthur-Leigh Adekunle Tig Junior Elvis Iginla.
Cammalleri has been asked to do a lot in his young career. As one of the only real standout players with the Los Angeles Kings Cammalleri performed admirably, scoring 80 points in the 2006-2007 season. He had a slow start last season and never really recovered from a rib injury he suffered in December. Cammalleri will get a fresh start in Calgary. In my opinion, if he plays on Iginla's line he and the Captain will find themselves with the best linemates they have yet had in their respective careers.
FACT: Cammalleri played in the AHL during the lockout and amassed 109 points in 79 games, tying with Jason Spezza for the AHL scoring title.
Langkow is Iginla's center, and he has flourished in that role. Until he loses that spot he is a good pick on any fantasy team.
FACT: Langkow has finished with 50 or more points every season since 1999-2000, but never cracked 65 until he was centering Iginla. I wouldn't be surprised if he makes Jarome breakfast and does his gardening.
You Want to Keep an Eye On:
Todd Bertuzzi
Particularly if he's behind you. Sorry. Too soon? Just as this is Todd's last real chance in the NHL so it is his last chance from me. If Bertuzzi doesn't crack 60 points this year I'm done thinking about him. Because his PIM have never slowed down, and they never will so long as the name Bertuzzi is still on the back of his jersey, he is an interesting pick, but don't overvalue him.
FACT: Bertuzzi DID have 40 points in 68 games last season while amassing 97 PIM. Triple digit PIM and low 50's scoring is not out of sight.
The Defense:
Dion Phaneuf is the number 1 fantasy d-man in the NHL and behind only Nicklas Lidstrom for value to his real life club. Beyond that though...
You Want to Draft:
Dion Phaneuf
Adrian Aucoin
Phaneuf is a top two round pick in most leagues, and should be the first d-man off the board because of his excellence in all categories. I think its optimistic to expect another 180 PIM season, but the triple digits are nearly guaranteed.
FACT: Dating Elisha Cuthbert. Doesn't that just make him your personal hero? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BE5qKw7tR_E
Aucoin has slightly less of a heroic taste in women, and is nowhere near as valuable as his blue line counterpart, but he had a nice comeback season last year. There are very few other options on the powerplay so ...
FACT: He's a good fourth or fifth d-man. His career high is 44 points and he doesn't do much else for you besides play on the powerplay. Don't get too excited, but don't lose track of him either.
The Powerplay:
Jarome Iginla
Michael Cammalleri
Daymond Langkow
Dion Phaneuf
Adrian Aucoin
I think this is where the acquisition of Cammalleri will really prove its worth. Cammalleri is sneaky on the powerplay and has a habit of getting lost in traffic and popping up in the perfect spot for a scoring opportunity. He could really tie the immense talent on this unit together.
The Goalie(s):
The precipitous decline of Mikka Kiprusoff doesn't seem to be scaring the Flames' management but it is certainly making fantasy owners a little jumpy. One thing can be said for Miikka, he is going to win you games. I would expect a turn around in the slide in both GAA and Sv. % because Kipper is too talented to continue down this path. Draft him as a second goaltender to be safe though. There are at least 11 options out there better then this one.
FACT: In 38 games with the flames in 2003-2004 Kiprusoff posted a GAA of 1.69, a modern NHL record.
The Verdict:
I'm convinced of two things. 1) This is still a playoff team. Even if they have to scratch and claw their way in they will. 2) That top line is going to be very very difficult to stop. Beyond that I think there are a lot of unanswered questions. For the Flames sake I hope Kipper turns it around and that some of their young players step up, otherwise an early exit for the fourth consecutive year looks pretty certain.
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