Calgary Flames Season Preview

[PigsRule]

Background:
After finishing 7th and 8th in 2010-11 and 2011-12 respectively, Calgary found itself without an owner and fell into league owned status. In a goalie starved league, losing your starting goalie spells trouble and the Flames struggled throughout the year as Miikka Kiprusoff was missing for a better part of the season resulting in the team's 27th place finish in 2012-13.

This year:
Currently in rebuilding mode, the Calgary will be actively seeking new ownership. The future is bright with the likes of Ryan Callahan, Max Pacioretty, Brandon Saad looking to lead up front. To contend, the Flames will need to land a starting goalie to replace Kipper who may have already retired.

Strengths:
Depth on Wings
Cap room
Solid prospect at each position (Hertl, Ouellet, Gillies)

Weaknesses:
Goaltending
Centre

Needs:
New owner
Star Centre
Veteran goalie or a young goalie prospect

Future Outlook:
Without Kipper the Flames look to struggle out of the gate this season. However, strong scoring forwards and a pack of reliable dmen should keep the team competitive most weeks.

[Burkes Boys]

He apparently told a Finnish paper he was done. Maybe our resident Finn can get us an update.

[PigsRule]

...

Weaknesses:
...
Centre

Needs:
...
Star Centre
...

Looks like the address one area of need this AM by drafting Nathan MacKinnon.

[JohnnyWeissflog]

He apparently told a Finnish paper he was done. Maybe our resident Finn can get us an update.

Just noticed this. Yes, Kipper is gone for good.

[PsychoticPondGoons]

What? Really? Oh man the Flames are screwed. The have Joey, Kari and Jon maybe!

[JohnnyWeissflog]

What? Really? Oh man the Flames are screwed. The have Joey, Kari and Jon maybe!

Kipper informed in the summer time that he is definitely gone. But actually I just read an article from yesterday where Kipper is a bit playing with the possibility of coming back for one more year..
So maybe the family life was not so glamorous after all 

Here is the article, you can google translate it:

http://www.suomikiekko.com/2013/09/nhl-vahti-miikka-kiprusoff-pyortamassa-lopettamispaatoksensa-meilla-on-ollut-keskusteluja/

[PigsRule]

You got to love Google Translate

I looked up his Capgeek salary for 2013-14 and it's no wonder Miikka is talking "retirement" with his expected salary at $1.5m this year. He's probably feeling the way Daniel Alfredsson felt when he didn't expect to play out the last yr of his contract for $1m...

Kipper did make $8.5m on the 1st yr of his current deal back in 2008-09 so it's not like the Flames failed to pay him market value.
CapGeek LINK to Kipper
http://www.capgeek.com/player/461

Still the Flames should top off his salary a little to make life interesting for Miikka.

[dickiedunn]

Don't look now but Kiprusoff made it official today. He's staying in Turku Finland with the kiddies and wife.

Can't blame the guy. Tail end of a great career, I wouldn't want to stick around for a Feaster rebuild either.

[PigsRule]

[jackdaniels]

Background:
After finishing 7th and 8th in 2010-11 and 2011-12 respectively, Calgary found itself without an owner and fell into league owned status. In a goalie starved league, losing your starting goalie spells trouble and the Flames struggled throughout the year as Miikka Kiprusoff was missing for a better part of the season resulting in the team's 27th place finish in 2012-13.

This year:
Currently in rebuilding mode, the Calgary will be actively seeking new ownership. The future is bright with the likes of Ryan Callahan, Max Pacioretty, Brandon Saad looking to lead up front. To contend, the Flames will need to land a starting goalie to replace Kipper who may have already retired.

Strengths:
Depth on Wings
Cap room
Solid prospect at each position (Hertl, Ouellet, Gillies)

Weaknesses:
Goaltending
Centre

Needs:
New owner
Star Centre
Veteran goalie or a young goalie prospect

Future Outlook:
Without Kipper the Flames look to struggle out of the gate this season. However, strong scoring forwards and a pack of reliable dmen should keep the team competitive most weeks.

I've addressed the Flames'#1 need - Goaltending!

Next on the shopping list is a Star Center to get the team scoring. Nothng too fancy but someone who can pick up points at a Top 30 clip.

Other shopping list items would be Draft picks and Prospects.