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Kypreos: Calgary Discussing Cammalleri Extension; Coyotes @ Flames

January 22, 2014, 11:43 AM ET [92 Comments]
Colin Dambrauskas
Calgary Flames Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Follow Colin on Twitter!: @ColinDJD

For those of you who follow me on twitter, you would have noticed that I spoke on the most recent “Mike Cammalleri Update” last night from Nick Kypreos.

While Kypreos may not be as respected as Bob McKenzie, he is still considered credible in the hockey world and when he updates the status of player trade/contract negotiations, he’s typically on the money.

That said, last night Kypreos stated that since extending Matt Stajan, the Flames are currently in discussion with Cammalleri as well, about the very same potential outcome. While it has been stated a few times now that the Flames are very interested in keeping the right number and quality of vets around during their rebuild, I maintain that I do not feel that Mike Cammalleri will be one of such players.

Despite the fact that Mike is a proven vet, appears to work well with the team and can offer a ton of leadership, he simply does not seem like the kind of guy who the Flames would be overly interested in keeping around given his style of play and potential value in trade. And in discussing his current trade value, I believe this “update” came about.

As I noted on twitter last night, the update from Kypreos and or Brian Burke appears to be nothing more than a ploy to peak interest or value for Mike. Basically saying - Alright fine…you guys don’t want to give us what we’re asking for, we’ll just keep him!

Burke is likely in a position of weakness when dealing Cammalleri for a few reasons. Firstly, every GM in the league knows he’s slowly looking to unload vets for youth/picks and that they would likely not rather re-sign the guy or let him walk and attain nothing. Secondly, Mike is currently suffering from a concussion which certainly works against his value, though I continue to hold that the injury is likely not very serious.

The fact that he remains out of the lineup, to me, is just playing it safe as they try and find him a new home. I would almost be willing to say that Mike is on the verge of playing again, but they are keeping him out until he is 112% ready.

"He's doing much better," Hartley explained. "I had breakfast with Cammy this morning and had a good talk. I think he's going to start skating, public skating - by himself, probably around Thursday or Friday.”


A fan asked me over twitter last night if I felt that the Flames could possibly be looking into a sign and trade type scenario. This would ultimately raise the value of Mike if he’s willing to sign a friendlier contract, which would make it easier for his new team to accept. Personally, I do not feel that this is the case as it just doesn’t happen very often anymore.

And while I’m sure that Mike has offered to remain a Flame and stick around for the rebuild if they pay him accordingly, I feel as though he would be better suited to be moved as a rental player and earn a new contract that way, instead.

Believe you me, I am all for keeping the right vets around, but when one of said vets is a 30 year old pure sniper who could be coveted by a handful of teams, you should do your best to cash in on his potential trade value.

The only thing, at this point, that would really force Burke’s hand in extending Cammalleri rather than trading him for peanuts, would be that his concussion is worse than I have alluded to. But again, I don’t think that this is the case and I do strongly feel he will be moved before the deadline comes in to affect.

By the way, for those of you who missed the Kypreos update on Sportsnet last night, he mentioned that the asking price for Cammalleri is currently a first round draft pick and B level prospect. I will go on record saying that the final payout will likely be a 2nd round pick and a B+ or A- level prospect, instead.

I just don’t see teams coughing up a 1st round pick for a rental player who just came off a concussion, regardless of the time missed.

**

The Calgary Flames are scheduled to play the Phoenix Coyotes tonight at home, as the Flames look to avoid a longest consecutive home losing streak in franchise history.

Having lost the past seven home games in a row, the Flames will need to provide a much better on ice product in front of a home crowd if they hope to avoid such a negative record. Luckily for them, the Coyotes are streaking negatively themselves as they currently stand 3-7-0 in their last ten games, and lost most recently to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday night.

"It's frustrating for our fans, for sure," said Matt Stajan. “Every year, we take pride in wearing this jersey, especially on home ice. We've always had success in this building. In this recent stretch, it hasn't been very pretty."


While the Flames have experienced several moral victories of late, their inability to score has been the cause of their demise. Given that the roster is already weak in terms of star players, Calgary continues to rely on their 3rd or 4th line players to help out in the scoring department when the top lines are being shut down. When the top six players such as Monahan, Stempniak, Hudler, Backlund et al are all working together and finding the back of the net, the Flames have found much success.

Problem is, teams are more than aware that the Flames only have one strong scoring line and a second line which isn’t very strong in that department. That said, and as most nights hold, the Flames will need to play to their strengths by focusing on a defensive, hardworking system that should tire out their opposition.

While they shouldn’t be expected to score 3+ goals, keeping the Coyotes (also struggling to score of late) to the outside should provide an opportunity to hold onto a 1-2 goal lead if they are to find the back of the net themselves.

Their defensive play of late has been good, all that remains is to find more production from guys like Colborne, Stajan, Jones and even Bouma. If accomplished, tonight could put an end to their at home losing streak and start to trend in the positive once again.
Here are the expected lines for tonight.

Hudler – Backlund - Stempniak
Byron – Monahan - Colborne
Bouma – Stajan - Jones
Westgarth – Jones - McGrattan

Giordano - Brodie
Russell - Butler
Smid - Wideman

Berra

Thanks for reading!
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