Best two dmen? Best, absolutely. Second? No, Kronwall is now the "old man" on the Wings blueline. Krons has been taking over top minutes over the past few seasons and Lids was very rarely on th PK.

As for Hudler, I will be curious to see how Flame fans like him 2 months from now. Yeah stat wise he ended up "2nd" in goals last season but that's a bit misleading. He had line mates doing most of the work and fed him the puck. If the Flames have someone to feed him like he had in Detroit, he is quite capable of putting some points up.

A new team. New teammates and line mates. Fresh start. Maybe he'll do what is expected of him. But don't say you weren't warned if and when he disappears on a regular basis, is easily taken off the puck, and makes a bunch of bad passes. Most Wing fans aren't upset to see him go due to those bad habits along with his filing for arbitration, winning and still fleeing to the KHL for more money.
- Bren4Wings

Sounds like a lot of $4m a yr snipers. I am fine with that, and also, with his age and injection of much needed skill. We don't expect him to be a world beater, just a 2nd/3rd liner who can add some goals. Much better than Moss if you ask me.

I actually love this.
- jtommyt

Agree, what an excellent 3rd line & I can see Hartley rewarding them with more minutes if they gel. I hate the idea of Tanguay at centre, his numbers are brutal in the few face offs he has taken. I would love to see Tangs Cerevenka & Iggy, Hudler Stajan & Cammi & the fourth line of Comeau Jones & Stempniak. We do have some depth for injuries & I am bracing for many injuries this year in my hockey pools.

How about Cory Sarich to the Islanders for Josh Bailey?

How about Cory Sarich to the Islanders for Josh Bailey?
- kear20

have quite enough centers for one yr, and, that would (sadly) make us the softest D-corps in the league. At least Sarich has some sandpaper.

I think I would rather see

Cammi- Tangs- Iggy

Baert- Backs- Cervenka

GlenX- Hudler- Stemp

Comeau- Jones- Jacks

Im not sure where that leaves Stajan. Then again, a lot of these pieces are interchangable but none seem to be a great fit.
- TandA4Flames

hudler isn't a center, cervenka is and I doubt they'll split hudler and cervenka apart at the start.

Not bad....I really like that Baertschi-Backlund-Glencross combo though.

Good mix of skill, playmaking, scoring and grit. Also, they are all in their natural positions.
- The-O-G

i agree. I think backland is going to have a good year. his time overseas was successful and he needed that confidence.

have quite enough centers for one yr, and, that would (sadly) make us the softest D-corps in the league. At least Sarich has some sandpaper.
- FLflames34

hudler isn't a center, cervenka is and I doubt they'll split hudler and cervenka apart at the start.
- numbear

I thought Hudler had played some C, I could be wrong. I do agree that he and Cervenka will most likely start together and that isn't a bad thing. Bottom line, we are still struggling to find a bonafide 1st line C.

I thought Hudler had played some C, I could be wrong. I do agree that he and Cervenka will most likely start together and that isn't a bad thing. Bottom line, we are still struggling to find a bonafide C.
- TandA4Flames

FIXED

- The-O-G

Cammi and Hudler can be decent C if need be
Stajan, Horak, Backlund, Jones also in tow
Now, if the proposal is Bailey for stajan, then

Cammi and Hudler can be decent C if need be
Stajan, Horak, Backlund, Jones also in tow
Now, if the proposal is Bailey for stajan, then
- FLflames34

I'm not saying they need Bailey, but they are so weak at center.

Neither Cammalleri or Hudler are natural centers, whether or not they can be "decent" remains to be seen.

That leaves us with

Cervenka
Stajan ( )
Backlund
Jones (Grinder)
Horak (Very unproven)

Anyway you slice it that is probably the worst crop of centers in the league.

I'm not saying they need Bailey, but they are so weak at center.

Neither Cammalleri or Hudler are natural centers, whether or not they can be "decent" remains to be seen.

That leaves us with

Cervenka
Stajan ( )
Backlund
Jones (Grinder)
Horak (Very unproven)

Anyway you slice it that is probably the worst crop of centers in the league.
- The-O-G

Well, depends, the majority played in Sutter's talent sucking system and anything I have read abt Cervenka has been positive. I don't really care abt Bailey either, just answering the proposal.
I am very comfortable with the lineup as is. Cammi has proven to be servicable and more at C, and Hudler could do the same, though hopefully the above will make that point moot.
I am really excited to see how Horak does. Esp with a talented countryman in tow. thinking he will really surprise if given a spot in the lineup this yr.

Well, depends, the majority played in Sutter's talent sucking system and anything I have read abt Cervenka has been positive. I don't really care abt Bailey either, just answering the proposal.
I am very comfortable with the lineup as is. Cammi has proven to be servicable and more at C, and Hudler could do the same, though hopefully the above will make that point moot.
I am really excited to see how Horak does. Esp with a talented countryman in tow. thinking he will really surprise if given a spot in the lineup this yr.
- FLflames34

I agree, i'd really like to see Horak get a shot, but he might not get his chance i'm afraid. We do have lots of centers, I just think it's more a case of quantity rather than quality. It would be so much better if they could have most of their players playing in their natural positions.

I agree, i'd really like to see Horak get a shot, but he might not get his chance i'm afraid. We do have lots of centers, I just think it's more a case of quantity rather than quality. It would be so much better if they could have most of their players playing in their natural positions.
- The-O-G

From the bit that we have seen, I feel like Horak seems to have a higher ceiling than Backlund.
However, new coaching staff, uptempo system (FINALLY), and imo everyone gets a clean slate. Even Stajan. And I would be happy that a year from now, the natural C's would be stronger:
Cervenka
Horak
Backlund
Jones/???

If all make great strides this yr, I don't think this would be out of the realm of possibility to become true. Plus, they are young. Sometimes, Calgary fans get impatient with prospect development, and I think Cervenka could be a natural leader for the development of this group until Jankowski proves ready for...2015-2016.

If tilting your head and squinting just right, you can see the light. Esp if Ramo proves to be Kipper's successor in a yr or two.

I'm not saying they need Bailey, but they are so weak at center.

Neither Cammalleri or Hudler are natural centers, whether or not they can be "decent" remains to be seen.

That leaves us with

Cervenka
Stajan ( )
Backlund
Jones (Grinder)
Horak (Very unproven)

Anyway you slice it that is probably the worst crop of centers in the league.
- The-O-G

See: Leafs, Toronto Maple

Bozak
Grabovski
Connolly
Steckel

Also, let's take a peek at Ramo's improvement at Omsk Avangard:
33 GP 3 SO 2.01 GAA 23w 7l 3t 849sv 0.927 (sv pct!!!)

two things I like about this. One, sv percentage. If he comes over around 28 that would be a perfect transition from Kipper, ie, no trading him this yr.
Secondly, they have Ties in the KHL still. Annnnnd, the NHL still should.

See: Leafs, Toronto Maple

Bozak
Grabovski
Connolly
Steckel


- Colin Dambrauskas

Call me crazy, but I would trade Stajan, Cervenka, Jones and Backlund for those 4..........I think anyways. haha

Just read an interesting article on the Calgary Herald, where Hartley is quoted:


“When Brent (Sutter) left, Alex called me immediately and said: ‘We’re much better than we’ve shown. Come here. We need you.’ For me, that’s a pretty big statement."


Read more: http://www.calgaryherald..../story.html#ixzz2HhqlBNsK

Call me crazy, but I would trade Stajan, Cervenka, Jones and Backlund for those 4..........I think anyways. haha
- The-O-G

No way. Connolly alone would make that a terrible swap. And I know he hasn't had NHL game action, but I believe Cervenka is intended to be the future #1 and has the talent to do it. Had decent stats overseas and only 27 (just older than Bozak)

Call me crazy, but I would trade Stajan, Cervenka, Jones and Backlund for those 4..........I think anyways. haha
- The-O-G

You're (frank)ing crazy.

No way. Connolly alone would make that a terrible swap. And I know he hasn't had NHL game action, but I believe Cervenka is intended to be the future #1 and has the talent to do it. Had decent stats overseas and only 27 (just older than Bozak)
- FLflames34

Yep.

Cervenka > Bozak
Backlund = Grabovski (I hope)
Connolly = Stajan (But Stajan's more durable)
Jones > Steckel

And Cammy's better than all of them.

Yep.

Cervenka > Bozak
Backlund = Grabovski (I hope)
Connolly = Stajan (But Stajan's more durable)
Jones > Steckel

And Cammy's better than all of them.
- jtommyt

Exactly. Which is why he is good being the C this yr
Cervenka can be #1 C next yr, and hopefully followed by Horak (have great faith in him getting better), Backlund, (Jones???)
Which gives a 3 yr window until Jankowski reaches the chance to compete for the #1 C spot.

You know they've been paying him millions and millions and millions of dollars right? I know what you are trying to say, but the Flames should do what's best for the franchise, not Iginla. Whether they feel that means keeping him or trading him remains to be seen.
- The-O-G

From a business perspectuve it's better to keep him. He's very marketable.

There is no doubt loosing one of the greatest defenceman of all time will have an effect this year. But I think they will be just fine if the D cranks it up a knotch and Howard plays like he did last year, before he got hurt
- Muskoka88

with Ian White anchoring the power play? uhhh no...

Some lines out on the ice this AM

Baertschi - Backlund - Glencross
Comeau - Begin - Jones

Butler - Jbo
Gio - Wideman
- Colin Dambrauskas

Well they're still not precticing with Hartley right? So these lines were made by U of C staff?