so what? I'm sure there are dozens of reasons why someone would not want to be traded, he could have agreed to be paid 1-2 million less to get the FULL NMC but he didn't.

If he really wants to be there for his family then why not retire? He gets to spend his entire time with his family (which by your reasoning is a good excuse to break a contract) and let the Flames free up 6M in cap.

Kind of screws Calgary asset-wise but at least he is doing the honorable thing for both his family and the team that paid him over 40M. But of course he won't, why give up those millions?
- Steven_Dean

Why retire if he can keep doing what he loves in the city he wants to be in?

a good nice joke

How is that the club's fault?

I can see we won't agree. In my opinion, he's not man of his word, and I lost a lot of respect for him today.
- takeyourvitamins

That's fine. I gained respect for him.

I would venture to say he signed a cap friendly, short, contract in his prime with the expectation Calgary would use it to build a contender. Instead, the defense has weakened each and every yr, and terrible trade after terrible signing after terrible trade...why in hell would he now feel obligated to sacrifice this time in his life to get them a 2nd rd pick, and save them from themselves yet again?

you don't even know if its true
- flashfire

Don't be so naive. Mgmt must have leaked this as a self preservation tactic. I'll go with Kypreos...it's not like this is coming from Eklund.

That's fine. I gained respect for him.

I would venture to say he signed a cap friendly, short, contract in his prime with the expectation Calgary would use it to build a contender. Instead, the defense has weakened each and every yr, and terrible trade after terrible signing after terrible trade...why in hell would he now feel obligated to sacrifice this time in his life to get them a 2nd rd pick, and save them from themselves yet again?
- FLflames34

then retire now and give Calgary the cap space.

Can anyone think of a reason why he shouldn't? hmmmm.
- Steven_Dean

Oh, I don't know, his oldest is enrolled in school and he probably doesn't want to uproot him until the yr ends. It is pretty clear the plan was to leave for Finland after this season anyways, hence the $1.5m next yr. You don't think that makes his value even less?

Ppl are whining about a 2nd or 3rd pick at most, one the Flames would probably blow anyway.

Why retire if he can keep doing what he loves in the city he wants to be in?
- muffin_man

and if management was happy with that then it is fine, it is his right, but Calgary has the right to move his contract, Kipper knew when he agreed to a a full NMC for only 4/6 seasons that this was a possibility. Why not take a bit less money to get a full NMC then if that is how Kipper really feels?

That's fine. I gained respect for him.

I would venture to say he signed a cap friendly, short, contract in his prime with the expectation Calgary would use it to build a contender. Instead, the defense has weakened each and every yr, and terrible trade after terrible signing after terrible trade...why in hell would he now feel obligated to sacrifice this time in his life to get them a 2nd rd pick, and save them from themselves yet again?
- FLflames34

That's great. Ask Leaf fans how much respect they have for the muskoga 5.

They are professional athletes dude, and they're well paid for these "sacrifices".

No, leaking it has turned all goodwill and the knives on him. For a pittance of a potential trade return. Especially since this fantastic contract (signed at a discount mind you, one yr removed from his Vezina yr, and signed with the expectation management would build a contender) has a 1.5 mm payout next yr.
Does ANYONE believe he will play for 1.5mm next yr? No. And you call him a coward...he is the first of many of these types of contracts. I am sure Zetterberg, Kovy ect also will not play their 1mm final yrs.

So- get traded from your newborn to play at a new team for a month or two? IF he doesn't want to, he shouldn't.

Completely baffling the lack of appreciation shown by most of these posts. The best goalie in the history of the franchise. Yet- unlike Iginla, ppl only like Kipper when he wins. Iginla gets a pass, always has. Like, when he didn't want to get traded the last yr or yr before. I am sure he was asked. Did his refusal get leaked to the media?

Again, a lot of talk here obviously forgetting the past, and the sacrifice. All whining because Calgary may not get 1 fricking 2nd rd pick (at best). And pretty much telling the best goalie in the 33 yr history FU for wanting to be with your baby.
- FLflames34

wow thats a bit harsh and exaggerated a bit it think. were not talking about a teacher that make 70k a year and does more for society than most professionals, being told to uproot for a few months.

Were talking about a person whos made a very good life for him self playing a game, and should realize that the detriment that potentialy not trading him might do for the fans and the team arent out weighed by a newborn. He is paid very well, and due to those financial gains he still will be better off than than the rest of the world that has to do the same thing in their respective jobs. Dont jump the gun and make this some poor sob story for kipper. i love the guy, and trully believe he is a great person and player, but your job isa business. i dont think your play and stature affords this kind of beligerence.

Oh, I don't know, his oldest is enrolled in school and he probably doesn't want to uproot him until the yr ends. It is pretty clear the plan was to leave for Finland after this season anyways, hence the $1.5m next yr. You don't think that makes his value even less?

Ppl are whining about a 2nd or 3rd pick at most, one the Flames would probably blow anyway.
- FLflames34

why would he have to move his kid that is in school? If Kipper plans to retire after this year then he will be gone for 3 months max. If he plans to play another season then why not wait until his kid is done for the year then move them?

Think about how many trades there are every deadline, heck every year? They get by, they always do.

Don't be so naive. Mgmt must have leaked this as a self preservation tactic. I'll go with Kypreos...it's not like this is coming from Eklund.
- takeyourvitamins

Because they are an awful awful awful management group.
And, lets be honest, most of you aren't whining because of the return...since I think we all know it will be small.
Deep down, everyone is afraid Kipper will play like tonight, like Sunday, and knock Calgary out of the lotto position. They want to pull a fall for hall, fail for nail...but don't want to admit it. I refuse to cheer for a team to lose. I am guessing at least some of you are most pis sed about this possibility than anything else, so want to pour hot oil on his head.

I don't care about the lotto position. I just like to watch a team win once in a while.

I can't really blame him with his 2nd child just being born, but at the same time, Colin, I agree with you. He's been paid millions to play, you didn't negotiate a NTC for the entirety of the contract. It could have been handled better.

I didn't really think of Kipper being a big chip at this deadline anyway. Maybe in the summer, when he can move his family and his kid is a few months old, he'll change his mind. Hopefully he at the very least he sticks around to mentor Ramo.

why would he have to move his kid that is in school? If Kipper plans to retire after this year then he will be gone for 3 months max. If he plans to play another season then why not wait until his kid is done for the year then move them?

Think about how many trades there are every deadline, heck every year? They get by, they always do.
- Steven_Dean

No, that was a response to the statement of 'retire today'. He prob just wants to play out the string and move on. Different strokes for different folks. It isn't like they are trading Blake Comeau and he refuses. I think you build some goodwill with your resume.

And, sorry, it's Calgary's fault for not doing this last yr or the yr before, when his value was good. I am sure he would have waived his NTC then.

I have a hard time believing that someone with numbers as bad as his is playing well. Perhaps he's not playing AS BAD as the nembers indicate, but please dont try go tell me he's playing well
- sensarmy_11

Well watch a game then comment....He is playing well.
Its just like the trolls all over Nuge. Numbers dont show it, but he is also playing well. Could hit the net more but over all game is good.

Hah, with all the Iggy talk, nobody thought to think that it may be Kipper pulling a Sundin.

Well watch a game then comment....He is playing well.
Its just like the trolls all over Nuge. Numbers dont show it, but he is also playing well. Could hit the net more but over all game is good.
- Iggysbff

We finally agree
Stats are for ppl who don't watch that team play, to make a snap judgment.

And, unless you are Crosby or Malkin, you are going to have slumps.

No, that was a response to the statement of 'retire today'. He prob just wants to play out the string and move on. Different strokes for different folks. It isn't like they are trading Blake Comeau and he refuses. I think you build some goodwill with your resume.

And, sorry, it's Calgary's fault for not doing this last yr or the yr before, when his value was good. I am sure he would have waived his NTC then.
- FLflames34

sorry what does this have to do with last year? It is true value-wise they should have moved him last year but why is it Calgary's fault that they cannot move him now because they didn't last year?

Kipper is the one blocking a deal.

Because they are an awful awful awful management group.
And, lets be honest, most of you aren't whining because of the return...since I think we all know it will be small.
Deep down, everyone is afraid Kipper will play like tonight, like Sunday, and knock Calgary out of the lotto position. They want to pull a fall for hall, fail for nail...but don't want to admit it. I refuse to cheer for a team to lose. I am guessing at least some of you are most pis sed about this possibility than anything else, so want to pour hot oil on his head.

I don't care about the lotto position. I just like to watch a team win once in a while.
- FLflames34

I agree...they are an awful management group! And I do hope they get a high lotto pick this year. It would be nice to be able to have something to show after missing the playoffs for the fourth year in a row.

I'm pissed because he doesn't have the contractual right to do this.

Hah, with all the Iggy talk, nobody thought to think that it may be Kipper pulling a Sundin.
- TandA4Flames

You don't think Iggy said no last yr or the yr before? But, instead of Kipper, they didn't leak the info?
I wouldn't be so sure to rush to that judgment. I am sure Iggy was asked at some point before last week. Yet, it's easy to bash Kipper and impossible to bash Iggy, because one was never leaked so can't be proven.

At this point it doesn't matter. Like it was said, hopefully he helps mentor Ramo. I wouldn't count on it though, unless he likes playing for 1.5mm

I agree...they are an awful management group! And I do hope they get a high lotto pick this year. It would be nice to be able to have something to show after missing the playoffs for the fourth year in a row.

I'm pissed because he doesn't have the contractual right to do this.
- takeyourvitamins

Yet, Babchuk and Sarich have limited NTC. So, maybe mgmt is the one who should reap the failure of their ways. The leak is just crap.

If he was asked last yr, I think he would have gone, knowing he'd have a full season after (12-13) with his new team. Asking this yr, which seems to confirm this is his last yr, he probably doesn't want to do it for 1-2 mos just to retire anyway.
I can't see much fault in that. Iggy will be kicking for 3-4 more yrs. And is much more valuable anyways.

Because they are an awful awful awful management group.
- FLflames34

That we can agree upon. I apologize if I got a heated earlier, this has been the most frustrating season for a Flames fan.

Obviously we'll never know, but i feel thst the combination of age, huge cap hit, term left on deal (with cap going down), and really poopty play, would make it REALLY hard to move him. Especially with so many better options available. Just my opinion.

With that being said.....what do you guys want from otfawa for bouwmeester.
- sensarmy_11

Depending on the return for Iggy, we need (potential) top 6 C, RW and top 4 (potential) D. Preferably guys with some size as our team and current top prospects are on the small size.

rebuilds are easy...just gotta win a fixed lottery for the best player in the game
- flashfire

Speaking of which, maybe with all the work Murray Edwards did during the lock out, Bettman will do him a solid and fix the lottery in our favour

That we can agree upon. I apologize if I got a heated earlier, this has been the most frustrating season for a Flames fan.
- Lanny9

Easily. I just don't like the idea of ppl forgetting all he has done, to use one 'get out of jail (trade) card'. And after the initial frustration dies down, I think they will.

It is too bad, since none of this crap is his fault. It is ME, KK, DS and JF's.

I just hope next yr is the start of something new. Tonight was an embarrassment.

In the end, he wouldn't have gotten much anyway. I get it that ppl wanted to hit the lotto, and this likely keeps them out of it. I am sure they will hit the lotto in '14 and '15 anyways, so it will work out in the end. Though I wish it wasn't this way, and they could be a professionally run franchise that didn't require such an ugly and bitter rebuild.

what good assets? honestly, someone please tell me which team would have traded for him? i can't think of a single team who would want/need him, when you take contract, term, age, etc, into consideration.
- sensarmy_11

TOR was showing interest, CHI, FLA