Hey....what do you guys think of trying to add MDZ?
the guy is being totally passed up and he's still young at 24
- cpltanto

I want us to take a chance on him, not like it'll hurt us if he fizzles out....surprised he hasn't signed anywhere yet, wonder what the hold up is

Just a reminder that we will do the Flames Q&A today. Submit questions!

Just a reminder that we will do the Flames Q&A today. Submit questions!
- Colin Dambrauskas

What should the flames do with baertschi? Trade him, minors again, nhl full time, or call-up?

Hell yeah I'd take a chance on him. Just give him a big cheque for 2 years to entice him to sign then give him fair value after that if he does well.
- The_Janitor

I would like to see him on the team. However, we have a similar player like Russel on the team (MDZ is a little better imo).

Apparently Gelnx and the Flames have a meeting schedule after August long weekend to discuss an extension. Fairly typical thing but interesting that he said that on the radio. He wants to stay but he wants to get paid. His exact words were "I will have a couple more contracts in my carear but this one will be the biggest".

Just a reminder that we will do the Flames Q&A today. Submit questions!
- Colin Dambrauskas

As I have Glenx on my mind.

Does Glenx sign an extension, play out the season, or waive his no trade at the deadline?

What should the flames do with baertschi? Trade him, minors again, nhl full time, or call-up?
- Bigern4MVP

I had a similar question. We have three roster spots open. A left wing, a right wing, and a spare. We will have Colburne, Baertschi, Byron, and JG. Who do you pick? I think colburne will definately make it because of his contract you will need to send him down to the minors and he would definitely be claimed off of waivers.

I personally think Sven and Byron will make the team out of training camp. Let JG spend a couple weeks in the AHL and see how he does. He will likely be doing really good and then bring him up and send Byron down.

I would like to see him on the team. However, we have a similar player like Russel on the team (MDZ is a little better imo).

Apparently Gelnx and the Flames have a meeting schedule after August long weekend to discuss an extension. Fairly typical thing but interesting that he said that on the radio. He wants to stay but he wants to get paid. His exact words were "I will have a couple more contracts in my carear but this one will be the biggest".
- tmurph

I think he's not just talking about money here though. I think what he's saying is that he's going to get paid, but this contract is important in that it will be determining where he is going to be spending the rest of his prime in.


I just can't see him mentioning that he's after money. This contract is obviously on his mind, and I think he's thinking it will be one of the biggest decisions of his career. Does he want to ride out a rebuild in Calgary on his ranch? Or does he want to go to a contender in his prime? No matter how much you love horses, a stanley cup should always be the primary goal for any hockey player. He can keep his ranch and come back in the off season and hire people to watch his horses (as I'm sure he has to do anyway during the season)

Just a reminder that we will do the Flames Q&A today. Submit questions!
- Colin Dambrauskas

I have another one...

Considering that the top teams in the platoff's also rank high in possession statistics and advanced stats, and employ experts to analyze this information, do you fear Brian Burkes rejection of this information will leave the Calgary Flames behind the times, or do you still have faith in Burkes "eye test"?

I have another one...

Considering that the top teams in the platoff's also rank high in possession statistics and advanced stats, and employ experts to analyze this information, do you fear Brian Burkes rejection of this information will leave the Calgary Flames behind the times, or do you still have faith in Burkes "eye test"?
- Jeropotato

Some solid questions folks.

Flames question. Deryk Engelland is an overpay, but it's an understandable one for a team that's at the cap floor. Given the amount of overpaying Alberta teams have done in the past though, do you think this feeds into a "culture of overpaying", or an expectation that the Flames/Oilers should (have to) overpay in the future? Or is this offseason's dealings completely separate from future ones?

Darnell mother (frank)in Nurse,baby!
- Jeropotato

Colin what is the timeline for the "rebuild" to turn the corner? At what point does the organization (not the fan base) focus on the now and not the future?

Just a reminder that we will do the Flames Q&A today. Submit questions!
- Colin Dambrauskas

Many fans of other teams have bashed the Oilers constantly for not sheilding their young guys and rushing them too soon. Yet the current roster for the Flames looks very similar to the Oilers of the past few years with only Gio and GlenX for Vets. And no Englland doesnt count. Do you think the Flames are rushing a young roster? Or are they intentionally tanking (as the Oilers were also accused of all the time)?

I think he's not just talking about money here though. I think what he's saying is that he's going to get paid, but this contract is important in that it will be determining where he is going to be spending the rest of his prime in.


I just can't see him mentioning that he's after money. This contract is obviously on his mind, and I think he's thinking it will be one of the biggest decisions of his career. Does he want to ride out a rebuild in Calgary on his ranch? Or does he want to go to a contender in his prime? No matter how much you love horses, a stanley cup should always be the primary goal for any hockey player. He can keep his ranch and come back in the off season and hire people to watch his horses (as I'm sure he has to do anyway during the season)
- Saskabush

We wants to set himself up for life. according to Cap Geek he has made $15 million over his career. Now I personally have seen an NHL pay stub (I'm not going to say who but he is a Calgary guy who played goal for the oilers) and they have over 50% of there paychecks deducted (between taxes, union fees, and agents fees) in addition to the private nutritionists/trainers they hire. So that is about $7.5 million. And living in Calgary you know that is not enough to live on especially if you have a hobby as expensive as raising horses. He wants at least $15 million in the next 4 years.

One last one Colin and I will be be done:

As a blogger, do you fear these Q&A's reinforce a writers misguided self importance? In some cases writers tend to start thinking theyre more than just another fan with an opinion. Not saying you do, but it certainly happened to Richard Cloutier...how do you stay grounded?

We wants to set himself up for life. according to Cap Geek he has made $15 million over his career. Now I personally have seen an NHL pay stub (I'm not going to say who but he is a Calgary guy who played goal for the oilers) and they have over 50% of there paychecks deducted (between taxes, union fees, and agents fees) in addition to the private nutritionists/trainers they hire. So that is about $7.5 million. And living in Calgary you know that is not enough to live on especially if you have a hobby as expensive as raising horses. He wants at least $15 million in the next 4 years.
- tmurph

Thats only a slight raise from where he's at now... is 3.75 per over 4 an overpayment?

Many fans of other teams have bashed the Oilers constantly for not sheilding their young guys and rushing them too soon. Yet the current roster for the Flames looks very similar to the Oilers of the past few years with only Gio and GlenX for Vets. And no Englland doesnt count. Do you think the Flames are rushing a young roster? Or are they intentionally tanking (as the Oilers were also accused of all the time)?
- Iggysbff

Stajan as the number 1 center, Hudler as the top offensive player, Wideman as the top offensive dman.

So you have a solid first line of veterans between Glencross, Stajan, and Hudler. Second line will be younger but still with NHL experience with Raymond, Backlund, and Jones. This way you can shelter the Monohans, JG and whoever else on the third line.

Then you have two solid defencemen in Gio and Wideman.

My criticism about the oilers is not that they played Hall and RGH to early as they were ready to be in the NHL. But the fact they played them first line minutes. I was opposed to Mono playing in the NHL at first but I liked how they kept him around the 15 mins/game mark for most of the season.

Edit: I would like to put stats behind my statement. Hall and RGH played around 18 mins/game in there rookie seasons. And on TOI alone it was second line duties.

For forwards my opinion is:
1st line: 19 mins
2nd line: 16 mins
3rd line: 15 mins
4th line: 10 mins

Of course every team is different and every situation is different. But I use this as my baseline.

Colin I have 1 more for youif its not to late. Given the Flames dearth of right shooting prospects, do you potentially see one or both of Arnold or Knight getting moved to that side? If so, does that move happen this year and what does that leave down the middle for Adirondack?

Stajan as the number 1 center, Hudler as the top offensive player, Wideman as the top offensive dman.

So you have a solid first line of veterans between Glencross, Stajan, and Hudler. Second line will be younger but still with NHL experience with Raymond, Backlund, and Jones. This way you can shelter the Monohans, JG and whoever else on the third line.

Then you have two solid defencemen in Gio and Wideman.

My criticism about the oilers is not that they played Hall and RGH to early as they were ready to be in the NHL. But the fact they played them first line minutes. I was opposed to Mono playing in the NHL at first but I liked how they kept him around the 15 mins/game mark for most of the season.
- tmurph

Did they? Pretty sure Tom Renny rode Gagner and Penner and Hemsky that first year and a bit, sheltering the kids to strictly O-Zone starts.They got some minutes, but they were easy ones, and that first year for Hall and Ebs were centered by Horcoff.

Colin I have 1st more cor yoh if its not to late. Given the Flames dearth of fight shooting prospects, do you potentially see one or both of Arnold or Knight getting g moved to that side? If so, does that move happen this year and what does that leave down the middle for Adirondack?
- TandA4Flames

Many fans of other teams have bashed the Oilers constantly for not sheilding their young guys and rushing them too soon. Yet the current roster for the Flames looks very similar to the Oilers of the past few years with only Gio and GlenX for Vets. And no Englland doesnt count. Do you think the Flames are rushing a young roster? Or are they intentionally tanking (as the Oilers were also accused of all the time)?
- Iggysbff

What do you call Hudler dumbass? Iz he not a vet? Besides, we have 2 vdry good 23-24 ysar olds that can carry heavy loads and are starting to come I to their own leadrrship-wise.

One last one Colin and I will be be done:

As a blogger, do you fear these Q&A's reinforce a writers misguided self importance? In some cases writers tend to start thinking theyre more than just another fan with an opinion. Not saying you do, but it certainly happened to Richard Cloutier...how do you stay grounded?
- Jeropotato

Would you (frank) off already.

Stajan as the number 1 center, Hudler as the top offensive player, Wideman as the top offensive dman.

So you have a solid first line of veterans between Glencross, Stajan, and Hudler. Second line will be younger but still with NHL experience with Raymond, Backlund, and Jones. This way you can shelter the Monohans, JG and whoever else on the third line.

Then you have two solid defencemen in Gio and Wideman.

My criticism about the oilers is not that they played Hall and RGH to early as they were ready to be in the NHL. But the fact they played them first line minutes. I was opposed to Mono playing in the NHL at first but I liked how they kept him around the 15 mins/game mark for most of the season.
- tmurph

i struggle with that and Stajan is a good 3/4 center... thats the issue we will have in not repeating what happened in Edmonton and allot of other rebuilding organizations. someone still needs to be the number one guy in each position...

What do you call Hudler dumbass? Iz he not a vet? Besides, we have 2 vdry good 23-24 ysar olds that can carry heavy loads and are starting to come I to their own leadrrship-wise.
- TandA4Flames

You drunk today???

What do you call Hudler dumbass? Iz he not a vet? Besides, we have 2 vdry good 23-24 ysar olds that can carry heavy loads and are starting to come I to their own leadrrship-wise.
- TandA4Flames