Shaune Vetter: Don't Look Now... Flames once again find themselves in 8th spot. Just a temporary stay, or can they possibly hold on?

Amazing, really never thought they would even get a sniff of 8th place again with all the injuries. They need 20 of the remaining 26 points available. So there really is no room for error & every game is tough. Columbus & the Oilers are playing tough as well and a lot looser. Really really need to get some injuries back. Pretty fun watching how Bear Chee will do, he's no Nuge or Hall but the kid has talent. Bears, Brodie & Leiland, not a bad start for the youth movement.

I liked GlenX contract right from the start, it was that goof Cloutier that berated Feaster on that deal. Have no problem giving NTC if they sign for that kind of discount. Hope Joker does the same thing & takes his 3 year 9.0 mill deal with a NTC.

You should wait until that Steve barshee or Sven bershire or whateve his name is plays more than 2 games in the NHL before you get too excited about him.

You should wait until that Steve barshee or Sven bershire or whateve his name is plays more than 2 games in the NHL before you get too excited about him.
- Kyle39

Oh gee, sorry. I guess thats something we can learn from you guys, not getting too excited about our team.

You should wait until that Steve barshee or Sven bershire or whateve his name is plays more than 2 games in the NHL before you get too excited about him.
- Kyle39

You are a loser. Go back to cheering on your chicken wing rookies that spend more time with the doctors then playing on NHL ice.... Year 6 in the rebuild.... I ask when do you rebuild the rebuild.

You are a loser. Go back to cheering on your chicken wing rookies that spend more time with the doctors then playing on NHL ice.... Year 6 in the rebuild.... I ask when do you rebuild the rebuild.

The rebuild of the Oilers started in the off-season when Taylor Hall was drafted, this is well documented. So they are just finishing the second year of the rebuild. So you can either bring facts to the table, or look like an idiot.

And I'd like to add that Sven Baertschi did look pretty good out there, and it was nice to see a good prospect in the Flames system for a change.

The rebuild of the Oilers started in the off-season when Taylor Hall was drafted, this is well documented. So they are just finishing the second year of the rebuild. So you can either bring facts to the table, or look like an idiot.

And I'd like to add that Sven Baertschi did look pretty good out there, and it was nice to see a good prospect in the Flames system for a change.
- mweinkauf

let's not let logic and facts ruin a completely good argument.

The rebuild of the Oilers started in the off-season when Taylor Hall was drafted, this is well documented. So they are just finishing the second year of the rebuild. So you can either bring facts to the table, or look like an idiot.

And I'd like to add that Sven Baertschi did look pretty good out there, and it was nice to see a good prospect in the Flames system for a change.
- mweinkauf

Jetsfan6 is a tool. He just trolls around blogs and annoys everyone. Dont worry about his opinions

let's not let logic and facts ruin a completely good argument.
- vetts

On the internet?

That's like trying to find a pretty girl in Edmonton.

The rebuild of the Oilers started in the off-season when Taylor Hall was drafted, this is well documented. So they are just finishing the second year of the rebuild. So you can either bring facts to the table, or look like an idiot.

And I'd like to add that Sven Baertschi did look pretty good out there, and it was nice to see a good prospect in the Flames system for a change.
- mweinkauf

You mean when you guys (assuming you are an Oilers fan) sh*t the bed to be the worst in the league? Only to be repeated? Seriously, the Oilers have a great deal of talent but a brutal team. No one of consequence wants to go there, just like here so the continual high draft picks on your never ending rebuild mean nothing. Fire your damn GM and his boss and bring in someone that is willing to part with some of your future to add (something) to make your TEAM better...

Right, wrong or indifferent, the Flames have at least tried to make themselves better and save a certain GM in our recent past, we may have had a much better team but we are what we are, overachieving and teasing us fans. Sorry i'd rather compete than be satisfied with being last every year...

nice to see iggy is on a streak (and the rest of the top line).

Stajan has actually been useful as well.

Baert, good hands on the attempted tip. And I think he also has to be giving credit that he got a goal on a line with Kos/Neminsz (thats not really the same as being on a line as eberle). Most impressive was that he wasn't scared to throw some hits and be physical in front of the net. Thats a good sign from a kid playing his second game with the pressure of making the playoffs.

what happened to Brodie?

As critical as I am when the team plays bad, it's great to be into March and holding on to that 8th playoff spot and having to fight to the end to try and secure it.

If anything it gives extra excitement to watch the games remaining down the stretch.

nice to see iggy is on a streak (and the rest of the top line).

Stajan has actually been useful as well.

Baert, good hands on the attempted tip. And I think he also has to be giving credit that he got a goal on a line with Kos/Neminsz (thats not really the same as being on a line as eberle). Most impressive was that he wasn't scared to throw some hits and be physical in front of the net. Thats a good sign from a kid playing his second game with the pressure of making the playoffs.

what happened to Brodie?
- numbear

Upper friggin body injury.

Quite an interesting scenario evolving in the offseason. I have been one to do a mini demolition (a small Kablooey) but whether we make it or not, I would bet $$$$ that Flames do not trade Iggy or Kipper or Tanguay or Cammi. They will probably resign Joker & Moss & if they are good deals then fine. So there's 2 lines. We resigned Jackman & I like Desbiens on the 4th line & Bouma is a great energy player too with some offensive upside. So that leaves the 3rd line:
I loved Jones game & would love to see them keep him & see how he evolves next year, so now you have Backlund, Stempniak, Kosto, Stajan, Comeau, also keep in mind we "have to" open room for the likes of Barschte, Horak, Byron, maybe even Reinhart &or Ferlund. I wonder if we could take a run at Columbus's 1st pick with the likes of Backlund, Comeau, Byron or Horak & either Leiland or Ramos. Would that be too much or not enough for that 1st over all pick.
I would say Stempniak & Kosto will not be resigned. Save our cap space for some 3-4 Dmen UFA's. Hope Feaster does something.

You mean when you guys (assuming you are an Oilers fan) sh*t the bed to be the worst in the league? Only to be repeated? Seriously, the Oilers have a great deal of talent but a brutal team. No one of consequence wants to go there, just like here so the continual high draft picks on your never ending rebuild mean nothing. Fire your damn GM and his boss and bring in someone that is willing to part with some of your future to add (something) to make your TEAM better...

Right, wrong or indifferent, the Flames have at least tried to make themselves better and save a certain GM in our recent past, we may have had a much better team but we are what we are, overachieving and teasing us fans. Sorry i'd rather compete than be satisfied with being last every year...
- geta02it

I agree with you that the Oilers are a brutal team, with highs and lows, but personally it's the highs that make me extremely excited for the future... maybe I'm an optomist. Our offence on the top 2 lines are something to behold. I can tell you right now, if we had Kipper in net, we'd be higher up in the standings as well, and without him, the Flames would be lower. Chalk that up to maybe the Oilers need NOT just defence, but also consistent goaltending. Tambo has stated that gathering assets is over and now, in the off-season, they will try to get what's lacking... but I do agree, our GM has not done a good job in my opinion... Gilbert for a defenceman who plays less mins a night than Potter?!

If Kipper can keep your team in it for the playoffs, like he has done the last half of the season, I feel like it helps mask the team's short-comings... but really in the end, it's tough to blow up a team that makes the playoffs.

I agree with you that the Oilers are a brutal team, with highs and lows, but personally it's the highs that make me extremely excited for the future... maybe I'm an optomist. Our offence on the top 2 lines are something to behold. I can tell you right now, if we had Kipper in net, we'd be higher up in the standings as well, and without him, the Flames would be lower. Chalk that up to maybe the Oilers need NOT just defence, but also consistent goaltending. Tambo has stated that gathering assets is over and now, in the off-season, they will try to get what's lacking... but I do agree, our GM has not done a good job in my opinion... Gilbert for a defenceman who plays less mins a night than Potter?!

If Kipper can keep your team in it for the playoffs, like he has done the last half of the season, I feel like it helps mask the team's short-comings... but really in the end, it's tough to blow up a team that makes the playoffs.
- mweinkauf

I think with the right GM for the Oilers could have been where the Flames are & scraping for a playoff position this year. Whatever, does ST have the balls to use this next lottery pick with some young assets to get a few pieces to be where the Flames are next year. Anything worse than a 9th-10th finish next year & something has got to give. Not sure about blowing things up here but Feaster needs to get the jack hammer out & pull off one of the best deals of his GM career this summer. How? I dont know?

Upper friggin body injury.

Quite an interesting scenario evolving in the offseason. I have been one to do a mini demolition (a small Kablooey) but whether we make it or not, I would bet $$$$ that Flames do not trade Iggy or Kipper or Tanguay or Cammi. They will probably resign Joker & Moss & if they are good deals then fine. So there's 2 lines. We resigned Jackman & I like Desbiens on the 4th line & Bouma is a great energy player too with some offensive upside. So that leaves the 3rd line:
I loved Jones game & would love to see them keep him & see how he evolves next year, so now you have Backlund, Stempniak, Kosto, Stajan, Comeau, also keep in mind we "have to" open room for the likes of Barschte, Horak, Byron, maybe even Reinhart &or Ferlund. I wonder if we could take a run at Columbus's 1st pick with the likes of Backlund, Comeau, Byron or Horak & either Leiland or Ramos. Would that be too much or not enough for that 1st over all pick.
I would say Stempniak & Kosto will not be resigned. Save our cap space for some 3-4 Dmen UFA's. Hope Feaster does something.
- Kevin R

jokinen no more then 4mill. he did great this year but I still like the idea of trading him for a more pass oriented center. Backland is kinda of falling out of favor with me, jones fits that 3rd line spot at center

tanguay/cammelleri/iggy
glencross/jokinen/moss
baert/jones/? (neminsz/backland/horak)
desbiens/bouma (could be on 3rd)/jackman

ferland/reinhart need time still

hannah I Think will be gone. Would be great to get carle or garrison....suter? (not likely). Really we need someone with more of a mean streak on D, kipper deserves the front of his net cleared.

for 2mil, penner? he's a lazy ass but I like the idea of baert having a big body to play with and keep him healthy (he's not scared, so will need it in a full season)

I agree with you that the Oilers are a brutal team, with highs and lows, but personally it's the highs that make me extremely excited for the future... maybe I'm an optomist. Our offence on the top 2 lines are something to behold. I can tell you right now, if we had Kipper in net, we'd be higher up in the standings as well, and without him, the Flames would be lower. Chalk that up to maybe the Oilers need NOT just defence, but also consistent goaltending. Tambo has stated that gathering assets is over and now, in the off-season, they will try to get what's lacking... but I do agree, our GM has not done a good job in my opinion... Gilbert for a defenceman who plays less mins a night than Potter?!

If Kipper can keep your team in it for the playoffs, like he has done the last half of the season, I feel like it helps mask the team's short-comings... but really in the end, it's tough to blow up a team that makes the playoffs.
- mweinkauf

Unless you have enough highs to put together 95+ points, it means squat. I actually like watching the Oilers games because of the individual talent you have. Put some meat on RNH, Eberle is a stud, Hall has all the tools plus all the "prospects"... Problem you have is the VERY short window you need for success. In this cap era, it will be very difficult to sign all the young players both those in the system as well as those actually playing to the contracts they will expect as well as deserve compared to their peers. after the rookie contracts expire you have a tonne of players you'll need extensions on.

Edmonton like Calgary is not the first choice of allot of the high profile RFA's so that means the trade route is how you'll need to bring in impact players. Your GM has publically stated how exciting finishing last is because of the 1st overall picks... Seriously? He's approaching Sutter in terms of ineptness, well not really but he's creeping up the charts. Want to finish the rebuild? Dump Lowe and Tambellini...

As much as I love the race, I still think Calgary will not make the playoffs... as you are excited for the future, so are we as this off season will be much different than in recent years (at least we hope).

jokinen no more then 4mill. he did great this year but I still like the idea of trading him for a more pass oriented center. Backland is kinda of falling out of favor with me, jones fits that 3rd line spot at center

tanguay/cammelleri/iggy
glencross/jokinen/moss
baert/jones/? (neminsz/backland/horak)
desbiens/bouma (could be on 3rd)/jackman

ferland/reinhart need time still

hannah I Think will be gone. Would be great to get carle or garrison....suter? (not likely). Really we need someone with more of a mean streak on D, kipper deserves the front of his net cleared.

for 2mil, penner? he's a lazy ass but I like the idea of baert having a big body to play with and keep him healthy (he's not scared, so will need it in a full season)
- numbear

Penner-thats Sutter talk ... even at league minimum, no thanks.

Penner-thats Sutter talk ... even at league minimum, no thanks.
- geta02it

i feel the same way about penner as i did bertuzzi. bertuzzi was worth keeping around

my main thought is, we need a big body that can skate (nash, wheeler...getzlaf). Are young guys are pretty small. and we've lacked a big body in front the net for too long

i feel the same way about penner as i did bertuzzi. bertuzzi was worth keeping around

my main thought is, we need a big body that can skate (nash, wheeler...getzlaf). Are young guys are pretty small. and we've lacked a big body in front the net for too long
- numbear

I don't equate Penner to Bertuzzi at all. Despite the fact I thought the guy was a d*ck (ha that auto corrected to Richard-stupid HB), i liked his style of play and was the "big body" you mentioned. I watched Penner against the Flames and watched a couple of Kings games when I was in the US and honestly, I'd rather take Andre the Giant and he's dead...

what happened to ryan howse?

or is he going to be the flames version of wellwood

what happened to ryan howse?

or is he going to be the flames version of wellwood
- numbear

Back in Abbottsford, sounds like he's starting to get it & what it takes to play pro. But he's no where close. If he doesnt start turning heads next year, he could be going the route of the Pelach. Heard it was a conditioning issue.

jokinen no more then 4mill. he did great this year but I still like the idea of trading him for a more pass oriented center. Backland is kinda of falling out of favor with me, jones fits that 3rd line spot at center

tanguay/cammelleri/iggy
glencross/jokinen/moss
baert/jones/? (neminsz/backland/horak)
desbiens/bouma (could be on 3rd)/jackman

ferland/reinhart need time still

hannah I Think will be gone. Would be great to get carle or garrison....suter? (not likely). Really we need someone with more of a mean streak on D, kipper deserves the front of his net cleared.

for 2mil, penner? he's a lazy ass but I like the idea of baert having a big body to play with and keep him healthy (he's not scared, so will need it in a full season)
- numbear

I dont know about paying Joker 4.0Mill. He is what, 35. A 3 year deal at 4.0 per until 38 is asking for grief. Yes, he's had a very good year, yes he's playing very good 2 way hockey & points have been coming for him. Reality is that he would make a great 3rd line with heavy lifting against opponents top lines. I dont think a 3rd line retirement contract should pay 4.0 mill per unless your name is Selanne.

I dont know about paying Joker 4.0Mill. He is what, 35. A 3 year deal at 4.0 per until 38 is asking for grief. Yes, he's had a very good year, yes he's playing very good 2 way hockey & points have been coming for him. Reality is that he would make a great 3rd line with heavy lifting against opponents top lines. I dont think a 3rd line retirement contract should pay 4.0 mill per unless your name is Selanne.
- Kevin R

3 yrs is to long. 2 yrs tops since I don't see him being useful on a 3rd line since he's still a shoot first guy (yes he improved, but I think its as good as he'll get). And not a shut down center (that requires winning faceoffs). Backland suits that role more then him. Or don't sign him and sign gaustad instead for the third line. Get a true shut down third line so our first line can focus on scoring.

Shaune Vetter: Don't Look Now...
Flames once again find themselves in 8th spot. Just a temporary stay, or can they possibly hold on?
- vetts

temporary

btw your welcome