Colin Dambrauskas: Oil Fires: Battle of Alberta…? And Development Camp Notes

Colin Dambrauskas: Oil Fires: Battle of Alberta…? And Development Camp Notes
- Colin Dambrauskas

I would call myself noname too with a last name like that

Good blog dude!

Looking forward to the days when the Stanley Cup is decided in the third round again!!! ah the 80s...

I would call myself noname too with a last name like that

Good blog dude!
- Cfser

Lithuanian, three generations back. But am actually french Canadian on both sides....my grandfathers, grandfather took a boat over and married french.


Little bio, if anyone cares

Hey Colin, Nice reads.. I only went to the last day of prospect camp but from what you saw, did you feel that Brady Lamb looked good? To me, he looked like a man playing with the boys on D, especially when he took out Jankowski when he tried to "jump" over him. And, Jankowski looked good to me, however, he is really only a kid and should look like he is at least 2-3 years away since that would be best case scenario. Baertschi is gonna rock the Dome this year for sure! I have no doubts about it.

Hey Colin, Nice reads.. I only went to the last day of prospect camp but from what you saw, did you feel that Brady Lamb looked good? To me, he looked like a man playing with the boys on D, especially when he took out Jankowski when he tried to "jump" over him. And, Jankowski looked good to me, however, he is really only a kid and should look like he is at least 2-3 years away since that would be best case scenario. Baertschi is gonna rock the Dome this year for sure! I have no doubts about it.
- cmason2007

Thanks, always appreciated.

The problem with Lamb, is although its great to have more defensive depth, the Flames have too many defenders on one way contracts and he may have a tough time cracking the lineup. Hes going to have to shine, and shine bright to sneak in there somewhere.

He may get his shot with injuries, but aside from that dont know if theres room for him currently.

I wish the flames would rebuild. They were always one of my favorite teams, but they continue to remain in no mans land (9-12) finish. Not good enough for playoffs, not bad enough to rebuild

Colin Dambrauskas: Oil Fires: Battle of Alberta…? And Development Camp Notes
- Colin Dambrauskas

The Lamezzzz are an injury to Kipper away from being last in the league. He has been the only reason they have had any chance over the last 3-4 years. They are so weak down the middle its not even funny. Hudler and Wideman are not going to put them ove the top. The owners dont want a full rebuild. Well one injury to Kipper or an off season and they will get it whether they want it or not. Oil will crush the Lamezzz this year.

Colin Dambrauskas: Oil Fires: Battle of Alberta…? And Development Camp Notes
- Colin Dambrauskas[/quote


I miss the Canucks and flames games when there was a rivalry. But the flames need a rebuild unfortunately one day we will see the flames catch far again and as a Canuck fan I will enjoy that

Thanks, always appreciated.

The problem with Lamb, is although its great to have more defensive depth, the Flames have too many defenders on one way contracts and he may have a tough time cracking the lineup. Hes going to have to shine, and shine bright to sneak in there somewhere.

He may get his shot with injuries, but aside from that dont know if theres room for him currently.
- Colin Dambrauskas

I think Feaster means it when he says that the kids can earn a spot by outplaying the vets. If Lamb outplays one of the other guys there's always trades and waivers to make room.

Realistically the flames haven't been a playoff contender for the last three seasons. This one will be no different. They'll finish between 9th and 12th. The longer it takes them to get mathmatically eliminated the more likely it will be for them to hold on to Iggy and Kipper for another season. The longer this goes on the worse the Flames will get until they are eventually forced into a rebuild like the Oilers were. If they trade Iggy and Kiprusoff now they can speed a 5 year rebuild up to a 2 or 3 year rebuild with the assets they could get back. Kippersoff alone could command a kings ransom. If teams like Washington, Philly, and Chicago had him they would turn into cup favorites over night. If I'm a flames fan as hard as it would be to see these guys go, it's within the best intrest of the franchies.

As of right now the BOA is DOA. Would love to see this change.

Realistically the flames haven't been a playoff contender for the last three seasons. This one will be no different. They'll finish between 9th and 12th. The longer it takes them to get mathmatically eliminated the more likely it will be for them to hold on to Iggy and Kipper for another season. The longer this goes on the worse the Flames will get until they are eventually forced into a rebuild like the Oilers were. If they trade Iggy and Kiprusoff now they can speed a 5 year rebuild up to a 2 or 3 year rebuild with the assets they could get back. Kippersoff alone could command a kings ransom. If teams like Washington, Philly, and Chicago had him they would turn into cup favorites over night. If I'm a flames fan as hard as it would be to see these guys go, it's within the best intrest of the franchies.
- Oilersforlife

Dont expect Feaster to make any big moves like this until maybe closer to the trade deadline. He would like to see what these guys can do in a few months with no injuries, and with the additions of some youth and new coach, its wise to be patient to see what you have (or dont have) before making moves.

Its quite apparent they are weak up the middle, but Feaster and Co. want to remain competitive and are not looking to blow things up. We may see one or two of the bigger names moved if things dont improve come Christmas time, or shortly thereafter.

Feaster may want to move Iggy and Kipper and fast track a rebuild as you mentioned, but if Iggy dosnt want to go and managment want playoffs, his hands may be tied.

Hey Colin i was just wonder how did Max Reinhart do in camp this year?

Sven Can't wait to see his highlights on tsn this season.

Hey Colin i was just wonder how did Max Reinhart do in camp this year?
- Matt16

All I can really say about Reinhart is that he was one of the more "experienced" guys and didnt really show it. The couple returning players who had an extra year or two on most kids didnt overly stand out or impress anyone.

And dont get me wrong, its not to say they played poorly or should be written off, because they did play well and skated hard etc...just didnt outshine guys like Sven/Jon/Mark who took all the spotlight.

Granlund I have got to say is seemingly getting better and better and could be someone to watch over the next year/two.

All I can really say about Reinhart is that he was one of the more "experienced" guys and didnt really show it. The couple returning players who had an extra year or two on most kids didnt overly stand out or impress anyone.

And dont get me wrong, its not to say they played poorly or should be written off, because they did play well and skated hard etc...just didnt outshine guys like Sven/Jon/Mark who took all the spotlight.

Granlund I have got to say is seemingly getting better and better and could be someone to watch over the next year/two.
- Colin Dambrauskas

Is Granlund the dude who did that behind the net lacross move?

Is Granlund the dude who did that behind the net lacross move?
- wolfos412

This one?




You guys should check out the rest of the videos here, many interviews with the prospects

http://video.flames.nhl.c...ocenter/console?id=136158

As of right now the BOA is DOA. Would love to see this change.
- GuyLaDouche

Yeah thats an understatement. It sure wont be the battle of the Titans, but it will be a battle. I think we are splitting this season series.

I think Iggy will be the focus of attention this year. He will either be extended or he wants to go to a contender if we are outside looking in come December/January & will be dealt. No Ramo, then no way I see Kipper moved at all this season. Just wish they sort out the Irving contract soon. Sign him to a 1 year 1 way deal & let the kid play 20 games this year.

Yeah thats an understatement. It sure wont be the battle of the Titans, but it will be a battle. I think we are splitting this season series.

I think Iggy will be the focus of attention this year. He will either be extended or he wants to go to a contender if we are outside looking in come December/January & will be dealt. No Ramo, then no way I see Kipper moved at all this season. Just wish they sort out the Irving contract soon. Sign him to a 1 year 1 way deal & let the kid play 20 games this year.
- Kevin R

Feaster and Co. will need to give their goalies MUCH more playing time. They need to assess what/who they have coming up behind Kipper, and with Kipper playing 70 games last year, its rather hard to do!

They need to start giving their young goalies some time...20-30 games. They need to pick who that backup will be, and soon.

Realistically the Flames are in the same spot that the Oilers were in the late 90's/early 2000's. The team was good enough to compete for a playoff spot, but even if they made it in a first round exit was more or less going to happen.

I am not going to say anything about the battle of Alberta until one happens again in the post season. Sure it is nice to watch to teams that hate each other play, but when it means nothing there really is no fun in it!

I think it's too early to say the flames didn't get any better with the off season moves, lets wait and see what cervenka is capable of and whether or not backlund can live up to potential before we say they didn't get any better, because if backlund shows up and cervenka's game translate well, the flames got alot better.

Green signed 3 year 18.25M contract, 6M per year approx.

Realistically the flames haven't been a playoff contender for the last three seasons. This one will be no different. They'll finish between 9th and 12th. The longer it takes them to get mathmatically eliminated the more likely it will be for them to hold on to Iggy and Kipper for another season. The longer this goes on the worse the Flames will get until they are eventually forced into a rebuild like the Oilers were. If they trade Iggy and Kiprusoff now they can speed a 5 year rebuild up to a 2 or 3 year rebuild with the assets they could get back. Kippersoff alone could command a kings ransom. If teams like Washington, Philly, and Chicago had him they would turn into cup favorites over night. If I'm a flames fan as hard as it would be to see these guys go, it's within the best intrest of the franchies.
- Oilersforlife

Can I borrow your crystal ball so I can see the future too?

I think it's too early to say the flames didn't get any better with the off season moves, lets wait and see what cervenka is capable of and whether or not backlund can live up to potential before we say they didn't get any better, because if backlund shows up and cervenka's game translate well, the flames got alot better.
- jiginla

Where I was going with that is you need to consider that Jokinens points will be missed, Moss was good for about 30pts and they brought in Cervenka who has yet to play in the NHL.

Hudler will be good for around 50-60 pts, depending on how well he does with Cervenka. So, they've essentially replaced Jokinens point totals with Hudler and you're right, it will depend how well Cervenka will do.

But at this moment, I cant say so far that they've improved the team much beyond last year. Cant be optimistic and say a guy from the KHL will do great with Hudler and put up a ton of points, nor can I be pessimistic and say with his lack of experience he may not translate well and suffer.

So, until we see how well Cervenka can move into the NHL and how the new guys play together (chemistry or not) I would say they havnt really improved too much, at this point.

Wideman was an upgrade on defense and should help in additional points from the backend, however the feeling is Bouwmeester will be moved, thus meaning Wideman is his replacement.

I do anticipate a few more moves from Feaster, however. Its still a little early.