February 3rd, 2010
Today marks the first official day of Andrew Cannell's tenure as the new General Manager of the Calgary Flames. Currently sitting 3rd in the division and 7th in the Western Conference, the Flames aren't in bad shape as the season nears the Olympic break. However, Andrew is not entirely happy with the team that he is inheriting and was quick to make it known that he is not here to manage a playoff calibre team, but rather a Stanley Cup team, and his end goal will not waver. "Anything less is a disappoint," he said in his opening press conference in Calgary earlier today.
"We have a good team here, with a lot of potential. We're going to re-evaluate the entire organization though leading up to the Olympic break and then use the break as a time to decide what needs to be done, and what we're going to have to do to bring the Cup back to Calgary."
Calgary has not won the Stanley Cup since 1988-89, and has only made the trip three times, most recently falling in seven games to the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2003-2004.
The Flames are up to do battle with the Carolina Hurricanes at the Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary tonight, the Hurricanes have had a nice run, winning 8 of their last 10, while the Flames would like to string a few wins together to help move them up into a better and more secure position in the West.
Calgary Sun
Moderator: SharksGM
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FlamesGM
Re: Calgary Sun
February 14th, 2010
With the start of the Olympics underway and the freeze on trading throughout the EHEC, the Flames got in on the action, rumoured to be striking a deal with the Washington Capitals. The deal has not been confirmed yet, but the Calgary Sun has bee informed that the Flames GM Andrew Cannell has been in negotiations with Tim Gaw that could see Olli Jokinen wearing a Capitals jersey when the teams return from the olympic break.
Jokinen has been playing with Jarome Iginla on the top line for the past two weeks producing 9 points in his last 6 games, totalling 32 points on the season (17G - 15A) in 35 games. Cannell has commented that he intends on making the team younger, faster and more dynamic. Though he did not confirm the deal, or even confirm that Jokinen was being shopped around, Cannell did say that in the nature of getting Calgary back to the Stanley Cup "There are few players in this organization that I would deem untouchable. It is not that they are under-performing, simply in this league, especially now with the salary cap, you really do have to give up something to get something worthwhile in return. You won't see those big deals from the early 90s anymore."
The details of the rumoured deal are as follows:
To Washington:
Olli Jokinen
Jamie Lundmark
To Calgary:
Jose Theodore
Alexei Ponikarovsky
Andrei Loktionov
WSH 1st Round Pick (2011)
LA 4th Round Pick (2011)
Ponikarovsky would offer a young and strong two-way forward that, though not equal to Jokinen, will hopefully off-set the loss. Theodore will slide in as the number 2 goalie, providing experienced and skilled backing to Kiprusoff who will be able to take a few more nights off with a veteran keeper like Theodore backing him up. However, the big talk in this trade coming to Calgary would be Andrei Loktionov, the young 19-year old Russian is currently 2nd in AHL scoring with 72 points in 61 games. It is unlikely the Flames would call up the youngster this season in order to ensure his development remains consistent, but with the current injuries on the Flames roster, look for fellow NHLer Mikael Backlund to perhaps make the jump. Backlund, with his two-way contract would be able to move from Saint John to Calgary and back once Nigel Dawes returns from injury, with Curtis Glencross also out with a thigh injury for another 3 weeks.
With the start of the Olympics underway and the freeze on trading throughout the EHEC, the Flames got in on the action, rumoured to be striking a deal with the Washington Capitals. The deal has not been confirmed yet, but the Calgary Sun has bee informed that the Flames GM Andrew Cannell has been in negotiations with Tim Gaw that could see Olli Jokinen wearing a Capitals jersey when the teams return from the olympic break.
Jokinen has been playing with Jarome Iginla on the top line for the past two weeks producing 9 points in his last 6 games, totalling 32 points on the season (17G - 15A) in 35 games. Cannell has commented that he intends on making the team younger, faster and more dynamic. Though he did not confirm the deal, or even confirm that Jokinen was being shopped around, Cannell did say that in the nature of getting Calgary back to the Stanley Cup "There are few players in this organization that I would deem untouchable. It is not that they are under-performing, simply in this league, especially now with the salary cap, you really do have to give up something to get something worthwhile in return. You won't see those big deals from the early 90s anymore."
The details of the rumoured deal are as follows:
To Washington:
Olli Jokinen
Jamie Lundmark
To Calgary:
Jose Theodore
Alexei Ponikarovsky
Andrei Loktionov
WSH 1st Round Pick (2011)
LA 4th Round Pick (2011)
Ponikarovsky would offer a young and strong two-way forward that, though not equal to Jokinen, will hopefully off-set the loss. Theodore will slide in as the number 2 goalie, providing experienced and skilled backing to Kiprusoff who will be able to take a few more nights off with a veteran keeper like Theodore backing him up. However, the big talk in this trade coming to Calgary would be Andrei Loktionov, the young 19-year old Russian is currently 2nd in AHL scoring with 72 points in 61 games. It is unlikely the Flames would call up the youngster this season in order to ensure his development remains consistent, but with the current injuries on the Flames roster, look for fellow NHLer Mikael Backlund to perhaps make the jump. Backlund, with his two-way contract would be able to move from Saint John to Calgary and back once Nigel Dawes returns from injury, with Curtis Glencross also out with a thigh injury for another 3 weeks.
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FlamesGM
Re: Calgary Sun
March 8th, 2010
With the trade dealine fast approaching and the league trade-wire making a fair deal of noise. News from the Saddledome and the Calgary Flames GM has been relatively quiet, despite the club's recent 3-game slide since coming back from the Olympic break. Given the loss of Jokinen and Lundmark, the Flames were expecting a bit of a down-turn with some line-juggling going on to see what would work and how to implement newcomer Alexei Ponikarovsky, and newly turned regular Mikael Backlund into productive players. Backlund wasted no time, scoring in his second game with the club, while Ponikarovsky broke into the scoring in their most recent 4-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils.
"This is no time to hit the panic button, we've made some changes and there has been some talks with other GMs in the league to see if a deal can be made. But, with the deadline approaching, I'm not simply going to make a deal for the sake of making a deal. I have the future of the club to keep in mind, and I don't want to completely clear house with us still holding on to the final spot in the playoff race."
'Still holding' is the operative word in that speech as the San Jose Sharks are only two points back of the skidding Flames who will be looking to bounce back into the win column against the Red Wings tomorrow, the day before the trade deadline.
Other upsides for the club include Alexei Yashin who has scored two goals in three games since the league restarted after the Olympic break. Yashin had produced a dismal two goals on the season to this point, but since the Jokinen trade, the former sniper has been moved to the top line to play with Jarome Iginla and Miroslav Satan which has sparked the aging Russian back to form reminiscent of his days with the Senators in the late-90s.
The big talk for the Flames has been AHL acquisition Andrei Loktionov who has continued his fantastic production after being traded from the Washington Capitals. In Saint John, Loktionov is currently boasting 73 points in 63 games and is competing for second in the AHL overall scoring with Jordan Eberle and Michael Grabner, with Zach Boychuck running away with it in a Gretzky-like fashion, nearly a full thirty points ahead of Loktionov, Eberle and Grabner.
With the trade dealine fast approaching and the league trade-wire making a fair deal of noise. News from the Saddledome and the Calgary Flames GM has been relatively quiet, despite the club's recent 3-game slide since coming back from the Olympic break. Given the loss of Jokinen and Lundmark, the Flames were expecting a bit of a down-turn with some line-juggling going on to see what would work and how to implement newcomer Alexei Ponikarovsky, and newly turned regular Mikael Backlund into productive players. Backlund wasted no time, scoring in his second game with the club, while Ponikarovsky broke into the scoring in their most recent 4-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils.
"This is no time to hit the panic button, we've made some changes and there has been some talks with other GMs in the league to see if a deal can be made. But, with the deadline approaching, I'm not simply going to make a deal for the sake of making a deal. I have the future of the club to keep in mind, and I don't want to completely clear house with us still holding on to the final spot in the playoff race."
'Still holding' is the operative word in that speech as the San Jose Sharks are only two points back of the skidding Flames who will be looking to bounce back into the win column against the Red Wings tomorrow, the day before the trade deadline.
Other upsides for the club include Alexei Yashin who has scored two goals in three games since the league restarted after the Olympic break. Yashin had produced a dismal two goals on the season to this point, but since the Jokinen trade, the former sniper has been moved to the top line to play with Jarome Iginla and Miroslav Satan which has sparked the aging Russian back to form reminiscent of his days with the Senators in the late-90s.
The big talk for the Flames has been AHL acquisition Andrei Loktionov who has continued his fantastic production after being traded from the Washington Capitals. In Saint John, Loktionov is currently boasting 73 points in 63 games and is competing for second in the AHL overall scoring with Jordan Eberle and Michael Grabner, with Zach Boychuck running away with it in a Gretzky-like fashion, nearly a full thirty points ahead of Loktionov, Eberle and Grabner.
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FlamesGM
Re: Calgary Sun
The 2010-2011 is getting rolling and some teams have looked distinctly different than what was expected, or simply different than what we saw last season. One of these teams is the Calgary Flames who have shot out to a surprisingly 4-0-0 start to the season. The newly acquired Evgeni Malkin has played a role, but it is the depth of the roster, particularly on the blue line that has helped the Flames to jump out to this great start. Flames Captain and veteran blue liner Colin White was one of the many new acquisitions to the roster before the start of this season. "It's hard to really articulate the difference between this year and last year. The mentality in the dressing room is that most of the guys weren't here last year, so it really is a fresh start for everyone. Whether you're new to the organization or not, you're dealing with a completely different group of guys. I think that mentality has been very evident in our opening few games."
With hockey being what it is in Calgary, the fans are already building up great expectations for their Flames for the season but Flames GM Andrew Cannell is quick to moderate the expectations. "We picked up a lot of draft picks and youth at the trade deadline last season and during the offseason. We have a young and energetic team that is clearly meant for the future. However, this is definitely an encouraging sign to start the season. And if you think of the season as a race to 90 points to make the playoffs, I'd say we're definitely a leg up on the competition right now."
The Flames sit as one of only two remaining undefeated teams, the other being the San Jose Sharks sitting at 3-0-0. Next up for the Flames is the Nashville Predators on Tuesday night at the Sommet Center in Nashville. Kiprusoff will likley get his fifth consecutive start in hopes of keeping the streak going.
With hockey being what it is in Calgary, the fans are already building up great expectations for their Flames for the season but Flames GM Andrew Cannell is quick to moderate the expectations. "We picked up a lot of draft picks and youth at the trade deadline last season and during the offseason. We have a young and energetic team that is clearly meant for the future. However, this is definitely an encouraging sign to start the season. And if you think of the season as a race to 90 points to make the playoffs, I'd say we're definitely a leg up on the competition right now."
The Flames sit as one of only two remaining undefeated teams, the other being the San Jose Sharks sitting at 3-0-0. Next up for the Flames is the Nashville Predators on Tuesday night at the Sommet Center in Nashville. Kiprusoff will likley get his fifth consecutive start in hopes of keeping the streak going.
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FlamesGM
Re: Calgary Sun
With the end of the Calgary Flames fantastic start to the season, the inevitable drought has set in with the Flames struggling to reclaim their form. The fall began with the injuries to Fredrik Sjostrom and Daymond Langkow in a single game against the Colorado Avalanche near the beginning of the month. However, the Flames have been able to scrape together a win recently and look to get back on track. Langkow and Sjostrom are both back into the lineup, and the Flames will be welcoming the newly acquired Mark Streit onto their blueline who will surely help bolster the offensive touch in Calgary that disappeared and become a key part in their fall over the past few weeks.
However, Calgary still maintains a hold on top spot in the division. They will look to improve again tomorrow night in New Jersey against the Devils.
Top Scorers:
Evgeni Malkin: 8 G, 11 A, 19 Pts
Valtteri Filppula: 6 G, 9 A, 15 Pts
Dion Phaneuf: 4 G, 10 A, 14 Pts
Mark Streit: 3 G, 10 A, 13 Pts
Alexei Yashin: 8 G, 4 A, 12 Pts
Andrei Loktionov (rookie): 5 G, 7 A, 12 Pts
Farm:
Kris Chucko: 8 G, 3A, 11 Pts
Ville Leino: 6 G, 4 A, 10 Pts
Matt Hunwick: 2 G, 8 A, 10 Pts
Tom Wandell: 7 G, 2 A, 9 Pts
Top Propects:
Scott Glennie
26 goals, 10 assists with the Brandon Wheat Kings of the WHL
Teemu Rautianinen
12 goals, 6 assists with HPK Hameenlinna of the Finnish League
Mitch Wahl
11 goals, 11 assists with MoDo Ornskoldsvik of the Swedish Elite League
However, Calgary still maintains a hold on top spot in the division. They will look to improve again tomorrow night in New Jersey against the Devils.
Top Scorers:
Evgeni Malkin: 8 G, 11 A, 19 Pts
Valtteri Filppula: 6 G, 9 A, 15 Pts
Dion Phaneuf: 4 G, 10 A, 14 Pts
Mark Streit: 3 G, 10 A, 13 Pts
Alexei Yashin: 8 G, 4 A, 12 Pts
Andrei Loktionov (rookie): 5 G, 7 A, 12 Pts
Farm:
Kris Chucko: 8 G, 3A, 11 Pts
Ville Leino: 6 G, 4 A, 10 Pts
Matt Hunwick: 2 G, 8 A, 10 Pts
Tom Wandell: 7 G, 2 A, 9 Pts
Top Propects:
Scott Glennie
26 goals, 10 assists with the Brandon Wheat Kings of the WHL
Teemu Rautianinen
12 goals, 6 assists with HPK Hameenlinna of the Finnish League
Mitch Wahl
11 goals, 11 assists with MoDo Ornskoldsvik of the Swedish Elite League