A Look To The Future, Newest Acquisitions For Flames Part One

So I put off this post after the Detroit game, assuming that the Flames would put forth a better effort against the Blues, but jokes on me.  What a sad attempt, or really no attempt at playing tonight.  And it’s the same problems game after game: nobody is where they are supposed to be, the powerplay is weak, the team is lagging, and to be honest, lacking heart.  I hate doing post after post ripping into the team dissecting their faults and all around being depressing about the rest of the season.  Since I really don’t want to write another fangirl post, I choose to look forward, not to the next game, not to next week, or even after the All Star Break, but to the youth that is making an impact on this team.

Instead of following the usual Flames’ trend, dumping young prospects for experience and injuries, they’ve managed to hold on to a few players under 30.  So let’s celebrate these players and take a look at what they can bring to the Flames.  Roman Horak, Paul Byron, Chris Butler, Lee Stempniak, and Derek Smith are all new additions to the Flames this year and will be looked at over the next two days.

As you all know, I did a piece on Roman Horak a few games after he was signed.  Horak was part of a deal with the New York Rangers, in exchanged for Tim Erixon, who is currently playing for the Connecticut Whale.  The Flames made out nicely in this deal, yes, Horak hasn’t exactly followed through on that explosive few games he had in the beginning but certainly has the potential to be a solid center, a nice replacement for the Flames current number one center: Mikael Backlund.

Now Paul Byron may be bounced around between the press box and the ice, but the kid has some skills.  His ice time should be increased, he’s played roughly 10:30 minutes in the 6 games he’s played.  Byron has racked up 2 goals which, sadly, means he’s in the top half of goal scorers for the Flames.  More time on the ice means more of a chance to produce the goals the Flames desperately need.  If he doesn’t get more ice time, he’ll never get the chemistry of the lines he plays on, and as us fans know, chemistry is severely lacking with this team right now.

And finally for tonight, newly acquired defense man, Chris Butler. While he’s not rocking the best numbers, he could have a great season.  Butler could be a decent defense man.  With 17 hits and only 4 assists under his belt, Butler won’t be a star defense man, but he will be able to contribute to the team as a line of protection for Kiprusoff and Karlsson.

Tomorrow I’ll wrap this up with Lee Stempniak and Derek Smith.