The Calgary Flames Of Things To Come: Part Four
By Cait Platt
The final part of this four part series is all about what could happen this summer with the Calgary Flames and their goalies. The previous installments included centers, wingers, and defencemen; what the Flames have, what the Flames need to get rid of, and who the Flames could pick up in the free agency market. The Flames are in need of fixing their goaltending situation, not that Miikka Kiprusoff is in need of being replaced but his time is coming to an end and the Flames need to prepare for the future.
Who’s out there for the Flames to pick up? Let’s take a look.
With the Flames have an alright back up in Henrik Karlsson and a potential future with Leland Irving, but he seems like a better trading piece for the Flames than an actual player. Irving paired with a few other players would make a nice package deal for the Flames to send else where.
On the UFA market this summer?
The biggest name is Martin Brodeur of the NJ Devils, which is not going to happen for the Flames and could be seen as a big dumb move if that does happen. He’ll be 40 on May 6th, that’s older than the age of the goalie I’m suggesting they replace. But for the most part, the goalies are up there in age this summer. Flames don’t need that and hopefully will stay away from that.
A youthful but expensive option would be Dan Ellis of the Anaheim Ducks. While his $1.5 million cap hit isn’t exorbitant, his numbers don’t justify that price tag. 1-5-0 with a 2.72 GAA isn’t worth $1.5 million, $600,000 is more like it.
Flames are better off holding out another season, developing Irving and making him either the predecessor to Kipper or as I suggested earlier part of a nice package to trade. Who could they get in return? I have no idea honestly, that is something I plan on doing more research on as the summer drags on.
What do you think they should do to prepare for the retirement of Kipper? Leave comments!
Don’t forget, the puck drops at 9pm against the Vancouver Canucks tonight.
Go Flames Go!