Brian Burke Offered Contract Extension To Mike Cammalleri

Photo Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

It was recently announced on NHL.com that Brian Burke has made it clear that a contract extension was offered to Mike Cammalleri. As I have previously stated, nothing is confirmed as to whether or not Cammalleri will stay or go, but speculation is all around.

From reading a lot of comments on various websites, I’ve found that most people want the forward to stay. I, on the other hand, am split down the middle.

Now, I want to make it very clear that I am a huge Cammy fan. I loved having him on the Flames when he was acquired through a trade with the L.A. Kings. He gained a lot of credit in my mind when he finished the season with 82 points, just behind Jarome Iginla.

I have always admired his fast-paced style of play. Cammalleri is a goal scorer, finding the back of the net with his hard snipes. His skating ability and puck handling skills are impressive, and he seems to be able to work well on any line. His defensive play has progressed through the years even though his main goal is add numbers to the board. I was sincerely disappointed when he left the Flames franchise to go to the Montreal Canadiens the following year.

And then 2012 happened, when he was pulled during a game and traded back to the Calgary Flames. When I found out what was going on, I literally jumped up from my couch with excitement. Cammy was coming back to Calgary!

He’s a seasoned veteran among a mass of fresh, new faces on the Flames team. He’s experienced and has a lot to teach the younger players during the rebuild. But he’s getting older, he won’t have a chance at the cup while with the Flames, and he may be more prone to injuries because of the injuries he’s endured from the past.

If there was ever a good time to trade him, now would probably be the time, but Burke seems to have decided to keep the front man if possible.

Now, it’s all up to Cammalleri.

Go Flames!