Calgary Flames Hot Start to the Morning Vol 15

Apr 10, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Boston College Eagles forward Johnny Gaudreau (13) celebrates his goal with teammate forward Bill Arnold (24). Today Gaudreau celebrates his 21st birthday. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Good morning Calgary Flames fans!

Late yesterday Flame For Thought re-introduced Sam Bennett to the family.  Speculation will run wild over the next couple months on whether or not Mr. Bennett can pull a “Sean Monahan” and stay with our Calgary Flames for the duration of the NHL season.  In the early stages of polling our Flame For Thought family, 59% of you believe Sam Bennett will be sent back to junior at some point this season.  Please have your say and vote.

For as much as I am an unabashed fan of Jonas Hiller becoming a Calgary Flame, there is a Calgary Flames rookie forward prospect I am just as excited about.  Today is that uber prospects birthday.  Happy 21st birthday to Johnny Gaudreau!

Staying with a Johnny Gaudreau theme, one of his former Boston College teammates may soon become a NHL free agent.  The Calgary Flames already have Tom Arnold, the man who played center alongside Gaudreau in Boston College.  Now the opportunity may present itself to pursue the man who played right wing on a line with Gaudreau and Arnold at Boston College, Kevin Hayes.  From ESPN Chicago on July 29th,

Kevin Hayes, the Chicago Blackhawks‘ 2010 first-round draft pick, likely will not sign with the organization before the Aug. 15 deadline and become an unrestricted free agent, the forward’s agent said Tuesday.“We’re likely going to wait until Aug. 16 and see where things are at that point,” agent Robert Murray said. “It’s absolutely nothing against the Blackhawks. We just feel this gives Kevin some options.

August 15 is two days away and there are many blog sites excited about the potential of Kevin Hayes signing with respective teams.  Via various blogs and other hockey sites, I have seen the Boston Bruins, Nashville Predators, Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers as possible suitors of  the 24th overall pick in the 2010 NHL draft.  Does the Calgary Flames having his two college teammates on their roster make us an early favorite in the projected Kevin Hayes sweepstakes?

Have a great day Flames fans!