Good morning Calgary Flames fans! It’s another beautiful day in Calgary today. Let’s take a look at some Flames news.
It’s a beautiful day in Calgary for two reasons this morning. One, because the weather is quite nice and I just need a light jacket today. And two, because the LA Kings lost last night meaning the Calgary Flames are still in a playoff spot. They also will still be when we all wake up again tomorrow morning. And if all goes well tomorrow night, they will be again Sunday morning.
Imagine if the Flames are, again, the reason the Kings don’t make it in the playoffs. That would be hilarious. 2014-2015 all over again.
The biggest piece of news surrounding the Calgary Flames is the signing of Matt Bartkowski to a two-year two-way contract. I think it’s safe to say that the Flames are already trying to find some Dennis Wideman replacements. And with everybody being well aware that he’s somewhat of an anchor to TJ Brodie, Bartkowski can give some different options right now this late into the season.
More from Calgary Flames News
- Updates from Conroy: UFAs, main camp, captaincy, goaltending, prospects
- Flames captaincy updates and candidate rankings
- Camp Notes: Previewing Calgary Flames Prospects at the Young Stars Classic
- Could Flames goalie Dan Vladar be a trade option for the Avalanche?
- Roundup: Lindholm, Backlund, Hanifin Contract Updates
They could either put Bartkowski with TJ Brodie as that four defenceman. Or they could put Deryk Engelland with Brodie like they did in the last game and put Bartkowski on that third unit. And then hopefully we can see Wideman be a healthy scratch on occasion. Who really knows right now. They may also just be using Bartkowski so they could expose him during the expansion. But that’s a whole other topic on its own.
Next topic.
Trades.
Alright so with trade deadline not even two weeks away, everyone’s talking about trade rumors. And a name surrounding this team who was surrounding the team during the off-season last year is Marc-Andre Fleury. The Pittsburgh Penguins have been falling more on young Matt Murray this season because of how well he’s performing.
So now Fleury’s name is making it’s way on the trading block rumors.
During the off-season when the Flames first inquired about Fleury, the Pens wanted the Flames’ sixth overall pick in return. Seeing how well Matthew Tkachuk is doing this season, Flames fans are quite pleased that trade didn’t happen.
Via Sportsnet:
"“I still hear they’re kicking tires on Marc-Andre Fleury,” Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos said on Hockey Central at Noon Thursday."
Will we be seeing a trade for a goalie happening? Both Flames’ goaltenders will be UFA’s at the end of this season. I guess only time will tell.
Some of our stuff we think you’d enjoy
Chad Johnson wins the Elliott/Bishop/Fleury debate.
"Calgary Flames goalie Chad Johnson has quietly risen on top as the unspoken one of the possible goaltenders Flames would have acquired during the offseason."
Brian Elliott vs Chad Johnson debate.
"The Calgary Flames goaltending has always been a story for the last few years. And now with this season, that hasn’t changed."
Flames will be using win-and-start goaltending method.
"The Calgary Flames goaltending hasn’t been as good in the new year than it has been earlier on this season. So the Flames management and coaching staff have decided to turn to a new method."
Some other links around the internet surrounding the Flames
Flames sign Matt Bartkowski (Calgary Flames).
NHL Trade Rumors: Flames ‘kicking tires’ on Marc-Andre Fleury (Sportsnet).
Who could the Calgary Flames be acquiring soon? (Matchsticks and Gasoline).
Chiasson owns up to “uncalled for” spear (Calgary Herald).
Some links surrounding hockey and the NHL
5 things we learned in the NHL: Sid the Kid wows again (Sportsnet).
Antoine Vermette of Ducks suspended 10 games (NHL.com).
All-Canadian matchups highlight NHL weekend betting odds (Sportsnet).
Sidney Crosby among fastest to 1,000 despite delays (NHL.com).
Next: Is there hostility between Gaudreau and Gulutzan?
That’s all in this edition of Flames Daily! Until tomorrow when the Flames will still be in a playoff spot.