Good morning Calgary Flames fans! You already know the drill, let’s take a look at news surrounding the Flames over the last 24 hours.
Of course the biggest piece of news in the day is the Calgary Flames trading for Michael Stone from the Arizona Coyotes. The Flames now have four Michael’s on the team. And a lot of M’s. More on the trade here.
a beautiful snap, courtesy of @IgnitedSoul13 pic.twitter.com/MsYXAnKklX
— Flame For Thought (@Flame_4_Thought) February 20, 2017
Apparently, not only are the Flames (obviously) happy for this, but so is Stone.
Via Calgary Herald:
"“It makes things a little bit easier for me and my family,” chuckled the 26-year-old defenceman who was acquired by the Calgary Flames Monday. “My wife is from Calgary and has lots of family out there. This way, she has a lot of help. We had twins in September so she’s going to need a lot of it. It’s an ideal situation if that’s the route it was going to go.”"
Calgary Flames
Via Calgaryflames.com:
"“I know he’s got a great big shot. I know he’s a defender that doesn’t make a lot of mistakes. He’s a big guy. He’s a guy who can give you some stability back there, play against the big teams,” Gulutzan noted."
The Flames haven’t released their projected lineup for tonight, but supposedly Dennis Wideman will be a healthy scratch (breathe easy, Flames fans). Which means that Stone will most likely be in the lineup against the Nashville Predators. With all the praise the coaching and managing staff have given him, I’m sure they’ll want him in the lineup.
Stone was currently playing on the second unit in Arizona, however he’s also played on that top unit as well. He is right-handed, so we know the Flames were looking for someone to fill that second unit spot to play with TJ Brodie.
EDIT: As I was about to post this, the Flames announced that Stone will be playing tonight, however he’ll be paired up with Matt Bartkowski on that third unit.
Some links surrounding the Flames to get you through your morning
Stone unturned in return to Calgary (Calgary Herald).
Game day: Calgary Flames at Nashville Predators (Calgary Herald).
Flames’ savvy moves on defence prepare them for playoff push (Sportsnet).
Gulutzan, Flames thrilled with Stone addition (Calgary Flames).
Some other links surrounding hockey and the NHL
3 things we learned in the NHL: Goalie pants too slim? (Sportsnet).
NHL 100: Legion of Doom highlights hockey’s all time iconic lines (CBC Sports).
Over The Boards: It’s been bye now, lose later for NHL teams (The Star).
Next: Flame For Thought's 3 Stars Of The Week Feb 13-19
That’s all in this edition of Flames Daily! Maybe we’ll see a slight change in the lineup tonight as the game goes on and we’ll see Stone paired with Brodie.