One year ago, Matt Stajan was looking to start the year with a bang. After a disappointing end to the previous season, Stajan trained hard in the off season to get ready and make a positive impact. Before the regular season started, Stajan sustained a shoulder injury and his season was pretty much a wash out from there.

It looks like it’s Mikael Backlund’s turn.

After an impressive start to the preseason on a line with Sven Baertschi and Niklas Hagman, Backlund broke his finger and is now expected to miss up to six weeks. This is not the start he had hoped for. This is not the start the team had hoped for.

It might be a stretch to suggest Backlund’s development facilitated the Flames trade of centerman Daymond Langkow to Phoenix, but it certainly would have been a tougher deal to make had they known at the time Backlund would miss the first month and a half of the season. Backlund was going to be given every opportunity it seemed to take over the number 1 center spot. Brendan Morrison assumed the position as last year came to a close, but certainly the team had to hope that the younger Backlund could elevate his game and demonstrate he was ready. We won’t know now for quite a while. It’s unfair to say that the entire season could be a write off for Backlund, but he’s certainly playing from behind.

Meanwhile, fans sit and await word as to when Jarome Iginla will resume to a full practice routine. The Captain is skating again, but hasn’t resumed contact drills which would leave his availabilty for opening night in serious doubt. If he cannot go, that’s two thirds of your top line unaccounted for. Again, not the best case scenario.

The saying goes, you can’t play your way into the playoffs in October but you can play your way out. The Flames certainly hope that’s not what they are looking at here.

Many times I’ve posted a blog here trumpeting the game of baseball, locally and in general. It seems unfortunate to me that there just isn’t a very large baseball loving population. Given, shortly afterward, I will hear from those who do love baseball who tell me I’m crazy. Yes, there are baseball fans in Southern Alberta but I still wonder why there aren’t more.

Wednesday night we were witness to one of the greatest evenings in the sports history. The Red Sox blow a one run lead with 2 outs (and 2 strrkes) in the bottom of the ninth. The Rays erase a 7-0 deficit to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth (with two out and two strikes) and win in extra innings. The Atlanta Braves blow a save opportunity to lose and finalize one of the worst September failures in history.

Incredible.

Still, many out there feel like the game is boring and a wonderful cure for insomnia. It’s too bad. They’re missing out.

September and October is my favorite time of the year, based much on how thrilling the baseball postseason is. And it always is. The drama of baseball is unmatched. There’s great drama and intregue in all sports, but you can’t bank on it more than with baseball.

Baseball. It’s a beautiful thing.

Here I sit in the luxurious press box at McMahon Stadium, too excited for this game to watch from home yet, too soft to sit out in the heat with the fans. What’s it like to sit in the press box for a game of this magnitude? I’ll try and capture the spirit for you.

- Didn’t take long…an Edmonton writer is already complaining. Apparently because the seats aren’t filled (before the anthem) he’s deemed it a “disgrace” that it’s been called a sell out and people from Edmonton could have bought the tickets. Or, maybe they haven’t gotten to their seats yet.

- Same reporter can’t believe that a company founded in Sherwood Park (Booster Juice) would be allowed to advertise on the Stampeder bench. Clearly, we are dealing with some major issues up here.

- Sitting in the back row of the press box. Two vacant spots in the front row so far…one for the “Okotoks Western Wheel”. For the best in CFL coverage…

- I determined I could easily live the rest of my life without hearing the song Black Betty again.

- Meanwhile, Burris goes 8 for 8 on a 99 yard drive, Nik Lewis hauls in the touchdown and it’s 7-0. Looked pretty easy. Arthur, Forzani, Taylor, Bryant and Lewis all making catches. Tough to defend.

- They just played Alannah Miles “Black Velvet”. It would seem because the Stamps are wearing black. Hint: Ballads at sporting events are a bad idea no matter what color you are wearing.

- They just announced that today’s game is a sellout. The Edmonton reporter let out a loud harumph and stated that that claim is malarkey. Or something to that effect.

- The Eskimos pull a little trick play as Armstead fields the punt, then fires it across the field to Bowman who rumbles down the field well into Stamps territory. It’s 11-7 Esks and they are threatening again. This is not going to script according to the pundits seated before me.

- And it’s the Doobie Brothers “Black Water”. Clever stuff people.

- 14-7 Esks and the Stamps go two and out once again. Crowd let’s the offense have it.

- did I mention they played Black Betty? I did? Shoot me.

- it’s 15-7 at the half. I figure they will sell one million beers in the next 30 minutes. It’s crazy hot in the press box let alone on the east side of the stadium.

- Heavy metal cover band Broken Toyz are performing the half time show. Checked with my writing counterparts as to the correct spelling of “toys”.

- The front row of the press box is somewhat critical of the “Toyz” performance.

- For the record they opened with Kickstart my Heart, followed it up with Pour some Sugar on me, and closed with Thunderstruck. Solid effort.

- Just got word, and it’s official. They sold one million beers at half time.

- With 8:30 to go in the third quarter it’s starting to sink in how little the Stamps have done offensively here so far. And actually the Eskimos stats are worse yet lead it. And deservingly so.

- Burris hit and fumbles. Greg Peach recovers and now it’s 1st and goal Edmonton. My years in sports analysis tell me this could be big.

- Touchdown Eskimos. Andrew Nowacki with the grab. Just when you thought it not possible, Hufnagel’s head gets redder.

- It’s all booze and boos for Stamps fans right now.

- And it’s intercepted. Burris throws into double coverage. It’s an easy game up here, but that wasn’t close.

- 2 plays later and Bowman punches it in for another score. I’ve never been a big fan of Bowman but he is having a day. 32-7 Edmonton.

- Drew Tate comes in, gets a first down, Burris comes back and is promptly picked off again. Who could have predicted this performance from Burris after last week’s outing?

- Keep in mind that without the one 99 yard drive, this would be a 32-0 game. And even at 32-7 it’s flattering to the Stamps.

- Eskimos have 114 yards passing and lead 32-7.

- Heavily contemplating beating the traffic right now, but intrigued to see just how much worse it can get.

- Our friend from Edmonton insists that the PA announcer is “insulting our intelligence” when stating to the crowd that the game is a sellout. Not even a 30 point lead will soothe his nerves.

- A writer to my left has just declared, “this is an awful game”. He is indeed right.

- Field goal Edmonton makes it 35-7. Good night McMahon. I love Labour Day, but even I can only take so much. But hey, remember…when does the CFL season REALLY start?

- Summer is over, huh? Calgary Hitmen training camp. Days away from the Labour Day Classic at McMahon. The ice is in at the Saddledome. I know there’s lots of you out there that are sad to see the summer drift away, but I can’t say I’m one of them. For sports geeks, it’s the best.

- What a great game at McMahon on Saturday. THAT’S why we love the Canadian Football League. Down to the wire, lead changes, momentum swings and yes, a great result for the home fans. Love it.

- How funny was Nik Lewis showing up Dwight Anderson? Nik can be grating at times with his antics, but that was flat out hilarious.

- Went to Costco yesterday. Christmas decorations. Seriously Costco?

- Like with many things in life, I’m late to the party but if you haven’t seen the show Breaking Bad…do it. I bought the first 3 seasons on DVD and it is outstanding. Likewise, if you’ve never seen The Wire on HBO, it is terrific television. Gives me faith that there is TV out there that doesn’t involve people singing or dancing that have no business singing or dancing.

- Rhett Warrener is back on the morning show starting September 6th. To say he’s unique is an understatement. Happy to have him back.

- How crazy is the holiday season going to be around here with the World Junior tournament? Who needs time off at Christmas?

- Coming up next Wednesday we’re going to be doing the show live down town for our annual Big Brothers Big Sisters event. Every year we hear some terrific stories from “bigs” and “littles” about how this program has changed peoples lives for the better. Our listeners always come through and do us proud in terms of signing up and devoting a bit of their time to help out a kid in our city. I’m hoping for the same again this year.

- When are those Jets jerseys coming out already?

Romby Bryant.

Calgary Stampeder.

Beast.

Bryant was involved in the hit heard round the CFL Saturday night. It was the late stages of the fourth quarter with the Stamps looking to put things to bed at Mosaic in Regina, and Bryant was left laying. In full flight looking to turn up field, Bryant was leveled by a blindside and clean hit from Tristan Jackson. Bryant never saw it coming. Johnny Forzani almost shielded Jackson from Bryant’s view until the last fraction of a second, but by then it was too late.

This hit will be replayed for years and years in this country. They don’t get much bigger or devastating. Ordinarily, the guy left in a mangled heap on the turf would be embarrassed to be on the recieving end of such a collision. To know that footage of you being buckled will be on hi-lite shows forever would usually be a blow to your pride.

Not this time.

Bryant held on to the ball. Somehow, someway Bryant held on. The fact that the ball didn’t come loose is almost more unbelievable that the hit itself. When fans watch this hit, the most common refrain isn’t “I can’t believe he got hit that hard,” it’s “I can’t believe he held on to the football.” Watch the replay. Jackson stopped Bryant dead in his tracks. The whiplash and impact is amazing. Not only did Bryant hang on, but he got the first down. And got up. Yes, Jackson unleashed one of the most punishing hits we will likely see this year, while he was celebrating it was likely worth noting that Bryant paid the price, made the play and got the first down. From there, the offense was able to eat up a significant chunk of the final minute and the Stampeders won the game. Not many guys will be able to take pride in a replay where he gets trolley tracked, but Bryant is one of them.

Interesting three weeks it has been for the Calgary Stampeders. The team is 2-1 but could be 3-0.

Could also be 0-3.

Thursday night they snuck past the Winnipeg Blue Bombers who have a middling offense, and played half the game without number one quarterback Buck Pierce. Henry Burris threw for just the one touchdown and went 17 for 32. Ken-Yon Rambo spent much of the night in frustration until he and Burris hooked up for the game winning score. Burris has almost as many rushing yards as does Joffrey Reynolds.

Basically, the Stampeders have been just good enough.

The optimists will explain that they look to be no where close to what they are capable of and still are 2nd in the West. The defensive side of the football has kept them in all three games so far. The secondary has come together nicely to absorb the losses of Dwight Anderson and Brandon Browner. And, it’s early. Ridiculously early for the CFL where the first month and a half can be erased. Just ask last year’s BC Lions.

Conversely, the pessimists will ask you about who the Stamps have faced to this point. Toronto, BC and Winnipeg don’t have the most potent offensive threats. Travis Lulay, Cleo Lemon and Buck Pierce (for the one half) aren’t exactly the CFL elite when it comes to quarterbacks, apolgies to Lulay who appears to be on the rise. The defensive side has been good, but Cleo Lemon is not Anthony Calvillo. The Stamps offense has looked disjointed and frustrated much of the time.

By now you’d have thought we would have a good idea as to what this Stamps team was all about. However, it seems like there are more questions than answers.

The most important element in the discussion in my opinion comes back to the schedule. 3 weeks in. We all like to get wrapped up in the moment. A bad game or two means change should be on the way. It’s likely why those like me aren’t in charge of a CFL team. The season is incredibly long, agonizingly some times. The CFL preseason is just two weeks. Two games in which your starters play about half or less. It just takes time. Yes, the Edmonton Eskimos are 3-0 and sailing along. Do we really feel like the Eskies are sure thing to win the West? Didn’t think so. The Stampeders are still very much finding their way and have been able to slap a pair of victories on the board in the process. Not all bad. They do however face those 3-0 Eskimos this week though. Maybe this is the week we learn a whole lot more about both teams. Or not.

But it’s early.

One of the best things about what I do, is that it’s never dull. There’s the odd slow day, but for the most part something always seems to shake down that gets everyone, including us, talking.

Friday afternoon was another such occasion.

It’s probably a good thing no one gave me the option, because chances are I would have put serious money down that the Calgary Flames would not be taking a run at Brad Richards. Why? How? All logical questions. Yet, there they were swinging for the fences in hopes of landing the sexiest free agent on July 1st. In the end, Richards landed where most people figured he would, in New York City playing for the Rangers. No surprise ending. The Flames made it interesting though, as General Manager Jay Feaster feels they finished 2nd. If that’s worth anything.

So why were the Flames going after Richards? Was this the reasoning behind trading Robyn Regehr and Ales Kotalik to Buffalo? Were they really prepared to pay Richards over 7 million dollars a season for the next nine years? Weren’t they getting younger?

Or were they?

To me, the whole pursuit was curious. An aging team was stepping up with huge money for a player over the age of 30. They move out the Regehr and Kotalik contracts to free up cap space, only to sink all of that and more back into one player. Granted, Brad Richards is a world class talent. He may even be slightly under-rated as a play maker. The Flames haven’t had a centerman of his ilk in years and years. Still, though it seemed curious why they would be involved. Wasn’t that a criticism of the old regime? Big money for older players?

The LA Kings? Makes good sense. A team with a reasonable shot at contending for a Cup with some solid youth in the system. The Rangers? Well, the Rangers are the Rangers even in a salary cap world. But in fairness to them, they have Marian Gaborik who could desperately use a centerman like Richards. The Flames? Well, you could argue the Flames are in roughly the same shape as the Rangers. Calgary and New York are in the same echelon of spending and both in a fight for playoff spots. Jarome Iginla would seemingly have some terrific years of production left with Richards in tow. Maybe it shouldn’t seem as odd as it did Friday. Or still does.

So what now? If the Flames had landed Richards, it would be clearly defined as to where they were headed. Winning NOW. High expectations. Playoffs a must. But with Richards in Manhattan where does it leave them? Do they re-evaluate the whole direction of the franchise?

What becomes of the money you had hypothetically set aside for Richards?

Do you sit tight and potentially land a different big fish next July 1st?

Do you try and trade for a big ticket player?

If you were to ask the Flames brass, I’m guessing they would tell you that they expect to win every year and the goal is to make the playoffs no matter what. For me, I thought based on what we saw draft weekend I could envision where they were going. Maybe the Brad Richards gamble was a one-off kind of situation. However, I’m a little less certain as to what the plan is today than I was on Thursday.

- So what do the Flames do in regards to free agency on Friday? Based on what Jay Feaster said earlier in the week, I dare say not much. Not to say the team will be idle, but Feaster alluded to the fact that last year there were a number of players available long after July 1st who could be had at a reasonable price. Brendan Morrison was one of those. There were more, but the Flames were hamstrung because of cap issues and roster space. That shouldn’t be the case so much this season. It will be interesting to see if Feaster plays the waiting game in terms of free agents.

- How cool is it to look at a list of league teams and see “Winnipeg Jets”?

- Mike Green of the Washington Capitals was in studio with us Thursday morning. Good guy. If you missed it, check out the audio on demand link.

- So the Ryan Smyth saga continues? Colin Fraser’s injury is more severe than first thought so the Kings are upset. When something is this difficult to pull off, don’t you wonder if the galaxy is trying to tell you something?

- More on Smyth deal…does this affect Steve Tambellini’s credibility? He traded Gilbert Brule and said he was healthy (he wasn’t), so then he substituted Fraser who was more injured than Tamby let on. Likely not a good situation.

- When did Christian Ehrhoff turn into Ray Bourque?

- Brent Burns will wear #88 in San Jose. Will he be more Kane-like (winner), or Lindros (disappointment)?

- It’d be neat to see the Flames sign Sheldon Souray, if for no other reason than to see him get to play the Oilers six times in the regular season.

- Not many people will get the reference, but once CFL season hits I miss Jim and Jer’s.

- Not complaining (I guess I am), but would it kill the NHL to change the date of Unrestricted Free Agency. I know the league doesn’t really care about Canada or it’s media, but it is a national holiday. Trade deadline day is huge for TV and radio ratings, as is the Entry Draft. Move it to July 15th and everybody wins.

- Not that they need it, but did you know the New York Islanders are sacrificing 2.2 million dollars of cap space in each of the next four years STILL from the buy out of Alexei Yashin?

- Speaking of cap space, I love how people are using the Florida Panthers as some garbage heap simply because they need to spend a significant amount of money to get above the salary cap floor. They have to spend money, yes. But is it written they have to be idiots about it? They might be at the end of the day, but it seems like there’s some in every fan base, the Flames included who assume the Panthers will gladly take all their bad existing contracts. Not that easy. Although I would think Chicago faithful are delighted to see Brian Campbell taking his talents to South Beach.

- Sleepy. Out.

With each passing day in Calgary as it pertains to the Flames, it’s becoming increasingly clear.

This is Jay Feaster’s team.

While he was the assistant GM under Darryl Sutter, it was debatable as to how much significant influence he was having on the day to day operations of the team. Upon Sutter’s departure, Feaster assumed the “Acting General Manager”, but even then many were skeptical as to the extent he was able to make the moves and changes he saw fit. Feaster is now the full time GM. And only now do we seem to see his vision begin to take shape.

The trading of Robyn Regehr was a significant move. In many respects, it seems like this move has come and gone rather quickly. Maybe I don’t have the pulse of the fan base, but the aftershocks seem few. If Darryl Sutter had sent Regehr packing I’m curious if the fall out would be different. Regardless, the change has been made and it is significant. Feaster’s scouting staff drafted five players on the weekend. A Swiss born player in round one, and then a mix of Finns, Americans and Canadians the rest of the way. Some of them small in stature, but seemingly high on skill. The beginnings of an identity seem to be taking shape.

Duane Sutter is out, John Weisbrod is in. Could there be more in the way of changes with the hockey operations staff? Perhaps. Most of the contracts with scouts, like Sutter’s expire on Thursday at midnight.

Speaking of which, Friday signals the start of free agency. Players at the draft that might have been unattractive options previously were donning Flames jerseys. What about UFA’s? What kind of player is suddenly in the Flames crosshairs? What do Feaster and Weisbrod feel is out there that can be a difference maker? In the past it was predictable (Olli Jokinen notwithstanding), but now it’s a little more difficult to nail down. Which for me if I’m a Flames fan, is exciting. Unpredictability (in a good way) can be a rush.

Will the Flames be big players on Friday? One thing the Regehr deal does is elevate that possibility. To those who are sour with the trade, I’d suggest that the real return of that deal can not yet be evaluated. Yes, there is that 2nd round pick that Buffalo will have courtesy of Calgary next June, but what of the cap space? The cap space that Feaster coveted and acquired in the deal with the Sabres…how does he utilize it? If they sign a 3.5 million dollar player for example on Friday, should he not be seen as a spin off or part of that transaction? I say you could formulate an argument that he should.

And what about trades? Feaster suggested Monday afternoon that many discussions were had in Minneapolis on the weekend and just because more deals weren’t consumated doesn’t mean the talks continue. Could another trade come before Friday to free up more money? If some teams strike out with free agents, could they come calling on Calgary knowing they are looking to move out players and free up cap room?

Most of it speculation, but what seems clear is that for the most part Feaster is finally free to mould and shape this team as he sees fit. His staff. His team. We are already starting to get a glimpse as to what that looks like. Maybe by Friday night, that vision becomes even a little clearer.

It’s a big couple weeks on the way for the Calgary Flames. Jay Feaster will make his return to the podium at the NHL Entry Draft in Minnesota next Friday as a General Manager. The Flames make an appearance in the first round after being a spectator a year ago. What will be interesting to monitor at the same time, will be to see whether or not the Flames will lock up Alex Tanguay prior to the opening of free agency on July 1st.

Earlier this week, I touched base with someone who has knowledge of the situation who suggested that the two sides were close, that it was going to be a longer term deal and that the price tag wasn’t going to necessarily what you would classify as a “home town discount.” Now it’s very much a subjective thing to determine just what a home town discount would be. Ken King said at a public event not long ago that the Flames had made a strong offer to the Flames. That is consistant with what I’ve been hearing.

That was a few days ago.

Things can change in a short amount of time.

I’ve now also heard in the last day or so that there’s a chance that talks have broken down altogether and that Tanguay could be headed to market.

Most often it seems in a negotiation, discussions get heavier and a little more substantial the closer you get to the deadline. Could some of it be posturing? What we do know is that time is ticking.

Alex Tanguay deserves a raise.

The Flames need a player like Alex Tanguay.

It would seem unfortunate if the two sides can’t find something that works.