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I have a sneaking feeling that the world famous, much talked about, the much feared, Iron Mike Keenan is back for the remainder of the season. Is it a good thing? Or is it a bad thing? Time will tell I suppose, but yesterday Mike let loose with the media on a bunch of stuff. You can always tell when somebody wants something out there when they offer it up for free. Keenan yesterday through three things out there with out really being asked, first didn’t like the way his team practiced yesterday and warns they need to be better the rest of the way, then he threw out there unsolicited that he thinks the ducks take liberties with opposing goalies. Finally Mike wasn’t happy with the officiating on Tuesday and he fired one across the bow of the league hoping that they provided NHL caliber officiating for the game tonight. I don’t think the calm cool Iron Mike we have seen this year will be back this season, make no bones about it there is pressure on Mike to live up to his billing.

For the Flames tonight a couple of things to note, it will be Kiprusoff in goal, but there is a few changes that could be made at game time. Alex Tanguay is a game time decision, as are a few of the Flames regulars since the Flu seems to be going through the team. Both Yelle and Hale didn’t practice due to Flu like symptoms. Eric Nystrom has been recalled and will likely get a chance to get back into the line up.

No doubt that the Flames see this one as a big test, the Ducks have really had Calgary’s number in the Honda Center with the Flames not having a win in Anaheim since January of 2004, and quite honestly have had a good effort there since their last win in the Ducks barn.

The Flames watched as the trade deadline came and went yesterday, choosing to stand pat, was I surprised? Yes! Do I think they tried? Yes? Do I think they made a mistake by not getting something? Time will tell, it is tough not knowing what was talked about or offered up, so to make a declaration one way or another, but what I do know, the results of this years Calgary Flames hockey club will be tied to the General Manager this year more then any in recent memory. I know Darryl was trying to swing for the fence and land an impact player, I was asked if I thought the Flames were ever in the Marian Hossa sweepstakes? I don’t think they were early on, but by the way it sounds like the deal got brokered by the Pen’s late in the day, it wouldn’t surprise me if Don Waddell made a call to gauge interest late in the day. It should be pointed out that I have no inside information but more of putting two and two together. The book that I would love to read is the one detailing all of the last minute conversations had around the league prior to the end of the trading season.

Tough day for Dion Phaneuf Tuesday, he had his vehicle stolen on his way to the rink for the game, it was recovered today, but rest assured Phaneuf wasn’t happy. I am not sure which is worse for Dion having a prize possession stolen, or having to endure his teammates ensuing ribbing which will continue for a long time.

Dumb stuff always happens when the Flames play the Avalanche, I don’t know why, but in a lot of ways it is kind of the opposite of Calgary versus the Wild. The Wild got a poor call against them on Sunday and the Flames got the win, last night a brutal call in overtime and the AV’s win on the power play.

I know the Flames were really upset with the lack of a diving call in overtime, and it would not be surprising if that message was delivered all the way to Steve Walkom at the NHL offices, but in the end what does it change? Nothing, it happens all of the time and you have to get past it.

Just a few random thoughts on yesterday’s day trade activities:

Is Jacque Martin insane, what did he do to improve his hockey club? What did he do to hurt his club? He made three deals that looked a lot like a half step forward and a step and half back.

Huet sent to Washington by Montreal, will likely be the most analyzed deal of the year. I don’t get it from either side; the Cap’s now have 3 NHL goalies, what bad can come of from it. Montreal is now relying on to young goalies, I like Cary Price and all, but you are rolling the dice in that market by not having a veteran who can help with the scrutiny that the team goes through.

I like what Jay Feaster did, I think he set his team up for success down the road, Mike Smith his going to be a star in this league. They probably need to dump crazy John as coach but moving forward I’ll bet they’re a better team in a year from now then they are now.

I think San Jose is better with Brian Campbell on the blue line, but I am not sure that they did enough.

As I said yesterday it is absurd to declare winners and losers hours after the deadline has come and past.

Big day in the NHL, with trades coming to a screeching halt at 1pm Calgary time, I won’t talk specifically about any of the trades in this blog, but check out Boomers blog for the latest deals.

The Flames brain trust as of 10am are in their war room, word is they aren’t in on anything at this point maybe it changes, maybe it doesn’t.

Flames and Av’s at the dome tonight, these two teams played 5 times in the early part of the season since, but have not played since the end of November. In that time span the Avalanche lost the services of Joe Sakic, Ryan Smyth, and Paul Stastny, for extended periods of time, but there all back and ready to play the Flames. One guy who won’t be in the line up tonight for Colorado is one Peter Forsberg, the Av’s signed him yesterday he is expected in Denver by the end of the week, and will need some time to get his conditioning up to speed, so it could be 2 weeks before he plays.

As I am writing this blog we learn that Florida has traded defensemen Ruslan Selei to the Avalanche for Karlis Skrastins and a third round pick. The blue line of the Avalanche is the area of greatest concern I would think with Brett Clark down for the rest of the year, they may try and add another defensemen.

The Flames sit on top of the North West Division thanks to one of their biggest weeks in recent memories. They have a little bit of a slower week with the game tonight and a pair on Friday and Saturday, a little chance to catch their breath after playing 5 times in 8 days.

Alex Tanguay is not on the ice for practice…..because he is recovering from a stinger, but that doesn’t seem to stem the tide of speculation running around the dome.

Lines
Huselius Langkow Iginla
Nilson Conroy Nolan
Yeller Lombardi Primeau
Smith Boyd Goddard

Phaneuf Vandermeer
Regehr Sarich
Aucoin Hale

Kiprusoff

Flames back at practice today, no Alex Tanguay who was going to get an MRI on his neck/back area.

Miikka Kiprusoff was named the 2nd Star in the NHL for the last week, winning 3 games against 3 division leaders, and giving up just 2 goals. It was by far and away Miikka Kiprusoff’s best week of the season.

Darryl Sutter spoke to the media today 24 hours ahead of tomorrows trade deadline here are some of the bigger points:

Alex Tanguay is not going anywhere it appears, Sutter he anticipates having him for the long term.

Sutter was less committal about pending UFA Kristian Huselius, but did say that too much is made about trade deadline and UFA’s, tomorrow has little in his mind to do with the Flames signing UFA’s.

There is a lot less talk going on amongst GM’s then one might think, it may change it may not.

As he often does Sutter was critical of the local media’s opinion of his hockey club, saying that when we talk about the inconsistency of his team we fail to look at the rest of the league.

He did say that last year he felt he had to make a change in the locker room to improve the make up of the team, he doesn’t feel like that is an issue.

Sutter had a ton of respect for Mat’s Sundin’s decision to not waive his trade clause, Sutter has no problem with no trade clause but does feel there are some players around the league that shouldn’t have them, but it is a team’s decision.

Sutter pointed out for the media today that there are about 200 UFA’s and 100 RFA’s at this point for the summer coming up.

Pat will host a 2 hour Trade Deadline show tonight starting at 7pm, and he will be taking your calls.

It bit of a weird blog today, as normally I would post before the game, but because of the Noon start I guess I changed the routine. I hate broadcasts that start in the morning, I am so used to evenings that it throws me off, ohhh well I guess if I was in the East I would probably love it.

How good has Miikka Kiprusoff been in the last 5 days, last Sunday I thought he cost his team to win in Anaheim, not to say he alone was the one to blame, but boy I will tell you he has been lights out since then. Kiprusoff has seen 77 shots in his last 2 games but could care less; he seems to be floating out there from side to side. I probably have beaten this to death, but early in the season when he wasn’t playing well, this is the type of goaltending I knew he was capable of. I remember people getting so mad at me since they felt I was too critical of Kiprusoff’s play in October and November, but he expected this type of performance from himself. The way he is playing right now you can see the Flames being a very dangerous team the rest of the way, if he reverts back to his early season form the season will end very abruptly at the start of April. For the record I am betting on the former, I think he is just starting to role.

Right now the Minnesota Wild has no answer for the Calgary Flames, having lost 4 in a row to Calgary this season including their last 2 at home. This afternoon the Wild threw every thing and the kitchen sink at the Flames but still lost. As good as the Wild were today there was still something missing from their game, in some ways they kind of remind me of the Flames against Colorado late last year and early this year it didn’t matter what the Flames would do they just couldn’t beat the Av’s.

Quirky fact that mean meaning nothing, 5 times this year the Flames have been held to less then 20 shots and they are 4-1, wins against Colorado, San Jose, Dallas, and now Minnesota, their lone loss was early in the season 4-1 at home to San Jose.

Some trade deadline talk for ya, I do believe Darryl Sutter is trying to hit a home run, and I am sure that a definition of that description has different meanings to different people, but he wants to improve this team. But, and I mean but, if the Flames do nothing it will have to do with Sutter’s reluctance to pay the going rate. I don’t profess to know what Darryl has in mind, but I have no problem telling you what I think the Flames could use. About a month ago I sated my wish list, and my mind hasn’t changed even though Calgary has made on deal already. I would like to see a front line center, a second line scorer, a puck moving defensemen, and a scoring prospect. With the trade for Jim Vandermeer last week, I think the Flames have their blueliners for the rest of the year, so we will wait and see. I would not be surprised to the Flames make their biggest deal late on Tuesday morning, not because Sutter wants to but because they have to.

One final thought on Tuesday, I think there will be a lot of deals, but very few blockbusters, like last year I think you will see a bunch of deals for the sake of deals. Last year a bunch of bit players got moved at the last minute, and while most GM’s will tell you that they got just what their teams, more often then not these deadline deals are a reaction to a real or imagined threat from a divisional or conference rival.

I love the trade deadline, just the rush of finding out news and hearing all of the rumors, so you can bet Tuesday is going to me a must listen day on the FAN960, even if there isn’t a single deal, but don’t worry there will be.

For those who care about such things Jim Vandermeer will wear number 4, we will wait and see who is paired with. It should be noted that Vandermeer was playing first unit power play in Philly, and almost 20 minutes a game.

The Detroit Red Wings limp into town with some very key guys out of the line up. No Nick Lidstrom, no Dan Cleary, and no Brian Rafalski, just to name a few, ohhh and by the way Hasek is hurt, surprise, surprise. With the recent spate of injuries by the Wings, and their subsequent losing streak of 6 games many in the hockey world have them falling flat at play off time, I think that kind of talk is premature. As far as I am concerned the Detroit Red Wings when healthy are the best team in the league, if they have a weakness it may be the goaltenders, but when you can throw a blanket defensively on other teams you can make up for that.

What a gutsy performance by Cory Sarich in Dallas on Wednesday night, he got a puck in the face, had to have 5 teeth pushed back into place, he ended up losing one, plus stitches on the inside and outside of his mouth, came back and played, most of us would have taken a week of work to recover. He is out there today practicing with a full shield and looks like he is going to play against the Red Wings tonight.

Lines
Huselius Langkow Iginla
Tanguay Conroy Nolan
Primeau Lombardi Yell
Nilson Goddard Boyd

Regehr Sarich
Phaneuf Vandermeer
Hale Aucoin

Kiprusoff

extra’s
Warrener Eriksson
Joseph

Mark Smith did not skate this morning.

First of all I am out my last $10 bucks, there was no way that Joseph was going to play last night in my mind, he did and he has made me a believer. I thought Cujo gave the Flames something they haven’t had since Roman Turek was here, a back up that can go into a big game and win.

Owen Nolan was really greasy last night, as much as the Flames were running around worried about Steve Ott the last time these two teams played Owen Nolan was steam rolling the Stars last night. Just ask Mr. Ott how his jaw feels today after getting a butt end in the mouth after Nolan got waived out of a face off, “whoops did I do that?”! A surely Nolan makes this team better; I had an on ice official tell me that Owen is the meanest player in the league when on the ice bar none.

Flames made their first deal of the year last night, getting defensemen Jim Vandermeer from the Flyers for a 3rd round pick in the 2009 entry draft. I have campaigned for the last couple of years that Vandermeer would be a great fit for the Flames. He is not a puck mover, or a power play guy, but he his tough as nails, fights, can chip in with a few points, at the end of the day he is a real good number 5 or 6. The newest Flame is also an UFA at the end of the year; don’t be surprised if Calgary signs him in the off season.

If you heard Darryl Sutter last night on the broadcast, or I think Boomer is replaying him this afternoon, he has little good to say about those speculating about what his team may or may not do. Despite his demeanor when it comes to questions about deals, make no bones about it the Flames are players in the marketplace, but that marketplace has to open for something to happen for Calgary. Darryl likes to get his deals done early, that may not be the case this year.

Calgary has aqquired Jim Vandermeer from Philly for a 3rd round pick, love the deal and have talked for a couple of years about geting him here.

Flames coming off a win in Phoenix last night, 4-1 over the Coyotes, the Flames looked like a play off team, the Yotes like the team we thought they were going to be this year. It was a strong performance by Calgary, but (com’on you knew there would be a but) they really have to parlay into an even better performance against Dallas tonight.

Speaking of the Stars 9-1 in their last 10 games, they are the best team in the NHL right now, and sport the leagues best net minder in recent weeks in Marty Turco. Talking to assistant coach Mark Lamb last night he credited Turco’s turnaround to the goalie worrying less about the dressing room and more about his on ice performance. Turco is beloved by his teammates for his passion, and he has been an out spoken critic of things he thinks are unjust like Roberto Luongo’s pads, but to put it bluntly he was told to shut up and stop pucks.

Classy move by the Stars Steve Ott tonight, Ott is a friend of Mickey Renaud and has received permission from the league to wear Mickey’s number 18 on his helmet. Like last night in Glendale there will be a moment of silence for the Flames prospect, again a classy move from the Stars organization.

No word on line up changes for the Flames tonight, the goalie will be a game time decision; I would bet my last $10 bucks it will be Kipper.

My thoughts and prayers go out to Mickey Renaud’s family and the players and staff of the Windsor Spitfires, the Flames 5th round pick from this past June had really come into his own this season. Really makes you realize that it is just a game, doesn’t it?

Things I am told are very tense around the Flames right now, although it’s just a two game losing streak, don’t under estimate the frustration level at the higher levels of the organization. I did some checking today thinking that I may come on the show today as ask the question “should the Flames be sellers?” not because I believe it but since I think it would be a great debate, ain’t going to happen. The Calgary Flames are/will be buyers, as the pressure is on to “salvage the season”! That term “salvage the season” has been used by a couple of different people around the team, which leads me to believe that was a specific message delivered with in the organization.

Game day in Arizona for the Flames as they battle a red hot Coyotes team that just swept a 2 games home and home with the Kings. Kiprusoff will be back in goal tonight, make no bones about it Calgary is not screwing around with its goaltenders; this is Miikka’s team they will win or lose with him. It looks like Rhett Warrener and Dustin Boyd could be back in the line up tonight.

We may find out later today that Eric Nystrom has been recalled by the team, his name is listed on the Flames roster on their website. That roster is set by the NHL’s Central Registery, and usually the site is updated before a release from the team, but not always.

Talking to Peter Maher earlier today, it was made clear yesterday that the Old “Iron Mike” is back. Keenan ripped into his team yesterday instead of a practice; he has been a different guy this season according to players who played for him before. My only concern with that would be why now? And will it really work? Time will tell!

Update - 6:47pm Eric Nystrom is playing for Quad City tonight, so Central Registry was wrong.