With the 3 players assigned on Saturday and the 3 players being waived today it appears that the opening day roster is set. Matt Keetley, and John Armstrong were assigned to Quad City Saturday morning, and Mikael Backlund was sent back to Sweden. Today TSN has reported that Rhett Warrener, Anders Eriksson, and Jamie Lundmark have been placed on waivers. At the end of the day are there any really surprises?
Matt Keetley is not that far away but is on a two way deal and should be the starter in Quad City.
John Armstrong had a strong camp and failed to make a final push for a spot due to a leg injury. Darryl Sutter was quoted in the paper in saying that Armstrong was close and nobody talked about him during camp, that isn’t entirely correct, we spent a lot of time talking about Armstrong prior to his injury. Darryl is bang on about one thing though this kid is close to the NHL.
Backlund was fun to watch and I admit I was pulling for the kid to make the team, in the end he isn’t ready, but at 19 there is no shame in going back and playing pro in his homeland for one more year. Mikael is going to play in the NHL and who knows maybe it won’t be next year but it was fun to watch the kid get a chance.
As far as Lundmark goes, he had a good camp but he wasn’t better then Boyd, he wasn’t better then Moss, he wasn’t better then Primeau, he wasn’t better Nystrom, and at the end of the day he was on a two way contract and Brandon Prust wasn’t. As a veteran Lundmark is in an interesting position if he goes down to Quad City and puts up numbers it might be really difficult to call him up through waivers. updated 4:01pm (Lundmark does not make enough in the AHL to have to go through re-entry waivers sorry about the confusion)
As far as the two d-men are concerned nobody is surprised that we are here, Eriksson has a broken finger and really didn’t stand out, Warrener is a different story. Rhett poured his heart and soul into this camp, his team mates had his back and where very supportive but in the end his contract is just too much. Whose fault is it at the end of the day, the player’s or the team’s, I don’t think you blame the player for signing the contract, the GM ultimately over valued the player.
It should be pointed out that all three of the veterans could be grabbed on waivers, I am sure that their agents can all make a case for them having value to teams out there. If they are not claimed they will be assigned, I guess they could fall in the steps of Marcus Nilson and find a European team to pay the Flames to have the player assigned there.
If Warrener and Eriksson clear waivers they would be paid the value of their contract no matter where the play, but none of the salary counts against the cap. Lundmark is on a two way deal and would get paid his AHL salary.
The Flames are now down to 23 players, I am not convinced that the Flames will carry that many through the year, if they carry just 22 players that does help with the cap pressure. With the potential moves being made by Calgary the Flames should have around 2.5 to 3 million dollars worth of space.
This is why I am quietly distancing myself from rumours. Last week I blogged that our NHL friends 3 hours to the north were getting a new mascot. This was a scoop, wow we were all over it we leaked their top secret info out before they wanted it out. Well Deep Throat called back today with a correction it is not the Edmonton Oilers getting a new mascot but the AJHL Oilers getting a new mascot.
Darn shame about Rhett. Maybe if he had gotten injured while he was bustin’ it to stay with the team he could’ve been put on the I.R. and prolonged the inevitable. Or he could’ve scrapped with Pardy in an intra-squad game and put him on the I.R… Regardless, we lose a real character guy.
- DeanYes, we aren’t shocked about Eriksson, Lundmark or Warrener. But it would be nice if there was something within’ the organziation for Rhett (Mr. King, Mr. Kisio…hello?!?). He has embraced this team and community since the day he got here. Next time your at the dome, look at how many #44 jersey’s are being worn…lots of them. If Rhett goes he will be sorely missed.
- Bob in the AbbeyDefinitely no suprise with these moves. As much as I respect what Warrener has done for the team, the whole organization and community. Unfortunately it almost comes down to business. His contract was too high for a team that is right up against the cap and wants to go younger and faster. Give him credit though, he did have one hell of a camp. Hopefully he does find a team in need of his great personality,
leadership and skill. Thanks Rhett!!!
Lundmark also had a respectable camp, but like you said Rob, he wasn’t better than Boyd or Moss.
- MattAs for Erikkson… nuff said!
Rhett is a quality guy, but this is the way it goes in sports. Its good when you have younger guys that are ready to push for spots on the big club.
- TomOne day Connie will be to old and slow to play as well and we’ll be sad to see him go. But in the best interest of the Flames everyones time will come. If Rhett doesn’t end up playing anywhere else in the NHL i really hope he retires and coaches with either QC Flames and teaches the young fellas the art or tough a$$ defence, or can make a move into a community relations role of some sort.
- Kurt PearsAll the best to Rhett. I hope someone picks him up. It’s a shame that there is a price for character and heart. Thanks Rhett.
- JimI wish Rhett all the best. He’s a warrior, a class-act, and has long been someone I consider one of the faces of the franchise. A true throwback to the game of hockey, and I hope he can find a good home elsewhere in the league.
- EricI feel Sutter should have kept Rhett… He has always given 110% and never took a day off in a game like some of the other high profile players have… I know hockey is a business and loyalty for a player is no longer there, but you can’t replace leadership and at times I feel the Flames lack leadership with the exception of Iggy… I almost hope Edmonton picks him up so he can get a chance to prove to Sutter that he made a mistake… i wouldn’t doubt if Phoenix picks him up as the greatest player that ever played knows how important leadership and playing with heart means to a team…
- dan heylandRhett is a great defencemen but at the end of the day I beleive the new NHL has been a tough adjustment for him as speed is a must. I’m sure he will land on his feet somewhere. As for Eriksson…not a huge loss.
- PaoloIt is a changing of the guard - it happens every year -with every team. Rhett was a scrapper - a character guy - but time may have caught up. Anders - too slow and coughed up the puck far too often - Jamie - time will tell his future - he will have to be better than average in Quad City to get back - this is a new season - new faces - lets hope for some (positive) new results - I really want to see these guys play in Aril - May and beyond!
John
- JohnI uunderstand that there’s a business side to sports and Rhettzy was just a victim of the numbers game, but as a Flames fan I will really miss him on this team. He was a quality guy and I wish there was some sort of position in the organization for him. All the best, Rhett.
- RobI would much rather seen Aucoin hit waivers then Warrener. Why has his $4M salary not come up with respect to the cap. He is very much overpaid. I wonder if Sutter has tried to deal him away?
- AndyIt’s a real shame to see Rhett go, he really poured his heart out in training camp. He deserves to be on this team the way he played, but unfortunately not under his current contract. It’s too bad that the salary cap can deprive such a hard-worker like him of making the team.
- TimothyI have to agree with Andy’s remark above. Why wasn’t it Aucoin being sent down instead? Lets face it, they are very much the same type of player and correct me if i am wrong but isn’t Aucoin’s salary even larger than Rhett’s??? woulda been a far more better decision to send aucoin down thru the waivers instead.
Deer|-|untR Out!!!
- Deer|-|untRIagree with the sentiments of all regarding Warriner and Ericksson. Jamie Lundmark had a great camp, not just a good camp. He’ll be up here quick as soon as theres injuries and you heard it here first he’s gonna play very well while here!!
- BurkeGreat character guy in Warrener. Too bad to see him go, but really, hockey is a business. No way he doesn’t end up in the front office somewhere. Eriksson, well, flames are 30 goals against/year without him in the lineup.
- MikeSorry…30 goals against/year BETTER
- Mike