Great story told by Jim Playfair last night after the game about Keith Aulie, who the Flames signed to entry level deal today, about how he use the same materials and concepts with Keith that he has developed for Robin Regehr. That’s not to say that he will be the next Regehr, but the kid has real taken to the material and his development in the Flames eyes has really taken off.
Talked to Andre Roy today about yesterdays 2 minute fighting majors with Semenov, no idea why the penalties were called the way they were. Mike Keenan echoed the confusion saying no explanation was given to Calgary about the call. It was a safe bet that the Flames would have much rather played the Sharks 5 on 5 as they would had the majors been called instead of the 4 on 4 hockey that they had to play against San Jose because of the minors.
Congratulations to Jarome Iginla for once again representing the Flames at the upcoming NHL All Star game in Montreal. I am happy for Jarome who really seems to relish the opportunity to represent the Flames and the NHL, but my disdain for the current set up for the All Star game likely makes me a target for chants of being a hypocrite. The fan voting for the starters is a joke they way it is set up currently, I don’t have a solution but I still wish to see the fan’s play a role. The notion that each team must be represented in the game is also a farce. I will watch the skills, I always do, and I will likely skip the game it self.
There seems to be a little bit of a reset on the Backlund story that was broken last night on Flames Warm Up, it has been described as a done deal that he will suit up for Kelowna. The Flames are cautioning that the player will first visit the Rockets then make up his mind on if he wants to play there. When I interviewed Backlund last night he told me he would go anywhere Darryl told too. He can play in the WHL, the AHL, and the NHL.
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I’m a little surprised Darryl is even considering letting Backlund play in the Dub. I thought he might be concerned about Backlund taking cheap shots from less fortunate WHLer’s. Or, shots from guys looking to make a statement. I thought that the AHL would be the perfect fit. Specifically, a higher level than the Dub, but not as high as the NHL, which might be too much, too soon.
- Darren