Random thoughts:
Probably the best thing to be said about the changes that the Flames have made this off season was said by Darryl Sutter “proof is the pudding the game isn’t played on paper.” In a way it is refreshing to hear a GM not oversell acquisitions, no doubt Sutter is proud and happy to have Jaybo and Brent, but the team has to win.
Tim Erixon, the Flames first round pick from this past Friday in Montreal, is the most intriguing top pick the team has had in a while. The club seems a little cautious about what he might turn into, but they believe that he might be special a top 3 guy. I can’t wait to see him at the July development camp just to get a mental picture of him moving forward.
Calgary’s trade of Jim Vandermeer has pissed off a ton of media members who profess to be CBA experts; some believe that the league shouldn’t have allowed the Coyotes to make the move since the league is funding the team.
With all of the talk about Flames d-men lately I do find it interesting how many players and coaches (past/present) talk about the loss of Mark Giordano late last season as being a huge blow.
Best signing of day one of free agent frenzy might be Colorado signing goalie Craig Anderson, he might be another Dwayne Roloson or Tim Thomas type. An older goalie that gets a chance later in his career to become a starter and makes the most of it.
Worst signing could turn out to be the Rangers (again) that is an awful lot of money given to Gaborik for a long time with a guy who can’t play a full season.
Backlund, Erixon, and now Sjostrom anyone else notice Darryl’s new found love of Swedish born players. Remember when the joke was Darryl only took WHL kids?
Stamps sure didn’t look ready for the season on Thursday did they? Love Hank to death but he looked more like Frank then Hank, he has to be better.
Enough Micheal Jackson already, did anybody notice that Karl Malden passed away, outstanding actor who was terrific in “Patton”, he will be missed.
Good to see Dan Cleary invited to the Team Canada orientation camp in Calgary at the end of August. I doubt he will make the team but he is an outstanding story of perseverance and how sometimes when the media makes it mind up on guy it isn’t always correct.
Don’t get caught up in the who isn’t there argument with the Team Canada list, if a guy deserves to be there I am sure he will be when they announce the team in December.
Enjoy the Stampede everybody!
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Darryl still only takes WHL kids: two out of those three have played in the dub, and my money says Erixon will be there sometime soon as well. The difference is the WHL, not D. Sutter: it never used to be a place for foreigners (including Americans) to skate so he got labelled as a guy who doesn’t like foreigners.
- FJ