I... I got Nothing... But a Video

So absolutely nothing is going on in Calgary while Kevin Lowe is being good ole Krazy Kevin up North so I decided I'd take a shot at Video Editing.

For those that don't remember the game where The Flames needed to win to beat a Franchise record in Home Wins... This was it.

Here's the Result, Enjoy:

Take a breather... Kipper will sign in due time.

All this paranoia about Miikka Kiprusoff allegedly rejecting an offer from a report by Marty York, who has about as much credibility as your drunk uncle is nonsense. First of all, Darryl Sutter has mentioned that they talked about an extension before Miikka headed home for the summer, he planted the seed of his intentions to keep Miikka around long term, nothing more, nothing less.

Miikka Kiprusoff is known to dissapear during his summers, to the point that his teammates cannot even get a hold of him, including Jarome Iginla.

All of this is one reporters attempt to get his "story" some attention... Is it a possibility that Kipper signs elsewhere at the end of next season? Absolutely. However I believe Miikka loves this city, the fans love him like a god and he was given his chance by Darryl Sutter, there is loyalty there.

Miikka Kiprusoff deserves to be paid very well, and he will be paid very well.

One more thing, what if The Flames win the Cup this year? Will Miikka even be interested in continuing his career as an NHL netminder? I personally don't think so. I could see him leaving on a high ala Hakan Loob and spend the rest of his days in his home on the Baltic Sea with his signifigant other and their child in tranquility. It's just the kind of fellow he is. He is a different breed of an NHL player, and that's why we love him in Calgary, as much as his goaltending abilities.

So Flames fans, take a breath... For Darryl Sutter to sign Iginla and Regehr a year early doesn't mean Kipper is done, or even begun any negotiations with the team.

The NHL Releases 07/08 Season Schedule

The National Hockey League has released the 2007-2008 Season schedule today.

Here are some key dates on the Calendar for The Flames that stick out:

- The Flames will open their season at home on October 4th against the new look Philly Flyers.

- The annual New Years Eve game will take place yet again this time against The Vancouver Canucks

- The longest home stand will take place October 18th through to November 1st (7 Games)

- For the first time in a number of years, The Flames will host the entire Atlantic Division including Sidney Crosby's Pittsburgh Penguins December 6th.

- The longest road trip is set to take place from December 9th through the 18th and will be 6 games taking the team through the Mid West, Carolina and Florida

-For HNIC's Hockey Day in Canada, The Flames will host The Edmonton Oilers

- To close out the last 9 games of the season, The Flames will play all Northwest Division teams to close out what will no doubt be a close race to the finish

Somewhere, Peter Maher has been studying this schedule for hours this beautiful July Day in Calgary.

My Line Up Projections as of July 6th 2007

Tanguay-Lombardi-Iginla
Huselius-Langkow-Nolan
Primeau-Conroy-Moss
Taratukhin-Yelle-Nilson

Phaneuf-Sarich
Regehr-Aucoin
Eriksson-Giordano*

* - Swap with Hale, throughout the season.

This is with the scenario that if Warrener is indeed on the shelf for the whole season, or at least long term.

If not I imagine a dog fight for the #6 spot between, Eriksson, Giordano, and Hale I expect one of these three to be in the AHL if this is the case. I believe Eriksson and Hale would take the spot over Giordano, now of course there will be inevitable injuries on D and Giordano should see his fair ammount of games in Calgary, but I see him starting on the farm if Warrener is healthy enough to play.

Eriksson will be up with the big team the whole year I believe, with split time in the press box. He's not going to QC, Hale is a solid player, and doesn't make a ton of money, so I don't see him in QC, Gio does have a good share of farm experience so I believe he'll be the only to first see time on the farm. Unless he has an OUTSTANDING pre-season.

Adios!

Flames bolster D-core, Sign Anders Eriksson

The Flames have announced the signing of Anders Eriksson to a 2 year deal, the money figures haven't been announced at this time.

Anders Eriksson was initially signed by The Flames during the off season prior to the 2005 lockout. It was a 1 year deal so obviously Anders didn't see a single game as a Flame during that time.

In Eriksson we have in essence a Zyuzin replacement, in terms of overall play style. He put up a respectable 23 points and a +12 on a fairly terrible Blue Jackets team last year.

I don't believe he'll see time in Quad Cities but will share time on the press box, or if some rumors are true about Warrener being injured long term, he could see full time in our top 6.

In the end, a nice depth signing.

DONE DEAL: Captain Calgary is here to stay!

The Calgary Flames have finally officially announced the contract extension of their franchise player. Jarome Iginla is set to remain a Calgary Flame for the next 6 seasons.

This is a huge deal, especially considering some members of the media more or less saying he was gonzo after this season and would receive over $8 million on the open market. Now while that was a possibility, "some" members of the media already had it in stone. Congratulations "some" members of the Calgary media, you've made yourselves look like idiots yet again...

So enough about my bitterness towards "some" members of the media, I have extreme gratitude towards the Iginla family for dedicating themselves to the city and team, and the Flames ownership for their dedication to keep their franchise player.

...Now we await a combination of "Kipper wants out of Calgary" rumors spewed by "some" members of the Calgary media, and of course his inevitable contract extension to complete the tri-fecta of cornerstone deals.

Darryl Sutter's gettin it done this summer. Great work!

Flames extend Robyn Regehr 5 years, Sign Owen Nolan

The Calgary Flames have locked up one of their key cogs for the next 5 years, The deal is a 5 year deal worth in the area of $20 million.

This is an important deal because Regehr would have been an Unrestricted Free Agent at the end of next season and could have seen many offers on the open market.

I'll be the first to admit that Regehr's play last year wasn't his best, but I do feel he can turn it around.

Jarome Iginla is still currently awaiting/negotiating his own contract extention with the team believed to be in the 5 year range so Flames fans are eagerly awaiting the news of that deal.


On the UFA front, The Flames have signed veteran Right Winger Owen Nolan to a one-year deal up to $2 million if all bonus restrictions are met. I like the move for the reason that it fills a gaping hole for us on RW, and Nolan can still play and bring valuable experience to the team.

Jarome Iginla set to sign a new Contract Extention!

The Heart and Soul of The Calgary Flames may be here to stay at least past the 2011 season.

Peter Maher of The Fan 960 reported that the deal is imminent and could happen by tonite or Monday.

Either way it's believed not to be a matter of IF, but just a matter of WHEN this is announced.

Myself, I would be ecstatic about this contract extension, and I would admire Jarome Iginla and his family a great deal for making the commitment to this city and organization. Jarome is a special player, a unique player and if this deal ends up being a fact as soon as it does, we're lucky to have him.

There is also speculation that Defenseman Robyn Regehr will also get an extension done soon, but details on that aren't quite clear at this time.

Flames sign UFA Dman Cory Sarich for 5 years, $18 Million

The Calgary Flames have announced today the signing of Unrestricted Free Agent Cory Sarich. The deal brings Sarich $3.6 Million over the course of 5 years.

Sarich fits the mold of a no-nonsense stay at home, smart, strong Dman comparible to Robyn Regehr in play style. This may alot of money for a guy who doesn't put alot of points on the board but as all Flames fans know from last year, scoring isn't going to get you anywhere. Sarich solidifies The Flames defense all the more for next year and years to come. It's clear the MO of The Flames this off season is 1) Wanting to be here 2) Attitude and 3) The ability to do what it takes to win... Sarich is able to do it all, and was a member of the 2004 Lighting team that put an end to Calgary's Cup hopes in '04.