In Cammalleri, the Flames were able to acquire a versatile forward who will most likely see time on the top line with Langkow and Iginla. Chemistry already exists between those two—Langkow’s passing ability and Iginla’s grit, leadership, and scoring tendencies. Adding Cammalleri—who scored 80 points just two years ago with the Kings—gives the Flames a top three that will be difficult for any defense to deal with.
With Owen Nolan departed for division-rival Minnesota, Todd Bertuzzi steps in as the Flames' annual veteran ‘fix-me’ acquisition. The tumultuous seasons following the Steve Moore incident have certainly taken a toll on Bertuzzi’s game—frankly he’s still lucky he’s allowed to play—while injuries limited him to 40 points in 62 games last season.
But if Bertuzzi can provide anything close to what Nolan did last season—16 goals and 16 assists—then Mike Keenan could look like a genius once again.
But even after getting past the first line, and overlooking Owen Nolan, the Flames have depth like you wouldn’t believe. Matthew Lombardi has turned into a quality two-way centre with the likelihood of netting anywhere from 40-55 points, while Brandon Prust and Jamie Lundmark offer great depth down the middle.
The wings also feature an assortment of talent and grit, with the likes of Andre Roy, Kyle Greentree, Marcus Nilson, Dustin Boyd, Eric Nystrom, and the newly-acquired Rene Bourque.
The prospects of the top line alone are scary, but imagine if some of those names put up some serious points. That offense would be hard to stop.
I only like Pierre McGuire during ‘Double-Dions’…
The great thing about the Flames is that they’ve got one All-Star at every position—Jarome Iginla up front, Miika Kiprusoff in net, and Dion Phaneuf on the blue line.
Not only is Phaneuf the EA Sports cover athlete for NHL 09, but he’s turned himself into a heavy-hitting, hard-shooting, no-bones-about-it, perennial All-Star and Norris Trophy candidate.
If I were to peg Dion for anything less than an All-Star berth, a Norris Trophy nomination, and 50 to 60 points, I’d be off my rocker—but as some do far too often, we’re forgetting the “supporting cast” Dion has around him.
Since Phaneuf’s arrival, people have shifted their focus away from Robyn Regehr, despite the fact the 28-year-old has been a solid leader, and a great shut-down defenseman in his eight seasons with the Flames. Granted, he doesn’t put up the points like Dion—but Robyn more than makes up for it with his physicality, and the imposing attitude he brings to the Calgary Flames defense.
Add to that the occasional offensive flair and grind-it-out style from Jim Vandermeer, while Rhett Warrener controls the defensive flow and Adrian Aucoin unleashes bullets from the point, and the Calgary Flames have a dangerous defense that can step up in almost any facet of the game.
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