Flames Burning Bright In Alberta

Tonight Calgary starts their exhibition season against their old rivals the Edmonton Oilers.  Calgary a made a considerable upgrade both on the blue line and behind the bench. Blue-chip is a great word to describe these two upgrades, on defence Calgary made the biggest acquisition in the NHL by trading to Florida Panthers Jordan Leopold and a third round pick for All Star Defenseman Jay Bouwmeester who brings size, speed and smooth skating to an all ready stellar defensive unit anchored by steady stay at home defenseman Robyn Regehr (who has recovered from season ending knee injury) and the hard hitting offensive defenseman Dion Phaneuf.  Phaneuf is hoping to bounce back from a disappointing season last year which he should, as he is reunited with his junior coach Brent Sutter who might be the best signing of the year for the Flames.  With Cory Sarich and a healthy Mark Giordano the Flames have the strongest defensive core in the NHL with a plethora of good young defensemen competing for the final defensive positions.

     What might be in question is their offense, the Flames will need a much better showing from Olli Jokinen than they got from him after their trade with Phoenix, however, he will have the first part of the season to find that chemistry needed to gel with Fans favourite and perennial all-star and team captain Jarome Iginla.  Iggy is looking to bounce back from a sub-par season and will need to have some of the new kids step up and find the back of the twine.  Everyone is pulling for the old fan favourite Theo Fleury who if he makes the team could be the comeback story of the year.  Fleury who always gives 100% has been drug and alcohol free for more than 4 years and is getting a chance to rejuvenate his career and has the support of Flame's fans everywhere.

    This might be the year for Flames prospects to step up and make an impact, the years the Flames 1st. round pick in 2007 (24th. overall) Mikael Backlunk might make the jump from the WHL Kelowna Rockets. He has great hands, a good skater and sees the ice well.  Other hopefuls are 2008 1st round pick Greg Nemisz (he might be a year or two away) and the tenacious checker and hard worker Brett Sutter, all three are centers and if they don't make the team from the get go you will see them in the big team's uniform this season.  Another acquisition that might surprise many is that of Nigel Dawes (LW), he is a gritty Sutter type player who although is only 5'9" tall plays like he is 6' 2", a great sleeper perhaps. 

     With Sutter's commitment to team defence, the goals against should drop significantly with one of the top 4 or 5 goal tenders in the league Mikka Kiprusoff.  Last year "Kipper" was left hung out to dry by a depleted and defensively struggling team.  With much better coaching, a defence that is second to none in the league and a fist full of hungry young forwards, the future looks bright for the Flames.  On paper the Flames will advance much farther into the playoffs this year. Now it is up to the team to make it a reality on the ice!!!.