cross16

Yikes. Really bad time for Markstrom to have a bad night. Only reason this is a game is him.

The Leafs were one of the best teams in the league this year and lost a 7 game series to the 2 time defending Stanley cup champions by 1 goal. On top of that, they were a bounce away (multiple times) in game 6 from winning the series as they were all over the Lightning in overtime. I don't see the rationale of the Leafs making big changes nor do I see why Keefe or Dubas should lose their jobs. I think the Leafs are in good shape moving forward so why turn over the plan? Who are you going to get who is better? I think they need some tweaks. I think they should be looking to move Morgan Reily, look for an upgrade in goal and round our their team with some more depth but I really don't see the rationale of freaking out. Series could have easily gone their way, that's hockey, that's sports.

Well this is promising.....

In order for that to happen though there needs to be an injury as anyone on LTIR is subject to a medication examination. In almost all of those cases the player typically has a recent or long term injury that isn't the case with Lucic. Flames would have a real hard time with that one I think.

The whole project was 189million but that includes the other ice sheets, performance training center, office building etc. Also that was 10 yrs ago. 7 Chiefs is a 2000 seat arena and that cost just under 60 million (including facilities like gym etc). The city of Hamilton a few years ago looked into building a 10,000 seat arena and budgeted around 130 million for the cost. The city of Thunder Bay wanted to lure an AHL team and had budgeted 113 million to build a mini event center (arena plus small convention center). It looks like if you just want an area with no amenities it's 50-60 mill. But that's real basic, likely bench/bleacher seating, no boxes/premium seating, and no team amenities like a gym for example. It looks like if you want just an arena to play hockey in you can do it for under 100 million. However, if you want a mini event center with better seating/experiences for hockey and other events you'll be over 100million. I'm not sure a project like this in that area is feasible as just a hockey rink though. Private investment would be the way to go I think. See if you could turn it into a detitanation with a hotel etc.

Agreed and I get the position the Pens are in. I get the desire to rebuild because their system is awful (it's one of the worst in the league) and the core of their team is on the older side. So being fiscally prudent with older players is logical. But at the same time you likely won't get a player like Crosby again for some time so "rebuilding" i'm not sure is an option unless your willing to put him on the trade block and fully commit to it. If you arn't going to move Crosby then you have to keep pushing forward with him IMO. It's a delicate situation.

Could be wrong but I don't see it either. Lucic has carved out a role here, he's got a fan following, friends on the team and he genuinely looks like he is enjoying the heck out of this. Family has embraced living here too. I'll be shocked if he retires.

Sort of... but the Flames (like every team in the league) has a certain game they want to play. The Flames and Kings are tactically similar and approach the game in a similar way. It's not really a controversial statement. Doesn't mean that the Flames are not the better team, just means they are similarities in how they want to play the game.

Looks like between 100-200 million doing a quick google. I don't see this as economic viable for the Flames and personally would find it pretty crappy to see them walk away from a downtown area deal for less than 100 million and then see them turn around and build an AHL building out towards Airdire. It doesn't make good business sense to me. but it is also my understanding that the AHL is not a very profitable venture so I don't see the Flames spending a pile of money on it as very wise.

Well he's right. Specifically, similar o zone play, similar backcheck/regroup in the neutral zone, and similar in hat they both like to bring dmen into the rush. LA isn't a bad team IMO and they were well coached this year. They do a really nice job in the neutral zone and prioritize a high forward back in the neutral zone so they don't give up odd man rushes. Both teams are going to make it hard on you to get a rush offence going. Flames are the more talented team so they execute it at a higher level and the biggest separate IMO is the Flames forecheck. Very few teams can forecheck at will like the Flames can. I agree with Woodcroft, there are similarities but there are also some key differences.

I don't know. Pavelski got 21 Mill for 3 at 34. Wheeler 8 mill at 32, Statnsy 6.5 at age 32. A 5-6 Mill AAV definetly sounds like a low ball to me for Malkin for sure. It's a bit more fair for Letang but it's still on the low side. I don't see how you can justify that Malkin isn't worth the Pavelski deal. Not to mention the optics of giving Carter a 2 year extension at age 37 and then trying to nickel and dime 2 franchise players isn't good.

Yeah I can't see someone standing up to pay for an arena out by CrossIron. I get the logic but I don't see who foots the bill for that unless it was some private investors/company who wanted to create some kind of arena/concert venue out there. But CESC shouldn't want to do it and I don't think there is a level of government it makes sense for either. The way I read these article I'm not sure the Flames plan on keeping their AHL team in Calgary for the long term, it's more of a shorter term solution

Looks like a role of the dice to find some depth and some depth that can play a physical game. I think it's unlikely he makes the NHL but if you can get someone at that size who can move fairly well (which apparently he can) it's worth the roll of the dice. Those guys should make for real good 4th line defenders.

Be interesting to see where this lands. i can't imagine the Dome is an option as I don't think they would have enough dates and it would create a very messy logistical situation. It's not just Flames/Hitmen you have the Roughnecks and concerts to balance to, so i really don't see how it could work. I think if they are coming to Calgary or Calgary area they need their own building. I think the 7 Chiefs out at Tsu Tina would make the most sense to me. Not a huge capacity mind you (only 2,000) but brand new building with high end facilities, can become an anchor tenant and it's a pretty central location with the new ring road. Would be neat to have them here both in terms of watching but also competitive advantage. I remember Burke commenting on this once that because the Marlies are in Toronto it was a sales pitch they would give to free agents they were trying to sign. Only had to buy/rent 1 apartment if they were going up and down

From a pure fans standpoint the playoffs have delivered so far. Some really good first round matchups and now you get 2 provincial/state battles in the 2nd round. I could have gone either way on the wild card format but now I am fully in favor it. I dont' think they should consider going back to 1-8 (not that they were).

I agree. I'm not really concerned the Flames will underestimate them but I do think this will be a close series. Oilers are playing pretty good hockey under Woodcroft and the deadline acquisition of Kulak and the emergence of Bouchard has changed that d core. Still has it's weak links that can be exploited but I don't think it's quite the dumpster fire it was earlier in the season. They also defend less by pushing the puck the other way. Puck management and spacing in the d zone (specifically not forgetting about those trailing dman) is going to be huge for the Flames in order to win. But overall I do feel good about this match. Games 2-3 weren't great against Dallas but they found their game after that and it took one of the better goalie performances of all time (statistically speaking) to push that series to 7. Mike Smith has been pretty good in these playoffs but I don't think he's capable of that level of goaltending that Ottenger gave Dallas. If the Flames carry forward their 5 on 5 game they ended the series on I think the Oilers are going to be in tough, especially given how strong the Flames PK unit was been although that is going to be put to the test for sure. If the Flames can keep the games at 5 on 5 I actually can make a case they could end it quickly. Gonna be tough to do that though in what should be an emotional series.

Sounds like Derek Lalonde, Tampa assistant, is coming up a lot in connection to Detroit? Lightning have a pretty strong staff so i'm wondering if that's the route Stevie Y goes.

I speculated when Trotz was let go if Vegas would go after him and I think that talk will only get louder now. Always feel for a coach in this circumstance as I think injuries are the primary reason Vegas didn't make the playoffs. They just had way too many injuries, and key ones, I thikn to make it. That being said they were a mess defensively all year and could never really get it corrected so that doesn't reflect well on you head coach.

If the Flames can play like they did last night they are going to be just fine. Could for sure stand to clean up a few things in their own zone but they really showed up really to battle and take it to Dallas. Pretty impressive showing in a game 7 from this group. I've criticized the approach at times in this series to Ottengers great play but the Flames threw everything at him last night. Sutter is right they deserved that one. Smith has been real good in the playoffs but the odds that he is going to give you Ottenger level goaltending are pretty small. The health of Tanev is a big question mark but if the Flames play the Oilers they way the played Dallas (for the most part) they are going to be just fine.

I’ve been frustrated with the series but I actually feel good about game 7.One of the stories for me with this team is how they continue to answer questions about themselves and prove people wrong. Down 2-1 for he come out and pound Dallas. Game 5 slipping away they answer back with a huge period. I think they’ll be real good in game 7

Continue to be surprised at how the flames just don’t seem capable of complete and 60 min efforts in this series. They can have good periods and some pretty bad ones and the lack of consistency in the playoffs is frustrating. Going to need that full effort in game 7.

He was. Could be based on his playoff success but i'd be surprised if they didn't stick with him. I would be even more shocked if they went with Trotz. Trotz's hockey is a 180 reversal from how the Panthers play.

Not a surprise unless the new GM was insistent on getting his own coach

I'd be suprised if the Flames didn't want Kerins in Stockton after the season. Whether or not he got into some games is the bigger questions. Heat are deep this year. Petterson had a pretty meh season but now leads the team in scoring so far. Deep in talent.

I think the Flames should be very motivated to win tonight. Dallas is the type of team you don't want to go to game 7 with because they will keep it a one bounce game with their D and Ottenger. Flames could outplay them and still lose because anything can happen in a Game 7. So I really hope we see a motivated team to end it tonight.