mike_jones

My biggest free agent target would be Antti Raanta. Lundqvist is under contract until 2020 and the Rangers also have Hellberg, Skapski, and Halverson under contract for next year and probably can't afford the 3 mill per that Raanta would be asking, maybe even as much as 4.5 per as a free agent. Hard to say. But a Raanta - Ortio, 1-2 punch would be pretty solid and they could both feed off each other...

Sorry, not to reply to myself, this is just for my reference only... Flames back at 0.500 since this post... Were 7-12-1 when this post was written. Only need to go 3-1-1 in the next 5 to match last years record, which was awful at the time, due to an 8 game losing skid last December Since the 24 game mark, the Flames defense is as follows... GP G A PTS +/_ Mark Giordano 6 1 3 4 +4 TJ Brodie 6 2 5 7 +6 Dennis Wideman 6 0 5 5 +1 Dougie Hamilton 6 1 4 5 +6 And I didn't even include Kris Russell, as he missed 3 games, but this here is the present 6 game win streak!

Well, I was only able to catch the tail end of the 3rd through the shootout, but from the sounds of it, the defense was more in the play, like last season. Great goal by Hamilton. Hopefully this sparks some life to go on a tear. If the Flames can go 8-1 in their next 9, they would have an identical record that they had last year after 34 games. it's a stretch but not impossible. 4 more games in a row at home. Last December the Flames went on an 8 game losing skid. This December, the Flames go on a tear to get back in the playoff race! GO FLAMES GO!!!!!!

Maybe all the NHL teams have figured out the Flames stretch pass this season which results in bad goals in the Flames end and lack of scoring opportunities. Has Gio fully recovered from his injury? Through 24 GP last season GP G A PTS +/- Mark Giordano 24 6 18 24 +12 TJ Brodie 24 5 15 20 +15 D. Wideman 24 8 5 13 +1 Through 24 GP this season Mark Giordano 24 5 3 8 -15 TJ Brodie 15 2 5 7 -2 D. Wideman 24 0 9 9 -9 So Calgary's top 3 dmen, THIS season combined, equate to Mark Giordano's point total through 24 games last season. This time last season, TJ Brodie was leading the NHL in +/- and the Flames top 3, combined a +28. This season, Captain Mark Giordano, is a team worst -15, and the top 3 combined is a -26. Flames top 3 had 18 goals at this time last season, compared to the 7 they have this season. Then they acquire Dougie Hamilton, who through 24 games last season... Dougie Hamiltion 24 5 9 14 +4 VS Dougie Hamilton 24 2 3 5 -6 It really is amazing how weak our back end has been this year compared to last. Not even a Miikka Kiprusoff could save us at this point.

Well that just absolutely stinks that Gio's on his way back to Calgary. As much as I want to see the Flames make the playoffs, I also want to see Gio win the Norris. Hopefully it's only 4 games.

True, but by not announcing the status of Gio's injury, it opens the door to teams who may be looking to make some cap space and get the negotiations started. Had the Flames announced that Gio was done for the season, then, yes, other teams would hold bargaining power, but the Flames wanted an upgrade in their bottom 3 to begin with and by giving Engelland a bigger role, sheltered by Brodie, it could open the door for a bad contract, such as James Wisniewski or Mike Green with possibly Engelland going the other way. Gio was holding his wrist after the play. I was more worried about the knee, as well. I think his wrist is a little sore, and they are waiting to see the progression over the next couple days. I would NOT be surprised to see Giordano back in the line up come Tuesday.

Does anyone think Gio's injury is more precautionary? Treliving was asked that if it was safe to say Gio's season was over, we would know today? Wideman was asked about playing without Gio and he responded, "Oh, Gio isn't playing tonight? Somebody said that"? Now that may be sarcastic, but from what I see is the Flames definitely do not want to take the chance of Gio injuring himself further and want to make sure he is 100% fine. The preliminary tests may show he is good to go, and perhaps, they want to further check on it. Gio is still on Long Island, that's also a good sign. Treliving confirmed if was "upper body" which is good news, which means his wrist I presume and not his knee. I would be more worried about his knee then his wrist. But on top of the Flames being extra careful, tonight's game is the last game before trade deadline for the Flames and with Gio out, maybe it might spark more interest from other teams in terms of a trade. Maybe this is a precautionary and strategical move by the Flames? We can only hope for the best. I am hoping to see Gio in the line up next Tues against Phily, along with another top 4 acquired by deadline day, in which it would look like Treliving would have to be more aggressive due to the "alleged" Giodano injury. The Treliving interview sounded oddly suspicious.

You'll be happy to know the Heat signed goalie Michael Bogdanovich on Wednesday to back up Roy. I think he came from a beer hockey league or something. Pretty impressive stats putting up a 6.72 GAA and an 0.821 SV% in 17 GP. http://stats.adultrechockey.ca/c-langley/ashllangley/en/stats/player.php?id=27375