The Flames have just finished the preseason with a record of 2-1. After today's loss, Patrick, GM of the Flames made a few comments at his press conferece. "We still have a lot to work on though if we want to make the playoffs and be contenders". "We are close but there are still a few things we need to fine tune."
In the preseason the Flames managed to score 9 goals in 3 games and let in 8 goals as well. "The offense is definately there but we still need to find the right defensive pair matchings." Patrick was also very high on rookie Dimitri Kazionov coming into this season. "We believe that Kaz is going to be our best scorer and in a few years be a top 5 goal scorer in the league." Dimitri Kazionov is producing nicely with 4 goal, 1 assist and +2 rating. He also doesn't shy away from the physical play with 9 hits in 3 games.
The Flames have definately improved from last year. "Another aspect we are looking at developing is our farm team". "We finally have the young PRO team we have always wanted, which gives us the ability to develop our prospects slower and not rush them into the PRO league".
The Flames are on their way up and the future for the Flames has never looked so good.
Sunday, October 31, 2004
Saturday, October 30, 2004
TFHL14: Season Preview - By Tyler Young
EASTERN CONFERENCE: CHANGING OF THE GUARD
The Eastern Conference, as always, is weak compared to the Western. Who knows why this disparity has perputuated itself, indeed it seems to be becoming more marked. It is strange that perhaps the two stongest offensive teams, the Hurricanes and Rednex, both have goaltending squads most would be uneasy with on the farm - but the point simply highlights the absurdity of this conference.
The 'Canes are definately diminishing and are now no longer locks to win this conference, as last year's playoffs demonstrated, although they may have one more shot left. The teams that once upon a time looked to replace the 'Canes atop the East, the Ignite (now Oilers) and the Saints (nee Senators), both seem to have fallen back down into the group of the mediocre. The Spirit are probably the most improved team - or at least they look that way: last season I had them slated fourth and they finished last - but if they can leave behind whatever jinxed them last year, watch out! Keep an eye on the Misconduct and the Owls as darkhorses.
OF DF GT OV Comments
Hurricanes A- A- C- B+ The hurricane has become a storm - what once was, is no more
Spirit B B- B B Last season they looked good on paper too: perhaps they lack spirit?
Clubbers B B B- B Another one that looks good on paper; but in this conference, who knows?
Senators B+ B B- B The best 1-2 punch at center in the league: but a lot of questions
Owls B+ B- C+ B- A definate sleeper: Thornton is probably #1 & is getting some help now
Misconduct B- C+ B B- Rename as 'Phoenix': everyday team dissolves into ash & is reborn
Rednexs B+ C+ C B- Wunderkind Lindstrom with Bertuzzi and Kovalev, tha' ain't na white trash
Marauders C C B C+ Not alot to be ashamed of; Turco could take them into playoffs
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Oilers C+ B C+ C+ D may provide the lubricant they need to get into the post-season
Rockets B- C+ C C+ Wings are solid and the system is strong - right now in Tomorrowland
Bobcats C B- C C Are in dire straights - not a lot of talent, youth. Rebuild?
Whalers C+ C- C+ C Call them fish sticks without a GM (that's a Moby Dick reference)
WESTERN CONFERENCE: WHERE THE ACTION IS
The problem in being in the Western conference is that you have two or three teams miss the playoffs that probably would have made it in the East - this is the tradition of the TFHL, going back for years, even into the old TFHL. But this is problem that every league faces. The benefit is that it forces Western Conference teams to be more aggresive and active on the trade market. Last year's champion, the Pain, traded their way to victory with a series of astute deals. Probably the most improved teams over the last couple years, the Flames and Sioux, have been very active in making deals.
Two interesting points about this conference. First, the monstrous products of the surreal TFHL 13 draft abound in this conference and are ready to make their presence felt: Erik Christenson, Rick Nash, Scottie Upshall, Matt Ellison, Cam Janssen, Rob Kovar, Jonas Johansson, Dan Paille, and Dimitri Kazionov. Second, this conference is home to all of the league's top goalies: Jose Theodore, Matheiu Biron, J-S Giguere, Nikolai Khabibulin, and Roberto Luongo.
The Pain are solid; there are some questions with the Ice, but they should be a safe bet. The Achaeans are loosing ground to their younger competitors and are no longer the dominant force they once were. The Raiders are a dark-horse; but the teams to really watch are the Flames and Sioux. There is an outside chance that one of the Blackhawks, Apocalypse, or Blades could surpass expectations - this is a deep conference and those teams are by no means chumps.
OF DF GT OV Comments
Pain A- B+ B+ B+ Defending champ: best 12f-6d-1g in the league, i.e. no holes. Ouch!
Ice B+ B+ B+ B+ Last years anti-Spirit: on paper not great, on ice yes
Flames B B+ B B Built like the Pain w/o the xtra depth - surely a team to watch this year.
Achaeans B+ B B B This was once their house: but youngstud Paris has come & stolen the girl.
Wheat Kings B B- A- B Biggest improvement is simply having Tkachuk & Luongo for the full season.
Sioux B+ C+ B- B- Last years biggest surprise: now they will only surprise if they fail.
Raiders B- A- C B- A fine D with Captain Black Rob at the helm - but no booty there be, arrr.
Blackhawks B C- B+ B- Hope w/o Blake? Bulin is one of the best & Christensen could be real deal.
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Apocalypse C+ B C+ B- Playoffs possible at the end; but don't expect a rapture.
Blades C C- A- C+ Betters dilemma: best goalie in league behind a farm team. Odds?
Renegades B C C C+ A solid offense, but with that D and G, in this conference, they're here.
Canucks C C B- C+ Lucky in a way - to be rebuilding with Johansson, Staal & Heatley around.
The Eastern Conference, as always, is weak compared to the Western. Who knows why this disparity has perputuated itself, indeed it seems to be becoming more marked. It is strange that perhaps the two stongest offensive teams, the Hurricanes and Rednex, both have goaltending squads most would be uneasy with on the farm - but the point simply highlights the absurdity of this conference.
The 'Canes are definately diminishing and are now no longer locks to win this conference, as last year's playoffs demonstrated, although they may have one more shot left. The teams that once upon a time looked to replace the 'Canes atop the East, the Ignite (now Oilers) and the Saints (nee Senators), both seem to have fallen back down into the group of the mediocre. The Spirit are probably the most improved team - or at least they look that way: last season I had them slated fourth and they finished last - but if they can leave behind whatever jinxed them last year, watch out! Keep an eye on the Misconduct and the Owls as darkhorses.
OF DF GT OV Comments
Hurricanes A- A- C- B+ The hurricane has become a storm - what once was, is no more
Spirit B B- B B Last season they looked good on paper too: perhaps they lack spirit?
Clubbers B B B- B Another one that looks good on paper; but in this conference, who knows?
Senators B+ B B- B The best 1-2 punch at center in the league: but a lot of questions
Owls B+ B- C+ B- A definate sleeper: Thornton is probably #1 & is getting some help now
Misconduct B- C+ B B- Rename as 'Phoenix': everyday team dissolves into ash & is reborn
Rednexs B+ C+ C B- Wunderkind Lindstrom with Bertuzzi and Kovalev, tha' ain't na white trash
Marauders C C B C+ Not alot to be ashamed of; Turco could take them into playoffs
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oilers C+ B C+ C+ D may provide the lubricant they need to get into the post-season
Rockets B- C+ C C+ Wings are solid and the system is strong - right now in Tomorrowland
Bobcats C B- C C Are in dire straights - not a lot of talent, youth. Rebuild?
Whalers C+ C- C+ C Call them fish sticks without a GM (that's a Moby Dick reference)
WESTERN CONFERENCE: WHERE THE ACTION IS
The problem in being in the Western conference is that you have two or three teams miss the playoffs that probably would have made it in the East - this is the tradition of the TFHL, going back for years, even into the old TFHL. But this is problem that every league faces. The benefit is that it forces Western Conference teams to be more aggresive and active on the trade market. Last year's champion, the Pain, traded their way to victory with a series of astute deals. Probably the most improved teams over the last couple years, the Flames and Sioux, have been very active in making deals.
Two interesting points about this conference. First, the monstrous products of the surreal TFHL 13 draft abound in this conference and are ready to make their presence felt: Erik Christenson, Rick Nash, Scottie Upshall, Matt Ellison, Cam Janssen, Rob Kovar, Jonas Johansson, Dan Paille, and Dimitri Kazionov. Second, this conference is home to all of the league's top goalies: Jose Theodore, Matheiu Biron, J-S Giguere, Nikolai Khabibulin, and Roberto Luongo.
The Pain are solid; there are some questions with the Ice, but they should be a safe bet. The Achaeans are loosing ground to their younger competitors and are no longer the dominant force they once were. The Raiders are a dark-horse; but the teams to really watch are the Flames and Sioux. There is an outside chance that one of the Blackhawks, Apocalypse, or Blades could surpass expectations - this is a deep conference and those teams are by no means chumps.
OF DF GT OV Comments
Pain A- B+ B+ B+ Defending champ: best 12f-6d-1g in the league, i.e. no holes. Ouch!
Ice B+ B+ B+ B+ Last years anti-Spirit: on paper not great, on ice yes
Flames B B+ B B Built like the Pain w/o the xtra depth - surely a team to watch this year.
Achaeans B+ B B B This was once their house: but youngstud Paris has come & stolen the girl.
Wheat Kings B B- A- B Biggest improvement is simply having Tkachuk & Luongo for the full season.
Sioux B+ C+ B- B- Last years biggest surprise: now they will only surprise if they fail.
Raiders B- A- C B- A fine D with Captain Black Rob at the helm - but no booty there be, arrr.
Blackhawks B C- B+ B- Hope w/o Blake? Bulin is one of the best & Christensen could be real deal.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Apocalypse C+ B C+ B- Playoffs possible at the end; but don't expect a rapture.
Blades C C- A- C+ Betters dilemma: best goalie in league behind a farm team. Odds?
Renegades B C C C+ A solid offense, but with that D and G, in this conference, they're here.
Canucks C C B- C+ Lucky in a way - to be rebuilding with Johansson, Staal & Heatley around.
It’s all too perfect!!! The Clubbers find themselves coming out of the off season full of renewed vigor. With the last season behind them it seems that there is a new sense of excitement this year. Captain Iginla is no longer alone, while the top line has seen little change from last year, it has seen significant improvements in 2 key players. Veteran Jason Arnott has been working on his puck control and passing, this has opened the ice for him more and has translated into better scoring opportunities. Zdeno Chara has finally blossomed into dominating force that the Clubbers desperately needed last year. If the preseason is any indication (8 hits in 22mins), the season will be long hard one for opposing players. Even the emergence of Denis Gauthier has been a pleasant surprise, his strong play has vaulted him onto the top line ahead of journeyman Adam Foote.
And what can be said about Cechmanek, the Clubbers believe that they finally have a presence in net that can keep them in close games, while Roman was brought to the Clubbers to provide stable goaltending, his value as a mentor to the young Fleury has been invaluable. With the drafting and subsequent signing of Fleury, Gm Porter was estactic “As far as I am concerned Marc-Andre was the steal of the draft, the kid is unpolished and still makes a lot of rookie mistakes but he is the future of this franchise. His skills and poise in net remind me a lot of a young Patrick Roy.”
The free agency market saw no immediate action from Clubbers management, while testing the market several times, GM Porter found the frenzy for UFAs a little too fiscally unreasonable. Instead the focus was on signing the rookies to long-term contracts, thus insuring the future. Over the past couple of seasons the team has slowly shifted from the finesse players of yesteryear to physically imposing players they have today. Currently the team has converted to the crash and bang style reminiscent of the
While Hopes seem high this year for some play-off hockey on The Rock, the rabid fans of the hockey club will surely love to see the cup come to
Mike Oxolong
CBC News
Tuesday, October 26, 2004
Wheat Kings - PR
Wheat Kings Ready To Go
The Saskatchewan Wheat Kings began training camp today with grins on their faces.
"This is the year, we're looking good," newly ordained captian Daymond Langkow said.
Long on the losing end of fate's fickle moments, the Wheaties are looking to stave-off pessimism this year. After an injury to Daymond Langkow lead to a collapse in the final ten games of last year and the Kings missing the playoffs by one point, GM Tyler Young was very active in trades and Free Agency over the off-season, dealing 'uber'-star Peter Forsberg shortly after elimination, signing two key players in free agency, and many other moves besides. Now many observers have commented that this may indeed be the most solid Kings roster ever.
Forwards:
There is quality at every position but the forward corp is the most improved, and probably the best group the Wheaties have had in their history. It begins with last year's 'The Second Best Line in the League' of Keith Tkachuk, Daymond Langkow, and Daniele Briere: last year they all finished amoung the league's top scorers, with Tkachuk finishing fifth in league scoring. New additions include Scott Gomez, acquired for the mercurial Denis Arkhipov, Teemu Selanne, through free agency, and Chris Drury, reacquired in the Forsberg deal after a brief stay with the cross-town Saints. Those players will join a much improved returning group of young-guns Scott Hartnell, Danius Zubrus, and Niklas Hagman. Other than Forsberg, who was mediocre during his stint with the Kings, the Wheat Kings managed to make these additions without trading away any significant players.
Defence:
It's not how big it is, it's how you use it. The Wheaties' d-core is definately on the short side with only five quality d-men, however, four of them are young, extremely talent, and dominant when on the ice - which will be a lot. Kim Johansson leads Michael Jones, Dan Sprang and Robyn Regehr, as the Wheaties attempt to see if quality will triumph over quantity. Veteran Slava Suchy rounds out this corp. The only significant loss of the off-season, that of Matt Schneider, really hurts here, and there are serious questions whether his offense off the rush can be replaced.
Goal:
The best is yet to come . . . after taking a trip last year on the carousel of TFHL trades, former Vezina winner Roberto Luongo, who was dealt from the Kings to the Misconducts to the Saints to the Kings in the matter of a couple months, returned home around mid-season and was dominant - taking the Kings from ninth to third in the conference in the matter of thirty-some games. He will have a full season with the Kings this year - the last time that happened, two years ago, he won the Vezina and took the Kings to the semi-finals; now this year, with a better team in front of him, who knows what we could do. Filling a serious longtime deficiency, the Kings went out and picked-up the best unrestricted goalie available, to play back-up. Chris Osgood will allow the Kings to rest Luongo without trepidation: "In the past we wore-out Roberto," coach Mike Keena commented, "because we knew if we didn't play him, we would lose; it's probably why we were eliminated two years ago, and
it probably contributed to the late season collapse last year - we can't expect the guy to play a hundred games a year."
Prospects:
For the first time, the Kings are in a position to actually develop their assets. Last year's first overall pick, Steve Bernier, agreed to terms and will play the season on the farm. Bernier is described as a Mike Bossy-type goal machine. He will join newly acquired Valtteri Filppula, who lead the TFFHL last year in goals, and Keith Ballard, a promising young defenceman, as well as grinder and all-around pain-in-the-neck to be, Brian Sutherby, and the Kings' goalie of the far distant future, Kari Lehtenon, who is looking to improve after a lucklustre showing last year.
The Saskatchewan Wheat Kings began training camp today with grins on their faces.
"This is the year, we're looking good," newly ordained captian Daymond Langkow said.
Long on the losing end of fate's fickle moments, the Wheaties are looking to stave-off pessimism this year. After an injury to Daymond Langkow lead to a collapse in the final ten games of last year and the Kings missing the playoffs by one point, GM Tyler Young was very active in trades and Free Agency over the off-season, dealing 'uber'-star Peter Forsberg shortly after elimination, signing two key players in free agency, and many other moves besides. Now many observers have commented that this may indeed be the most solid Kings roster ever.
Forwards:
There is quality at every position but the forward corp is the most improved, and probably the best group the Wheaties have had in their history. It begins with last year's 'The Second Best Line in the League' of Keith Tkachuk, Daymond Langkow, and Daniele Briere: last year they all finished amoung the league's top scorers, with Tkachuk finishing fifth in league scoring. New additions include Scott Gomez, acquired for the mercurial Denis Arkhipov, Teemu Selanne, through free agency, and Chris Drury, reacquired in the Forsberg deal after a brief stay with the cross-town Saints. Those players will join a much improved returning group of young-guns Scott Hartnell, Danius Zubrus, and Niklas Hagman. Other than Forsberg, who was mediocre during his stint with the Kings, the Wheat Kings managed to make these additions without trading away any significant players.
Defence:
It's not how big it is, it's how you use it. The Wheaties' d-core is definately on the short side with only five quality d-men, however, four of them are young, extremely talent, and dominant when on the ice - which will be a lot. Kim Johansson leads Michael Jones, Dan Sprang and Robyn Regehr, as the Wheaties attempt to see if quality will triumph over quantity. Veteran Slava Suchy rounds out this corp. The only significant loss of the off-season, that of Matt Schneider, really hurts here, and there are serious questions whether his offense off the rush can be replaced.
Goal:
The best is yet to come . . . after taking a trip last year on the carousel of TFHL trades, former Vezina winner Roberto Luongo, who was dealt from the Kings to the Misconducts to the Saints to the Kings in the matter of a couple months, returned home around mid-season and was dominant - taking the Kings from ninth to third in the conference in the matter of thirty-some games. He will have a full season with the Kings this year - the last time that happened, two years ago, he won the Vezina and took the Kings to the semi-finals; now this year, with a better team in front of him, who knows what we could do. Filling a serious longtime deficiency, the Kings went out and picked-up the best unrestricted goalie available, to play back-up. Chris Osgood will allow the Kings to rest Luongo without trepidation: "In the past we wore-out Roberto," coach Mike Keena commented, "because we knew if we didn't play him, we would lose; it's probably why we were eliminated two years ago, and
it probably contributed to the late season collapse last year - we can't expect the guy to play a hundred games a year."
Prospects:
For the first time, the Kings are in a position to actually develop their assets. Last year's first overall pick, Steve Bernier, agreed to terms and will play the season on the farm. Bernier is described as a Mike Bossy-type goal machine. He will join newly acquired Valtteri Filppula, who lead the TFFHL last year in goals, and Keith Ballard, a promising young defenceman, as well as grinder and all-around pain-in-the-neck to be, Brian Sutherby, and the Kings' goalie of the far distant future, Kari Lehtenon, who is looking to improve after a lucklustre showing last year.
Hurricanes - PR
THE RED MILE IN CALGARY IS GETTING READY TO BE LIT AGAIN
Mayor Dave Bronconnier insists the "Red Mile" will be all season long
The Calgary Hurricanes are in training camp and getting ready for an eventful season with high expectations. The team is back with the top trio of Markus Naslund, Bill Guerin and Shawn Bates, all whom were the top 3 scorers in the league and among the top 5 in plus\minus ratings last season.
Off-season acquisitions have seen the additions of Shawn Endicott and Rod Brind'Amour to the lineup. Some notable changes include the retirement of goaltender Sean Burke, the all-star goaltender who led the Calgary Hurricanes to the TFHL Cup 2 seasons ago. Replacing him will be a duo combination of rookie Tobias Stephan, a promising goaltender who showed a lot of potential last season backing up Burke, and the goalie expected to get most of the starts and mentor Stephan, Frederic Cassivi.
On the back end, All-Star defenseman Janne Niinimaa is gone, however notable improvements include the emergence of Andy Delmore who is expected to form a terrific duo with one of the league's top defensemen in Chris Pronger.
"I think people will look at our team and realize we are still that high-octane scoring machine we've been the last couple of seasons, and then have a look at our goaltending to see that as a weakness. I don't doubt we are one of the best teams in the league, we have incredible leadership and skill in guys like Guerin, Naslund, Pronger and Matvichuk. Our young guys like Ruggeri, Endicott, Svitov and York show we have more depth as well. This is going to be a good
season and I think we'll see a changing in the guard for goaltending on this team. Its going to get exciting." said Marc Crawford as he left the Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary.
Who's In:
Rod Brind'Amour (acquired via free agency)
Shane Endicott (acquired via trade)
Francis Bouillon (call up from minors)
Frederic Cassivi (call up from minors)
Who's Out:
Sean Burke (retired)
Steve Passmore (minors)
Janne Niinimaa (traded)
Toby Petersen (minors)
Ivan Ciernik (minors)
Marty Reasoner (minors)
2004 Calgary Sun
Mayor Dave Bronconnier insists the "Red Mile" will be all season long
The Calgary Hurricanes are in training camp and getting ready for an eventful season with high expectations. The team is back with the top trio of Markus Naslund, Bill Guerin and Shawn Bates, all whom were the top 3 scorers in the league and among the top 5 in plus\minus ratings last season.
Off-season acquisitions have seen the additions of Shawn Endicott and Rod Brind'Amour to the lineup. Some notable changes include the retirement of goaltender Sean Burke, the all-star goaltender who led the Calgary Hurricanes to the TFHL Cup 2 seasons ago. Replacing him will be a duo combination of rookie Tobias Stephan, a promising goaltender who showed a lot of potential last season backing up Burke, and the goalie expected to get most of the starts and mentor Stephan, Frederic Cassivi.
On the back end, All-Star defenseman Janne Niinimaa is gone, however notable improvements include the emergence of Andy Delmore who is expected to form a terrific duo with one of the league's top defensemen in Chris Pronger.
"I think people will look at our team and realize we are still that high-octane scoring machine we've been the last couple of seasons, and then have a look at our goaltending to see that as a weakness. I don't doubt we are one of the best teams in the league, we have incredible leadership and skill in guys like Guerin, Naslund, Pronger and Matvichuk. Our young guys like Ruggeri, Endicott, Svitov and York show we have more depth as well. This is going to be a good
season and I think we'll see a changing in the guard for goaltending on this team. Its going to get exciting." said Marc Crawford as he left the Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary.
Who's In:
Rod Brind'Amour (acquired via free agency)
Shane Endicott (acquired via trade)
Francis Bouillon (call up from minors)
Frederic Cassivi (call up from minors)
Who's Out:
Sean Burke (retired)
Steve Passmore (minors)
Janne Niinimaa (traded)
Toby Petersen (minors)
Ivan Ciernik (minors)
Marty Reasoner (minors)
2004 Calgary Sun
Flames - PR
The Flames are entering the new season with high hopes. The previous year, they failed to make the playoffs. During the season, GM Patrick Amantea decided to rebuild and did he ever! The team has never looked stronger OR younger. They are easily in the top 5 teams now and the future.
Forwards:
The team has amazing depth down the middle. Led by Kris Beech and Petr Dvorak. The guys are amazing. They are huge and hit like a train. These guys are already top centers and are only 23 and 19 years old respectively.
On the wings, the Flames are led by rookie Dimitri Kazionov, who is laready a top line LW. No player in the league is as skilled as he is in scoring. The guy is 99 in SC which just shows how awsome he is. Keep in mind he is also only 19 years old. Backing Dimitri Kazionov for offense, is kyle Calder, Steve Sullivan, Sean Bergenheim.
Our checking line is HUGE. The line is centered by Denis Arkhipov who is a well rounded player with some added scoring. The wings are played by Malhotra and Hahl. Both guys are amazingly fast, HUGE, can score, solid defensively and have some unbelivable hitting power. This is going to be 1 line no team will want to play against.
Defensemen:
The Flames defense is one of the strongest in terms of depth and top 4 talent. The team has so much depth that they are now playing Markov as their #5 defenseman. With guys like Kaberle, Skoula, Leetch, Vaananen leading the top 4. The Flames blueline is amazing. The depth is filled by defenseman Steve Montador, Andrie Markov and Jay Mckee.
Goaltending:
What else can you say, other than SOLID. The Flames are backed by top goalie Nabokov and backup Markkanen.
Prospects:
The Flames NOW have depth at every position! This is truly amazing for a team that has 5/6 top forwards under 23 years old and the oldest defenseman is 27 years old. The Flames now have the ability to draft top end players that they can develop instead of making trades.
On paper the Flames look like a top 5 team. They have the depth for injuries. Feel free to check them out and be jealous.
Forwards:
The team has amazing depth down the middle. Led by Kris Beech and Petr Dvorak. The guys are amazing. They are huge and hit like a train. These guys are already top centers and are only 23 and 19 years old respectively.
On the wings, the Flames are led by rookie Dimitri Kazionov, who is laready a top line LW. No player in the league is as skilled as he is in scoring. The guy is 99 in SC which just shows how awsome he is. Keep in mind he is also only 19 years old. Backing Dimitri Kazionov for offense, is kyle Calder, Steve Sullivan, Sean Bergenheim.
Our checking line is HUGE. The line is centered by Denis Arkhipov who is a well rounded player with some added scoring. The wings are played by Malhotra and Hahl. Both guys are amazingly fast, HUGE, can score, solid defensively and have some unbelivable hitting power. This is going to be 1 line no team will want to play against.
Defensemen:
The Flames defense is one of the strongest in terms of depth and top 4 talent. The team has so much depth that they are now playing Markov as their #5 defenseman. With guys like Kaberle, Skoula, Leetch, Vaananen leading the top 4. The Flames blueline is amazing. The depth is filled by defenseman Steve Montador, Andrie Markov and Jay Mckee.
Goaltending:
What else can you say, other than SOLID. The Flames are backed by top goalie Nabokov and backup Markkanen.
Prospects:
The Flames NOW have depth at every position! This is truly amazing for a team that has 5/6 top forwards under 23 years old and the oldest defenseman is 27 years old. The Flames now have the ability to draft top end players that they can develop instead of making trades.
On paper the Flames look like a top 5 team. They have the depth for injuries. Feel free to check them out and be jealous.
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