Bet On NHL Hockey Calgary Flames Season Preview
For the first time in what seems like an eternity, the Calgary Flame will enter the season not having to answer questions about the ridiculous roster moves that they made in the offseason.
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Instead, they enter with the full confidence of their GM Jay Feaster that he has the right mix to finally get the Flames back to the playoffs.
CALGARY FLAMES
Odds to Win the Northwest Division: +700
Odds to Win the Stanley Cup: 40/1
Last season: 41-29-12, 94 points (2nd place Northwest, 10th place West)
Additions: Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond, RW; Chris Butler, D
Departures: Robyn Regehr, D; Ales Kotalik, RW; Adam Pardy, D; Steve Staios, D
Youngsters to Keep an Eye On: Paul Byron, C; T.J. Brodie, D; Greg Nemisz, C; Lance Bouma, C; Max Reinhart, C
The rumored roster blowup didn’t materialize but unfortunately neither did an influx of quality help for Jarome Iginla.
The Flames showed some signs of life toward the end of last season, going 16-3-3 from Jan. 21 to March 9. They have earned another shot, perhaps the final shot with a roster littered with overpaid, and aging former stars with whom the Flames picked up off the scrap heap. As it sits before training camp, the Flames forwards are projected to be Jarome Iginla, playing alongside Alex Tanguay and perhaps Michael Backlund, Rene Bourque Curtis Glencross, recently acquired Lee Stempniak, Matt Stajan and Niclas Hagman, Brendan Morrison – hardly an elite group that will strike fear in their opposition. Calgary will be looking for some its young talent to step up and occupy a few of the other forward positions on the team. [ad-4437448]
Defensively, the Flames, despite moving one of their more high profile talents should still be strong, Gone is Robyn Regehr to the Buffalo Sabres but remaining is names like Jay Bouwmeester and Mark Giordano who emerged last season had a great year. Anton Babchuk and Scott Hannan are a more than capable second pair of D-men and Cory Sarich and Chris Butler round out what is a decent Top 6 group. Calgary should be strong on defense – gritty, talented and a perfect fit for the Flames’ grinding style.
Calgary, like it or not will go with Mikka Kiprusoff between the pipes again this season. Outside of one tremendous year, Kipper has been solid but not spectacular. Everyone in Calgary expects Kiprusoff to return to elite form, to carry the team and to be the workhorse that Flames fans have become accustomed to. He will be backed up by resigned Henrik Karlsson – a goalie who should see more action in order to keep Kiprusoff fresh.
Betting Prediction: Calgary is an interesting team – seemingly completely different with GM Jay Feaster running the show. If nothing else, the Flames should be competitive. The playoffs are within reach for the Flame this season – I am predicting that they get over the hump and reenter the NHL Western Conference playoffs. Winning the West on the other hand is nothing but a pipe dream! Expect an improved Calgary team and a surprising second place finish in the Northwest!
Fearless Forecast: Calgary finishes 2nd in the Northwest only to bow out early in the NHL playoffs.
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