NOTABLE ADDITIONS
Todd Bertuzzi, RW (Signed as a free agent, previously with the Anaheim Ducks)
Rene Bourque, LW (Trade with the Chicago Blackhawks)
Michael Cammalleri, RW (Trade with the Los Angeles Kings)
Curtis Glencross, LW (Signed as a free agent, previously with the Edmonton Oilers)
Jamie Lundmark, C (Signed as a free agent, previously playing in Europe)
Andre Roy, LW (Signed as a free agent, previously with the Tampa Bay Lightning)
NOTABLE LOSSES
Eric Godard, RW (Signed as a free agent with the Pittsburgh Penguins)
David Hale, D (Signed as a free agent with the Phoenix Coyotes)
Kristian Huselius, RW (Signed as a free agent with the Columbus Blue Jackets)
Curtis Joseph, G (Signed as a free agent with the Toronto Maple Leafs)
Owen Nolan, RW (Signed as a free agent with the Minnesota Wild)
Alex Tanguay, LW (Traded to the Montreal Canadiens)
Stephane Yelle, C (Signed as a free agent with the Boston Bruins)
2007-08 Season Finish: 3rd Northwest Division, 7th Western Conference, 94 Pts.
2007-08 Playoffs: Lost 4-3 to San Jose Sharks in Quarterfinals
2008-09 Prediction: 1st Northwest Division, 3rd Western Conference
With the Calgary Flames sitting close to the salary cap following the 2007-08 season and several of their top players facing free agency, it was apparent changes were in store for the team. In an attempt to cut salary to resign key free agents, the Flames placed Anders Eriksson, Rhett Warrener, Marcus Nilson, and Adrian Aucoin on waivers, but none of the four went claimed by another team. To cut salary, the Flames traded Alex Tanguay and let Kristian Huselius, Owen Nolan, and Stephane Yelle depart via free agency. To replenish the offensive production they lost by trading Tanguay, the Flames added Michael Cammalleri through a trade with the Los Angeles Kings. He could likely play on the top line with sniper Jarome Iginla and Daymond Langkow. The Flames have made themselves a much more physical team through their free agent acquisitions. Todd Bertuzzi, Rene Bourque, and Curtis Glencross all bring plenty of offensive skill and grittiness to the Flames already rugged offense. Tough-guy Andre Roy, brought in from Tampa Bay, will likely play the enforcer's role on the 3rd or 4th line. Returning forwards Matthew Lombardi and Craig Conroy bring plenty of speed and physical play to Calgary's offense respectively. David Moss and Dustin Boyd will look to improve their offensive production at training camp and could earn permanent roles on Calgary's 3rd line, while Marcus Nilson, Wayne Primeau, and Eric Nystrom will likely fill in on the 3rd and 4th lines. Prospects Mikael Backlund, Hugo Carpentier, and Kyle Greentree will look to make the team at training camp with their offensive skills, and could become some of the Flames' top forwards over the next several seasons. While the Flames have plenty of physical players on their forward ranks, they could probably use a player of higher offensive skills, but would have to make a trade to bring in that type of player, as they currently sit over the salary cap. Still, the Flames have the offensive assets to easily finish at the top of their division this season.
The Flames' defense looks to be just as rugged as their offense next season. 2008 Norris Trophy candidate Dion Phaneuf is quickly establishing himself as one of the top blueliners in the game and looks to get better next season. Phaneuf excels both offensively and defensively and provides a lot of toughness to Calgary's defense. Robyn Regehr, Cory Sarich, and Adrian Aucoin all bring plenty of physical play to Calgary's top defensive pairings. Depth defensemen Jim Vandermeer and Rhett Warrener also bring plenty of grittiness to the Flames' defense as well as lots of depth and experience. Mark Giordano will looking to make the team's defense again in an offensive role after spending the 2007-08 season in Russia. Also looking to make the team at training camp will be youngsters Ryan Wilson, John Negrin, and Adam Pardy, though it is likely they will spend the season in the minors given Calgary's depth on defense. While Calgary has plenty of physical defensemen, they could probably stand to add an offensive defenseman, though it would have to be through a trade given their salary cap situation.
Mikka Kiprusoff, one of the top goaltenders in the league right now, returns as the Flames starting goaltender next season. Having a down year last season, he will look to improve his game this season, though it's likely he will carry the brunt of the work in goal. The Flames lack a backup goaltender with a lot of experience and will likely go with Curtis McElhinney as the backup. It wouldn't be surprising if the Flames look to add an experienced backup goaltender at the trade deadline to take some of the load off of Kiprusoff or to pick up the slack if he should struggle.
STRENGTHS
- Very physical team all around.
- Solid starting goaltender.
- Plenty of quality offensive prospects.
WEAKNESSES
- Could use a high scoring forward on their offense.
- Need more offense on their defense.
- Lack an experienced backup goaltender.
- Don't have too many highly-touted defensive prospects.
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