CALGARY, Ab – With the second half of the NHL season already well underway, the Calgary Flames sit atop the Northwest Division with a comfortable lead. That doesn’t mean that the team is about to take it easy. General Manager Darryl Sutter is already looking for ways to improve the team, as the March 4th trade deadline approaches.
Looking to address the team needs, Sutter will likely look to add another defenseman into the mix, but likes what the team has shown on offense, and will keep things as is up front. There has also been some talk that the Flames are in the market for a goaltender. Miikka Kiprusoff has started an astonishing 47 of the 50 games the Flames have played this season, so it’s certainly conceivable that Sutter will look around the league to add a proven backup goalie in case Kiprusoff tires down the stretch. In order to legitimately compete with the Red Wings and Sharks, a small tweak or two from Sutter can be expected before the trade deadline comes to pass. The Flames have jelled very well together under Head Coach “Iron” Mike Keenan, and the rest of the coaching staff. The Flames have enjoyed tremendous success this season. A team mired in mediocrity since their improbable run to the Stanley Cup finals in 2004, the Flames need look no further than off-season additions Rene Bourque, Mike Cammalleri, Curtis Glencross, Todd Bertuzzi, and Andre Roy for this impressive turnaround. Barely into February, the 27 year-old Bourque (17 goals, 15 assists) has already eclipsed his previous high of 16 goals. His plus 12 rating also leads the team. Cammalleri (26 goals, 23 assists) is on pace to set a career high in goals, and leads the team in that department. Glencross (8 goals, 16 assists) has set a career high in points this year, and looks to build on his offensive numbers while playing a solid two-way play game. Veteran Todd Bertuzzi (12 goals, 22 assists) has chipped in with a strong offensive effort this season, as he continues to resurrect his NHL career with the Flames. Enforcer Andre Roy brings with him an element of toughness that most just simply can not match. Much of the team’s success can certainly be attributed to the strong play of stalwarts like Jarome Iginla, Daymond Langkow, Craig Conroy, Dion Phaneuf, Adrian Aucoin, Robyn Regehr and Kiprusoff, but it’s been the secondary scoring that has lifted the team over the hump and into the spotlight this year. Younger players like David Moss, Dustin Boyd, Eric Nystrom, Matthew Lombardi, Adam Pardy, and Mark Giordano have also contributed very nicely to Calgary’s surprising first-place lead after the all-star break. The Flames are for real this season, but they will be keeping a close eye on their rear-view mirror the rest of the way. A small bump in the road could make things in the Northwest Division standings a lot more uncomfortable than they would like. Just don’t count on the Flames burning out anytime soon. Contact the author at Michael.Paul@prohockeynews.com
You must be logged in to post a comment.