Post by Nordiques - Chris on Jan 31, 2007 18:42:40 GMT -5
2006/2007 = Year # 4 for the JGHL's Calgary Flames. Flames fan are extremely excited for this incoming year & think 4 is the magic number - it doesn't hurt that it's the former number of their coach, the legendary #4 himself - Bobby Orr.
Year #1 was a year of growth for the young team as they finished 2nd last overall & picked up the coveted prospect Evgeny Malkin, who unfortunately won't be able to make his debut until next season, which has Flames fans, players & coaches drooling. They also snagged Andrej Meszaros in the 1st rnd that yr, making his debut this yr & should prove to be a key cog on the d-line.
Years 2 & 3 were diappointing to Flames fans. Both 1st round exits from the playoffs, although in yr 2 they almost pooled the upset over the highly favoured Black Hawks in the 1st rnd, taking them to a suspenseful 7 games. Last season in the 1st rnd, however, the Flames couldn't muster any attack against the eventual Cup champion Avs.
Now, after three years of highly researched drafting and countless trades and player signings, GM Chris Ralph & Head Coach Bobby Orr feel they have finally put together something special.
There were two major off-season deals that really solidified this years lineup. First, was the bringing in of Marc Savard along with Jason Pominvillle (who should challenge for roster spot next season) & up & comer Dustin Boyd. GM Ralph was reluctant but had to part with personal fav Langkow along with 2 highly touted young guns - Mikko Koivu & Jeff Carter. Savard, though gives them a #1 playmaking center, allowing Marleau to switch to the LW. That deal only was the leadup to another shocking blockbuster bringing in Dany Heatley, who is destined to "heat" up the Flames. Tom Preissing also was brought in. Departing were a fine group of talent, including future star forwards Tuomo Ruutu, Olesz as well as dmen Paul Mara & Braydon Coburn. These two deals give the Flames a potent 1st line!
So to start the season the lines are:
Forwards:
Marleau - Savard - Heatley
Recchi - Boyes - Afinogenov
Frolov - Antropov - Kapanen
additional: Zherdev - Malholtra - Pominville
Defense:
Pronger - Pitkanen
Meszaros - Preissing
Hamhuis - Salo
Beauchemin
depth: Fischer & Kuba
Goalies:
Kipper
Lehtonen
depth: Bryzgalov
Hard to find any weaknesses in the current lineup, as even the 3rd forward line should provide some scoring.
The "D" is extremely solid from top to bottom with plenty of depth. Between the pipes, Kipper, after a vigorous training routine this off-season is primed to finally be the elite goalie the Flames initially projected him to be, and with a great defense in front of him should put up some stellar numbers.
Youth knocking on the door: The afore mentioned Evgeny Malkin, Alexander Radulov and Dustin Penner will all be looking to have stong years & compete for a tough-to-get roster spot next season. This past entry draft was also a success, according to GM Chris Ralph, as he, for the most part, got who he wanted from the 1st rnd through to the 5th. Getting both Peter Mueller & Kyle Okposo in the 1st round was unbelievable & having projected 1st rnder Semen Varlamov slip to the second round left Ralph with almost as big a smile as if Eva Mendes was lying spread eagle before him! The rest of the draft went very well as well. The FLames should have a bright future for years to come as the cupboard is stocked full of promising prospects, but of course only time well tell on some of those guys.
For now, Flames fans have a right to be excited and hope not to be disappointed this season. They hope the Flames will burn higher than they ever have before in the JGHL!
Reporting from Calgary,
Cheers from:
Eddie Beers
www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php3?pid%5B%5D=287
Year #1 was a year of growth for the young team as they finished 2nd last overall & picked up the coveted prospect Evgeny Malkin, who unfortunately won't be able to make his debut until next season, which has Flames fans, players & coaches drooling. They also snagged Andrej Meszaros in the 1st rnd that yr, making his debut this yr & should prove to be a key cog on the d-line.
Years 2 & 3 were diappointing to Flames fans. Both 1st round exits from the playoffs, although in yr 2 they almost pooled the upset over the highly favoured Black Hawks in the 1st rnd, taking them to a suspenseful 7 games. Last season in the 1st rnd, however, the Flames couldn't muster any attack against the eventual Cup champion Avs.
Now, after three years of highly researched drafting and countless trades and player signings, GM Chris Ralph & Head Coach Bobby Orr feel they have finally put together something special.
There were two major off-season deals that really solidified this years lineup. First, was the bringing in of Marc Savard along with Jason Pominvillle (who should challenge for roster spot next season) & up & comer Dustin Boyd. GM Ralph was reluctant but had to part with personal fav Langkow along with 2 highly touted young guns - Mikko Koivu & Jeff Carter. Savard, though gives them a #1 playmaking center, allowing Marleau to switch to the LW. That deal only was the leadup to another shocking blockbuster bringing in Dany Heatley, who is destined to "heat" up the Flames. Tom Preissing also was brought in. Departing were a fine group of talent, including future star forwards Tuomo Ruutu, Olesz as well as dmen Paul Mara & Braydon Coburn. These two deals give the Flames a potent 1st line!
So to start the season the lines are:
Forwards:
Marleau - Savard - Heatley
Recchi - Boyes - Afinogenov
Frolov - Antropov - Kapanen
additional: Zherdev - Malholtra - Pominville
Defense:
Pronger - Pitkanen
Meszaros - Preissing
Hamhuis - Salo
Beauchemin
depth: Fischer & Kuba
Goalies:
Kipper
Lehtonen
depth: Bryzgalov
Hard to find any weaknesses in the current lineup, as even the 3rd forward line should provide some scoring.
The "D" is extremely solid from top to bottom with plenty of depth. Between the pipes, Kipper, after a vigorous training routine this off-season is primed to finally be the elite goalie the Flames initially projected him to be, and with a great defense in front of him should put up some stellar numbers.
Youth knocking on the door: The afore mentioned Evgeny Malkin, Alexander Radulov and Dustin Penner will all be looking to have stong years & compete for a tough-to-get roster spot next season. This past entry draft was also a success, according to GM Chris Ralph, as he, for the most part, got who he wanted from the 1st rnd through to the 5th. Getting both Peter Mueller & Kyle Okposo in the 1st round was unbelievable & having projected 1st rnder Semen Varlamov slip to the second round left Ralph with almost as big a smile as if Eva Mendes was lying spread eagle before him! The rest of the draft went very well as well. The FLames should have a bright future for years to come as the cupboard is stocked full of promising prospects, but of course only time well tell on some of those guys.
For now, Flames fans have a right to be excited and hope not to be disappointed this season. They hope the Flames will burn higher than they ever have before in the JGHL!
Reporting from Calgary,
Cheers from:
Eddie Beers
www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php3?pid%5B%5D=287