The Flames Age-Gap Challenge
Ryan Pike
June 05 2013 08:57AM
When you watch the NHL's conference finals from a Flames perspective, it's hard not to get a bit jealous. The four teams involved have recently been incredibly smart - and, let's face it, lucky - drafters, but they've also managed to build their clubs in a specific way. The teams are young, fast and strong, but aren't horribly green or inexperienced. They boast some older veterans, but aren't old and slow, either. They have players of almost every age and their youth is distributed carefully throughout their rosters.
Compliance Buyout Candidates: Eastern Conference
Justin Azevedo
June 04 2013 12:27PM
Pic via Bridget Samuels
This summer, I think compliance buyouts will be more focused on guys who can't play anymore and guys who just suck. I believe we'll see the "skill" guys bought out next year, when a decision absolutely has to be made one way or another. Guys like Lecavalier, Richards and Bourque will likely be given this season to prove one way or another if they're worth their contracts. That's just the way I feel about it - if it were up to me, most of those type of contracts would've never been signed.
Flames first round targets 2013: Valeri Nichushkin
Christian Roatis
June 04 2013 09:18AM
Nate MacKinnon, Seth Jones and Jonathan Drouin are roundly considered the best three talents in the upcoming 2013 NHL Draft. However, many scouts have wondered if maybe you could expand that group a bit - make it a formidable 4. The reason being, there's a kid from Russia who some believe to be right on par with his three North American counterparts in terms of skill and potential. That being Valeri Nichushkin.
Random Thoughts - Beware Playoff Reputations
Kent Wilson
June 03 2013 11:12AM
The post-season has wound its way into the semi-finals and there are few interesting stories that have popped up that I'd like to discuss briefly. Starting with the "upstart" Tomas Vokoun who is, of course, nothing of the sort.
Flames Top 15 Prospects 2013: #9 Jon Gillies
Ryan Pike
June 03 2013 08:34AM
A year ago, the Calgary Flames did something that made me cringe. They drafted a goaltender early in the 2012 NHL Draft, taking USHL stand-out Jon Gillies in the third round. A year later, they're making themselves look pretty darn smart for that move, as Gillies made the jump to the NCAA and had an excellent year.
