The Calgary Flames lead the league in a dangerous category: Inflexibility.

As time ticks away on an organization on the precipice of having to rebuild, Flames management is saddled with a dilemma that finds its roster filled with 11 players who have the power of vetoing any proposed trade.

According to capgeek.com more than half the Flames’ roster includes players with no-trade or no-movement clauses in their contracts. That figure excludes Mark Giordano who will have that protection next season.

New Jersey sits second with nine, Vancouver has eight and three teams — Montreal, Boston and Detroit — have seven.

While the club’s wild swings in play make it far too early to suggest this is the year to start shedding major assets with an eye on the future, it’s important to note that whoever is calling the shots down the road will do so with his hands tied.

Now time for more notes, quotes and anecdotes from a sports world hoping the first Jockeys Gone Wild video hits stores before Christmas.


http://www.calgarysun.com/sports/columnists/2010/11/08/16024001.html


13 Responses to The Calgary Flames lead the league in a dangerous category: Inflexibility.

  1. mojo19 says:

    Calgary does need to re-stock the cupboards a bit after "going for it" for a few years. I'm thinking there could be a way to move some veterans etc. for draft picks and still keep Iginla, and go for a quick turnaround. Like a 2 year semi-rebuild.

  2. albertateams says:

    The cupboards are certainly bare outside of a few prospects. As much as I love Iginla I think its time for him to move on for two reasons 1) the return would be great and help replenish the prospect pool and 2) He has not bought into he system and his play right now is hurting the team, offensively he hasn't produced and his defensive coverage has been really bad (he's second worst on the team in plus minus). I am positive that his game will return, I just think long term its better to move him than try to fill in players around him.

     
  3. albertateams says:

    While 11 players have some form of NMC or NTC. 6 of those expire after next season. I also suspect that the majority of those players with expiring clauses could be moved to playoff contenders at or before the deadline, so I don't think its as big of an issue as some make it out to be.

    A couple of notes about last nights game. 
    The reffing was easily the worst I've seen this season going both ways its just really sad when the officials have such an impact on a really good game. The no call on Colorado for Goalie interference was horrible as was the 5 on 3 awarded to end the second. 
    I was really impressed with Bouwmeester last night, besides almost logging 30 minutes, he looked better offensively and his defense was rock solid outside of a couple of minor mistakes. 
    Backlund continues to impress me, he got a goal which is great but he is great defensively for a rookie, I think he is poised to really have a break out in he next month or two.
    Bourque is now the key offensive guy in Calgary, hes big fast and can play in all situations. The only thing with him is he must stay healthy. 
    White seems a little lost lately, I'm wondering if with Gio getting the new contract he's kind of in a funk, hopefully he can break out of it. 
    I am really starting to feel for Olli he busts his ass out there but just can't buy a goal. I don't think fans can criticize his effort but no doubt his production has to improve.
  4. Leafs_the_word says:

    Olli is the new Jason Blake and White tumor on any blueline.

  5. albertateams says:

    I still like White a lot I just think he is going through a bit of a rough patch he should be able to come out of it. He was great last year, this year he's had some really good games and some bad ones he just needs to smooth out the inconsistencies. 

    Olli is not the 90 point player he once was, however he has played pretty well this season he just can't get a bounce I think they will start to come though his effort is there for sure.
  6. Leafs_the_word says:

    I think Olli needs to reinvent himself given that he isn't the offensive force he once was, he'll only hurt himself as a shade of his former self.  He can't do that when the Flames need him to be a top six player though.

    White plays a big risk game and just isn't good enough to consistent, IMO he's the among the worst blueliners in the LNH.

  7. albertateams says:

    I agree about Olli needing to reinvent himself to some degree but I think he can settle in as a solid 2nd lin guy.

    Completely disagree about White, he's a solid top 5 D man in this league, sure he will be inconsistent but there are a ton of demen that have ups and downs, plus hes a good first pass dman and can move the puck far better than most.
  8. mojo19 says:

    You guys will get rid of White. He's capable of showing some flash from time to time, but look at his overall play, he's just a step behind, he covers no one in front of the net, and he's consistantly more of a liability than a force.

  9. Leafs_the_word says:

    White's defensive lapse are the worst I've ever witnessed and that includes house league.

  10. albertateams says:

    I agree White is likely to be moved based on Gio's new contract.  He does have consistency issues and sometimes makes some brutal mistakes, but the guy has only once in his NHL career been a minus player and he has played on some really bad teams. His size hurts him in front of the net without a doubt but when he's on his game he moves the puck well adds a little offense and stays away from major mistakes in the defensive zone. Unfortunately hes not off to a great start but I think he will even out his play over the coarse of a season.

  11. albertateams says:
    Apparently you don't watch Dion very closely because he easily has as many defensive zone  brain farts on the ice as White and thats with white having a tenth of the physical gifts Phaneuf has. 

    White's still a career plus player and has had only one season where he had a negative plus/minus and thats with playing on some Brutal TO and Calgary teams. 

  12. reinjosh says:

    Dion hasn't been all that bad since becoming a Leaf, plus/minus be damned.

  13. albertateams says:

    He hasn't been good, and not even close to what a 6.5 million dollar defenseman should be. His plus/minus is bad, he hasn't scored and his defensive play continues to be spotty at best.

Leave a Reply