There is a certain amount of escapism in sports that attracts people beyond the conventional reasons for fandom. The ability to immerse in an arbitrary competition that bears no consequence on our own lives can lure almost anyone to the television set and even the arena. Certain levels of interest are gauged by the amount of time spent supporting a team. When your sporting options are limited in certain geographic areas, the support that a team receives can greatly intensify.
This could certainly be said for the city of Calgary and their beloved Flames. The summer of 2013 can’t end quickly enough for the residents of Alberta’s largest city. Heavy rains and historically bad flooding from the Bow River had the home of Calgary’s Flames literally under water in July. The city is on its way to recovery, with all parties declaring the Saddledome will be ready for the upcoming NHL season on schedule.
I will tread lightly when discussing the relevance of sport in the face of natural disasters. Perspective is quite literally gained when our own self-preservation is at stake. Sports settles into its place far below the truly important things in life when we are faced with true adversity. The fate of Calgary ranks far above the success of their hockey team in the lexicon of priorities.
At eDraft, we still have a job to do, Bow River, Glenmore Dam and flooding be dam(ned). The escapism that I mentioned at the top will at least give the fans a break from the much harsher realities of rebuilding a city. Hopefully the loyal fan base of the Calgary Flames will collectively take this into consideration when they see the team that will be wearing the flaming “C” this season.
Jay Feaster begins his third season as the general manager of the Flames and has finally conceded that the team is in rebuilding mode. While he had been reluctant to move veterans in the past; either falsely believing in his own club or for fear of the faithful chasing him from Calgary with pitchforks. Feaster is now left with the pieces that he was able to broker in the deals that he made earlier this year.
The biggest hole that needs to be addressed is in goal where someone other than Miikka Kiprusoff will start in goal for the first time in 10 years. Those overstuffed goaltending pads will potentially be filled by Leland Irving, Joey MacDonald or Karri Ramo. With no legitimate starter pegged to succeed the iconic Kiprusoff, it will be a trying year in net for the Flames.
It doesn’t get too much better on offense for Calgary. Their two leading scorers were tied at 32 points; Lee Stempniak and Michael Cammalleri. Eight players scored more than 20 points including one defenseman, so the obvious question will be: Where do the Flames get their scoring?
Prospects Sven Baertschi and Sean Monahan will likely be pressed into service as the future for the Flames becomes right now. Veterans Jiri Hudler, David Jones, Matt Stajan and Curtis Glencross will need to step up or it could get ugly. Check that, it will get ugly.
I would love to say that the bright spot on the Flames is on defense, but…..well, the bright spot for the Flames IS on the defense. (Insert glass-half-full optimism here) Truth be told the Flames do actually have some veteran leadership on their blue line. Comparitively speaking of course.
The rearguards will be expected to set the pace for the team with Mark Giordano, Dennis Wideman, T.J. Brodie and Shane O’Brien. It may not be a who’s who of Norris Trophy candidates but is possibly the lone bright(ish) spot for the Flames to build on. Sorry Calgary. It has been a terrible year for you and the Flames won’t make it seem much better. Look on the bright side, the chances of a number one overall draft pick/the Connor McDavid sweepstakes could fall into your lap! Trust me, he might be worth it.
Position: Seventh (by a lot). Sorry for piling on.