Flames Sign Conroy To One-Year, Two-Way Deal
by Hayley on Aug 11, 2010 3:05 PM PDT
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PrintThe Flames announced the signing of soon-to-be thirty-nine year old centre Craig Conroy to a one-year deal today. The terms were not disclosed by the club, but the deal is allegedly a two-way contract at league minimum, as per the Herald's Vicki Hall. With the health of Daymond Langkow still in question and the ability of any of the other three centres currently on the roster to handle tough minutes at even strength on the penalty kill, retaining Conroy certainly makes sense for the Flames, especially at that dollar figure with a versatile contract.
I'm not sure whether or not Conroy makes the team is really a question, I think there's too much respect there; perhaps he'll retire if he gets demoted, because I can't imagine a thirty-nine year old player with a family wants to spend what is potentially his last season traipsing around the AHL, but who knows, he could prove to be a useful influence on what looks to be a very young Abbotsford team. What say you?
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For as much as Sutter is disliked around these parts, Craig Conroy is the #1 example of why I’m still a fan of Darryl. Back when we eliminated Detroit in the 04 playoffs, CBC interviewed Conroy right after and he said that he at first considered being traded to Calgary a low point in his career. By that series, he said it was one of the best things to happen to him. He’s also suggested regrets at leaving Calgary for LA to chase the money. Conroy’s attitude towards the Flames mirrors the massive growth in reputation this team has enjoyed under Sutter and King. And that reputation is only enhanced today. People around the league know how close Conroy is to his silver stick, and for the Flames to give a guy who has been a warrior for us for nearly a decade the chance to earn it will be noted.
I think he definitely gets his nine games in. After that, it becomes interesting. Signing a two-way deal indicates to me that he is willing to go to Abbotsford if one of the kids beats him out. Conroy in a teaching role down in the sticks, with a likely call up for a playoff run would be great for the development system.
I think he’s in town for the duration if he breaks camp with the big club, Res. The Flames had a full roster before Conroy’s deal, and with the news that Kronwall wants to head home, adding Conroy would leave the team with the standard 14F 7D 2G arrangement. He’s still a pretty worthwhile NHLer in that 10th to 14th F spot on the roster, and with Langkow’s uncertain future, he’s nice insurance. I don’t doubt he’d be terrific as a coach-on-the-ice type in Abby, but I think he’s still got enough tread on his tire to play in a sensible bottom six role for one more year. At any rate, good signing no matter how it shakes out.
by Robert Cleave on Aug 11, 2010 4:39 PM PDT up reply actions
Cap limit-trade coming?
Conroy will be valuable, he is better than most goon types and actually can win faceoffs when shorthanded and play the penalty killer roll perfectly. i just have to wonder what the Flames are going to do to meet the cap-a trade must be coming, or Kotalik, Staois, or Sarich must be on the move. Maybe a top four defenceman is going to allow the cap to be met. A first round pick and at least one prospect for any top tier veterans would be beneficial. My confidence in the player(s) for player(s) trades by Sutter and company is waning. I think a multiplayer deal might spice things up, not sure if Calgary is headed for a Cup soon, therefore, some horse-trading would be entertaining. Chicago has proven that young prospects developed quickly can win a cup, even with a shaky goaltending stable.
Chicago dumped so many players it kind of symbolizes a fundamental change in NHL roster maneuvering, gone are the days of slowly developing players-speed, youth, and quick development are necessary. Players then demand big money and they have to be dealt for more prospects and drafts to keep yourself under the cap. Calgary, unfortunately is trying to buck this trend. I’m not a GM but I see the economic reality of the cap.
It’s a good possibility that our best centre on opening night is making 500k.
I’m not just talking “best” as in “oh how cute! a complete player! that means he can play defense!” but as in “hey look he can actually outplay his opponents”.
It’d be funny if it wasn’t so damn sad.
Also: what’s with all the rebuild junkies? Did we forget how terrible losing hockey is to watch?
Confirmation bias. People look at the sexy example of the Penguins, Hawks and Capitals. They choose to ignore the Oilers, Panthers, Blue Jackets, Thrashers, Islanders, Wild, etc.
TRADE IGINALAA WE NEEDZ PROSPECTT
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by Justin Azevedo on Aug 12, 2010 12:22 AM PDT up reply actions
Rebuilders anonymous
I hadn’t even waded in here yet and you guys are already shouting me down !!
Darryl has chosen his direction for this year. I give him until the All Start Break to see if this group can contend. The only move he (might) need to make now is a salary cap move as discussed; the return will be negligible. As I said somewhere else, return on veterans will be inflated at deadline time.
Res- losing hockey is terrible to watch – but it is far worse to watch when the average age of the team is 30, than when the average age is 24. Hope is the fuel that feeds the flames of a fans passion.
No rebuilding, just re-stocking
A complete rebuilding purge isn’t needed. The farm does need a few top prospects though. It would be nice to see Backlund actually beat out Conroy, not just be handed his job. The same goes for defensive depth or a scoring winger that could have made the Tanguay signing a luxury rather than a stark need. If the Flames had players coming through the ranks, they could be pickier in free agency.
By the way, I have yet to see a logical defense for the Jackman and Ivanans signings while buying out Dawes. Those 3 moves scare the *@#$ out of me when I try to have faith in the front office.
Ryan
Matchsticks & Gasoline, Sports Opinionated, Front Office Fans, Pink Shirt Wise Guys: Italian Soccer Podcast & occasionally even Puck Prospectus. Yes, I'm a sports-writing whore...don't hate me.
The lowest I see Backs going is 3rd line, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up on the 2nd (or 1st, if BSutt ever lets the Tang/Joker/Iggy combo break up). I think the kid’s one potential achilles heel is confidence, but if he gets his head straight and keeps it that way, he can rise quickly.
by SmellOfVictory on Aug 16, 2010 10:42 PM PDT up reply actions
The Oilers are a team I’d leave out of that. They’ve only been in ‘rebuild’ mode for what, three seasons? And either next season or the following one, they’re going to be a damn fun team to watch. It’s clear that going for a rebuild is a risky move oft times, but at the same time it’s not the complete shitshow that a lot of people think of it. And although I don’t want the Flames to do that (don’t think it’s necessary, really), if my team is hypothetically rebuilding and losing a bunch of games, it’s relatively easy for me to enjoy if there are a couple of exciting youngsters that I get to watch develop into stars (ie thinking of watching Edmonton next season).
by SmellOfVictory on Aug 16, 2010 10:41 PM PDT up reply actions
Nope, the Oilers definitely fit the pattern. Most “rebuilds” are forced on teams as the result of either gross incompetence or an utter lack of money. The Oilers today are basically where the Blackhawks were five years ago: Managed by morons who couldn’t find their own ass with both hands and a map. They certainly have spent a lot more money to suck than teams in similar position, but they are still in the same boat: many years of losing, many years of high draft picks. To date, many of their “can’t miss” prospects have been utter busts.
We’ll see if Eberle, Hall and MPS can be something more than the next Schremp, Cogliano and Nilsson. I expect they will be, but I don’t expect Bambi and Lowe to build anything of value around them.
Langkow is vital, and I hope Backlund or Stagan step up
Good point, Conroy could be the best two-way centre if Langkow isn’t healthy. A total rebuild isn’t necessary and agreed its brutal for fans. Financially Calgary is over the cap with depth at defence. Calgary needs to unload a couple of salaries and restock the draft picks. The Jolkinen deal with Phoenix cost plenty and no drafts from the Phaneuf deal. Its nice to get veteran players in trades but they all end up being RFAs or UFAs and gone in a year or two. I’m not sure what the perfect mix is, but I am quite certain a couple of prospects have to be mixed in the roster to meet the salary cap. Its not rebuilding, its having a balance of a few top salaries-superstars(?) a bulk of highly paid-2-4 mill, and a few younger break in players at 500,00.
Remember when Calgary had injury problems last year, they couldn’t ice a full roster due to cap restrictions. Its better to have a couple of prospects in the roster. A total rebuild doesn’t work anymore, your players will eventually put you well over the cap if your rebuild is successful. Its a catch 22-good point about all round players RO.
34 and 39
The age of the best 2 centres. 6 and 11 years past the peak for most hockey players. The younger of which is injured and could be out for a long time.
Backlund, Stajan, White and Bouw need to be 100% better than they were last year just to staunch the bleeding.
Signing Conroy is a good move, but then let me ask… Why did we get Tim Jackman and Raitis Ivanans again? I do hope they are some kind of trading bait to get us under the CAP and get ‘something’ back. And of course, we have our beloved Kotalik and Staois which i am sure our team can do without as well. I do hope Darryl do somethin’, something useful.
Why did we get Tim Jackman and Raitis Ivanans again?
Indeed. Stone-Conroy-Dawes would have been a killer fourth line.
2004 Roster-versus 2010 Roster
Player by Player I think we might be ahead of 2004, the year of the Cup Finalist Team
Small tweaking needed but it looks pretty competitive
2004 2010
34 Miikka Kiprusoff G Kiprusoff, Miikka
1 Roman Turek G Karlsson, Henrik
2 Mike Commodore D Giordano, Mark
21 Andrew Ference D Pardy, Adam
3 Denis Gauthier D Sarich, Cory
4 Jordan Leopold D Pelech Matt
32 Toni Lydman D Bouwmeester, Jay
5 Steve Montador D White, Ian D
28 Robyn Regehr D Regehr, Robyn
44 Rhett Warrener D Kronwall, Staffan D
Martin Gelinas LW Hagman, Niklas
Oleg Saprykin LW Tanguay, Alex
Ville Nieminen LW Glencross, Curtis
Marcus Nilson LW Sutter, Brett
Chris Simon LW Ivanans, Raitis
Craig Conroy C Conroy, Craig
Matthew Lombardi C Jokinen, Olli
Dean McAmmond C Langkow, Daymond
Steve Reinprecht C Backlund, Mikael
Stephane Yelle C Stajan, Matt
Chris Clark RW Bourque, Rene
Shean Donovan RW Jackman, Tim
Jarome Iginla RW Iginla, Jarome
Chuck Kobasew RW Moss, David
except
Your best players in 2004 are still your best players in 2010 and they are over 30. 2004 Iggy is not 2010 Iggy, or Conroy or Regehr. Kipper might perform close to 2004 level ( 1.69 GAA ??) , but the rest need to be significantly better for it to be close.
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