Matchsticks and Microphones: Episode 15 (27/09/2011)
by Justin Azevedo on Sep 28, 2011 7:00 AM PDT
in Matchsticks and Microphones
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PrintIt's backkkkkk!
Quite right. The podcast makes its triumphant return to the airwaves with mike_H and KingJafi from Hit The Post (@hitthepost), Kent Wilson from Flames Nation (@Kent_Wilson), our managing editor Hayley (@MG_Hayley) and of course some sexy guy hosting the show (that would be me, @azevedoj).
This week we do a quick review of the off-season with some more ranting and swearing, talk a little about prospects and move into our predictions for the upcoming season. Maybe don't listen to this one unless you're alone. I might get a little...animated at a couple points. You've been warned.
Of course, some recognition is needed for our excellent intro and outro music-"Another Room" by Blair Miskie and the Goods. Here's their website and here's a link to the iTunes mp3 version of the song- it's good stuff.
Download link after the jump!
Matchsticks and Microphones: Episode 15 (27/09/2011)
Enjoy, peeps.
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Good Stuff
I see the Flames in 7-8 in the playoffs provided 2 things happen.
(1) There is no prolonged losing streak. (4 games or more in a row pointless at any time this season – OTL are ok)
(2) Feaster makes a big trade.
One of the things I was surprised no one focused on M & Mics is the fact that all of the bad trades also resulted in a significant gain of Cap space. Regehr, Kotalik and Langkow all opened up Cap which hasn’t yet been used.
Feaster has been very clear that he is going for the playoffs and there is no give up and sink mentality and that means a trade is coming to me.
In a trade that sends one of Bork, Stajan, Hagman, Sarich, Jokinen it means the Flames can shop for a 6 million+ dollar player. I suspect that Feaster has already targeted this player, whoever it may be.
If this trade happens it can be the step forward that we have been looking for in an off-season that has looked like a step backward.
On UFA’s
Imo, regardless of whether the Flames make the playoffs or not I firmly believe they have to target the UFA market this off-season or next.
A Zack Parise type of player.
Pekka Rinne, even Martin Biron is up in NY as well. There is a few coming up in the next two years. Depending on how Kipper does it should be clear Calgary has a G issue on their hands at this point. To plug the hole the Flames have to buy a pretty good player in his late 20s.
The Flames do have an advantage, they can spend money other teams can not even think about.
They only really have 3.6 million available right now, and there’s a real lack of assets to give away when it comes to trading for a high-impact player. Basically what I’m saying is that unless they can get a UFA-to-be at the deadline for nothing, a big trade doesn’t seem likely.
At the end of the year they’ll have about 24 mil in cap space with 12 players signed. That’s a lot of playing room.
by Justin Azevedo on Sep 28, 2011 9:08 AM PDT up reply actions
I think a trade will happen based on what Feaster has said. If he wasn’t so gung ho on the playoffs I wouldn’t be because it is hard to see how he has made the team stronger at this point.
The 3.6 plus the salary of Flames player(s) in the trade. I just can’t see him creating room for the sake of creating room this year. As you and several others have pointed out, why trade Langkow who only had a year left anyway unless you wanted that room for some reason. He was off the books anyway…
I still do not consider the Regehr trade done, there is another piece 1/2 a player cap-wise so to speak. As you said in cast, the Flames owners are rich, they don’t have an issue with spending. I honestly don’t think they are penny pinching, they all Oil guys, they are the only people in this economy who are rolling in dough.
Further to this with depth at C. Dare I say it but I could see Vinny coming to Calgary. TB has money issues and that contract is UGLY.
The Flames could work a good trade on that one and make it work if TB is looking to shed salary. I know that is my usual pie in the sky. But owners and dollars and their goals sometimes factor as well.
ehhhh…I’m highly skeptical of trading for a guy like Lecavlier. Can’t take on tough comp, massive cap hit and is under contract until 2020. I would not be pleased with a trade for him.
by Justin Azevedo on Sep 28, 2011 9:31 AM PDT up reply actions
The way I think of it is like this-would you rather have him or Backlund for the next 10 years? I know that’s reductive, but it’s the tradeoff.
by Justin Azevedo on Sep 28, 2011 9:34 AM PDT up reply actions
Is a Cup in there somewhere? Even a Cup final appearance?
I will state that if taking Vinny and giving up Backlund means one Cup in ten years I do it.
I don’t think there’s even a cup appearance with Vinny, because by the time this team could be at that level again he’ll be 35 and an absolute boat anchor. I think a cup is a lot more plausible with a guy who’s a young, creative and will have a cheap contract-and will allow the team to get other assets, instead of hindering the team from getting assets.
by Justin Azevedo on Sep 28, 2011 10:19 AM PDT up reply actions
Fair enough, Vinny has an ugly contract, no doubt. If we want to throw around big names I would much prefer robbing the bank for Parise, no doubt.
I just see a trade coming. Spezza maybe, who knows?
call it a hunch
but I see Parise being a real option for the next off season.
www.mmalinker.com
by exsanguinator on Sep 28, 2011 10:50 AM PDT up reply actions
you have no idea how happy this would make me
by Justin Azevedo on Sep 28, 2011 10:51 AM PDT up reply actions
With Parise signing a one year deal, the expressed interest in the media about Parise coming to Calgary and the incredible amount of cap space coming off the books at the end of this season I see no reason for Parise not to be an option for replacing Iginla.
In my opinion, Calgary is always a Cup winning team… they just don’t play like it until it’s too late.
www.mmalinker.com
by exsanguinator on Sep 28, 2011 3:32 PM PDT up reply actions
It’ll be interesting to see how the season goes, but I still think Feaster is going to go out and try to swing for the fences. He’s been adamant about a number 1 centreman, and I think a lot will depend on how Backlund does for the first half of the season. If there’s one thing it will be, it’ll be interesting.
by DownGoesLuongo on Sep 28, 2011 10:07 PM PDT reply actions
Try developing talent
High impact players are affordable if they come from within. The Jeff Skinner, Matt Duschene, Brayden Schenn, and Taylor Hall type of ‘impact’ players are out there. I’m not going to name all the rookies wourth watching, there are several, the point is that to find the high impact players, starting from within through scouting and drafting makes economic sense.
The rental player approach and over-priced free agents result in a bidding war. Feaster tried for Richards and was out-bid, in effect he pushed the bid up for New York. These high profile UFA players are given crazy money. The money is reward for years of service in the league it seems, it is a veteran getting their unjust reward for all the talent and impact they hopefully bring to their new team.
I’d much like to see players like Aullie, and Erixon stick around, and getting rid of Langkow after waiting for him to rehab is plain stupid-there goes the no.1 centre. Try and replace him for 4 million in today’s market-Sven Barteschi step up please.
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