Matchsticks and Gasoline: FanShots

Keep an eye on these college free agents

2010-03-19T19:08:03Z

Keep an eye on these college free agents

Interesting piece on NHL.com (Well... interesting to me since I don't follow NCAA hockey). Far be it for me to recommend copying Brian Burke but considering the lack of Top 60 picks the Flames have over the next few yeas (and overall weakness in the prospect pool at forward) I think Sutter would be a fool to not try and Woo guys like these ala Bozak and Hanson.

Backlund in for Glencross

2010-03-19T18:22:25Z

Backlund in for Glencross

According to the Flames' official twitter account, Backlund will be playing on the fourth line with Nystrom and Mayers tonight against the Sharks. Glencross and Higgins nowhere to be seen, as per Pat Steinberg

They say there is no such thiing as bad publicity, right? Wisniewski suspended eight games

2010-03-18T21:50:12Z

They say there is no such thiing as bad publicity, right?

Wisniewski suspended eight games

Glencross Sidelined

2010-03-18T19:22:19Z

Glencross Sidelined

Hope Curtis isn't gone too long. I really like what he brings on the PK and how much he improves the lower half of the forward roster.

Backlund in for Conroy, Conroy down to the 4th would be my guess on the immediate impact to the line-up but my thoughts and Sutter thoughts don't synch very often so we'll see.

the current deal is a terrible one for the city of Abbotsford because it's a bad bet; the city...

2010-03-18T17:02:04Z

the current deal is a terrible one for the city of Abbotsford because it's a bad bet; the city assumes all of the future risk while the team accrues a huge chunk of the benefits. If the Heat fail to attract fans and garner revenues, the city (meaning, the tax payers of Abbotsford, both hockey fans and non-hockey fans alike) are stuck with the bill.

I get political in my look at the the Flames taking advantage of pubic funds in Abbotsford.

An introduction to Giophysics. Available at university bookstores.

2010-03-18T04:44:21Z

An introduction to Giophysics. Available at university bookstores.

Statistical Analysis of the Calgary Flames

2010-03-16T03:55:42Z

Statistical Analysis of the Calgary Flames

A brief look at the Flames lineup and statistically which players are performing and which are not.

The now-famous call from Crosby during the Gold Medal Game. I love how excited the French (not...

2010-03-14T01:47:19Z

The now-famous call from Crosby during the Gold Medal Game.

I love how excited the French (not RDS) are that the Americans lost.

Ryan Howse Continues His Hot Season

2010-03-11T21:22:37Z

Ryan Howse Continues His Hot Season

With 5 goals in his last 2 games, Howse now has 46 on the season, good for 3rd in the league behind Jordan Eberle and Kyle Beach - both of whom are older, former first round draft picks.

Matt Cooke Will not be suspended for his hit on Marc Savard.

2010-03-10T19:57:06Z

Matt Cooke Will not be suspended for his hit on Marc Savard.

How can this happen. Collie was comparing this to the Mike Richards hit on Booth saying that "Philadelphia's Mike Richards was not suspended for a similar hit on Florida's David Booth, so Cooke was not disciplined either."

And the main adjective for the GM's this week is what again?

My God, Damien. My God.

2010-03-09T23:47:31Z

My God, Damien. My God.

Toronto Star columnist and TSN Tradecentre expert Damien Cox believes the time has come in which Dion Phaneuf becomes the Captain of the Leafs. If he could grow a mustache, hit the general vicinity of the net, actually fight, and be a pillar in the community, the similarities between Dion and Wendel Clark would be uncanny.

In Defense of Daymond Langkow

2010-03-09T18:16:36Z

In Defense of Daymond Langkow

This one's for you, RO.

Brent Sutter Admits That Backlund Needs Sheltering

2010-03-09T00:10:07Z

Brent Sutter Admits That Backlund Needs Sheltering

What more can I say? Backlund hurts the team, Conroy and Boyd should have been above him on the depth chart. Open and fucking shut.

Flames Schedule Analysis

2010-03-08T18:02:00Z

Flames Schedule Analysis

I take a look at Calgary's stretch drive. "Not going to be easy" might be an understatement.

The Staios deal is a mess. Whatever "intangibles" he adds to the roster are likely to fall well...

2010-03-04T19:18:09Z

The Staios deal is a mess. Whatever "intangibles" he adds to the roster are likely to fall well short of his relatively expensive contract. Unless he regains the sort of on-ice form he showed years ago, Staios is a bad bet to provide value for his contract and is a toxic asset - one which was happily expunged by the rather hapless organization up north.

It's a move that smacks of a man either lost in the past or completely out of ideas.

My look at the Steve Staois acquisition.

What a long, strange trip it has been

2010-03-03T23:36:45Z

What a long, strange trip it has been

Was updating the Wikipedia article for this season as I am wont to do, and I realized that hadn't realized just how amazingly bizarre this season has been.

Fleury's exhibition heroics seem so long ago. Remember the H1N1 scandal? Yeah, me neither.

THIRTEEN trades this season. We made only fourteen in the previous three seasons combined. Half our roster was not here a month ago. Chemistry is overrated, right?

If you told me on October 1 that we would be battling the Red Wings for playoff position, I would have been estatic. Who would've guessed?

Backlund Recalled

2010-03-02T18:29:23Z

Backlund Recalled

Darryl does know that you can only dress 18 skaters, right?

AHL Weekly: Heat showing no signs of cooling

2010-03-01T23:18:56Z

AHL Weekly: Heat showing no signs of cooling

Clearly more injuries is the secret to their success...?

Backlund named AHL Player of the Week

2010-03-01T23:16:20Z

Backlund named AHL Player of the Week

Heard on CP he was called up to the big squad. Better hope the plaque/trophy doesn't get broken in the mail.

Stajan Locked up for 4 years

2010-03-01T17:07:19Z

Stajan Locked up for 4 years

Looks like Darryl Sutter has locked up Matt Stajan for 4 years at 3.5 million per season.

In 62 games played this season, he has 18 goals, 27 assists, for a total of 45 points.