Matchsticks and Gasoline: FanShots

Irving Sent to Abbotsford, Karlsson Returns

2012-02-01T18:30:03Z

Irving Sent to Abbotsford, Karlsson Returns

After going 1-1-2 in four games with the Flames (including a memorable victory over the rival Canucks) goaltender Leland Irving has been sent down to the AHL's Abbotsford Heat. Irving, who becomes an RFA this summer, hadn't played since getting pulled in that 9-0 loss to Boston back in January but proved his mettle to many as a viable option in net for the Flames going forward. Henrik Karlsson has been practicing with the team while recovering from a knee injury and is reportedly ready to return to action.

Flames acquire Akim Aliu from Winnipeg for John Negrin

2012-01-31T07:53:00Z

Flames acquire Akim Aliu from Winnipeg for John Negrin

"CALGARY - The Calgary Flames made a trade Monday morning to acquire a player already with their farm team.

The Flames sent minor-league blueliner John Negrin to the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for forward Akim Aliu.

Aliu has four goals and one assist in 13 games this season playing for the Abbotsford Heat while on loan from the Jets. The Flames obviously like what they saw to keep Aliu long-term.

Aliu was a second-round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks in 2007 but he's yet to make his NHL debut after bouncing around the AHL the past few seasons.

The 6-foot-3, 205-lb. winger was born in Okene, Nigeria, and is just 22. He played with Sudbury and London in the OHL.

Negrin played three games with the Flames during the 2008-09 season straight from the Swift Current Broncos of the WHL, but has played with the Heat the past three seasons.

When the Flames acquired 25-year-old blueliner Brian Connolly for centre Brendan Morrison over the weekend, they needed to make some space on the Heat's defence."

Morrison Traded To 'Hawks

2012-01-28T05:40:52Z

Morrison Traded To 'Hawks

For AHL Defenseman Brian Connelly...

http://theahl.com/stats/player.php?id=3089
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=81044
http://www.forecaster.ca/demos/hockey/player.cgi?7292
http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/brian_connelly

... I'm not displeased. I thought resigning BMo was a mistake getting a youngish D-man who has had success at the AHL level seems like a fair return.

Rene Bourque Suspended for 2 Games

2011-12-20T01:38:18Z

Rene Bourque Suspended for 2 Games

Absolutely justified suspension. An easy one for Sheriff Shanny.

All I can say is that Rene is not a dirty player, he doesn't want to hurt players but he is not the smartest player either.

This incident is another one to be added to the pile of bad penalties, skating around with a broken stick, late penalty in the offensive zone in a tie game etc.

He simply is unable to find the right balance between intense legal play and crossing the line.

Bourque can have games where he is the best player on the ice and others where he simply doesn't play smart. This game was the latter.

Shannaban breakdown in detail

Is Darryl Sutter the next coach of the Kings?

2011-12-13T15:39:27Z

Is Darryl Sutter the next coach of the Kings?

It may not be as whacky as Flames fans initially think.

Darryl Sutter is not a bad coach. He took the Flames to their most storied accomplishment in this century. A Stanley Cup final run in 2004.

He took a much less talented Blackhawks team than todays version to the Conference Finals in 1994.

The problem was he was promoted to a position where he proved to be incompetent, General Manager, but as a coach he likely is on Dean Lombardi's short list.

There is a term for this tendency to promote a person until they reach a position where they are incompetent. - The Peter Principle but the egg is really on Ken King not Darryl Sutter here and regressing Darryl Sutter back to a coach may be the best thing for him.

Although Sutter, like Murray is a defence first coach, Sutter will certainly bring discpline to the club which may be what hockey players in sunny L.A. need.

Sutter is likely up against Randy Carlyle and in L.A. the owners may weigh in to get the final word for Carlyle.

For comparison purposes Sutter's NHL coaching record is 409 Wins - 320 L - 101 Ties and 30 OTL on three different NHL teams.

Carlyle's record is 273 Wins - 182 L and 61 OTL all with the Ducks,

Karlsson Update - High Grade MCL tear out 6-8 weeks

2011-12-07T19:11:10Z

Karlsson Update - High Grade MCL tear out 6-8 weeks

The odds of Leland Irving getting his first NHL start just went up considerably.

Karlsson on IR - Leland Irving Called up

2011-12-05T17:30:05Z

Karlsson on IR - Leland Irving Called up

Another Flames rookie is up and in the line-up.

The Flames have not seen this many 25 and under players (six) on the roster since a doey eyed Jarome Iginla was wearing a Dallas Stars jersey on draft day.

Just a quick recap

On IR - David Moss, Anton Babchuk, Mark Giordano and now Henrik Karlsson.

25 and under on the roster - Blake Comeau, Mikael Backlund, Roman Horak, Chris Butler, T.J. Brodie and now Leland Irving.

I honestly can't recall a time when the Flames had this much youth - yeah no rebuild happening here - move along...

Sarich Denies Trade Request

2011-12-04T16:09:03Z

Sarich Denies Trade Request

Jay Feaster may not be able to confirm or deny Sarich's request to be traded but Sarich's camp came out with a firm denial. Illustrating a frustration with not playing and stating that he "wants to be out there."

Rhett Warrener of Sportsnet has a bit of egg on his face at this moment, as the source of this leaked "trade request".

Silly mainstream media, back and forth on these rumors. Where does this stuff come from, someone on the grassy knoll in their underwear and it certainly isn't us.

Wasn't Feaster a blogger with the Hockey News before he was hired by the Flames. ; )