[Flickered Flame]

Calgary-After a very busy off season the Calgary Flames have announced its season opening lineup (barring any trades). The summer started with GM Axmann stepped down; the club hired Mike Walsh as its new GM. Walsh had a very difficult task ahead of him, as he attempted to dump older players with ridiculous contracts, however, for the most part that was not accomplished. Instead Walsh traded top goalie prospect Justin Pogge to the Kings (who Walsh still feels is overrated) and was blasted by the Calgary media for the deal. With little cap room and some key UFAs to bring back, Walsh has finally filled out the roster but it is a roster that is probably going to be hard pressed to make the playoffs.

Lineup:

Kovalev-Walker-Sullivan
Halpern-Weight-O’Neill
Primeau-Hinote-Hlinka
Lundqvist-Kalus-Artukhin

Foote-Brewer
Morrisonn-Murray/Erskine
Klein-Erskine/Murray

Kipper
Cloutier

Strengths:

On paper, the Flames should have one good scoring line, one good defensive pairing, and of course, Kipper.

Weaknesses:

Lack of scoring depth up front, the Flames only have 3 CPHL capable defensemen, and several outrageous contracts.

Top Prospects:

Ryan Jones-LW: Jones maybe a late bloomer and has a very good chance of making the Preds this fall.

Matt Pelech-D: A big defenseman who should continue to develop with the baby Flames.

Riku Helenius-G: A big butterfly goalie who GM Walsh feels will be in the NHL sooner rather than later.

All that is left all Walsh's to do list is to hire a coach, an announcement is expected in a day or 2. Possibly more