Quote:
Originally Posted by Zarley
This may be sacrelig, but I don't think Kiprusoff should have his number retired. Forever a Flame, sure.
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Kipper's my favorite Flame of all time, but I don't think it's sacrilegious to say his number shouldn't be retired. You can certainly make the case that that he and the team never took that crucial next step to becoming legitimate perennial contenders and champions. He also tailed off somewhat in his final two years as the team unwound into the rebuild.
However, I still think there is a stronger case for his jersey retirement than there isn't. 2nd all-time in goaltender games played for the Flames, first in wins, most wins in a single Flames season, first in shutouts, a Vezina trophy and a finalist thrice, a Jennings trophy, and a Hart trophy finalist.
Apart from Iginla, I believe Kiprusoff is the only other player with the skill, tenure, and good will to have his number retired and placed in the rafters, although MacInnis is a very strong candidate as well.