[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

This team will need difference makers - and as many of them - as possible. It isn't just a need for Cs.


I would say that the Flames are looking good only in net.


I have lots of faith in Vladar, but there really is only one young blue-chipper in the pipeline. I would be all over Jiricek if he were made available.


As for my thoughts on Vladar - he has been great. He was a very good up and coming goalie when Calgary acquired him. He played under Sutter who was hell for goalies apparently, and played two straight seasons injured. He has been very good this year, and I feel he stole two games so far, and has been very good in most.



I would most certainly NOT give him away for peanuts. I don't care about the goalie market, or about Cooley looking great in the AHL too. There will eventually be a good offer for Vladar, and I bet that he will be a very steady starter. If someone offers something good for Cooley, I would also gladly keep and re-sign Vladar, and run with that tandem for the next few seasons. I think he is really settling into a regular routine here for a change. it isn't easy playing as a backup and experiencing that kind of inconsistency.


I think Vladar right now is proving to us all that he can do the job. I would say that Wolf is the future as of now, and there are certainly some interesting backup/tandem options in the pipeline already even ignoring Cooley, but Vladar is very deserving of our praise and confidence in him. I stopped caring who starts after probably game 6. They have both been very good and more than good enough to allow Calgary to win games. I actually really like both Wolf and Vladar a lot.

Out of thanks, but great post!