Do the Flames really need Kipper?

[CanucksWorstNightmare]

Well that is the question,with Ramo coming over next year and Macdonald playing the way he is i think moving Kipper before he comes back from injury might be the best.What if he comes back from injury and ####s the bed, I think as of right now he would have a very high trade value and could bring back some key future pieces(mini rebuild while staying competitive mentality).I also think that with the return you would get back for Kipper that you could hang on to Iggy and just let him finish off his career and be the mentor for the up in comers like Baertschi Brodie and Gaudreau.What is everyone's thoughts???What would the return be for a guy like Kipper??Which teams would be interested??

[Vinny01]

I think Kipper has better value at the trade deadline

The only way this team makes the playoffs is if Kipper comes back in vintage form following injury.

[kyuss275]

Flames will not entertain trading Kipper until they know what they have in Ramo.

Also are you saying that the flames could still have a chance of being a playoff team this year if they trade Kipper? The answer is no.

[Iniggywetrust]

Yes.

[CanucksWorstNightmare]

Currently only 2 points out, why can't we make playoffs without him??

[renny]

you can't trade an injured player

[Vinny01]

We have the worst center depth in the NHL and a career backup playing .500 hockey is not getting this team into the playoffs. I am an optimisitc fan but I am not overly excited about the 2 wins this weekend. This team needs to change this 2 game winning streak into a 5+ game winning streak to get me on board with them being a playoff team.

Having a star goalie, good top 4 D, and strong winger depth might be enough to get the Flames in but without the star goalie we are still 11th-14th in the west at the end of the day in my opinion.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by CanucksWorstNightmare

Currently only 2 points out, why can't we make playoffs without him??

Need to look at the rest of the schedule.

Flames are 2 games away from finishing the easy part of their schedule.

First 7 games of march are against upper echelon teams.

April they play 9 out of 15 games on the road.

Flames only chance is if Kipper comes back and plays like he did last year.

[zunie75]

IMO Macdonald hasn't played well enough to be considered to be anything more than a capable back up goalie. Even if we snuck into the playoffs, would a first round ousting after 4,5 or 6 games really change anything?

If we want a run of any significance then yes, we need Kipper. (Unless your considering tanking the season) He can single handily win us games, which is something you need from a starter. I don't think Macdonald can do that against the upper echelon teams.

[Sainters7]

On a side note, good to hear Kipper's at practice this morning, taking shots. First time since the injury occurred 3 weeks ago.

When I just read it on Steinberg's twitter feed, hearing "3 weeks ago" almost took me aback. Given all the instability we've had with the position since he went down, it almost feels like the injury happened 3 months ago.

[Stay Golden]

Do we really need Kipper? ...This can't be serious.

[dammage79]

I once thought as the OP. But after watching the last nine games without kipprusoff, can anyone seriously be asking this question? Of course we need kipper. But is nice to see that the team can at least compete without him in net.

[CanucksWorstNightmare]

I dont think Kipper was playing all that well before he went down,what happens if he comes back from injury and cant get back on track,he aint no spring chicken anymore and sometimes injuries late in a carreer can really effect a players game.I would say his trade value is still very good at the moment but if he comes back and stinks up the joint we will be sitting there saying why didnt we trade him when he was still worth something.

[neo45]

Depends how he plays when he comes back. If he plays to his abilities then he isn't going anywhere, and if he plays poorly then his trade value is probably diminished.

So... long shot that he goes anywhere I would say

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by CanucksWorstNightmare

I dont think Kipper was playing all that well before he went down,what happens if he comes back from injury and cant get back on track,he aint no spring chicken anymore and sometimes injuries late in a carreer can really effect a players game.I would say his trade value is still very good at the moment but if he comes back and stinks up the joint we will be sitting there saying why didnt we trade him when he was still worth something.

I won't argue with what you said, but if they trade Kipper now they are telling the team that the season is over. The difference between Kipper and MacDonald is night and day.

[PeteMoss]

Who knows if Ramo is any good. I really doubt the Flames are going to into next year with Ramo given the #1 job if Kipper is gone.

MacDonald is rocking a .901 save percentage right now. That puts him in the Bobrovsky, Howard, Bryzgalov territory. For the Flames to have any hope they need a goalie to be up in .915 or higher range. Kipper is the only guy on the roster who can get anywhere near that.

[STeeLy]

Do the Flames really need kipper?

No, we don't.

[troutman]

The Flames need Kipper to return draft picks and prospects.

[bubbsy]

Do the flames need Kipper?
Yes

Should the flames contemplate trading Kipper?
Yes

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

Need to look at the rest of the schedule.

Flames are 2 games away from finishing the easy part of their schedule.

First 7 games of march are against upper echelon teams.

April they play 9 out of 15 games on the road.

Flames only chance is if Kipper comes back and plays like he did last year.

Right you are ...some quick math ...
the opposition win % in the Flames win ... .497
Opp Win % in Flames losses .606
Opp win % in Flames SOL .704
opp win % for the remainder of schedule .579