[News] Flames initiate Phase 2 at the Saddledome. Training camp opens July 10th.

[sureLoss]

Valimaki update. Seems like he won't be playing IMO

Pat Steinberg @Fan960Steinberg
Treliving says his understanding is if Juuso Valimaki does not play this season, he would be exempt from the Seattle expansion draft.

Not finalized, but that’s the understanding the team is working under. Says Valimaki’s health remains the highest priority, though. #Flames

[Vinny01]

Being able to have Valimaki exempt from expansion is huge for the Flames. Considering Treliving loaded up on the blueline at the deadline they should have the depth to ensure they don’t need him even if he is healthy

[Geeoff]

It's hard to consider this a win. Juuso lost an entire year of development.


Everyone is losing a player to Seattle but not everyone is losing a year of development for their best prospect

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Geeoff

It's hard to consider this a win. Juuso lost an entire year of development.


Everyone is losing a player to Seattle but not everyone is losing a year of development for their best prospect

What?

He lost a year of development to injury. It is not like the Flames held him out to protect him from expansion. This is certainly a silver lining in a bad situation that was caused by the player injuring himself training.

[Monahammer]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

What?

He lost a year of development to injury. It is not like the Flames held him out to protect him from expansion. This is certainly a silver lining in a bad situation that was caused by the player injuring himself training.

Silver lining, sure. But I agree with him, it is a hollow tasting victory in that it leaves Valimaki's future trajectory very uncertain. Our last promising prospect who took a year off for injury seemingly stopped developing entirely at that point...

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

Silver lining, sure. But I agree with him, it is a hollow tasting victory in that it leaves Valimaki's future trajectory very uncertain. Our last promising prospect who took a year off for injury seemingly stopped developing entirely at that point...

I also didn't expect him to make the team out of the gates. He did. And was an impact player for the most part. His open ice hit against Colorado I think was a massive momentum.swinger. honestly if he comes out.of this healthy, he will do just fine. He is such a well rounded player I find it hard to see how a year off from an injury will lessen his NHL caliber quality. Unless his knee just doesn't work the same way any longer. Thats it.

[Monahammer]

Originally Posted by dammage79

I also didn't expect him to make the team out of the gates. He did. And was an impact player for the most part. His open ice hit against Colorado I think was a massive momentum.swinger. honestly if he comes out.of this healthy, he will do just fine. He is such a well rounded player I find it hard to see how a year off from an injury will lessen his NHL caliber quality. Unless his knee just doesn't work the same way any longer. Thats it.

I agree, he was much more impressive than I expected too.

I am just concerned, development/playing at pro speed during this age range is very important. I really do think that losing a vital year of playing development is what messed up Bennett so bad.

[chummer]

Looking like Toronto and Edmonton. Of course that's today, could change tomorrow-

https://twitter.com/user/status/1278073835305172992

[djsFlames]

Shannon also hinting it might be Toronto and Edmonton after all, with Vegas purportedly dropping out today.

It's a no brainer. Right move, even if it's not what the league would prefer.

Maybe announced tomorrow? Saw rumors it might be today.

[Weitz]

Does it really matter where the hub cities are? Seems like a lot of talk for something so inconsequential.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by Weitz

Does it really matter where the hub cities are? Seems like a lot of talk for something so inconsequential.

It doesn't.

Just that announcing them will put us a step closer to this tournament happening, so it would be nice to have it settled so that real preparations can begin to get underway.

[Lanny'sDaMan]

Originally Posted by chummer

Looking like Toronto and Edmonton. Of course that's today, could change tomorrow-

https://twitter.com/user/status/1278073835305172992

How delicious would this be;
Oilers win their play in round then lose first round, thereby disqualifying for the FOA

Stanley Cup Finals, Flames and Bruins.
Flames win the cup
In Rogers Place.



Oh my gawd the Salt....

[3thirty]

Originally Posted by Lanny'sDaMan

How delicious would this be;
Oilers win their play in round then lose first round, thereby disqualifying for the FOA

Stanley Cup Finals, Flames and Bruins.
Flames win the cup
In Rogers Place.



Oh my gawd the Salt....

Except we would win it in Toronto as they want teams playing outside their home Arena, which would be just as nice to rub it in Leafs fans if we won in T.O.

[wired]

I dint think the playoffs are going to happen. The players are too fricken stupid to stay away from crowds. And more and more will get sick.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by 3thirty

Except we would win it in Toronto as they want teams playing outside their home Arena, which would be just as nice to rub it in Leafs fans if we won in T.O.

In this scenario Edmonton's atrocity would be the Bruins's home arena, and they would have home-ice advantage in the SC Finals.

Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk

[united]

I'm interested to see if any NHL players decide to opt out of the return as is now permitted and has happened in other sports. NHL players are generally more publicly reserved about playing for money instead of winning the Cup than athletes in other sports, but no doubt this will be a tough decision for some, particularly those whose families are expecting (especially their first) or those whose spouses work also. Possibly even a couple pending free agents who want to maximize future earnings without risk, though insurance provisions may cover that. No doubt the cultures are different, though.

Imagine if a high-profile pending UFA in the NHL opts out? Or a first line/pairing skater opts out for child birth or health concerns? The hot takes will be insane.

NBA
Trevor Ariza, starting G/F for the Portland Trail Blazers
Opting out due to custody battle for his son involving a one-month visitation window that would overlap the restart. The 'Blazers are fighting for a playoffs spot.

Avery Bradley, starting G for the Los Angeles Lakers
Opting out due to one of his sons having respiratory issues.
The Lakers have clinched a playoffs birth, sitting in first place in the conference and second in the league at the pause.
As committed to my Lakers teammates and the organization as I am, I ultimately play basketball for my family, and so, at a time like this, I can't imagine making any decision that might put my family's health and well-being at even the slightest risk.

Davis Bertans, utility F, Washington Wizards
Opting out due to injury mitigation. As a pending UFA, coming off a career-best season and with two previous significant knee injuries, Bertans doesn't want to risk an injury jeopardizing what will be the largest contract of his career.
The Washington Wizards are fighting for a playoffs shot.

Willie Cauley-Stein, C, Dallas Mavericks
Opting out as him and his wife are expecting the birth of their first child during the restart period.
The Mavericks are in a playoffs spot, but have not clinched.

Wilson Chandler, utility F, Brooklyn Nets
Opting out due to being a pending UFA and for family health concerns.
The Nets are in a playoffs spot but have not clinched.
As difficult as it will be to not be with my teammates, the health and well-being of my family has to come first. Thank you to the Nets organization for understanding and supporting me in this decision, and I will be watching and rooting for our team in Orlando.

Thabo Sefolosha, depth F, Houston Rockets
Opting out due to health concerns as a pending UFA.
The Rockets have clinched a playoffs birth.

In addition, DeAndre Jordan, of the Brooklyn Nets, will not participate due to testing positive for COVID-19.


MLB
I don't follow baseball but a few players have opted out of their season so far as well: Mike leake, Joe Ross, Ryan Zimmerman, Ian Desmond.

[gt4flames]

Originally Posted by Geeoff

It's hard to consider this a win. Juuso lost an entire year of development.


Everyone is losing a player to Seattle but not everyone is losing a year of development for their best prospect

Is everyone forgetting our #4 pick losing a year of development? Yeah Sam played well in the playoffs that year and had a good rookie season but his 4 goal game was basically his plateau outside 4 games against Colorado last year.

The year matters.

[sureLoss]

per the Athletic, Blues canceled practice due to multiple positive COVID 19 tests

https://theathletic.com/1908888/2020...ositive-tests/

[Roof-Daddy]

This is going to be weird following sports like this. I mean, how many games will players miss because of "covid-like symptoms" or because they actually have covid? Just imagine game 7 of a series and 3 or 4 of your best players have to sit it out because they caught covid....

[Toonage]

Story says the Blues practice facility was used by the general public the day before they used it.

Great job cleaning.
Also, why would the Blues schedule this or allow this?