Kipper won't agree to be traded

[repsol7]

I'm actually happy to hear this as Kipper's been one of, if not, the reasons why we've been somewhat competitive from year-to-year. There's no denying the legacy that he'll forever have from what he did in '04 and that's got to be up there with one of the best feel-good stories in the Flames' history (aside from the Cup win in '89). Even though we won't be competing for a Cup anytime soon, it's still nice to know that at least if we have Kipper in net, we always have a good chance of winning any game.

Who knows, maybe this will open up the door for Kipper to be our next goalie coach down-the-road? Although that's a long stretch (as it seems like he wants to return home to Finland after his playing career), it'd be pretty flippin' sweet to have him mentoring the new young crop of goalies that we have in the wings.

Anyway, I'm just happy to hear that at least Kipper will be here till the end of the season. My favorite Flame of all-time!

[Nsd1]

Originally Posted by Quincy Egg

Lets not act as if Kypreos doesn't have good sources.

Get outta here Nick.

[Poe969]

He might not have become an NHL starter, he wouldn't have the money he does and his presant family situation could all be different if he wasn't picked up by the Flames. I agree with GL that this is the way he's always been but since he's been playing well, no one has cared. It really sucks for the team to have to suffer because of it.

And to the people who say he's earned this right and support him, when did the player become more imporant than the team?

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by Hockey_Ninja

Tough crowd in here. It's good to see that Kipper cares about his family and it's obvious that he enjoys his life here in Calgary. Just because of this people are going to throw him under the bus and forget everything that he has done for us? It's just as bad as Flash Walken trying to explain how Morrow is better than Iggy. I'm not 100% happy about this either but seriously, respect the man's wishes. He's earned the right to decide what he wants. Same goes for Iggy.

When we go through things like the lock out, or a players strike, we always hear the same thing from the players. It goes something like this, "we aren't just employees, we are also the PRODUCT, we are partners in the game that is deliverd to the fans". Its the reason they justify:

- The millions they make
- Why they are entitled to guaranteed contracts
- Why they are entitled to over half of hockey revenues.

I actually agree, with their thoughts, they aren't just employees, but also the product, it's partially what makes them worth so much, we as fans pay to go see them perform. They are tangible assets that have value beyond the service they provide as simple "hockey players".

Problem is, you can't have it both ways. The reason they make millions over the course of their careers is because of the above, that was their argument. But you can't asked to be treated like a simple employee then when it suits you. The Flames don't only pay Kipper to play goalie, they pay him to put buts in the seat, and they also pay him because he has potential value to bring in other assets, a piece they could potentially use to bring in something else of value. Kipper's contract would have been structured with all these factors in mind, and he's been paid very handsomely because of it.

Not exactly above board for Kipper to squash a huge portion of the value the Flames pay him for by letting folks know he would not honor his contract elsewhere. Hardly a "partnership move", and wasn't that the whole thing from the players side this lock out, they were "partners" in the business. Kipper had the chance to negotiate an NMC into these final years of his contract, he didn't, and if he did I'm sure it would have cost him cash, cash that he has already collected and continues to collect. I know it's hard for fans to not like something Kipper is doing because of all the good he's done, but this is a really low move by him if true, and is not on the up and up.

He can afford to move his family anywhere he goes, the fact that he isn't willing to deal with one of the few downsides that go along with his selected career that pays him very well very much taints my thoughts on him.

[Quincy Egg]

Originally Posted by Nsd1

Get outta here Nick.

Please, during the lockout Kypreos was spouting pro-player rhetoric given to him from the agents. You don't think he using those same agents for trade information?

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Poe969

He might not have become an NHL starter, he wouldn't have the money he does and his presant family situation could all be different if he wasn't picked up by the Flames. I agree with GL that this is the way he's always been but since he's been playing well, no one has cared. It really sucks for the team to have to suffer because of it.

And to the people who say he's earned this right and support him, when did the player become more imporant than the team?

It's unfortunate, but keep in mind that stable goaltending is a very important thing to have on a rebuilding team. Quality in net means you're always capable of overachieving.

[Poe969]

Originally Posted by MisterJoji

Fair enough. But it's not like the organization didn't reap benefits as well. Kipper kept us in playoff contention when we had no business being there. Keeping fans in the seats and aiding in revenue flow. Yes the Flames gave a lot to Kipper, but he gave a lot back. In my opinion this one tiny situation where "he's treating them badly", is overshadowed by the years of him "treating them very well".

He hasn't treated them well, he's treated them fairly. It's like saying, when he was injured and the team still paid him they were treating him well. He was paid to do what he's done. In the past he hasn't done anything to "screw over" the team and the team hasn't done anyting to "screw over" him. He's played well and he's been paid well. He was even paid well when he was hurt or played like crap. It's not about anything more than a contract. He isn't honouring it and that is the first sign of either side not doing what they're supposed to do.

[Deelow]

Originally Posted by Poe969

And to the people who say he's earned this right and support him, when did the player become more imporant than the team?

They are probably the same people that realize there are things in life that are more important than a last place hockey team.

[Poe969]

Originally Posted by Deelow

They are probably the same people that realize there are things in life that are more important than a last place hockey team.

Not sure what you mean by that but as a hockey fan I want whats best for the team. I don't by any means live hockey and although I consider myself a fan of the same team for close to 30 years. I don't obsess over the Flames because I have more important things in life. This is a discussion board and I'm discussing things because I have a quiet night. I really don't get your comment and if it was a shot at me, good for you I guess....

[Zee]

As much as I don't like this from Kipper, if he's willing to continue playing past next season and sign here at a discount, it could certainly help two to three years from now to have a veteran in net to cover when the rookies struggle.

[opendoor]

Originally Posted by Poe969

He hasn't treated them well, he's treated them fairly. It's like saying, when he was injured and the team still paid him they were treating him well. He was paid to do what he's done. In the past he hasn't done anything to "screw over" the team and the team hasn't done anyting to "screw over" him. He's played well and he's been paid well. He was even paid well when he was hurt or played like crap. It's not about anything more than a contract. He isn't honouring it and that is the first sign of either side not doing what they're supposed to do.

Where in his contract does it state that he's not able to retire?

[Erick Estrada]

He did just have a child and probably wants to be with his family as much as possible. Being traded out east would likely prove challenging so I can understand him not being happy about this. I wonder if retirement is on the horizon for him as he probably hasn't been happy about the way this season went and may not want to play in a different city.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by Deelow

They are probably the same people that realize there are things in life that are more important than a last place hockey team.

Says the person with "Franchise Player" status on a Flames message board............give me a break.

[browna]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

Says the person with "Franchise Player" status on a Flames message board............give me a break.

The Powerplay still needs work, QB.

[MisterJoji]

Originally Posted by Poe969

He hasn't treated them well, he's treated them fairly. It's like saying, when he was injured and the team still paid him they were treating him well. He was paid to do what he's done. In the past he hasn't done anything to "screw over" the team and the team hasn't done anyting to "screw over" him. He's played well and he's been paid well. He was even paid well when he was hurt or played like crap. It's not about anything more than a contract. He isn't honouring it and that is the first sign of either side not doing what they're supposed to do.

You think that being a top 3 goalie in the league for this team for years, winning countless games almost single handedly, winning a Vezina, and just generally keeping this team competitive is just FAIR treatment by Kipper. He made less money than a handful of his counterparts, who had far less impressive résumés than Kipper. Hmm, I guess some people are just impossible to please.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by browna

The Powerplay still needs work, QB.

I think you missed the point. Calling anyone out for having an opinion on a Flames topic as "not having anything better to do" is a little ironic if you spend enough time posting about a team to have that status. Clearly you are a fairly involved fan if you spend that much time here, so don't pull out the "I have perspective in my life bull crap".

[KootenayFlamesFan]

He either will get traded, retire, play one more season and then retire, or sign an extension.

If he doesn't want to play for another team I'd like to see him sign a one or two year extension. The Flames really have no surefire prospects ready to step in next year, so unless they pick one up before next season I'd like to see Kipper stay. Worst case is that he's a great backup.

[PeteLFan]

Proteau is a hack a nobody sitting in his moms basement tweeting crap. Kipper would slap him silly.

[Poe969]

Originally Posted by MisterJoji

You think that being a top 3 goalie in the league for this team for years, winning countless games almost single handedly, winning a Vezina, and just generally keeping this team competitive is just FAIR treatment by Kipper. He made less money than a handful of his counterparts, who had far less impressive résumés than Kipper. Hmm, I guess some people are just impossible to please.

So because he out played the contract he agreed to means he can do what he wants? I'm happy he did what he did and he's done what he's done but he wasn't forced to sign that contract. Saying he can do whatever because he's done more than his contract states is like saying we can not pay some players who haven't played up to their contract. Kipper has been our best player pretty much since he's got here, I'm not arguing that but that doesn't give him any extra contractual right. He's earned respect by being who he has been but by threatning to retire if he doesn't get his way, he's lost some of that respect

[SuperMatt18]

If this is the case Kipper should just retire now.

To me it looks like he isnt going to play the last year of this contract, and I've felt that way since it was signed.

If he cannot leave his family for a month, I doubt he is 100% committed to the team at this time.