[Rumour] Kipper is Retiring

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

That's fair, but there is a difference between a crappy defenive team, and one that plays an uber tight defensive system. Kipper was lights out, under D.Sutter, Playfairs and B.Sutter massively focused D systems, but IMO he wasn't simply a victim under Keenan like he was last year. Last year, he was hung out to dry, but under Keenan I felt he was just as much a part of the keeping the pucks out of the net problem as the rest of the team was.

I thought he had two bad weeks under Keenan. But these are opinions and they will differ.

[sun]

Francis is a talentless hack.

[trackercowe]

While I'm sure Ken King has heard about the article, someone should send it to him and bring the Francis piece to his attention. I would like nothing more than for the Flames to ban Francis from the building and to stop talking to anyone from the Flames organization altogether. Send him to Edmonton or Vancouver if all he wants to do is act like a negative, entitled Dbag.

No one in Calgary will miss him for a second.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by trackercowe

While I'm sure Ken King has heard about the article, someone should send it to him and bring the Francis piece to his attention. I would like nothing more than for the Flames to ban Francis from the building and to stop talking to anyone from the Flames organization altogether. Send him to Edmonton or Vancouver if all he wants to do is act like a negative, entitled Dbag.

No one in Calgary will miss him for a second.

Yup, that's what we need, an organization that bans annyone who doesn't towe the company line............that should be good.

[Resolute 14]

Yeah, lets not be like the Oilers, who have been known to send fans with dissenting opinions into the bowels of Rexall for reducation.

[bucksmasher]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

Yup, that's what we need, an organization that bans annyone who doesn't towe the company line............that should be good.

Good point, everyone is entitled to their opinion. And my opinion is that Eric Francis is not entitled to his opinion.

But really, you could hear him back pedaling at the end of the interview with Leslie. Just another emotional blow up that made it to print before sober reason intervened.

[DiracSpike]

You can criticize Francis all you want but if I told you guys in 2007 that kipprusoff would end his career with the Flames by:
Refusing a trade even though his contract said he couldn't
Having one of his worst statistical years, his two best games costing us draft position at the end of the season.
Peacing back to Finland without a formal goodbye or thank you

Would you have believed/been happy with that?

Kipper helped the Flames a lot but his end with the franchise could have been handled MUCH better.

[Cole436]

Originally Posted by DiracSpike

You can criticize Francis all you want but if I told you guys in 2007 that kipprusoff would end his career with the Flames by:
Refusing a trade even though his contract said he couldn't
Having one of his worst statistical years, his two best games costing us draft position at the end of the season.
Peacing back to Finland without a formal goodbye or thank you

Would you have believed/been happy with that?

Kipper helped the Flames a lot but his end with the franchise could have been handled MUCH better.

Hi, Eric.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by Cole436

Hi, Eric.

Don't be mad cause he's correct. Not everything about Kipper has to be the best thing ever. His weird quirkiness that made him very fun, cool and maybe even a key to his great play definetly becomes less than ideal when a rebuilding was looking to make some changes.

Call a spade a spade, Kipper is a lose cannon and a bit of a self centred loaner. That personality type is probably a huge reason the guy could play such amazing goal for us for the past decade, hard to get phased when you kind of live in your own bubble and don't give a #### about certain things. But lets be honest, those same traits did the Flames 0 favours this season as the man basically did what he wanted and forced the team to extend to him a NMC he didn't negotiate.

Don't get me wrong, if you told me 10 years ago that this would be the price we'd have to pay for a decade of Kipper in net playing the way he did, I wouldn't change a thing. But that doesn't mean those who point out these flaws and their impact to the Flames need to be gagged. Kipper was not perfect, and had down sides, but no one is perfect. I just don't get why many on here refuse to acknowledge anything negative about the guy.

[Huntingwhale]

Why do we have have to acknowledge anything negative about him in the first place?

-Kipper's job was to stop puck
-He stopped pucks.

End of story. Who cares of he retires a year early? That is 100% his choice. To say the man doesn't give a #### about anything here is so shortsighted. None of us here know him personally. How can someone possibly know how much someone cares about something without knowing them?

So Kipper didn't say goodbye. So what? Does anyone think he even gives 2 craps about the ''reputation'' he left behind?

It's hilarious reading how some people think Kipper ''owes'' them something simply because he had a contract with the Flames. That somehow, he should stick around, uproot his family, move to another city, all so fans here can get an ''asset'' for him back. Screw that. I say let the man go out on his own terms, into the sunset, with no fanfare, if that's what he wants. We all knew 5 years ago how this might end, with that last year tacked on obviously so he could retire. And here we are. Don't act surprised/angry.

And people need to stop getting riled up whenever Pope Frances releases an article. He knew damn well what he was doing/writting when he wrote that article. And he succeeded in generating talk.

[Cole436]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

and stop typing his name

how about a code word for him? I suggest Delta Bravo

Captain Dick Sauce?

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

Why do we have have to acknowledge anything negative about him in the first place?

-Kipper's job was to stop puck
-He stopped pucks.

End of story. Who cares of he retires a year early? That is 100% his choice. To say the man doesn't give a #### about anything here is so shortsighted. None of us here know him personally. How can someone possibly know how much someone cares about something without knowing them?

So Kipper didn't say goodbye. So what? Does anyone think he even gives 2 craps about the ''reputation'' he left behind?

It's hilarious reading how some people think Kipper ''owes'' them something simply because he had a contract with the Flames. That somehow, he should stick around, uproot his family, move to another city, all so fans here can get an ''asset'' for him back. Screw that. I say let the man go out on his own terms, into the sunset, with no fanfare, if that's what he wants. We all knew 5 years ago how this might end, with that last year tacked on obviously so he could retire. And here we are. Don't act surprised/angry.

And people need to stop getting riled up whenever Pope Frances releases an article. He knew damn well what he was doing/writting when he wrote that article. And he succeeded in generating talk.

You don't have to acknowledge anything negative if you don't want to, but dont chastise those who correctly identify his flaws and how they are negatively impacting this club.

Why might we care? Because they impact the team.
- Kipper essentially handing himself an NMC this year prevented the Flames from moving him for an asset should they have wanted to. Don't fool yourself, the Flames and Kipper didn't just "forget to put the NMC in "at the end of the contract, it was not there cause the Flames acknowledged they may want to leverage his worth. He took that away.
- Kipper now keeping the the Flames in the dark about his retirement prevents the team from fully knowing their cap situation as we head into a potential high trade zone and FA. Not good for the team.

All of this is "his right to do" (although I'd argue the first a little) but none of it is positive for the club.

It's kind of funny, 2013 has likely seen the last of two legendary Flames in Iggy and Kipper end their tenures with the club, and both in varying degrees sort of stuck it to the Flames as they exited. Neither in a fashion that should at all tarnish their legacies, but its interesting to see how Flames fans are far more willing in mass to acknowledge that Iggy might not have done the best thing, but Its almost blasphemy to even hint that Kipper is anything but a saint, especially considering id say what Kipper did hampered the Flames more so than Iggy.

[Jables16]

Eric was on the morning show recently and was talking about how he tweeted that Murray Edwards' house sustained extensive damage and people replied to him that there are bigger things to worry about than a billionaire sustaining damage to one of his houses.

He said that these people were immediately blocked because they are scum and disgusting human beings with no decency.

I don't know what goes on in this guy's head but I am resolved to stop watching TV or listening to the radio anytime he comes on (with more diligence than before).

[Timbo]

MOD EDIT: Over the line.

[bucksmasher]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

You don't have to acknowledge anything negative if you don't want to, but dont chastise those who correctly identify his flaws and how they are negatively impacting this club.

Why might we care? Because they impact the team.
- Kipper essentially handing himself an NMC this year prevented the Flames from moving him for an asset should they have wanted to. Don't fool yourself, the Flames and Kipper didn't just "forget to put the NMC in "at the end of the contract, it was not there cause the Flames acknowledged they may want to leverage his worth. He took that away.
- Kipper now keeping the the Flames in the dark about his retirement prevents the team from fully knowing their cap situation as we head into a potential high trade zone and FA. Not good for the team.

All of this is "his right to do" (although I'd argue the first a little) but none of it is positive for the club.

It's kind of funny, 2013 has likely seen the last of two legendary Flames in Iggy and Kipper end their tenures with the club, and both in varying degrees sort of stuck it to the Flames as they exited. Neither in a fashion that should at all tarnish their legacies, but its interesting to see how Flames fans are far more willing in mass to acknowledge that Iggy might not have done the best thing, but Its almost blasphemy to even hint that Kipper is anything but a saint, especially considering id say what Kipper did hampered the Flames more so than Iggy.

Sorry for the negative, backwards looking nancy comment but management could have avoided getting it "stuck to them" if they'd a started a rebuild when it needed to happen. Part of getting nothing back for Kipper is on Flames brass for dragging their feet.

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

You don't have to acknowledge anything negative if you don't want to, but dont chastise those who correctly identify his flaws and how they are negatively impacting this club.

Why might we care? Because they impact the team.
- Kipper essentially handing himself an NMC this year prevented the Flames from moving him for an asset should they have wanted to. Don't fool yourself, the Flames and Kipper didn't just "forget to put the NMC in "at the end of the contract, it was not there cause the Flames acknowledged they may want to leverage his worth. He took that away.
- Kipper now keeping the the Flames in the dark about his retirement prevents the team from fully knowing their cap situation as we head into a potential high trade zone and FA. Not good for the team.

All of this is "his right to do" (although I'd argue the first a little) but none of it is positive for the club.

It's kind of funny, 2013 has likely seen the last of two legendary Flames in Iggy and Kipper end their tenures with the club, and both in varying degrees sort of stuck it to the Flames as they exited. Neither in a fashion that should at all tarnish their legacies, but its interesting to see how Flames fans are far more willing in mass to acknowledge that Iggy might not have done the best thing, but Its almost blasphemy to even hint that Kipper is anything but a saint, especially considering id say what Kipper did hampered the Flames more so than Iggy.

Well honestly, none of us know directly what happened between him and Feaster chatting. But by all accounts, it looks like Kipper was in fact quite clear which direction he would take, so clear that we now have a plethora of goalies ready to showcase their skills this upcoming season. Just because their hasn't been an official press release doesn't mean that Kipper hasn't been in contact with the GM. I seriously, seriously doubt Kipper has kept the team in the dark as suggested. And it's not like we are up against the cap that a decision is high priority.

And I fail to see exactly how Kipper hamperred the Flames. What exactly did you expect as the return? Last season I saw Kipper as a declining, aging goalie who had the worst season of his career. I honestly expected a 4-7th round pick and a D-level prospect. There's no way in hell Kipper would have garnered more then what Iggy got. No way.

And TBH, I'm his #1 fan, but I'm glad he's going to retire this season. The last thing I want is him masking our team's mistakes and fooling everyone with another 9th place finish (which we know he can do). At least this way we have a chance to see the goalies in our system and now what they are about.

Could Kipper be a bit more open and accomodating to the city he's called home for the last 10 years? Sure, I guess if you want that story book ending. But this is his personality and it should come as no surprise that he's made his money and left under a cloud of smoke.

[zunie75]

double post...for some reason.

[zunie75]

It seems to me like there is more to this story than either sides report. There must have been some indication between Kipper and Feaster that made it very clear what was going to happen this off season. Honestly if Feaster has just been sitting there twiddling his thumbs waiting for Kippers call, then the guy is proving just what a moron he is.

It almost seems like Kipper is taking a wait and see approach as to what the Flames do this off season. After all, who knows what direction they are headed. Ownership says, they are still expected to make the playoffs. So maybe there will be some big moves. Maybe they continue the rebuild. If thats the case, of course Kipper will not want to be a part of it.

If this wait and see approach is what he's doing, then im sure that's why management has allowed him to sit on the fence. "After the draft and a little into free agency Kip, if you like what you see, there's a spot for you in camp. If it doesnt fit with your future plans, then best of luck and happy retirement"

I think this is very plausible. And if so, I am fine with it.

All the hurt sucks around here need to realize, he said his farewells on the ice. I don't need a press conference saying "Thank you Calgary, your a great city, im glad i played here" followed by tears.
Saying goodbye on the ice is the best way to go, if he's going to go.

As far as Francis goes, that hack is just using Kipper's words and coupling them in with the stress the city has been in the last week, just so he can get attention. The audacity of this guy, saying Kipper owes the city more, especially because of the recent floods. The two have nothing to do with each other. Especially since its been reported that he said those things to the Finn a while ago(don't quote me on this, they were talking about it on the Fan). The guy is a complete no nothing. On the Fan today, he pretty much back tracked on everything he said. I almost expected him to issue a retraction. He has as much journalistic skill as a kid running the grade 6 tattler.

Its embarrassing that he represents Calgary when it comes to sports media.

[Mr.Coffee]

If I worked at a place for +10 years I'd probably say goodbye or give some kind of formal notification, even like a phone call. Doesn't seem like that's happened. Doesn't seem like it's that big a deal, but it is noteworthy because it is odd. Courtesy, after a club just provided income for the next 5 generations of your family, would suggest a 'goodbye' shouldn't be considered an outlandish expectation. Similarly I bet Kipper would want a call or notification if he'd been traded, not just to find out on tv or radio... right? (Yes I'm aware of the NTC, just saying circumstances would be similar).

Fans questioning the manner in Kiprusoff's apparent (because we don't know details) end with the Flames I think are entitled to that opinion. Because it's an odd way to go. People defending Kipper saying 'that's the way he is', you're right too.

Not a big deal, won't mean a damn at the end of the day, is what it is. His jersey will still hang from the rafters. Will he show up for the ceremony? Would be kind of funny if he didn't, but it would be kind of disrespectful too. Same as the goodbye here.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Maybe he's still not 100% sure if he wants to retire yet?

It does sound like he's done, but maybe he wants to lull it over for a few more weeks before he makes it official?

Maybe we shouldn't rip the guy before we hear his side of the story.