Kipper's last home stand?

[dammage79]

I do not believe McDonald will return next year. theres always a vet goalie FA waiting to get a call. That is the reason I think The Flames are going to go with Ramo as the starter and Berra as the number two. If it Fails then they will look to Free Agency.

I am more interested in the log jam on the farm team next year. Do they move on from brust and taylor and focus on developing our own prospects in Broissoit and Ortio? Or do they cut Ortio loose and keep on of Taylor or Brust

As for Kipper. It was awesome to watch him play and dominate on a regular basis. #34 deserves to be up in the rafters.

[Where ru Chris O'Sullivan]

Sorry, I've been under a rock.

I thought he turned down a deal to Toronto (or anywhere else) because he was retiring at the end of this season?

Now I see it all over CP that (2 weeks later) its still "up in the air".
??

[Inferno]

Originally Posted by Where ru Chris O'Sullivan

Sorry, I've been under a rock.

I thought he turned down a deal to Toronto (or anywhere else) because he was retiring at the end of this season?

Now I see it all over CP that (2 weeks later) its still "up in the air".
??

He said in an interview after the deadline passed that he was going to wait until he talked with the Flames to decide whether or not he would retire. He said he turned down the deal because it wasn't fair to Toronto to sign an extension when he didn't know if his heart would be 100% on being there.

[puckedoff]

Originally Posted by dammage79

I do not believe McDonald will return next year. theres always a vet goalie FA waiting to get a call. That is the reason I think The Flames are going to go with Ramo as the starter and Berra as the number two. If it Fails then they will look to Free Agency.

I am more interested in the log jam on the farm team next year. Do they move on from brust and taylor and focus on developing our own prospects in Broissoit and Ortio? Or do they cut Ortio loose and keep on of Taylor or Brust

As for Kipper. It was awesome to watch him play and dominate on a regular basis. #34 deserves to be up in the rafters.

I'd sign JMac to a 1 year, have him back up Ramo with Berra in the AHL to start the season. If both Berra and Ramo are playing well, transitioning well to the smaller ice then waive Macdonald and bring Berra up.

[drPepper1]

I hope he stays one more year. He's still got game left in him, would be a shame to see him retire.

[dying4acup]

While I'd have loved to get an asset for him, I respect that he's still here and he definitely deserves a proper send off. I hope the kid who use to mimic him makes a last appearance and shows him the love he deserves. And the flames should do a montage on the video screens at every break.

[JeanLucPicard]

Originally Posted by TheChief

I will shed a tear if kipper decides to call it quits after this season.

The guy keeps himself in great shape, and he was in god mode just last year.

Nobody expected to play this year, and I really believe this is an off year for the flames as a whole, which is a good thing in terms of the draft, and going forward.

Kipper still has 6-7 good years in the league, making good coin. I can't see why he would walk away.

At least wait until the off season (when we do a re-tool) to decide if you want to come back Kipper! We need you badly.

Honestly if he leaves Flames, or hockey alltogether, I think I'll be more sad than I was seeing Iginla go. The man has been the true backbone of this team - best goalie to ever play for Flames

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by dying4acup

While I'd have loved to get an asset for him, I respect that he's still here and he definitely deserves a proper send off. I hope the kid who use to mimic him makes a last appearance and shows him the love he deserves. And the flames should do a montage on the video screens at every break.

It would be nice if this wasn't like a eulogy thread. This year is unique for many reasons. Few games, no camp, huge changes early and mid season. Hope he returns.

[browna]

Good article from Johnson this AM:

http://www.calgaryherald.com/touch/s...tml?id=8252217

One last home win would be fitting, but regardless, a proper sendoff for one the greatest Flame players of all time, who played at a top level for so long, injury free and drama free, as a classy humble down to earth guy, is more than warranted. As the article days, his top play covered some of the holes the last few years.

Getting the last one against the Wings, the high powered team where Kipper singlehandedly won games 1,5 and 6 in 2004, and got the Flames to OT Game 6 in 2007, would be extra special.

[FlameZilla]

What do you say, ladies? One last SHIRTS OFF FOR KIPRUSSOFF?

#shirtsoffforkiprussoff

[Redmonster]

Hopefully the fans at the dome tonight can give Kipper a decent send off. Lately the dome atmospere has been abysmal. Against the wild, about a third of the crowd took off as soon as the 50/50 draw was announced. It was pathetic to see.
As for Kipper retiring, it seems kinda forced. He doesn't want to play elsewhere and there is no spot for him here next year. I still think he is capable of rebounding and playing a few more seasons. Unfortunately we will probably never know.

Thanks Kip! Most incredible goalie this franchise has ever seen.

[FlameZilla]

Nm

[Cambardi]

Originally Posted by Redmonster

Hopefully the fans at the dome tonight can give Kipper a decent send off. Lately the dome atmospere has been abysmal. Against the wild, about a third of the crowd took off as soon as the 50/50 draw was announced. It was pathetic to see.
As for Kipper retiring, it seems kinda forced. He doesn't want to play elsewhere and there is no spot for him here next year. I still think he is capable of rebounding and playing a few more seasons. Unfortunately we will probably never know.

Thanks Kip! Most incredible goalie this franchise has ever seen.

The people that left at the wild were not leaving. It was Canadian armed forces appreciation night. All armed forces were asked to go down to the ice for a group picture. There were a lot of Military personnel there for the wild game.

[Redmonster]

Originally Posted by Cambardi

The people that left at the wild were not leaving. It was Canadian armed forces appreciation night. All armed forces were asked to go down to the ice for a group picture. There were a lot of Military personnel there for the wild game.

Lol yeah I know, I was there. I'm speaking of the un-uniformed people. I guess it was a matter of opinion to some.

[MissTeeks]

Anyone who misses tonight will get to see Kipper Friday:

Calgary Flames‏@NHLFlames1m

"Miikka is going to start tonight and he's going to start on Friday." - Bob Hartley on Kiprusoff #CGYDET

[Dr. Pepper]

I'm sure I'm not the first to say it, but I hope they retire his jersey at some point - he's the most skilled goalie we've ever had. I found this page revealing:

http://www.goaliesarchive.com/flames/records.html

[GettinIggyWithIt]

Originally Posted by Cambardi

The people that left at the wild were not leaving. It was Canadian armed forces appreciation night. All armed forces were asked to go down to the ice for a group picture. There were a lot of Military personnel there for the wild game.

There were quite a few empty seats at the beginning of the game and even moreso towards the second intermission. I was in the section where the military personnel were being called down to and it seemed to me that the vast majority were uniformed staff. Granted - it is a Monday night Minnesota game...but nonetheless I'd agree with the comment about the atmosphere in the dome lately. Regardless, I'll be there tonight!

[868904]

Originally Posted by dammage79

I do not believe McDonald will return next year. theres always a vet goalie FA waiting to get a call. That is the reason I think The Flames are going to go with Ramo as the starter and Berra as the number two. If it Fails then they will look to Free Agency.

This organization is very conservative and would never take the risk of going with two unknown goalies next year.

Just look at the logjam of redundant signings they made last year on the wing. Stempniak, Comeau, Hudler, all guys who are pretty similar to what was already here and were signed to create "competition" for the young prospects.

If Kipper stays another year, they'll have Berra and Ramo battle it out with him for the two jobs. If Kipper retires, they will re-sign Macdonald and have a 3 way battle between him, Berra, and Ramo.

Whether Macdonald comes back will depend entirely on Kipper's decision.

[Igottago]

Whatever Kipper decides is ok in my books. If he wants to retire, great. If he wants to come back for another season, I'd welcome that too. Could be a benefit having a veteran keeper around in our first full season of a rebuild, even if he's sharing duties with a younger goalie. Right now Kipper's decision has minimal impact on the team and he should just do what's right for his life and career. He's always going to be a respected Flames icon.

[Dr. Pepper]

Originally Posted by Igottago

Whatever Kipper decides is ok in my books. If he wants to retire, great. If he wants to come back for another season, I'd welcome that too. Could be a benefit having a veteran keeper around in our first full season of a rebuild, even if he's sharing duties with a younger goalie. Right now Kipper's decision has minimal impact on the team and he should just do what's right for his life and career. He's always going to be a respected Flames icon.

This exactly.