Do You Want Kipper Back Next Year? (not for purposes of trading him)

[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Don't believe that was ever said about Karlsson

You're right. Thought I heard that term bandied about back when we acquired CT. Quick forum search proves I was incorrect. Apologies.

What my mind meant to allude to was the hype around Cervenka last year, before we signed him & after. He was certainly championed as one of the best outside the NHL, and this makes me slightly wary of the term label 'best ______ outside the NHL'.

I'm a bit uneasy throwing any of these guys straight in there. Ramo might be more prepared for what's in store for him since he's played in the league before, but his stats line in Tampa is terrifyingly bad.

I'd like to see Kiprussoff back, as a fan, in any capacity but I think it is very unlikely.

[SportsJunky]

No. Run Kiprusoff. Run fast and run far.

I want the Flames to stink for at least one more year. I'd like to see them earn a top 3 pick after next season. I'd rather Kipprusoff ride off into the sunset now and avoid the dirty mess that is coming for this team in the next season or two.

[Hockey_Ninja]

I have to unfortunately say no. I love Kipper and everything he's done but it's time to move on. That send-off on home ice was beautiful: The standing O, Harvey bowing down. It's was a perfect way to send off the greatest goalie in Flames history. I would like to see what Ramo and Berra and other goalies in the system can do. I just don't see any positive for both him or the Flames if he stays.

[HelloHockeyFans]

Yes, I would love to have a proven number 1 goalie on this team vs. acquiring one or rolling the dice with one of the kids or Macdonald.

[DeluxeMoustache]

I was glad to hear that Feaster mentioned during the press conference that there were too many high quality scoring chances allowed this year and that the goalies were hung out to dry.

I also find it interesting that so many people do not want to see him back simply for the symbolic nature, what it represents. The reality is that the main problems with this team are the skaters, the overall defensive game, and these are the guys that need to play together. The goalie sits back and tries to stop whatever the team allows through. A thankless task here.

Other things made it different this year. The team had a new coach and new system, you expect an adjustment period, but in a short year the first half is really like the first quarter of a normal season. Factor in an injury early, plus the off ice distractions which accompany a family addition. Halfway in to this season, the team has a philosophical shift and it is pretty much given that they are going to torpedo the whole thing. Everybody is playing on eggshells, waiting for the shoe to drop. What a mess. It became a self fulfilling prophecy rolling up to the trade deadline.

Joey MacDonald did a serviceable job but has real issues with rebound control, and apparently balance, positioning for the second save.

This is a league where teams have taken flyers on guys like Roloson, Tim Thomas, Khabibulin, etc. It also is the league where Bryzgalov is good in Anaheim, great in Phoenix, and lousy in Philly. Bobrovsky is bad in Philly and great in Columbus. Mike Smith is good in Dallas, bad in Tampa, and great in Phoenix.

Kipper showed this year in games that he can be pretty darn good, but there is a point where the team allows too many unstoppable scoring chances (time and space in the slot, and backdoor chances). Even everybody's new buddy Joey MacDonald talked about these things.

I would like to see Kipper back with a team where they have weeded out the skaters who don't have the smarts and compete to give him the chance that he needs in order to give them a chance to win

[kehatch]

The poll is 50/50. Do we really want to wait until 90% of people want him out of town before he calls it quits?

[Loyal and True]

I don't think he is coming back.

But if he dedicates himself to playing one more year, then it would be stupid not to take advantage of his services for 1 year at $1.5M.

Stupid

[FAN]

Originally Posted by kehatch

The poll is 50/50. Do we really want to wait until 90% of people want him out of town before he calls it quits?

Check again.

[Manhattanboy]

I would like to see the tandem of Kipper/Mac for a full 82 game season while the kids continue to develop.

[BruceCody]

Time to new era
Thanks Kipper.

[Daradon]

I voted for yes, but I'm not upset if he didn't and it was nice to go out with two wins at home.

The funny thing is for all those arguing that they want him gone so we can fail more efficiently, he wasn't very good this year. Plus, unless his last year is a big reduction in salary, he'll eat up a nice portion of our cap. So logically, it might be better to have him around if you want Calgary to fail.

MacDonald showed he was quite hungry to play and win. He's no Kipper, but it looks like he's got a bit more fire than him right now.

[Daradon]

Originally Posted by Loyal and True

I don't think he is coming back.

But if he dedicates himself to playing one more year, then it would be stupid not to take advantage of his services for 1 year at $1.5M.

Stupid

Well if this is true, my cap argument above, doesn't fly. Of course I wasn't using it in the usual way it is used.

And I do agree with you 100% It would moronic not to take Kipper at 1.5. Especially if he decides he wants to play so much he'll go elsewhere.

[longsuffering]

I'd say there is zero chance he comes back to play for $1.5 million. He would insist on an extension with a bonus for the 2013-14 season to top up the $1.5 million and he'd want an additional year at a salary of at least $4.0 million.

For that reason, I say 'no'.