FlamesTV Multi-part interview with Miikka Kiprusoff

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I didn't even think of this, but now that you mention it, it does make me wonder how much of the old gang will show up, especially the ones from the '04 cup run.

Well, we know Gelinas and Conroy should be there.

Regehr, Ference, Glencross, Commodore, Warrener, and Sarich have all retired in the area. So, they should all be there.

If TSN will give him the time off, I'd expect Noodles to show up.

I wonder if Darryl would put in an appearance?

[Rulakir]

Originally Posted by getbak

Assuming this is pre-promotion for a Forever a Flame ceremony, you'd have to think that Iginla will be there if he isn't playing anywhere. That will be interesting to see that he'll likely get as big of a reaction from the crowd as Kipper.

I hope they have it at one of the games I already have tickets to. March 16 against the Sharks would work nicely for me.

My guess is that they'll have it on a weeknight game against a team that isn't a great draw in Calgary -- so, I'm predicting it will be the January 22 game against Buffalo.

Not that they couldn't/wouldn't do both but I think that one is already designated as Canadian Armed Forces Appreciation Night.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Nadal Fan

Greatest Flames goalie of all time and it's not even close , sorry Vernon. Sad that since I have been following the Flames (early 90s) Smith is probably third best already

With all due respect, if you have only been following the Flames since the early 90s can you really be qualified to say that Kipper was better than Vernon?

[Matty81]

Vernie was more clutch but Kipper was the better goalie. For me it's been

Kipper
Vernon



Brathwaite during his run



everyone else

Though I agree Smith has looked good so far in his 15-20 games and I missed Dan Bouchard who people say was great too.

[sketchyt]

I didn't like Mike Richards, but I'm listening to this Kipper interview doing Richards' impersonation and I'm killing myself laughing.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Wild GM

With all due respect, if you have only been following the Flames since the early 90s can you really be qualified to say that Kipper was better than Vernon?

I've followed the Flames since they came to Calgary. Am I qualified to say Kipper was better? He was.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Matty81

Vernie was more clutch but Kipper was the better goalie. For me it's been

Kipper
Vernon



Brathwaite during his run



everyone else

Though I agree Smith has looked good so far in his 15-20 games and I missed Dan Bouchard who people say was great too.

He was clutch in the Vancouver game in 1989, and maybe you could say that in 86. I'm not so sure about any other PO game. He lost a couple deciding games with outside slappers (Gretzky 88, Tikkanen 91) and that LA goal in 90 haunts me to this day.

[locsofblu]

Ì was a huge Vernon fan growing up but Kipper was the better goalie. Kipper will always be my favourite flames goalie of all time and I'll always think of him as the true captain and heart and soul of the team because he chose to go down with the ship instead of asking for a trade.

[Matty81]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

He was clutch in the Vancouver game in 1989, and maybe you could say that in 86. I'm not so sure about any other PO game. He lost a couple deciding games with outside slappers (Gretzky 88, Tikkanen 91) and that LA goal in 90 haunts me to this day.

I agree that he fell off and broke a lot of hearts in the early 90s. But he made the key saves in 89 and for me that cup win is bigger than anything else the flames have accomplished by a wide margin. The goalie that actually won and made those keys saves puts him up there for me. And he did it again for Detroit later. Thought I agree Kipper was a better regular season night in night out goalie.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Kiprusoff will get the full deal: Retirement Ceremony and number hanging from the rafters.

[Coach]

It's hilarious how much that interview sounds like the old Mike Richards' bits.

[Corral]

Vernon was the reason the Flames were able to match the Oilers in 86 - prior to that season, all i remember is that the Flames could compete with the best teams but were usually over matched. And he did have a propensity to be clutch - but he also had a propensity to let in bad goals. You never really knew which Vernie you were going to get - the fact that he had supporters and detractors in his own home town tells you all you need to know there.

Kiprusoff was by far the better goalie - consistently stellar - and IMHO equally clutch when it counted. i can't think of one Flames fan i know who is not a huge fan of what Kiprusoff did here - whereas you will get a mixed reaction on Vernie.

[Tron_fdc]

Kipper was better than Vernon, and it's not even close IMO.

What do I know though, I still remember Lemelin and Tabaracci being awesome.

I sent out a bold text last night saying Smith is pushing Kipper for #1. Maybe I was a little excited, but damn is he ever good. Clutch goalie so far, and plays the puck as good or better than anyone we have ever had between the pipes. It sure seems like he wants to put the team on his back and be the man, vs Kipper who was unreal but just seemed happy to be here making enough money to buy smokes and vodka.

[sun]

Thought Vernon was a bit of a choke artist tbh, but a cup win erases a whole lot of bad goals.

I personally don't think Kipper deserves a retired number. Kind of on the bubble. The team had one magical run where he played half the season. He was the best on the planet for a while (better than Vernon), but the team was middling to mediocre for the majority of his tenure and couldn't get out of the first round. Is it enough to be a good player on a meh team?

Too bad they were never able to build a decent team around Kipper and Iggy. Couple guys that deserved better. If Gelina's goal counts in game 6, this wouldn't even be a debate. #itwasin

[CaramonLS]

Not to take anything away from Kiprusoff, but it would be tragic if this organization did something for him before doing something for Fleury.

[VilleN]

Originally Posted by IrishSpring2013

how it was announced.. ? no
i remember some upset.. he nixed a trade.. to toronto..
but no one was begging for him, to stay..
the writing was on the wall.. his numbers were horrible that year..

contract dipping ot 1 mill... jarome traded.. bouw traded.. rebuild started..was obvious.

Worst.. punctuation.. of all time

[sun]

Originally Posted by VilleN

Worst.. punctuation.. of all time

IrishSpring2013 is a poet.

[Textcritic]

I am disappointed that this was not a TV interview, and that flames.nhl.com cheated out and did it over the phone.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I am disappointed that this was not a TV interview, and that flames.nhl.com cheated out and did it over the phone.

Agreed. Says he lives in downtown Helsinki. Shouldn't have been too much to send a small crew there for an interview.

[Gaskal]

Sign him to a one day contract when Smitty gets a game off, and then make him actually play the game that night.

"But, guys. I have no gear."

Oh don't worry Miikka, we saved it aaaaaaall.