Flames Trade Rumors

B.C. town makes pitch to lure Baby Flames
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December 14
Calgary Herald
 
"There's nothing like a hot rumour to heat up a chilly winter day. So try this one on for size: The Calgary Flames are moving their American Hockey League farm club to Abbotsford, B. C. "I'm sure they would like to have that but there's no deal," said Flames president and CEO King King, who admitted the city of Abbotsford had contacted the NHL club about that very possibility. "We have a good arrangement with the ownership in Quad City and as long as they are willing to continue, we will fulfil our obligations. "But if our partners in Quad Cities didn't want to continue, then we'd certainly have to have a look at Abbotsford because I think it would be a real good market." The Quad City ..."
Let the rumour mill(ion) churn
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October 5
Calgary Sun
 
"By Wednesday, the Calgary Flames need to pare three players from their roster and more than US$1 million in salary cap space. Darryl Sutter has plenty of work to do. "There's a dollar number we'll be at one way or the other, and the plan hasn't changed," the Flames GM said yesterday. "The decision we made as ownership and management groups last summer hasn't changed. We explore opportunities to find places for players. If not, we want them to honour their contract. "There are 18 teams that have buyouts as part of their cap this year, and we felt that's not what we want them to do." The Flames sent centre Mikael Backlund to his men's league team in Sweden yesterday, and assigned centre John ..."
From Sea of Red to Red Square?
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September 11
Calgary Sun
 
"Reports Calgary Flames forward Marcus Nilson has signed to play with CSKA Moscow are "not correct," according to his agent. However, J.P. Barry said he and the two clubs are trying to work out a way for Nilson to play in Russia's Kontinental Hockey League. "We're exploring the possibility of him playing there," Barry said yesterday. "We were hoping to do it quietly." Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet reported the 30-year-old forward had signed with the club in Moscow. Earlier this week, there were reports he was being pursued by both Djurgardens and Skelleftea of the Swedish Elite League. Flames staff wouldn't comment on the reports. Nilson, acquired for a second-round draft choice in the ..."
Oilers set to lose Glencross to Calgary
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July 2
Edmonton Journal
 
"The word out of Calgary this morning is that Curtis Glencross will be marching down Highway 2 to sign a contract with the Calgary Flames. After turning heads with his play in Edmonton in the final 26 games of the 2007-08 campaign, Glencross and the Oilers could not come to an agreement as to how much he was going to be worth in the coming campaigns. The unrestricted free agent had arrived in Edmonton via a trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets."
Warrener not ready to waive goodbye to playing days
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June 29
Calgary Sun
 
"If Rhett Warrener's tenure with the Calgary Flames is over, he's hopeful his NHL career will continue. "I still think I can play. I don't think that I should be packing it in or thinking that way," the 32-year-old said yesterday from his home in Calgary. As of early last night, the rugged defenceman was still a member of the Calgary Flames -- he'd yet to receive the paperwork necessary to complete a buyout of the final year of his contract -- but he knew that could change in the next day or two. He didn't have any advance notice he would be waived along with teammates Marcus Nilson and Anders Eriksson Thursday, available to every other NHL team at his current $2.5-million ..."
NHL Free-agent shopping list
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June 29
Montreal Gazette
 
"The opening bell will sound on Canada Day Tuesday, marking the start of the NHL's free-agent season. Here's a look at some of the players who will be most coveted by NHL general managers."
Jackets' checkbook open for free agents
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June 29
Columbus Dispatch
 
"The Blue Jackets desperately need a power-play quarterback, so look for them to make attempts to sign Ottawa's Wade Redden, Colorado's John-Michael Liles, Montreal's Mark Streit or the New York Rangers' Michal Rozsival. San Jose's Brian Campbell, the top available "offensive" defenseman, could be a target, too, but he might be the most sought-after player this summer, and it's unlikely the Blue Jackets -- loads of money or not -- would be Campbell's choice. The Blue Jackets also want a big, nasty, shut-down defenseman who will make them harder to play against. Pittsburgh's Brooks Orpik and Ottawa's Mike Commodore would fit the bill. Now to the other end of the ice...Look for ..."
Fanning the Flames
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June 29
Toronto Sun
 
"Darcy Tucker, a Calgary Flame. Love it or hate it, it might just be a perfect fit. No, it hasn't happened yet and, no, we're not suggesting it absolutely will. But you can bet it's a possibility -- an intriguing one -- that general manager Darryl Sutter is looking into as he prepares for the lifting of the free-agent freeze Tuesday. After all, Sutter tried to trade for Tucker just a few years back. Bought out of the final three years of his four-year, $12-million US contract by the Leafs last week, the 33-year-old forward will enter the open market knowing he'll be paid $2 million by the Leafs no matter where he toils. With that in mind, the question now is: What is Tucker ..."
Trio's future cloudy after clearing waivers
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June 28
Calgary Sun
 
"Rhett Warrener, Marcus Nilson and Anders Eriksson all went unclaimed through waivers, but Calgary Flames general manger Darryl Sutter said the team still hasn't decided what to do with the trio, and that talking buyout is premature. Although the buyout window ends early next week, Sutter says an extension is possible. Putting the trio on regular waivers -- not unconditional waivers, which is necessary to start the buyout process -- served a couple of purposes, according to the Flames GM. One is to gauge interest from other teams. It's also a statement Sutter is making to his players."
Juice, Cujo won't be back
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June 27
Calgary Sun
 
"The rumour mill is heating up with expected signings of Calgary Flames pending unrestricted free agents, but looks like you can for sure say farewell to a couple of players. Agent Don Meehan yesterday admitted Kristian Huselius is going to become an unrestricted free agent July 1 -- which is no big surprise -- and added goaltender Curtis Joseph likely won't return to Calgary. Meehan said Joseph, who joined the Flames for the final couple of months last season as the back-up netminder, would prefer to stay as close as possible to the Toronto area."
Cujo heading back to Toronto?
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June 26
Toronto Sun
 
"One rumour yesterday had Toronto lining up ex-Leaf Curtis Joseph for a backup role here, now that Andrew Raycroft's status is in doubt, Scott Clemmensen is gone and Justin Pogge will be the full-time Marlies goalie. "A nice idea, but I've had no talks with the Leafs," Joseph's agent, Don Meehan said. Fletcher refused comment while Joseph still is under contract to Calgary, as well regarding speculation that soon-to-be ex-Penguin Gary Roberts might talk to the Leafs about filling their veteran leadership void."
Possible Emery Replacements
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June 24
Ottawa Citizen
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"Forget about a star replacement, because Murray has limited space under the NHL's salary cap and must also plug holes on defence and at forward. The list of goaltending possibilities includes outgoing Boston Bruins netminder Alex Auld, former Buffalo Sabres backup Jocelyn Thibault, Curtis Joseph, late of the Calgary Flames, or Ty Conklin, who had an outstanding run for the Pittsburgh Penguins after their starter, Marc-André Fleury, was sidelined by an ankle injury in November and December."
Looking to move into first round, Panthers dangling Olli Jokinen
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June 20
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
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"Most draft pundits believe Gardiner, a powerful skater who is one of the fastest in the draft, will be taken between No. 15 and No. 20 overall. The teams holding those picks are Nashville, Boston, Calgary, Ottawa, Columbus and the New York Rangers. Along with the Minnesota Wild, which picks 24th and has been rumored as a destination for Jokinen, Calgary appears to be an intriguing possibility. Flames coach Mike Keenan is fond of Jokinen, and the Panthers could ask for the Flames' No. 17 pick, forward Alex Tanguay and one of Calgary's several talented blue-liners."
Jokinen rumours no joke
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June 16
Calgary Herald
 
"Like a commercial jingle that gets bouncing around inside your cranium, the Olli Jokinen rumours won't go away. For years there's been speculation the Finnish centreman was Calgary-bound. The talk started long before Mike Keenan moved behind the Flames bench and certainly picked up steam afterwards, the veteran coach and Jokinen having enjoyed a solid relationship during their days together in South Florida. Well, if it's ever going to happen, this coming week might be the time. The National Hockey League draft is on the docket next weekend in Ottawa and the annual gathering of team poobahs is often the scene of the first major transactions of the summer."
Fleming Headed For Belarus?
May 27
Calgary Sun
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"The Flames say an IIHF transaction report that assistant coach Wayne Fleming has signed on to become head coach of the Dinamo Minsk in Belarus is "inaccurate," although Fleming is a candidate for the position"
Flames had eye on Brunnstrom
May 17
Calgary Sun
 
"The list of unearthed Europeans expected to join the NHL next season isn't ending at Fabian Brunnstrom. Another name to keep in mind is Martin Thornberg, who helped lead HV71 Jonkoping to the Elitserien title, and apparently the Flames are among those teams greatly interested in signing the left winger who'll turn 25 this summer... According to sources, the Flames tried to ink Brunnstrom around a year ago, but the Swedish forward wanted to play through the season and see what interest came."
Weighing pros and Cons
May 7
Calgary Sun
 
"The pending unrestricted free agent, who'll turn 37 before training camp begins in September, has to bide his time waiting to find out whether he fits into the Flames' future plans. A new contract for top-line centre Daymond Langkow is expected to come to fruition soon, and the club expects Matthew Lombardi to ascend into a second-line position for the coming season. Where that leaves Conroy remains to be seen. Conroy, content with the fact he'll have to take a cut in pay from the US$2.85 million salary he received this past season and a reduced role to remain in Calgary, just has to sit and wait. "They have to figure out what they want to do and make their decisions and let me ..."
Iggy may have to leave to get trophy he covets most -- Stanley Cup
April 30
Calgary Herald
 
"But as he turns 31 on Canada Day it's fair to ask whether Iginla isn't becoming the new Ray Bourque, the iconic team player who has to look elsewhere for a chance at winning the Stanley Cup. He's still a peak player, but the days when he could regularly log 25 to 30 minutes a game are growing shorter."
Tangs for the memories
April 28
Calgary Sun
 
"Poor Alex Tanguay. If the trade rumours weren't bad enough during the season, now we find the fans might actually enjoy seeing the current Calgary Flames left-winger sporting new colours next season. In our 'You Be The Boss' season review, you were asked whether you believe the 28-year-old playmaker should be dealt for more depth. A convincing 84% of the voters said yes."
Great Escape
April 27
Calgary Herald
 
"Well, Miikka Kiprusoff may have been able to escape the media watchdogs. But he'll not be escaping the iron hand of Iron Mike. From that, short of demanding a trade, there is no parole."
Tanguay's Flames future cloudy
April 26
Calgary Sun
 
"Alex Tanguay knows he's got to get out of town. Not necessarily permanently, although that's a very real possibility, but at least for the summer to get away from the trade talk that will no doubt start up the second the playoffs are over."
Tanguay's play, pay didn't add up
April 26
Calgary Herald
 
"Tanguay has another $5.35-million US season remaining on his contract. Sutter maintains Tanguay isn't going any place, but moving his salary would give the club some much-needed cap room."
Huselius hits open market, unlikely to return to Flames
April 26
Calgary Sun
 
"The nervous laughter from Kristian Huselius told quite a tale. Huselius, the Calgary Flames forward and pending unrestricted free agent, was asked if he could see himself playing another season with Mike Keenan as head coach."
Huselius hints best 'fit' may not include Keenan
April 26
Calgary Herald
 
"Left-winger Kristian Huselius, who's spent time in Mike Keenan's doghouse here in Calgary as he did in South Florida, on Friday said a lot of nice things about the city and what his time with the Flames has meant for his career. But after one healthy scratch and some extended benchings in the latter stages of the season, you have to think the Swede is looking for a new address."
Langkow deal 'pretty close'
April 26
Calgary Sun
 
"Without the Is dotted and Ts crossed, Daymond Langkow won't discuss his pending contract extension."
Status-quo Flames stuck in bind of own doing
April 26
Calgary Herald
 
"So if you liked what you saw this year, get ready for more, because even with the cap soaring as high as $55 million to $56 million, the options are very limited. Short of another GM taking pity on Sutter and relieving him of Alex Tanguay's $5.3 million, Rhett Warrener's $2.5 million, Anders Eriksson's $1.5 million or Marcus Nilson's $1 million, dollars are in short supply."
Wanted: Energy for '09
April 24
Calgary Sun
 
"Energy. It's a track from the album Calgary Flames forward Mark Smith and his band -- The Vinyl Trees -- compiled on their disc, Pura Vida. It's also something the Calgary Flames were sorely lacking all season. And it's something that must become part of the team's repertoire before next season -- and should be added in major doses."
Supporting cast where work lies
April 24
Calgary Herald
 
"The meat and potatoes remain. So, while Calgary Flames general manager Darryl Sutter does have summertime decisions to ponder, the rejigging of his core isn't one of them. The superstar captain? Jarome Iginla, here through 2012-13. The budding blueliner? Dion Phaneuf, here through 2013-14. The clamp-down defender? Robyn Regehr, here through 2012-13. The top-flight puck-stopper? Miikka Kiprusoff, here through 2013-14. And, if you believe the persistent scuttlebutt around the rink, there's also . . . . The steady middleman? Daymond Langkow, here through 2011-12. That's a solid start."
Now what?
April 24
Calgary Herald
 
"Perhaps the most immediate issue to be resolved is the role of Keenan, who unceremoniously yanked Miikka Kiprusoff from the Flames' net in the second period of Game 7. I'd have given good odds Keenan would return to the Flames bench -- if he still wanted the post. But giving the former Vezina-winning goalie the hook in the biggest game of the year -- then throwing him under the bus at the post-game news conference -- raises serious questions whether the coach and goalie can co-exist."
Langkow to stay a Flame
April 6
Vancouver Province
 
"A report out of Edmonton this week suggested the $20-million extension that has been agreed upon includes a no-trade clause, which means Langkow is destined to spend seven years with the Flames before it's all said and done."
Several teams pursuing Jokinen
February 26
Toronto Sun
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"It's believed the Ducks, Dallas Stars, Calgary Flames and Minnesota Wild all have made a pitch for Florida captain Olli Jokinen, who is being shopped. The Stars have been among the most aggressive because co-GM Brett Hull wants to make a big move at the de