Camp Roster and More

With the belief that the Flames training camp will open Saturday January 12, 2013 let’s take a look as to who may be part of that camp.

Projected players coming to camp: *subject to change

Goaltenders- Kiprusoff, Karlsson & Irving

                Feaster stated that he plans to only have three goalies in camp. But rumors have it that Barry Brust has garnered attention by other teams who would like to sign him to an NHL deal. Perhaps, the Flames should beat them to the punch and burn a contract on the tender.

Defensemen- Giordano, Wideman, Sarich, Brodie, Babchuk, Smith, Bouwmeester, Butler & Carson.

                No surprises here. Guys like Breen and Piskula will remain with the Heat. McCarthy may get a call to come to camp on a PTO. In my opinion, Carson, Smith or Babchuk will be pushed through waiver before opening day- if not traded.

Forwards- Iginla, Tanguay, Cammelleri, Backlund, Hudler, Cervenka, Baertschi, Jackman, Stajan, Glencross, Stempniak, Jones, Street, Horak, Comeau and Byron.

                Only strange name here is Street. The Flames brass has been impressed by him and Feaster stated that Street had earned an invite to camp.

 

Question Marks- Kolanos, Begin, McCarthy and Aliu

                Kolanos has had injury troubles and has not played that well when he has been healthy. He will likely remain in Abbotsford. Same goes for Aliu. But considering the Flames may need some grit. Aliu may just be told to come to Calgary for camp.

                Begin was given a PTO back in the summer. However, Feaster did not confirm that they will indeed still honor that try out.

 

Will Baertschi play with the Flames during this 48 game season?

                Clearly the fan base thinks he will be. He played some games up with the big club last year, and did well. Some question remain if there will be a spot in the top 6 for him. If not, is it smart to ask him to play on the bottom six? Perhaps the answer will be to have him on the third line with a lot of power play minutes.

Leadership will need to pay off. We have a shortened season with a 5-7 day training camp. All that, plus a new coach with a new system. We know that the Flames haven’t consistently bought in to coaches’ systems over the past few years. If that is the case this time around, it will be a rough 48 games. I hope veterans like Iginla, Giordano and Tanguay can lead the rest into buying and executing a game plan. Bob Hartley and the coaching staff have very little time and will lean heavily on the players to push each other along.

 

I am intrigued and excited for training camp to begin.