Sort of. So let's deal with Calgary's minor move...just to get it out of the way:
- Flames acquire Edmonton born Jamie Lundmark from Phoenix for a draft choice (probably 4th rounder or so).
Lundmark is a former 1st round centerman (9th overall by the Rangers in 1999) who has never fulfilled his potential. This is his third season in the NHL since being drafted and he is on pace for a career year - which isn't difficult, since his top point total previously was 19. This year he's already "amassed" 19 points, 6 of them being goals.
His stats and bio are listed here. TSN notes that he's fast and has a well-rounded game and a goal-scoring "upside" (which no one has been able to really tap yet). He also seems to be adept in the face-off circle, which is nice. His weaknesses are lack of physical strength and consistency.
Overall, Lundmark sounds like a slightly older Lombardi in many ways. I like Lombardi. But another Lombardi is certainly not what the Flames needed at this point. All this looks to be is another player who will be fighting to play on Calgary's already choked 3rd and 4th lines. Currently, the Flames roster (at center) looks like this:
Langkow, Lombardi, Yelle, Lundmark, Wiemer, Ritchie (Nilson).
That's a couple of 2nd line centers and a whole lot of 3rd and 4th line centers (and 0 first line centers). Lundmark's a former 1st round daft pick, so perhaps the potential is there - but that can be said of lots of players. Didn't Alexander Daigle just get waived...?
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I guess you can tell I don't think that the Flames did anything of note to address their goalscoring issues. If Lombardi and Kobasew don't score much here, neither will the underachieving Lundmark. As disappointing as Sutter's lack of activity at the deadline was, it's also comforting for current (and future) Flames fans to know that Darryl didn't mortgage Calgary's future for a quick-fix. The Flames held onto all of their quality blueline depth and almost all of their prospects and draft picks. Of course, certain trade-deadline questions will dog Sutter if Calgary happens to bow out of the play-offs early thanks to their lack of scoring...
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In related news, the NW Division race will get even tighter now, given the numerous acquisitions by Vancouver and Edmonton. Vancouver managed to add 3 solid d-men (Weinrich, Carney, Brown) and a highly touted back-up goaltender. I admit, I was fairly impressed with the moves Nonis made today. He surrendered only a single, nominal roster player (McCarty), while shoring up the Canuck's major weaknesses. Once the Canucks get Salo, Ohlund and Jovo back in the line-up, they look to have a much more impressive d-corps:
Jovo-Ohlund
Carney-Salo
Weinrich-Allen
In addition, the Oilers made a splash by moving Reasoner + pick&prospect for pending UFA Sergei Samsonov.
Assuming Samsonov remains healthy for the remainder of the season, this is a move that certainly improves the Oil right now. Fast and slick, Samsonov will fit well with the Greaser's #1 line and gameplan. The only question remains (beyond his health) is whether he will re-sign with Edmonton next year. If not, this seems like a high price for a rental player.
Anyways, those are my thoughts for now. As for the game tonight, I pretty much expect Calgary to lose - we almost never beat Dallas. I can't remember the last time we did. At least we'll be facing Petr Budaj in the Colorado nets pretty soon...
