Everyone including myself has been frustrated by the recent play of our Calgary Flames. There is no denying that we are in a funk. With the exception of beating up on the Desert Dogs, we haven't had a decent game in weeks. Why? Well, the answers are varied, but most folks seem to agree on one thing; we haven't had much 'spark', 'jump' or 'enthusiam' as of late. I have listened to the interviews, read the hockey columnists and blogs, and no one seems to have an answer as to the solution.
No one, except me that is. The answer is surprisingly simple. If you want to change the direction that the club is headed, there is only one thing left to do; trade Kipper.
You heard me, trade away our reigning Veznia Trophy winner. It just makes sense.
Right now Kipper's value is still really high. He is still a top tier goaltender in this league, and would command something extremely valuable in return.
Now I know what your thinking; why would we trade away our most valued and consistent player when we are on the cusp of greatness?
Cause he ain't staying, and we sure as hell aren't on the cusp of greatness.
We aren't going to make the playoffs, and we aren't going to be a .500 hockey team. We are going to hope and wish and pray and our Flames will still crap the bed. Why not trade him away while his value is high, and we can start rebuilding for a couple of years down the road? Let's write off this hideous season right now, and look forward to starting fresh next year. Get used to the idea Flames fans. When his contract expires, Kipper is a good as gone.
Here's 5 reasons why;
1. We aren't playing good defense right now. On second thought, we are playing terrible, awful defense right now. As a whole, the defensive core is lazy, indecisive, and soft. We don't seem to want to change, and as a result, we will continue our opponents glorious chances to our opponents. Despite Kipper's unbelievable talent, this will result in goals for them, losses for us, and a terrible GAA for Kipper.
2. As mentioned Kipper's contract is up very soon, and with that comes the threat of him leaving us as a free agent. Now there are some of you that think that Kipper will want to stick around here, and help us win a championship, but your off your rocker. He is the reason that we are touted as being a championship team, and without him, people would realize that we aren't even a shadow of the '04 team that came as close as you can to winning the Cup without actually doing so. He is facing more shots, better scoring opportunites, all with less help than ever before. You honestly believe that he is going to give up his winning lotto ticket to stick it out with the Flames and renegotiate with the always generous Sutter? Not likely.
3. We don't have any other Fins on the team. Kipper's english bites, and with no one to speak his native tougne with, he has no one to bitch and moan about how bad we are. All that frustration stays bottled up and that is unhealthy.
4. Calgary is going smoke free on January 1st. Yet another reason to get the hell away from this city and it's fans.
5. We don't deserve him. He is the greatest goaltender in the whole world right now, and the last thing he hears at the end of every home game is 'BOOOOOO'. Yeah, I'd sure as hell stick it out here.
I found the solution to all our problems, now it's up the Sutter to do the right thing. Trade away our best player before he becomes another Jim Carrey. In fact, while your at it, see what you can get for Iggy and Dion. Since we are making changes, let's fire that moron Playfair too. If we dump the core of our team and start the rebuilding process right away, maybe we can get a jump on the competition. So are we all agreed? Giving up is the way to go?
Good. Great. Grand.
Just one more thing; Did I offend anyone? Any Flames fans out there that think my opions are insane? Did this post piss anyone off?
Good.
Now all you have to do is find one single Calgary Flames player to read it, and maybe we can get off our collective asses and win some friggin hockey games.
