Kipper the comedian

[dash]

“He’s definitely got my vote for the best goalie in the world,” Flames defenceman Ian White says. “He’s amazing day in and day out. Never really seems to have a bad day.”

That’s pretty high praise, isn’t it?

“Well, who else would you put up there with him?” White says. “There’s three guys I guess. Ryan Miller and the other guy and Kipper.”

The other guy? Martin Brodeur, maybe?

“Yeah,” White says. “Exactly. So take one or leave one, but I put my bet on Miikka.”

True to form, Kiprusoff laughs at the mere suggestion he’s the best goalie on earth.

“Who said that?” he snickers.

“Ian White.”

“Oh yeah,” he says. “He’s a funny guy. I like him.”


Read more: Kiprusoff keeping battered Flames afloat

 

[Destroydacre]

Good stuff

 

[filosofy29]

Kipper for Niemi and Niittymaki? Sold. Thanks Dash. Oh and just to sweeten the pot a little bit, Ian White for Niclas Wallin.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

Kipper for Moulson & Dipietro sounds good.

 

[dash]

Kipper for Niemi and Niittymaki? Sold. Thanks Dash. Oh and just to sweeten the pot a little bit, Ian White for Niclas Wallin.

This is the dilemna facing Sutter...How do you do a "scorched earth" rebuild when you have Kipper, a pretty sound defense, and Iggy plus some pluggers up front (ok, that's not fair, there is some talent there). I love Kipper and Iggy, but it's tough to get much help when those two guys would fetch the best return. It would be a PR disaster to trade either of those guys though.

 

[filosofy29]

This is the dilemna facing Sutter...How do you do a "scorched earth" rebuild when you have Kipper, a pretty sound defense, and Iggy plus some pluggers up front (ok, that's not fair, there is some talent there). I love Kipper and Iggy, but it's tough to get much help when those two guys would fetch the best return. It would be a PR disaster to trade either of those guys though.

I've always wondered if Canadian based franchises have it harder or easier (or a little bit of both) when it comes to rebuilding. I mean, when you lose as a Canadian team, you still have 100 reporters in your face wondering why it is you suck and how you still have a job. So I think from that standpoint, the GM and the Coach have a tougher job than say your run-of-the-mill U.S. based franchise. However, I think that even if a Canadian franchise stinks, they'll still have more fans show up to the games than your rotm US franchise would. So in that sense, it may be easier to bite the bullet, tell your fans you need to rebuild and maybe not lose as much money.

I don't know though, I've never lived in Canada. What say you guys who are more educated on the subject? Do you think it's harder to rebuild a team in Canada? Easier?

To answer your question though Dash, I'd give this team until the trade deadline, if you guys are out of contention (or have too many teams to leapfrog even if you're close), I'd say sell the farm and get some good youth back. PR nightmare or not, the Flames have some players who would bring back a Kings ransom if traded.

BTW, Dash and Puckhead, I got a funny e-mail about Fort Steele/Crabrook B.C. that if you guys are interested in, I'll forward you guys. Also, it would be funny to see if the e-mail is valid or not (I'm guessing not).

 

[puckhead]

imho - canadian fans will generally understand what needs to be done, and as long as there is progress made, will (for the most part) be patient. the term "5 year plan" is pretty much a cliche.

what is more frustrating, is to have a shitty team, and they are still 'trying', as it were. Toronto is a good example of his. Still spending near the cap, still acquiring assets that will make a go of it, but half of the team flat out sucks. So they do just well enough to get a mid-to-high-range draft pick every year that doesn't change anything, an they still have no hope of contending.

and Dash, you are welcome. you know.... for for using a Leafs example when there was another option :p

 

[dash]

I think it is tougher in a Canadian market due to the pressure of fans and media. As mentioned previously, when you have a top flight goalie, a sound defence corps, and a pretty good goal scorer up front, people's expectations are making the playoffs and having a deep playoff run. Of course, aside from 2004, the Flames haven't won a playoff round since 1989 (yeesh). With Feaster on board as assistant GM, the Flames need to a) make the playoffs and b) win at least one playoff round for Sutter to keep his job, in my opinion.

I guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens.

 

[dash]

and Dash, you are welcome. you know.... for for using a Leafs example when there was another option :p

lol...Thanks puck, you're tops in my book

 

[jstewismybastardson]

I've always wondered if Canadian based franchises have it harder or easier (or a little bit of both) when it comes to rebuilding. I mean, when you lose as a Canadian team, you still have 100 reporters in your face wondering why it is you suck and how you still have a job. So I think from that standpoint, the GM and the Coach have a tougher job than say your run-of-the-mill U.S. based franchise. However, I think that even if a Canadian franchise stinks, they'll still have more fans show up to the games than your rotm US franchise would. So in that sense, it may be easier to bite the bullet, tell your fans you need to rebuild and maybe not lose as much money.

this!

i agree with puckhead that cdn teams fans will generally accept shitting the bed to do a total rebuild ... it worked for Pittsburgh and Chicago and yes i think fans will still go ... i think 15 years ago this was a different story in Canada ... fans would stop going but now just when you think hockey fan craziness is at its apex you get proven wrong

so the fans will accept it but the Cdn media wont and as they compete with each other for ratings they will out-nasty each other

when that happens you have team owners, who say they let the guys they hired do their jobs, suddenly start taking a more public stance as they get grief from every other businessman in the city at board of trade luncheons ... then they start asking the gms and coaches they hired the tough questions, like "what are you gonna do to get us in the playoffs?"

so you have the gm and coaches (as you point out fil) in the hotseat, under pressure, making knee jerk decisions with a very small eye on the future, in order to make the playoffs and get a couple of first round playoff dates for an owner who is being laughed at by his cohorts.








and then you acquire Steve Staios (lol - no offense dash)

 

[filosofy29]

this!

i agree with puckhead that cdn teams fans will generally accept shitting the bed to do a total rebuild ... it worked for Pittsburgh and Chicago and yes i think fans will still go ... i think 15 years ago this was a different story in Canada ... fans would stop going but now just when you think hockey fan craziness is at its apex you get proven wrong

so the fans will accept it but the Cdn media wont and as they compete with each other for ratings they will out-nasty each other

when that happens you have team owners, who say they let the guys they hired do their jobs, suddenly start taking a more public stance as they get grief from every other businessman in the city at board of trade luncheons ... then they start asking the gms and coaches they hired the tough questions, like "what are you gonna do to get us in the playoffs?"

so you have the gm and coaches (as you point out fil) in the hotseat, under pressure, making knee jerk decisions with a very small eye on the future, in order to make the playoffs and get a couple of first round playoff dates for an owner who is being laughed at by his cohorts.








and then you acquire Steve Staios (lol - no offense dash)

I agree with this JStew, well said.

Also, per the bolded, LOFL.

Puck, you've got mail.

 

[filosofy29]

lol, figured as much Puck. That would be awesome if it were true though. You guys breed some fine NHL defensemen (and my current favorite player from Sicamous) up there in BC.