Fantasy preview: Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a team in desperate need of a rebuild. They have attempted to patch major holes and have thus far been unsuccessful. Their 2010-11 roster once again looks thrown together upfront and they will need to get impressive years from middle of the road talent if they hope to make a play-off push. Their lack of first line flair has forced most hockey experts to place them outside of the post-season this year.
Unfortunately, the Flames do not fare much better in fantasy hockey terms. Although they have a few players that can be considered early round selections the majority of their players are average to low-level fantasy performers.
Forwards
Upfront the Flames severely lack top-six talent. They have a collection of bottom-six forwards that will need to have breakout seasons to be worth holding onto for the duration of the 2010-11 campaign.
Nevertheless, the Flames still have Jarome Iginla. The now 33-year-old Iginla had an off-season last year, but still managed 32 goals and 69 points. Moreover, Iginla is usually good for over 60 penalty minutes (PIMs) and last season notched 10 power play points (PP). Iginla is certain to go in the first three rounds as one of the League’s elite right-wingers.
Outside of Iginla the Flames do not have anyone likely to go in the first three rounds. Conversely the Flames have a plethora of talent that can be selected late. Matt Stajan is a likely candidate to go in the mid to late rounds of a deep draft. Stajan played 27 games with Calgary last season after being traded from the Toronto Maple Leafs. In total Stajan accumulated 57 points in 2009-10, however his totals are expected to go up as he will take over top line duty in Calgary. His seven PP and four game-winning-goals (GW) could make him worth a late round selection.
The Flames have a sleeper in their ranks in Rene Bourque. The 28-year-old has had trouble staying healthy throughout his career, but when he is in the line-up he is very effective. In 73 games last season Bourque netted 27 goals and 58 points, while going a plus-7, with 88 PIMs. Moreover, he also managed six PP and five GW. This type of production across the board makes Bourque a steal in the later rounds.
Defence
On the back end the Flames have several players with potential for breakout seasons, but sure-things. The most likely Flame to go before the fourth round is Jay Bouwmeester. Bouwmeester is coming off a terrible season by his standards in which he only procured 29 points, went a minus-four and got one PP. Needless-to-say his stock has dropped heading into the 2010-11 season. Therefore if you are able to get Bouwmeester late he could be a steal with a bounce-back year. However, spending a top pick on him is not advised.
In the sleeper category the Flames have Mark Giordano. The youngster spent his first full season in the League last year, racking up 30 points, a rating of plus-17, 81 PIMs and five PP. Giordano is likely to garner more ice time this season and has the potential to add to his numbers from last year. Expect the Ontario native to be available late in the draft.
Goaltending
Perhaps the only reason the Flames have a shot at the post-season is because of goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff. Even on a poor Calgary side Kipper still managed 35 wins, a 2.31 goals-against-average and a .920 save-percentage. The native of Finland is as solid as they come in fantasy hockey and should be drafted early.
The Flames are nearly void of first rate talent and are therefore a bastion of late round picks. Outside of Iginla and Kiprusoff the club is not worth looking at until after the fourth round.
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