I certainly hope so. It’s been rumored (through a couple sites, and Puck Daddy) that there are rumblings that Ken King could move to a role that would have him oversee the business side of the Flames, and former St. Louis Blues executive John Davidson becoming the next President of the Calgary Flames.

Davidson has ties to Calgary and could be a welcomed addition by the Flames faithful. Also John has family in Calgary allowing for an easy transition.

The Calgary Flames continue to entertain calls and inquiries for veteran defenseman Jay Bouwmeester, who became available after the Flames acquired and signed Dennis Wideman, and interest has increased after Ryan Suter came off the free agent market to sign with Minnesota.

“Speculation is that once Jagr, a 40-year-old two-time Stanley Cup winner and the 1999 Hart Trophy recipient, lapses into unrestricted free agency on July 1, the Flames will be in there pitching ardent woo, hoping to win his heart and land his decorated but decaying services to play a little right wing and act as a buffer for incoming countryman Roman Cervenka and help with his transition to the North American game.”

Seriously Jay Feaster? Have things gotten that bad? Did Iginla not want to be the old guy on the team, and since whatever he says goes, you went looking for someone older? Chris Chelios not available?

I can’t believe this will happen, I have too much faith in Feaster. Unless Jagr takes a contract like Jokinen did, on Olli’s second go-around with the Flames. For a $1-2M, I’d have him on my team. Actually just his mullet will do.

I guess that this is the (first and only) logical conclusion to jump to, so let’s do it.

Bottom line? I hope not. I don’t like when you bring in a guy who has less experience than most of your players. I think people in general look to someone as a leader if they feel he has a) been there before or b) knows – better than the others involved – how to get out.

Let’s face it, the Flames are in a huge hole. This was their worst season since the lockout. They were just ranked 26th out of 30th on the prospect potential list. They’ve been headed downwards, they have little hope for the future, it’s going to take more than Troy Ward to dig them out of this.

So Jay Feaster said on Thursday that the Flames don’t feel like they have a bonafide number one centre. Talks with Brad Richards were close, oh so close, but Richards didn’t want to play in the Western Conference (lazy ass). And now with the Langkow, Regehr and Kotalik deals in the ledger, the Flames have about $3.5M in cap room. So let’s have a look at the top five candidates that will definitely probably become a Flame at some point in the very near future, maybe.

#4 – Mikhail GrabovskiCurrently with: Toronto Maple LeafsPoints last year: 29G 29A 58PReason why he’s expendable: Because Toronto is dumb, and they have a history of dumping guys right before their breakout year. And we have a history of picking up their trash.Reason why he’s not: Toronto has a producing hockey player for less than $4M/year, even they can’t screw this up. Can they?

#3 – Nicklas BackstromCurrently with: Washington CapitalsPoints last year: 18G 47A 65PReason why he’s expendable: Because teammates in Washington have recently come out saying that Backstrom doesn’t try hard enough. If your teammates lose confidence in you, it becomes a steady march down trade street – or perhaps to the KHL. The Caps are also over the cap, so they have to dump some salary before the season starts.Reason why he’s not: $6M/year for the next four seasons. Enough said.

#2 – Joe PavelskiCurrently with: San Jose SharksPoints last year: 20G 46A 66PReason why he’s expendable: Jumbo Joe will always be the number one guy in San Jose. Mini Joe will have to go elsewhere for the opportunity.Reason why he’s not: The Flames would have to find another half million dollars to make this deal possible. Which isn’t that unrealistic.

#1 – Tuomo RuutuCurrently with: Carolina HurricanesPoints last year: 19G 38A 57PReason why he’s expendable: Carolina has two centres already ahead of him on the depth chart in Staal and Skinner. He is also an unrestricted free agent at the end of this year.Reason why he’s not: He only had 2 more points than Jokinen, so he’s not that much of an improvement points-wise. The Flames would still also need to find a million dollars in cap space somewhere. Sorry Sarich.

There you have it, my money is either Pavelski or Ruutu in a Flames jersey at some point during the year. You guys may as well get both jerseys numbered up now just to make sure you beat the rush.

I’ve been on holidays, so I’ve been a little out of the loop. From what I’ve heard, Babchuk has resigned for $2.5M/season for two years, and Brad Richards chose New York over Calgary. I can’t possibly imagine why that is? </sarcasm>

Babchuk is what we got for Phaneuf, pretty much player-for-player. So at $5M less per season, and if Anton keeps performing the same level as Dion, then I guess I can’t hate the trade (or this contract). Yes, it would have been nice to have Richards but really… has he been a show stopper the last couple years? Probably not. Or at least not $60M over 9 years’ worth. And rumor has it that the Flames offered him more than that.

I’ll try to figure out what’s going on and update the site if I hear any new news.