Joey Moss: We grow a little sadder today

As I was a little saddened today, my heart aches as the world lost a friend today in Joey Moss. I will never forget what he meant to the Oilers fans and every hockey fan in general. My most significant memory of him is when he sang Oh Canada. I have never felt so emotional as I did that day.

Joey Moss was loved by everyone he left. His spirit represents why this game of hockey is Canada's game. Every time I saw him, he had a smile on his face; he was right there through every step of the Oilers' growing pains. Joey never gave up, and he never let the Edmonton players give up. He was as much a part of the dressing room as every player through the years was. 

 

There are not enough words I could write that could describe how much Joey Moss was loved. Every story the media did on Joey, it made me pull for him. Every time I saw him smile, it gave me the reason to smile. No matter what Joey was going through, you would have never known it by looking at him. He gave me the motivation to keep going; he represents the will to win.

Joey, in my heart, will be not only an Edmonton icon but an Alberta icon. His heart and soul will live on. Thank you. Thank you for the encouragement you gave the players, the city, and, most of all, for me. Joey was elected to the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in 2015. 

God Loves you, Joey, as do we all. 

Randy

A Little Quiet

 

It has been a little quiet of late in Cowtown. Especially after Brad Treliving said the Flames are not done.  I haven't written, because it is hard to find a topic to write on. I could write on how much I loved the improvements on our top-six forwards. No, I couldn't. I hate that we have not made any progress on our top-six forwards. I could write about our much vastly improved our defense from last season. And I believe that pigs fly. Yeah, I really don't think that. I could write about how I feel the Flames could win the Stanley Cup. And I am a supermodel—wait, no, I am not. Maybe closer to the exact opposite. I could write about how excited I am about the powerplay this season. And I could write on how I am a highly successful millionaire I am—wait no, I am not. I bet all my money on the Calgary Flames in the playoffs. That's right; they have no chance of winning the Stanley Cup.  

Maybe I could write about how many trades the Flames are rumoured to be involved in. Perhaps I could go to watch paint dry. Because that is more interesting than the news. I could write a blog on how much I sincerely believe Brad Treliving every time he speaks. Or I could tell you how much of a deal I found on my dream car in the scrap yard. Oh, wait, no, I didn't, and I really don't believe anything Brad says. 

I could write on how exciting the options are for the Flames in the offseason. Or I could write about how wonderful 2020 has been. Oh, wait, 2020 has sucked. I can't wait until this year ends. The Flames don't have many options left to improve this team.

We all need to laugh at ourselves once in a while.

Randy

 

Flames Go Big Game Hunting: Add Chris Tanev and Jacob Markstrom

The Calgary Flames went big game hunting and came up with an all-star goaltender. They seem to like the Canucks players and circled back to pick up Defencemen Chris Tanev. The choice of Tanev, $500,000 cheaper than Brodie, is an interesting one. It calls into question whether Brodie wanted to stay a Flame. I think the Flames made a statement about why they lost last year, putting it on the defensive core as a whole. 

With Tanev, the Flames get a nasty stay-home defenceman who will make a difference in the defensive zone coverage. There is no doubt the Flames lose on the offensive side with Brodie, but maybe they have addressed a massive defensive hole in their own end. The Dallas Stars exposed the Flames' inadequate defence unmercifully; the Flames felt they had to address it in the offseason. No, this was not all on Brodie, but you have to start somewhere, and this was the first step. 

Game 6 cost Talbot his chances of coming back to Calgary for sure. The Flames have been having trouble with consistency in goaltending for years, and game 6 was the last straw. Enter Jacob Markstrom, all-star extraordinaire from the Vancouver Canucks. Jacob is cashing in from his (put in non-family-rated classifier here) extraordinary year. He was outstanding—superhuman even. He had his best save percentage in his career ringing it in at 918. Talking about Mr. Consistency, Markstrom has a save percentage of 913 for the previous five seasons, compared to Rittich, who has a 908 save percentage. Markstrom was outstanding in the playoffs giving the Canucks a chance to win every night. The Flames have not had a goalie who gave them a chance to win every night since Kipper. 

There is still work to be done. The Flames still have not addressed the top six issues. We lack a top sniper who could match Gaudreau. Everyone has put the responsibility on the shoulders of Gaudreau, which happens when you're the best player; it is par for the course. In his defence, we have not really given him a number one centre. What really worries me is that Brad might be done. If he is, then this is a considerable failure. 

Randy

It is the most wonderful time of year

Yes, it that time of year for me to look crazy. It is otherwise known as the Calgary Flames draft blog. My favourite time of year; I try to predict who the Flames are going to pick and always get wrong. 

Calgary Flames First Round

19 Jacob Perreault Right-Wing

Jacob is an offensive centre who will put up some numbers. Known for his passing skills and has excellent vision. He is a terrific skater and a finisher around the net. Motivated and the player who wants the puck when the moment counts.

2nd Round 

49 Topi Niemelä Defence

Topi is a solid defenceman with some offensive skills behind. He has a good stick with the poke check. Niemela has as an excellent shot from the point. He is willing to block the shot and does what it takes to get the puck out of the zone. 

75 Maxim Groshev RW

Maxim is a typical highly skilled right-winger the Flames so desperately need. An accurate passer who threads the needle when required. He attacks the net with his presence and will get his share of garbage goals. He is a highly-skilled forward but might need some help in the defensive zone. 

The rest

I am just listing the players from the 4th to the 7th

4th Round - Gage Goncalves C/LW 

5TH Round - 142 Dylan Robinson D 

6TH Round - 174 Pier-Olivier Roy D 

7th Round - Josh Williams RW