When you think about how last season went, there is a lot to be positive about, including one of the best young goalies in the league. Dustin Wolf could have easily won rookie of the year. We have a young, slick forward named Matthew Cornado, who appears to be coming into his own. The Core is on solid ground, led by Weeger, Huberdeau, Kadri, and Rasmus Andersson.
It appears the Flames were not happy with the offers on Andersson. It is beginning to look like a deadline trade. There is a growing concern that it will be a distraction. They can say it won't be a distraction, but you have to think that the team will be wondering what direction they are going.
Meanwhile, the Flames continue to receive offers for Kadri. They have said, "We have no interest in trading Kadri, and he has no interest in playing anywhere else." Translation: they have not received the right offer. Sorry for my cynical side, but every player has a price. Don't get me wrong, Kadri is coming off a career year with his 35 goals, and he seems to be improving every year. But you still have to explore all your options. If a General Manager is not exploring all of his options, he is not doing his job.
Huberdeau is coming off his best year as a Flame. Jonathan was looking like a revamped Huby, like the Huberdeau of old. He seemed to be getting his legs back for the first time. And he seemed happy to be here. I am excited to see if he continues his improved play for next season.
Weeger could be traded today, given the interest the Flames have received for his services. Again, the Flames have turned down all offers. Weeger is going to be the heart and soul of this team when Andersson gets traded. He is the leader in this dressing room.
In the goal behind Wolf, we have Vladar out, and Ivan Prosvetov is coming to Calgary, and it is not for the benefit of his health. From one of my connections: "The Flames are excited about Ivan; they love what they have seen and expect big things for him. They expect him to lighten the load of Dustin Wolf." I told him of my concern that the KHL is not the NHL; he assured me that if Prosvetov were not at the level of an NHL goalie, they wouldn't have signed him.
Randy.
