"Flames fans, mark this date, it's the start of the race to the top of the West," a confident Flames GM Jamie Hoover commented to the media.
The team recently went on a trade spree, seeing a large amount of turnover on the pro roster. It all began January 7th, not much after Hoover returned from his holidays. His first deal saw him deal out Esche, Walker, and Klee. In return from Boston, the Flames got Moreau, Fernandez, Knuble, Corson.
Same day, they make a huge Dman deal seeing two of most valuable dmen in the league exchanged for one another. To Florida goes Hatcher, and to Calgary, the reigning defensive dman, Scott Stevens. He's won the Smythe before, and the Flames hope he will again.
Hoover then got personal favourite young dman Alexei Semenov in exchange for ATL's 1st round pick and UFA to be Chris Tamer. A 1st is a steep price for Alexei, but Hoover feels he's going to be a big tough 20 mins a night guy.
Then, the recently aquired Moreau and Knuble, without ever playing a game as a Flame, were dealt for Paul Kariya, Devan Dubnyk and a 2005 2nd. Kariya is UFA at season end, but the Flames felt they had the depth to deal 2 for 1 roster player and that Kariya should help the team a lot.
Rumour has it they've made another deal landing a guy that'll likely play 4th line RW for a mid round pick.
Total in the last few days look like this:
Kariya, Stevens, Fernandez, Corson, Semenov, Dubnyk, CRL 2nd '05
Total out the last few days:
Walker, Hatcher, Esche, Klee, Tamer, ATL 1st '05
When asked if he was done dealing, here's had the Flames GM had to say, "Possibly... I may or may not have made another deal today for a 4th line RW. And the only other thing I may pursue is an upgrade at center over one of Rucchin or Lindros, or something to that extent. Everyone else currently has their spot on the roster now and probably won't move."
Kariya will be UFA at season if the Flames don't resign him. The verdict is out on how much longer Stevens will stay around hockey before announcing his retirement. These deals were clearly made to push the Flames deep into the playoffs. Only time will tell if the move's pay of, but at least they'll no sooner than the other way around of waiting for the Cup.