Sport-scan daily brief

“This has been a hard time.”

A hard time for Kiprusoff. A hard time for his employer. And a hard time for Calgary Flames fans digesting the sorry state of their hockey team.

As it turns out, Feaster pulled Kiprusoff aside — along with Jay Bouwmeester and Jarome Iginla — in separate, private discussions during a mid-March road trip to California. Those talks led to the eventual Iginla trade to Pittsburgh and Bouwmeester move to St. Louis.

In Kiprusoff’s case, the 36-year-old’s no-trade clause expired last summer. So on paper, the Finnish netminder appeared the easiest chip to ship to a contender in exchange for prospects or draft picks.

But word broke last week that, in the event of a trade, Kiprusoff would simply refuse to report to a new team with one year remaining on a six-year deal.

“We all know I did talk with the Leafs,” Kiprusoff said Wednesday night. “You know another team wants you, and I was thinking a lot about it. And I got that feeling, doubts, that it was the right thing to do to go there.

“If you start second-guessing . . . I don’t think it’s right for the Leafs, if my heart is not 100 per cent in it.”

Under the terms of his contract, Kiprusoff’s cap hit is set to remain at $5.83 million next season, but he’ll make $1.5 million should he choose to report in 2013/14.

“I’ve been doing lots of thinking the last few days,” Kiprusoff said. “I ended up this morning talking to Jay Feaster and I told him for me, I would love to stay here and finish off the season as a Flame.”

The rebuilding Flames could have dealt Kiprusoff to Toronto against his wishes in a conditional deal for picks and/or prospects.

Instead, they let the matter drop.

“We talked as an organization and said that we felt that it was appropriate to honour that request,” Feaster said. “We’re going to keep Miikka Kiprusoff here. He’s a member of the Calgary Flames. He will continue with us through the end of the season.”

By his standards, Kiprusoff’s numbers this season are downright deplorable with a goals-against-average of 3.64 and a save percentage of .868.

He received the hook in both of his last two appearances, including a stinker Monday night in Edmonton that saw him surrender three goals on the first five shots.

“It’s been a pretty tough last few weeks,” Kiprusoff conceded. “But I’m not going to use that as an excuse. I haven’t played well, and I know I have to pick up my game.

“But I’m pretty happy this is over now, and I can play hockey again.”

When asked if he wants to win a Stanley Cup, Kiprusoff replied in the affirmative.

“That’s been my dream since I was a little boy, and it still is.”

Does he plan to retire?

“Well, I think I’m going to finish up the season and we’re going to sit down with the Flames after that, and we’ll go from there.”

Kiprusoff has clearly not been himself in recent weeks with a new baby at home and his name swirling in trade rumours. According to Feaster, Kiprusoff’s wife Seidi experienced complications during her pregnancy. The baby arrived two weeks early and stayed in hospital for a time after Seidi was discharged.

According to Kiprusoff, all is now good at home with mom, baby Oskar and big brother Aaro.

“The reality of it is that there are a lot of difficult circumstances,” Feaster said. “Here’s a player who said, ‘I want to be here.’ I think there’s something noble in that, too.

“I understand we all get emotional. Fans certainly have that right to get emotional.

“I would just hope fans, the more that they look at it, they’ll say, ‘you know what? That’s pretty first-class guy who wants to be here and is still committed to the Flaming C.”

Calgary Herald: LOADED: 04.04.2013

667721 Calgary Flames

Flames deal Blake Comeau to Blue Jackets

By Vicki Hall, Calgary Herald April 3, 2013

The Calgary Flames appear to have pulled off their first deal of 2013 NHL trade deadline day.

According to TSN’s Aaron Ward, general manager Jay Feaster has shipped right wing Blake Comeau to the Columbus Blue Jackets for a fifth-round pick..

“I think most guys will be relieved when this day is over,” Comeau was saying after the morning skate. “And we can just get on with our game tonight.”

After a 2011-12 season to forget, Comeau signed a one-year, $1.25 million deal last summer with the Flames in hopes of getting his career back on track.

In 33 games this season, Comeau, 27, has four goals and seven points.

More to come . . .

Calgary Herald: LOADED: 04.04.2013

667722 Calgary Flames

Game Story: Edmonton Oilers 8, Calgary Flames 2

By Scott Cruickshank, Calgary Herald April 4, 2013 1:07 AM

THREE STARS

1. The Herald’s Three Stars

1. Edmonton LW Taylor Hall — With one goal, four assists, lad extends his point streak to six games (15 points).

2. Edmonton C Ryan Nugent-Hopkins — Front and centre in visitors’ three-goal second period. Four points on the night.

3. Edmonton RW Jordan Eberle — Adds a pair of third-period goals to conclude the provincial drubbing

WHY THE FLAMES LOST

Because, after a peppy opening act, they cough up three goals — all on the power play — in the second period.

Because, defensively, they are bound for dead last in team goals-against average.

THE BIG FIGHT

The other night in Edmonton, there had been a few “dinner invitations” (as Flames coach Bob Hartley referred to them Wednesday morning). So it doesn’t take much. A bump. A glove rattle. Calgary LW Steve Begin and RW Mike Brown exchange rapid-fire punches — lefts from the former, rights from the latter.

THE BIG SAVE

Early in the second period, Edmonton G Devan Dubnyk wanders behind his net to make a play. Unfortunately for him, the puck goes directly to C Mikael Backlund, who fires on net. But blocking the sure goal is Dubnyk himself (in full panic) and a sliding D Ladislav Smid..

SUMMARY

Oilers 8 Flames 2

1. Calgary, M Stajan 4 (D Wideman) 2:35.

2. Calgary, M Stajan 5 (C Glencross, L Stempniak) 5:18.

3. Edmonton, S Gagner 14 (J Petry, L Petrell) 9:27.

4. Edmonton, R Whitney 4 (T Hall, R Nugent-Hopkins) 12:59.

Penalties — M Brown Edm (Fighting) 4:27; S Begin Cgy (Fighting) 4:27; M Backlund Cgy (Delay of Game) 19:05.

Second Period

5. Edmonton, N Yakupov 8 (pp) (S Gagner, R Whitney) 3:34.

6. Edmonton, T Hall 13 (pp) (R Nugent-Hopkins, J Schultz) 7:39.

7. Edmonton, R Nugent-Hopkins 3 (pp) (T Hall, A Hemsky) 9:51.

Penalties — M Cammalleri Cgy (Tripping) 2:21; C Sarich Cgy (Cross-checking) 6:34; C Butler Cgy (High-sticking) 9:05; S Horcoff Edm (Hooking) 16:58.

Third Period

8. Edmonton, J Eberle 11 (T Hall, R Nugent-Hopkins) 9:56.

9. Edmonton, J Eberle 12 (T Hall) 17:08.

10. Edmonton, N Yakupov 9 (R Smyth) 18:57.

Penalties — R Jones Edm (Fighting) 5:43; N Yakupov Edm (Roughing) 5:43; C Glencross Cgy (Roughing) 5:43; C Butler Cgy (Fighting) 5:43; R Whitney Edm (Fighting) 13:15; T Jackman Cgy (Instigator) 13:15; T Jackman Cgy (Fighting) 13:15; T Jackman Cgy (Misconduct) 13:15.

Shots on goal By Edmonton 14 12 13—39

Calgary 4 7 10—21

Power plays (goals-chances) — Edmonton: 3-5, Calgary: 0-1.

Goal (shots-saves) — Edmonton: D Dubnyk (21-19, W, 12-10-6). Calgary: J MacDonald (39-31, L, 4-6-1).

Referees — Dave Jackson, Francois St. Laurent. Linesmen — Ryan Galloway, Derek Nansen.

Att. at Calgary, AB — 19,289.

THE ROSTERS

Calgary scratches — D Derek Smith (lower body), C Paul Byron (hand). Man-games lost: 83

Edmonton scratches — D Theo Peckham, D Mark Fistric, C Jerred Smithson, C Eric Belanger (groin). Man-games lost: 84

NEXT UP

Calgary Herald: LOADED: 04.04.2013

667723 Calgary Flames

Calgary Flames trade Blake Comeau to the Columbus Blue Jackets for a draft pick

By RANDY SPORTAK, Calgary Sun

First posted: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 01:01 PM MDT | Updated: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 01:50 PM MDT

Blake Comeau has reportedly became the next Calgary Flames player dealt away in the firesale.

Comeau was dealt to the Columbus Blue Jackets Wednesday for a fifth-round draft choice after netting four goals and three assists in 33 games.

Comeau is a pending unrestricted free-agent with a salary of US$1.25 million.

The 27-year-old right winger was playing on the line with Michael Cammalleri and Alex Tanguay after Jarome Iginla was traded away.

The Flames also called up Roman Horak from the minors.

Calgary Sun: LOADED: 04.04.2013

667724 Calgary Flames

Miikka Kiprusoff to stay with the Calgary Flames, but he won't be starting for tonight's tilt against the Oilers

By WES GILBERTSON, Calgary Sun

First posted: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 09:46 AM MDT | Updated: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 01:21 PM MDT

Miikka Kiprusoff reportedly isn't going anywhere before Wednesday's 1 p.m. trade deadline.

He's not starting for the Calgary Flames in Wednesday's Battle of Alberta, either.

The struggling goaltender arrived at work Wednesday morning and reportedly told Flames management he would refuse to report to a new team if moved, then skipped an optional morning skate at the Saddledome.

Joey MacDonald will be between the pipes against the Edmonton Oilers (8 p.m., Sportsnet West, Sportsnet 960).

“I prepare myself every game to be ready,” MacDonald said. “As a backup, you have to be ready at all times. The time that you don't think you're playing is when you're gonna play. You just prepare the same way and try to forget about all the focus on the trade deadline.”

That's easier said than done for the squad at the Saddledome.

The 36-year-old Kiprusoff has been at the centre of trade talks this week, with the Toronto Maple Leafs being granted permission to chat with him and his agent, Larry Kelly, about his future plans.

Although he does not have a no-trade clause, Kiprusoff has maintained he doesn't want to leave Calgary and would refuse to take his gear to a new city. With his front-loaded deal dipping to only US$1.5 million next season, there is speculation he could retire.

Kiprusoff didn't speak Wednesday morning. After the morning skate, the 33-year-old MacDonald sounded hopeful Kiprusoff was, as has been widely reported, staying put.

“He's a great guy and the way his personality is, he handles it really well and I'm kind of the same,” MacDonald said. “It's there. You know what could happen. But, on the other hand, we laughed and we were joking about it in the locker-room today. If something happens, it happens and it works out good for him. If not, if he stays here, it's awesome.

“I've only been here for about a month and a half with him and he's a great guy, one of the best goaltenders I've played with, and I hope to enjoy some more time with him.”

Kiprusoff is Calgary's all-time wins leader with 303 triumphs but has struggled this season, posting a 6-10-2 record with a 3.64 goals-against average and .868 save percentage.

He was yanked after surrendering three goals on six shots in Monday's 4-1 road loss to the Oilers at Rexall Place, the second consecutive game he has been pulled.

Flames head coach Bob Hartley told reporters his decision to give MacDonald the nod was a combination of his relief performance and what's been a stressful stretch for Kiprusoff, who's been facing the distraction of trade rumours and also welcomed a second son to the world.

“It's a combination of both,” Hartley said. “I think Joey played very good. At the same time, it's been a tough couple of weeks for Miikka. To just to give him a break, and I think Joey deserves the start.”

Calgary Sun: LOADED: 04.04.2013

667725 Calgary Flames

Flames ship Comeau to Columbus

By RANDY SPORTAK, Calgary Sun

First posted: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 05:16 PM MDT

Blake Comeau wasn’t broadsided by the news, considering his team’s position.

Nor was he expecting it with so many other candidates around him.

Comeau was the last of the Calgary Flames jettisoned in the pre-trade-deadline date portion of the club’s rebuild, the only player traded Wednesday, sent to the Columbus Blue Jackets for a fifth-round draft choice.

“I wasn’t caught off-guard, but I was, at the same time,” Comeau said when reached after the trade. “I knew my deal was done and I was unrestricted, but at the same time, I hadn’t heard my name through the media, through my agent, through the Flames or anything like that, so I was caught off-guard a little.”

The mixed emotions didn’t end there, either, for the 27-year-old Comeau, who is on a US$1.25-million contract this season.

Both him and his wife have family in Calgary, so this was pretty much home, even if it was with a Flames team near the bottom of the standings.

At the same time, though, the Blue Jackets are just outside the playoff picture — two points back of eighth place before Wednesday’s NHL action — but making a push to reach the second season.

The Blue Jackets, normally a team at the bottom of the standings, were one of the busiest teams on deadline day, acquiring Marian Gaborik from the New York Rangers for Derick Brassard, John Moore, Derek Dorsett and a sixth-round draft choice.

The Jackets also traded away goalie Steve Mason to the Philadelphia Flyers for goalie Michael Leighton and a third-round pick.

Going from a Flames team which has thrown in the towel to an organization giving its all is exciting.

“I think everyone in Calgary wished we were in a playoff position, but when you’re not, changes are going to be made, and that was the case here,” said Comeau, who collected four goals and three assists in 33 games this season.

“I haven’t been fortunate enough to play in the playoffs yet in the NHL, so I’m excited about going there, trying to fit in and contribute to help Columbus get into the playoffs. I think that’s what every player wants.”

The way Comeau bounced back after a forgettable 2011-12 campaign — five goals in 74 games — and being claimed off waivers from the New York Islanders, he probably deserves that chance.

“I’m not 100% satisfied, I wish my numbers were a little bit better, but I think it was a slow start, opportunity-wise, at the start of the year, but I think that was a new coaching staff trying to learn about me as a player,” he said. “I’m sure they didn’t know much about me as a player just like I didn’t know much about them as a coaching staff. I think the more I played more for Bob (Hartley), the more confidence he had in me and expanded my role.

“Then, I think my numbers started to improve.”

Calgary Sun: LOADED: 04.04.2013

667726 Calgary Flames

Flames playoff goal delusional

By Eric Francis, Calgary Sun

First posted: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 05:46 PM MDT | Updated: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 10:12 PM MDT

It was as troubling a revelation as it was unexpected.

Punctuating a week that saw the Calgary Flames gut the team by trading its franchise forward and best defenceman, GM Jay Feaster poured cold water on a fan base finally on board with the massive overhaul required here.

Asked at Wednesday's post-deadline press conference how long it might be until the organization sees the fruits of its recent purge, Feaster made a troubling declaration: "Murray Edwards told me last evening that he expects to be in the playoffs next year," said Feaster.

"So, there's my marching order."

The room went silent, which was in stark contrast to the citywide gasps from horrified fans and the laughter from the rest of the hockey world.

Just when it appeared the Flames were finally ready to move wholeheartedly in the right direction, Edwards issued the type of directive that got this franchise into this mess in the first place.

Instead of building slowly towards something the city can eventually be proud of again, comments like that suggest the organization is destined to, once again, ignore the virtues of patience and better judgment by aiming for something that is not only completely unattainable but counterproductive.

Not so, argued president Ken King, who heard the rapid backlash.

"Trying to win and rebuilding are not mutually exclusive," insisted King.

"We are not straddling the line of trying to balance -- we are completely committed to the rebuilding process and should be judged on our recent and future moves."

To think a team can jettison Jarome Iginla, Jay Bouwmeester and likely lose Miikka Kiprusoff to retirement and somehow snap a four-year playoff drought despite receiving no NHLers in return is beyond nonsensical.

It's delusional.

Intellectually dishonest.

So, why even float the idea out there?

While it's important players continue to strive for wins throughout the process, standings should be irrelevant the next year or two. Improving with a re-stocked lineup should be the goal, however long it takes.

Feaster admitted Monday he hadn't been as intellectually honest as he could have been the last two seasons by mortgaging the future to help a bad team. Edwards' stated goal promotes more of the same.

The stage finally appeared to be set the last week for a prolonged rebuild fans have been screaming for. Calgarians are willing to sit through the growing pains absolutely necessary for every organization in pro sport to endure before going from the basement to Cup challengers.

The Flames' age-old mandate calling for a team to challenge for the Cup every year isn't realistic. Every franchise in every sport has to eventually take a step or two back to take one step forward.

By trying to emulate the Harlem Globetrotters, the Flames have looked more like the Washington Generals by advancing past the first round of the playoffs once in the last 24 years.

No one expects Feaster to admit the obvious goal is to lose games while building skill and experience, but he sure as hell shouldn't be pushed into doing exactly what this sordid bunch has done for the last handful of years.

"From the standpoint of the organization, the expectation, this is not one where you say to the players 'we are in some full-blown rebuild model, don't worry about winning, don't worry about improving, don't worry about competing,'" said Feaster.

"Again, no excuses here. That's going to be the approach we take to it."

It's a solid message for the players, but management should be focused entirely on two, three or four years down the road -- not self-preservation over the next calendar year.

Calgary Sun: LOADED: 04.04.2013

667727 Calgary Flames

Flames aim for quick rebuild

By WES GILBERTSON, Calgary Sun

First posted: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 05:31 PM MDT | Updated: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 06:25 PM MDT

Here’s the thing Calgary Flames fans need to remember about a rebuild.

It doesn’t happen overnight.

It doesn’t even happen in a hurry.

Case in point, the Edmonton Oilers, who might have the best collection of young forwards in the NHL but have been rebuilding since Justin Bieber was a middle-school student and are no lock to end their playoff drought this season, either.

“I’d be lying if I said that there wasn’t times last year, and even this year, when you’re thinking ‘When is this going to end?’ ” admitted Oilers winger Jordan Eberle after Wednesday’s morning skate at the Saddledome.

“It’s been tough.”

It’s been more than tough. It’s been 2,483 days since there was a post-season showdown at Rexall Place.

Maybe that’s why Flames GM Jay Feaster, whose squad has already gone three years without a playoff berth and has essentially assured a fourth, is hesitant to even whisper the word ‘rebuild.’

He doesn’t have time for that.

As he indicated about an hour after Wednesday’s trade deadline, the Flames ownership group has a tight timeline on bringing spring hockey back to the Saddledome. Feaster’s job security likely depends on it.

“Murray Edwards told me last evening that he expects to be in the playoffs next year, so there’s my marching order,” Feaster said. “It’s a process. We understand where we are. We understand what’s ahead of us. But from the standpoint of the organization, the expectation, this is not one where you say to the players, ‘Well, we’re in some full-blown rebuild model. Don’t worry about it. Don’t worry about winning. Don’t worry about improving. Don’t worry about competing.’

“No excuses here. That’s going to be the approach we take to it, and we’ll see how it all plays out.”

Not many folks would consider trading away all-time leading marksman Jarome Iginla and big-minute blueliner Jay Bouwmeester for futures — four prospects and two first-round picks — as the initial steps to icing a playoff team in the 2013-14 campaign, but Feaster’s proclamation proves the Flames don’t have the patience for a complete tear-down.

The Oilers, with nine of their own first-round selections on their roster, are proof you can sell hope.

The Flames, on the other hand, want to sell playoff tickets.

Soon.

Michael Cammalleri, Curtis Glencross and Alex Tanguay — with 1,422 big-league points between them heading into Wednesday’s Battle of Alberta — are supposed to be in the prime of their careers.

Dennis Wideman and Jiri Hudler didn’t get long-term, big-money deals to be a part of a lottery team for the next several seasons.

Even after trading away Iginla and Bouwmeester (and Blake Comeau, if you’re a completist), Feaster bristled at the suggestion some of his veterans might have wanted to be shipped elsewhere in the hours leading up to Wednesday’s deadline.

“If that’s their attitude, I wish they’d come see me before 3 p.m. ET today,” Feaster said. “If that’s the attitude, if you want out, then please, I’m a pretty available guy ... If that’s the case, if there are veteran players who are thinking, ‘Woe is me and I lost my dog and my best friend and my wife ran away with the lawn-mowing guy’, then come see and we’ll see what we can do.

“Each and every one of us, from me right on through to the assistant medical trainer, and that counts every player in that room, we have an obligation to be the best that we can be.”

Good enough to be a playoff team next season?

That, apparently, is what they’re shooting for.

Calgary Sun: LOADED: 04.04.2013

667728 Calgary Flames

Flames honour Kipper's wish to stay in Calgary

By Eric Francis, Calgary Sun

First posted: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 10:17 PM MDT | Updated: Thursday, April 04, 2013 12:18 AM MDT

You know that guy who wins the lottery and tells the newspaper he plans to keep his job?

He might, but you can bet he won't play by the rules the rest of the office staff does"¦ because he can.

He can walk away at any time -- the kind of freedom everyone dreams of.

Miikka Kiprusoff is that guy.

As expected, Kiprusoff informed the Calgary Flames Wednesday that, despite the fact his no-trade clause expired in the summer, he wasn't willing to play along"¦ or elsewhere, for that matter.

He has that ability because the Flames paid him more than US$33 million over the last five years.

But it comes at a cost: His reputation.

Many Flames fans will look at the move as selfish and disrespectful -- a modern Mats Sundin who repays the organization and its fans by choosing not to repay either. Others defend it as a family decision.