[Next Move] Calgary Flames

[dsteen]

The Flames used equipment sale was today and the two players who came for the autograph session were Jokinen and Morrison. Nothing at all concrete but I found it interesting Morrison was there. He didn't give anything away if he was re-signing other than non-committal answers but I found it interesting he was there. Just connecting the dots he might be around next season.

If he was, that would result in a bunch of Cs with Jokinen, Backlund, Langkow, and Stajan already on board. Moving Backlund to the wing could be an option. However, I think something has to give there as Stajan or Langkow as a 4th line C doesn't seem like a good use. Langkow isn't going anywhere and I wonder what the market for Stajan is. I would think he'd welcome a move as he hasn't really found a home here.

Beyond the Cs, Kotalik will most certainly not be part of the big club. He might get buried in the A, but hopefully he heads to Europe. I suppose he could be bought out but that would be a last resort. Hagman could be moved should anyone be interested in him however he could move up and down the lines depending on injuries or when players have dry spells.

[Kudelskis Krushers]

Langkow isn't going anywhere and I wonder what the market for Stajan is. I would think he'd welcome a move as he hasn't really found a home here.

I don't know if I would say that Stajan would welcome the move but I can tell you that he is very aware of the fact that he might be traded. Despite the multi-million dollar contract, he has yet to buy a house in Cowtown due to the uncertainty of where he will be playing in the future. It's interesting to see the real-life effect of these kinds of decisions on players you know. I would feel kind of bad but then I remember that he's making millions of dollars to play hockey. The perks of the job far outweigh the drawbacks (assuming you escape without a brain injury).