Enter the "Tanger"

...Feels good to be blogging after my extended hiatus...

Onto the good news -

A few months removed from the trade deadline and shortly after a disappointingly lacklustre play-off run, Sutter finally made the kind of move Flames fans have been shrilly requesting for the last two seasons...

Enter Alex Tanguay - a legitimate first line left winger to play with Jarome Iginla. Im not sure if I should weep and thank the heavens or inspect Hell to see if it has entered that ever-elusive status of "frozen over"...

Anyways, according to his TSN scouting report, Tanguay has speed and skill to spare. In the last 3 NHL seasons, Tangs has scored 80 goals and 144(!) assists in just 222 games. Thanks in no small part to belonging to a highly sucessful Colorado avalanche franchise, Tanguay has more than 80 games of play-off experience to his credit, despite being only 26 years old.

(A brief word of caution regarding Tanguay: he's been fortunate enough to play with the likes of Forsberg, Sakic and Hejduk during his time with Colorado. No doubt that has lead to some unavoidable "padding" of his goals and assists stats. However, having seen him play numerous times in the past, Im confident that his value isn't solely based on illusory numbers)

In short, he's everything the Flames could have wanted in their pursuit for a first-line talent. He can score AND pass. He's fast. He's good in shoot-outs (thank God!). He's young and he knows what it takes to succeed in the post-season. While I suggested Patrik Elias as a fantasy roster addition in this post in May, I am by no means disappointed by the Tanguay acquisition.

Naturally, the only negative for Flames fans is the loss of Jordan Leopold. While he took a step backwards in terms of offensive production last season, it should be made clear, in no uncertain terms, that Leo is an excellent defensemen: he's slick with the puck and smooth skating. He can play top minutes and in difficult situations. he's a 25 minute/night guy and he's only 25 years old. All this for only $1.15million (this season at least). He will be sorely missed in Calgary.

So now the guessing game begins. Let's start with the forward lines:

Tanguay - Lombardi* - Iginla

Assuming Sutter actually allows any sort of trio to adhere to one another for more than 2 shifts next season, this is the scoring line I'd prefer to see. Speed and shifty play-making abilities in Lombo and Tangs. The power and finish of Iginla. Playing between two stars would only help Lombardi's development as well.

(*based on the assumption that Lombardi is tendered a qualifying offer in the next few days, of course)

Huselius - Langkow - Kobasew

A lot of people are going to pencil in Langkow on the top line...and probably for good reason. However, I think his inclusion would help to considerably solidify the 2nd unit - everyone knows Huselius and Kobasew are hardly dynamos in their own end of the rink. Langkow's veteran, 2-way presence between Juice and Chuckles means less 3on1's and multiple minuses in their stats columns at the end of the year. Also, his (almost guaranteed) 20+ goals and chemistry with Huselius are hardly detrimental.

That leaves the bottom six forwards, which are a virtual toss-up. At this point, it looks like Simon, Donovan and Leclerc won't be invited back next year. That leaves Nilson, Yelle, Amonte, McCarty, Ritchie, Lundmark and possibly a farmhand or two (Nystrom) left to fill out the checking duties.

Nilson - Yelle - Amonte
Nystrom - Lundmark - McCarty
(Ritchie)

One can only hope that Nilson, Amonte and Lundmark can provide some sort of secondary attack next season. Of course, with what should be a more potent top 6, the need for more goals from the supporting cast may be less pressing...

What of the Defense pairings you ask? Let's take a look:

Regehr - Phaneuf

One can wager after the dismal play-offs they had that the duo of Hamrlik and Phaneuf are probably finished. Not to mention that the Dion is probably ready to make the step into top pairing-type ice time. Regehr, of course, is still the undisputed #1 d-man on the team.

Hamrlik - Warrener

If Sutter doesn't feel Phaneuf is ready for top-two duties (laugh), Hamrlik may see time with Regehr. I penciled in Warrener here because Andrew "Brain-Cramp" Ference still scares me in a top 4 role. While Rhett looked a little slow at times last year, he still manages to be solid in his own end (usually). However, if the Ference version that appeared in the Flames/Duck series can show up consistently in the regular season, expect Andrew to get the call...

Ference - ?

At this point, it has to be assumed that one of Giordano, Baby Regehr or Tim Ramholt will be filling the 6th defensemen slot next year. Personally, I don't think Sutter will be completely satisfied with that top 6 - a lengthy injury to even one of the players above would tax the Flame's depth pretty significantly. Does that mean Hulse will get another shot? Doubtful, but expect Sutter to be hunting for an experienced 5th/6th d-man type in the FA market this summer.

Those are my musings, for now. Stay tuned for more Sutter moves (and further needless over-analysis on them here) in the weeks to come...