Flames Future

To rebuild or not to rebuild, that’s the big question floating around the Calgary Flames right now. Currently sitting at 13th in the Western Conference with another bad start, and the team missing the playoffs the past two years, this version of the Flames doesn't look like it’s playoff bound. The line-up that GM Jay Feaster is putting out there is old and just not good enough to compete in the tough Western Conference. Do they really think they can beat Chicago or San Jose in a 7 games series? Or that Matt Stajan can shut down Henrik Zetterberg? The answer is flat out NO.

            Much of the debate of whether to rebuild or not (to which the clear answer is YES) is centered on right winger Jarome Iginla.  At 34-years-old the veteran of 15 NHL seasons has seen his game steadily decline in the past couple of years as to be expected for a player past his prime.  I'm not saying that Iginla is not a productive player, scoring 43 goals and 86 points last season he can still put the puck in the net.  Iginla has won 2 Olympic gold medals, a world championship, a world junior championship, the Maurice Richard trophy twice, and an Art Ross trophy. The only major trophy eluding the Flames captain is the Stanley Cup where he and the Flames came so close, losing out to the Tampa Bay Lightning in 7 games back in 2004.

            Iginla is struggling to find his game with only 11 points and -8 in 22 games this season, but a move to a team that is in playoff contention could spark the 6'1'' 210lbs sniper. He is making $7 million for the next two seasons, it's a high number but for what he brings to a team on and off the ice, the reward heavily outweighs the risk. A team that could potentially vie for Iginla's services is the Carolina Hurricanes.

            The Canes currently have $14.2 million to play around with desperately needing an offensive boost and more importantly helping Eric Staal who is having a miserable season so far. The Hurricanes are only 5 points out of a playoff spot right now and in the tight Eastern Conference, they could be in the top 8 by next week.  Another team that would benefit greatly from the addition of Iginla would be the St. Louis Blues.  At 5th in the West and with $8.7 million to spend, Iggy would fit nicely in the Blues top 6, adding veteran leadership to a group of young talented players who I think are ready to take the next step. The Flames have a good prospect pool to choose from filled with high draft picks such as Vladimir Tarasenko, Jaden Schwartz, and Jake Allen. Whatever the Flames get for Iginla, it will likely be a package of high picks and/or blue-chip prospects. Calgary may not want to trade Iggy, but Iggy might want a trade out of Calgary to get that elusive ring. 

Big Benn

With all the attention on big named young players in the NHL right now such as Taylor Hall, Tyler Seguin, Jeff Skinner, etc., one player is flying under the radar, and understandably so. That player is Dallas Stars Center Jamie Benn. Benn, 22 from Victoria, BC was drafted in the 5th round, 129th overall, by the Stars. He played his first junior year for the Victoria Grizzlies of the Junior A British Columbia Hockey League putting up 65 points in 52 games.  He then went on to play 2 years with the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL racking up 137 points in 107 games in the combined 2 seasons he played there, also playing for Team Canada at the World Junior Championships in 2009 scoring 4 goals and 2 assists in 6 games.  At 6'2'' and 205 lbs Benn is one of the most dangerous and smart young power forwards in the game today with great hockey sense.  With the combination of speed and grit, Benn, in his 3rd full season in Dallas is leading his team in points (23) and assists (17) in 22 games.  He also boasts a strong 2-way game going +10 so far this season. This comes as a surprise to many, but when I first saw him in the 2009 WJHC I saw the potential that Benn possessed.           

            In Big D, Benn is averaging 18:00 minutes a game centering the top line alongside Loui Eriksson and Michael Ryder and even though he doesn't wear an "A" or a "C" on his jersey, the big man is defiantly taking on a leadership role in the Stars locker room. This was very evident last year when star forward Brad Richards missed 10 games due to a concussion, Benn picked up the slack potting 6 goals and 10 points. Benn then went on a tear contributing 23 points in the last 23 games of the Star's season just missing the playoffs by 2 points. Jamie Benn has all the tools to be an elite power forward in the NHL for years to come. If the Dallas Stars want to compete in the near future Jamie Benn is a great piece to build their team around.