Calgary flames

The Calgary Flames have come out of the gates ready for the 2009-2010 season going 5-2-1 over eight games. Although they are on top of there division there are obviously still things they need to work on. Last week they gave up a five goal lead on the Chicago Black Hawks and ended up losing in a shoot out, the next game they had another 5-0 lead on the Vancouver Canucks although they did end up winning the game (5-3) they let in three goals which could have made a massive difference on the game. I believe that the Calgary flames need to become better defensively.

I'm not saying that the Calgary flames aren't trying to change that. Last year they were twenty third in the league in goals against average with an average of three a game. The Calgary Flames made some impressive off season moves by acquiring Jay Bouwmeester from the Florida Panthers. Although Jay Bouwmeester will come with a lot of defencive aspects he is a offencive Defencemen and is expected to bring a lot of offence to the team. They also hired Brent Sutter as head coach who is known for his "defence comes first" aspects of the game.

The Calgary Flames are fourth in the league in Goals for per game with an average of 3.62 per game which is surprising because the Flames Captain Jarome Iginla has only four points in eight games this season and is a minus 2. Part of the reason that the games are fourth in the league with goals for is Rene Bourque he has four goals and five assists in eight games and is leading the team is scoring. Although Bouwmester was expected to be the best offensive defensemen, Dion Phaneuf has four goals and three assists in eight games and leads his team in points by a defensmen and is third in the league among defensmen. Both Dion Phanuef and Rene Borgue are on track to have careers years and will have a serious impact on the Flames overall record at the end of the season.

Miikka Kiprusoff is the flames all-star goalie although this year he has a goals against average of 3.10 and a save percentage of .903. The Flames goalie always seems to be there when he is needed weather the other teams on a break away or a last minute save to preserve the win he always seems to amaze the Calgary fans when they need it most. Kiprusoff is living proof that numbers aren't everything, Kiprusoff's goals against averages from the last four years are 2.84, 2.69, 2.47, and 2.07 Mikka Kiprusoff is among the best goalies in the world even though doesn't have the best numbers out of every goalie in the league.

The Calgary Flames are among the best in the western conference and will have a good season this year. The off-season changes are going to have a massive impact on the Flames overall record at the end of the season and you can thank Daryl Sutter for acquiring Jay Bouwmeester from Florida and hiring his younger brother Brett Sutter as head coach.