2009-10 NHL Thread

Abbotsford was the talk last week on the radio out of Edmonton, with the idea that at the least he would be a draw for the fans. IF he does make the Flames, and thats a huge freaking IF, it's as a fourth line winger and PP specialist, and probably not play more than eight minutes a night. Maybe be the 13th forward in the press box that they can call in at a moments notice. That's the best case scenario for him, It's not like they need to bring him in to sell more tickes (I think they are selling over 19,000 for god awful exhibition hockey at full price).

I don't know how he would react to a being sent to Abbotsford, but considering he was willing to play for Horse Lake and then in Belfast, the AHL may be an appealing option, kind of like with Mike Keane in Winnipeg.

 

He's a name. Names will always draw at least at first. Hell I think even Jose Lima has been a draw for the Edmonton Capitals independent league baseball team. You can even buy Jose Lima Capitals T-Shirts with his name and number on the back.

 

I still can't figure out what possessed the Flames to put their farm team in Canucks land.

 

Money, plain and simple, an hour direct flight doesn't hurt either.

 

At the very least, the Theoren Fleury spectacle is a terrific distraction away from the fact the Flames have only one goaltender.

 

It seems M. Fleury will play in Abby if the option is presented to him:

http://www.calgarysun.com/sports/hockey/2009/09/22/11045911-sun.html

When asked whether he'd be willing to play in the AHL -- a relevant question with Calgary's farm team in Abbotsford, outside of Vancouver -- Fleury replied:

"Sure, why not? I just want to play hockey. I don't care where it is. It doesn't matter to me. I was in Steinbach, Manitoba last year, so Abbotsford is probably a little nicer than Steinbach."

Yes, folks ... the daily FLEURY WATCH. The only thing missing is when he pees and poops.

 

Call me crazy, but I find the Fleury story interesting.

 

I do too. It's gone beyond a PR stunt. He might actually make the team.

 

In some respects, it is. But it's a tad over the limit here.

 

Attendance in KC for tonight's game is going to be very low. Poor effort for a city trying to get a franchise.

 

Not in Bettman's world, this should ensure that KC ends up with a team.

 

I'm not a KC defender, but if they're trying to showcase the place as a possible expansion/relocation city, couldn't they at least find a couple of teams from the Central Time Zone to play there? I'm guessing the number of transplanted Isles and Kings fans living in KC is pretty low.