Flames Nation, it’s good to see you. Unfortunately it has been entirely too long, and that’s because sometimes, it’s not worth talking about. I aim to be a source of joy, light, and positivity in your lives, and frankly the state of things right now has not given me one single goddamn chance to tell you anything good, except maybe that Coach Sutter has unfortunately seen the last of his days in CGY. That one is really a matter of perspective, I know Ked still hasn’t let it fully sink in.
Now, that said, a lot of changes have been coming very quickly in the Flames organization, and for the new guys coming in (or back, or moving on up) to the Flames front office have been handed a delicious zero pressure gig after what some people, not me, but some people, have called the most disappointing season by a team maybe ever. I’m paraphrasing but you get it. Record-breaking levels of just nonsense. It’s been a struggle, and I am endlessly proud of you guys for surviving the storm.
Now as you all know, new coach, new GM, a lot of friendly faces getting new and shiny chances to move around within the organization to right the ship just moments before it sinks. It’s exciting, I think there’s a lot to be hopeful about, and I think there’s going to be an attitude shift that we can taste coming into this season, but that’s not why we’re here.
Ladies, gentlemen, children of all ages. Please take your seats, put all cellular devices on silent or vibrate, and prepare yourselves for the start of the show. You ready? Jarome Arthur-Leigh Adekunle Tig Junior Elvis Iginla, Calgary’s favourite son. The brightest smile to ever grace the interior of our entirely outdated rink (oh yeah, that happened too, we might get a new one, keep the faith). A man who isn’t going to let a tiny lil’ Boston snowstorm get the better of him. A man who has brought endless joy to fans across a good solid chunk of the NHL but none more than to the Dome Foam-sippin’ C of Red. He’s BACK.
Newly minted GM and Flames alumnus Craig Conroy recently named our boy Iggy to a Special Advisor to the GM role within the Flames organization. Craig and Jarome are back together again, going into this season side by side. Clear Eyes. Full Hearts. Can’t Be Worse Than Last Year.
I mean, look at those faces. Just guys bein’ dudes. Not to mention Jarome Iginla is legitimately one of the purest, kindest, most gigantic beauties to ever lace ’em up. Sweet as pie when you see him at Stampede, but also punched a LOT of dudes in the face under that Saddledome roof.
To have two All-Time guys to have worn the Flaming C (actually two C’s at the same time) coming together in the front office having been both teammates and opponents, who had aspirations of working together in a post-playing career, and to have guys who want to see the future filled with bright-eyed, young, fresh, skilled guys to take us to the top, it really warms the basement of whatever is left of my soul after whatever happened last year happened.
And I don’t wanna be the guy who looks to far ahead of ourselves here, but once upon a time, Mr. Conroy himself served as a Special Advisor to the GM. Could we, one day, find ourselves united over Calgary’s One True King? If everything goes well, we can only pray. Until now, we can sit back, kick our feet up, and thank Lanny McDonald’s Magical Mustache that Iggy is with us once more, and with nothing but open roads ahead, I’m feelin’ good.
The Morning Skate 