At 11:59 on Tuesday night, the Flames signed Daniel Tkaczuk to an NHL contract. And, if you'll exscuse the expression, it wasn't a minute too soon. The Flames beat the midnight deadline by caving in to 1997 first round pick, Daniel Tkaczuk as they signed him, to an undisclosed deal which will pay him the 925,000$ US minimum in addition to some sizeable bonuses. Had the Flames not caved into Tkaczuk’s demands, he would have re-enetered the draft with Calgary receiving merle a second round pick as compensation. Considering that Al Coates has taken some heat for drafting Tkaczuk ahead of Sergei Samsonov, it was imperative for him to get Tkaczuk’s name on a contract.

Tkaczuk’s contract will include an Individual A Performance bonus schedule which means he will only need to meet 2 of 6 obtainable criteria to qualify for sizable pay hikes. Calgary also came to terms with Chris St.Croix, but failed to sign goaltender Evan Lindsay who will return into the draft.


Out Again

The Calgary Flames will be heading home early for the third straight year. Garth Snow sealed this team's fate thanks to a 41 save performance to earn him the shut-out. Coupled with Edmonton's OT win over San Jose, it spells the end for Calgary's season as they find themselves 6 points back with 3 games to go with Edmonton holding the head-to-head edge. Calgary has only themselves to blame as they have now gone 8 games without a win.

Still, it shouldn't come as a huge surprise since Calgary was never expected to make the playoffs, especially after they dealt their lone star Theo Fleury. The Flames may play with grit and determination but they lack the talent to make the playoffs for another year or two.