Miikka Kiprusoff Retirement Lets Calgary Flames Move On

Now that veteran goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff has finally announced his retirement, the Calgary Flames can finally move on. When last season ended, speculation was that Kiprusoff had played his last game in the NHL. Turns out, that’s exactly how it went down.

Kiprusoff said Monday that he didn’t expect to return to the team once last season ended but wanted to take the summer to make sure.

“It’s an important decision for me personally, my family, the Flames organization and fans,” the 36-year-old said in a news release Monday. “I’ve been very lucky to have spent 10 years of my career in Calgary. There is no better place to live and play.”

Kiprusoff had a tough time in the crease last season, going 8-14-2 with a 3.44 goals-against average and a .882 save percentage. Those numbers weren’t what Flames supporters were accustomed to. Kiprusoff retires as the Flames all-time leader with 305 wins, 576 games played, and 41 shutouts.

“Miikka Kiprusoff has been the backbone of the Calgary Flames since his arrival here in 2003, and every night for more than 70 nights per season, his magnificence between the pipes gave the team a chance to win,” Flames general manager Jay Feaster told reporters of Kiprusoff. “He inspired hope and confidence, and he made those around him better players as a result of his brilliance.”

Kiprusoff’s retirement definitely doesn’t come as any surprise and it will help the team accelerate its rebuilding process. The veteran signed a six-year $35-million deal back in 2008-09 and was still owed $1.5 million if he decided to return to the team this year. Instead, that cash goes back into Calgary’s books and will save the team $5.8 million on this year’s salary cap. That’s a big deal considering the damage the Scotiabank Saddledome suffered during last June’s floods.

Plus, with Jarome Iginla moving on last year, this team needs to turn the page and start building from the ground up. That’s why Brian Burke was brought in last week and it’s time to see what the Flames have with their youngsters. Karri Ramo, a 27-year-old goaltender who went 26-9-5 with a goals-against average of 2.00 and a save percentage of .929 in the KHL last year, will likely get the first crack at Calgary’s starting job.

The Flames are listed as big +10,000 underdogs to win the 2013-14 Stanley Cup.