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Columnist: Feaster has to shake up Flames at draft

Jay Bouwmeester

Calgary Flames’ Jay Bouwmeester waits for the puck during a warmup before the NHL Heritage Classic hockey game in Calgary, Alberta, Sunday, Feb. 20, 2011. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Jeff McIntosh)

AP

Jay Feaster needs to make something happen at the draft, argues the Calgary Sun’s Eric Francis. The Flames’ GM can’t simply show up, announce his picks, and head home.

A trade or two to acquire more picks, run a pricey veteran out of town, acquire more youth and shake up the franchise, energize the fans … something.

Anything but the status quo.

If there’s one team that’s been associated with “status quo” the last few seasons, it’s the Flames. And considering they’ve missed the playoffs three times in a row and haven’t won a playoff series since 2004, that’s not a good thing.

What could Feaster do? Trading defenseman Jay Bouwmeester and “his gawdy US$6.7 million cap hit” is one option, writes Francis.

Despite the fact JayBo’s overpaid by a couple of million, there should still be a market for his services. The 28-year-old logged 25:57 per game in 2011-12, and 29 points isn’t terrible.