Player Discussion Justin Kirkland

[Ace Rimmer]

He absolutely deserves his own thread at this point. Can't help but love the guy for some reason.

https://x.com/i/web/status/1848945394673225998

I dunno, I guess Costco can wear #58.

Click to read more...

 

[The Gnome]

The naming rights alone are worth a roster spot .

I've only seen 2 games this year, but he's looked fantastic!

 

[Figgy44]

Pajama party! (Not the JT kind. The wholesome Justin Kirkland scored a goal kind.)

 

[joescores]

He is a keeper! First name on the starting sheet- easy!

 

[Rubi]

He had a very good preseason and has yet to drop the ball. Kevin Rooney might have a tough time getting his spot back.

 

[Bounces R Way]

basically the GOATest GOAT that ever GOATed

 

[Anglesmith]

He's up there with the likes of Alan Quine and... yeah, probably even Blair Jones.

 

[Kranix]

I will drink a bottle of Kirkland Vodka for every goal he scores

 

[Mobiandi]

He's up there with the likes of Alan Quine and... yeah, probably even Blair Jones.

I was there

 

[Lunatik]

IIRC Blair Jones scored in the game where Iggy got #500

Does this sound right, @Ace Rimmer ?

 

[Flames Fanatic]

The Jamie Lundmark of the 2020's lol

 

[Lunatik]

Can't say that posting an article about Dallas Eakins talking about Costco was on bingo card today.

‘He’s an inspiration’: Former coach thrilled for Flames call-up Justin Kirkland

Dallas Eakins was among the first to visit Justin Kirkland in hospital after a serious car crash. He remains among Kirkland’s biggest fans.

calgaryherald.com

Justin Kirkland was supposed to be in the home lineup that evening for what turned out to be a lopsided loss to the Boston Bruins. Instead, he was being treated for head trauma, facial fractures and other injuries. When he regained consciousness, his coach was already there, still decked out in his game-night suit.

“Looking at him, I honestly couldn’t believe he was alive,” Eakins said, recalling his initial reaction when he walked into that hospital room, joining Madison Kirkland at her husband’s side. “He was beat up. He looked absolutely terrible.

“It literally looked like a gang had taken a baseball bat to him, right from the top of his head … It looked like a group of 10 had just pounded him.”
.....

As Eakins repeated multiple times during a phone interview from Germany, where he is now pulling double duty as the head coach and general manager for Adler Mannheim of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga: “He’s an inspiration.”

It’s certainly not a favourite topic — who enjoys talking about the worst day of their life? — but Kirkland is often asked to recount the hazy details of his hospital stay. He realizes his recovery and return from that scary crash is part of what makes him such a compelling story, why it seems that supporters of all teams are rooting for his continued success.

Kirkland describes Eakins as “a great man” and although they worked together for only one season, his former skipper in Anaheim remains one of his biggest fans. When Kirkland notched his first NHL goal, burying a backhand in the Battle of Alberta, Eakins was quick to text both Justin and Madison — a ‘Yeahhh baby!’ followed by a string of fist-bump and heart emojis.

Never liked Eakins as a coach, or even as a player... but he sounds like a good dude.

 

[Ace Rimmer]

 

[Lunatik]

Damn, Costco is closing it's doors

 

[Bounces R Way]

Well that sucks. Just when he finally gets his NHL break too.

 

[Volica]

Well that sucks. Just when he finally gets his NHL break too.

Flames have cap space to burn.
I'd like for them to give him a one-year one-way deal for next year. Unless another team jumps in and wants to give him some security, in which case all the best for Costco.

 

[Boomstick]

This is a tough one. Feel for him. He is a great fit here and you can tell his teammates and coaches love him as well as us fans.
First legitimate shot he has, he takes does well with it, finds a spot in the roster, now this.
Tough break Costco. Heal up and come back hungrier next season.