Flames G Kiprusoff eyes hockey, not negotiations

Sep 13, 2007 - 10:45 PM CALGARY, Alberta (Ticker) - Calgary Flames goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff isn't much for talking, but he said Thursday that his focus remains on the ice as contract negotiations heat up on the phones.

With the Flames starting training camp on Friday, the 2005-06 Vezina Trophy winner and runner-up last season is eligible to be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.

"That would be nice to get it done before the season starts," Kiprusoff said. "But that's more my agent's job to do that. I'm going to concentrate on hockey starting (Friday)."

Kiprusoff, 30, was 40-24-9 and had a 2.46 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage last season.

Those numbers are sparkling to be certain, but here are few more to digest.

Kiprusoff is making $3.6 million in the final season of his existing deal.

New Jersey goaltender Martin Brodeur, a three-time and current Vezina Trophy winner, is making $5.2 million while Vancouver's Roberto Luongo is making $6.75 million this season.

Numbers aside, the soft-spoken Kiprusoff is determined to let the chips fall where they may.

"He (agent Larry Kelly) was talking to Darryl (Calgary GM Sutter) about the numbers," Kiprusoff said. "I stay away from that, but for sure he (Kelly) knows, this is the No. 1 place where I would like to stay. ... I would love to stay here.

"We're talking, my agent and Darryl and we want to get it done."