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Flames’ Kiprusoff leaning towards retirement, Feaster says

Calgary Flames v Pittsburgh Penguins

PITTSBURGH - NOVEMBER 27: Miikka Kiprusoff #34 of the Calgary Flames looks on against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Consol Energy Center on November 27, 2010 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Justin K. Aller

It seems less and less likely that Miikka Kiprusoff will be in Calgary next season.

Flames GM Jay Feaster confirmed as much on Wednesday, saying the 37-year-old goalie was leaning towards retirement when the two conversed last week.

It’s not surprising to hear talk of Kipper hanging up his skates, as he struggled through an injury-plagued 2013 campaign.

He missed a large chunk of time to a knee injury, and looked out of sorts when he did play, posting an 8-14-2 record with a 3.44 GAA and .882 save percentage.

What’s more, he watched as the Flames tore down in prep for a major rebuild, trading away the likes of Jay Bouwmeester, Jarome Iginla and Blake Comeau at the deadline.

Kiprusoff has one year remaining on his six-year, $35 million deal. But because it was front-loaded, he would only earn $1.5 million in salary next season -- and if he did retire, the Flames would be off the hook for his $5.83 million cap hit.

To that end, Feaster has prepped for life after Kiprusoff by locking up a number of goalies over the last few months.

He signed Karri Ramo out of the KHL, gave Joey MacDonald a one-year extension and inked both Joni Ortio and Laurent Brossiot to entry-level deals.