Hoping to get Darryl Sutter on the pre game show tonight, I do so with the full knowledge that he is likely not going to reveal anything to Mike and I that he didn’t tell the newspapers on the weekend. I have received a couple of e-mails asking what I thought of Sutter’s assessment of his club, not surprised Darryl is a proud man and is protective of his club.
I did realize something though in the Herald article, I keep saying that the Flames GM is good for 2 trades a year so I was expecting him to be active between now and the trade deadline. In fairness Darryl has already made 2 deals this year in sending Anton Stralman to Columbus and acquiring Aaron Johnson from Chicago. I still think he has a couple of deals in him.
Funny thing about winning 1 game in your last 9 everybody has an opinion on your troubles, and I don’t mean locally I mean all of the talking heads from Toronto and the guys who drop in once every two weeks. While some of it is laughable at times there is no shortage of those who believe what we have been hearing from the fans the past week.
Lines
Bourque Langkow Boyd
Glencross Conroy Iginla
Jokinen Nystrom Lundmark
Sjostrom Prust McGratten
D pairings are mixed up so no reading into what they might look like.
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I was shocked at Sutter’s arrogance and disrespect of the fans. Imagine saying those who criticize are not real fans! Come on Daryl you can do better than insulting many real fans who help pay your salary. If we don’t do better than the last four years I sure hope the owners have the guts to stand up to a bully and fire your ass!
- mike kellyI find it interesting that as a local media “guy” (i don’t know what else to call you - “personality”, maybe?), you never really seem to have an opinion about what the Flames should or should not do to rectify what is quickly turning into a tailspin. You always have an opinion on other people’s opinions (see above), but rarely, if ever, do you take a stand about what is going on with the local hockey heroes. Not a jab at you - just interesting. Maybe it’s just how you see your job. However, you are a knowledgeable hockey guy and maybe your voice would/should add some needed urgency to this current situation.
I know that you have stated that this is a process and that change for the better is going to take time. And I have always agreed with you - until now. I have never been a knee-jerk, reactionary kind of guy, but the question that is starting to bang away in my head is “when does the team (and I mean ownership and/or the GM) say enough is enough?” This is not about being punitive or pointing fingers. It’s about recognizing that, perhaps, this GM and this sytem cannot be successful in today’s game. Keenan couldn’t do it, now Sutter can’t do it - maybe it is the guys in the dressing room (including the so-called “core”) that needs a hard look and trades are needed. Maybe we need to go through what Pittsburgh, Chicago, Washington and other teams have had to endure - several years of REAL suffering (not 7 years of JUST missing the playoffs) to get some picks in the draft and rebuild this team. But, what the hell do I know? I just watch and love the game and this team…
- TIM O'NEILWith Moss and Dawes out, I think we should have called up M.Backlund to see how he’s progressing. It wouldn’t have hurt and with our anemic offense at this point, we really have nothing to lose. Just a thought.
- BraedonRob
- K TaylorAs a Flame fan for the last 25 years or so a good friend of mine played in Atlanta so I became a fan of the team. Watching in frustration for the last 10 or 15 years I am sick of Sutter hockey. it is time for a change - let’s blow the whole thing up and forget all the hype about these so called star players they have never won anything.
I truly think that the games between now and the Olympic break will really prove where this team is at. Let’s keep in mind a few key facts:
1. The Chicago game was a narrow loss to arguably the best team in hockey today, period. If they brought that same effort against almost any other NHL team, they probably would have won the game. Without the one unlucky skate deflection, the game would have gone to overtime, and then it’s anyone’s game.
2.Despite a horrible January, the Flames are still only a few wins out of first place in the division.
3. The next stretch of games is almost entirely against weaker teams.
If the Flames go out and win six or seven of the next eight, I suspect that quite a bit of the current fan angst will disappear. But in order to do that, they have to try to bring the same effort to each game (if not more) than what they brought to Chicago.
If not, then things are going to be pretty bleak. At least we’re not the Oilers…
- Rob in TorontoI totally agree with Mike’s comments. Come on…the Flames need serious shakeup in the dressing room and front office (Darryl S has to go). The team is in no better position than it was when they went to the cup pre-lockout. Now the game has changed and the team make up has not really changed. I would say the only non-tradeable player would be Kipper, everyone else are easily tradeable. I would start off with Phaneuf & Ollie. You may not not get full value for the trades but the result in the dressing room would certainly be enhanced.
- TommyBoyEither the Flames make some serious trades or look to the balance of the year as a building year, because even if they do make the playoffs they are likely to exit after the first round.
GO FLAMES!!! here is to going on a nice solid long run before the Olympic break!! -CHEERS!
- DerekI think part of the fun of being a sports fan is thinking we know exactly what the team needs. My buddy and I are the best “couch coaches” in our own minds. I like Daryl Sutter, and I like what he’s done to turn this team into a perennial playoff team after 7 years of hell. However, he can’t seem to take that team to the next level, the same problem he had in San Jose-good teams but they never rose above that level to become real playoff contenders. I think part of the problem is that the style of teams he puts together are not high in the skill department, but strong on the grit department. For such a team (like the Flames) to be successful, they have to totally buy into the coaches’ game plan, and that buy-in hasn’t been there consistently in Calgary this year-yet. But there’s still time this season, and if they do squeak into the playoffs, anything can happen.
- DaveI have to agree with the last guy. Is it not painfully clear by now that the NHL went through a major change in terms of rules and how they are enforced primarily to stop teams that play Calgary’s style from winning? It is now a league that rewards youth, scoring, puck possession and speed above all and the Sutter template of grinding out 2-1 and 1-0 wins all the way to the Cup is laughable. A change is needed at the top towards a philosophy more in tune with the modern game. Until that happens it will be more of the same for the Flames.
- DougA quick follow up to my last message. Wow, what a shocker, middle of the third, Flames at home, down 1-0. Fellow Flames fans…soak it in. And spending to the cap, too. Wow.
- DougThe media are afraid of Daryl…..especially Kerr…..that’s why he doesn’t have an opinion.
- Richard LeeRob,
TIME FOR A CHANGE!!
As a true Flame’s fan of 28yrs. And I love Daryl for getting us out of those 15 miserable years of Flame’s hockey. However, Daryl, its time to go. At the end of this season I believe Ken King is going to fire him. Or you’re going to see empty seats in the dome real FAST. Last year I went to 10 games this year I have been to 1 game…and I am just one of many fans, not wanting to spend money on a losing team anymore.
Josh
- JoshRob
- K TaylorI watched the game last night for about 15 minutes until I fell asleep. Boring hockey, no scoring touch and lots of in your face skating around what a team. I am not sure how players like Jarome, Olli, Dion, and Jay can go from some of the best offensive players to the worst at their positions. Think the system has a scoring outage?
I have been trying to figure out what’s different with our Flames and it finally hit me watching an Oiler’s game against the Canucks….SPEED. I can’t believe the difference in the transition game and overall rush speed from the start of the season until now. The boys look old and predictable. It’s why the shooting lanes are plugged and we are well defended. The Oilers may be the worst team in the league right now but at least they skate!!!!
- Blake BastedoJust throwing out a topic for discussion. Just wondering since we are supposed to be sending our “best of the best” to the Olympics should it be considered to drop a previously selected player to the Olympic roster because of a serious slump for a bubble player that is on a hot streak? (ie, Jarome Iginla) Think this will bring in some interesting phone calls for my ride home. Thanks, Clint
- ClintI too was quite offended by Sutter’s comments. Does he think we’re all mindless nitwits? Does he forget that season ticket holders have every right to express opinion. As far as sticking with this group - well the proof is in the pudding. Against the elite (Chicago, San Jose) - we look slow and lethargic. Against Chicago - coming off the worst defeat in a decade, we manage 5 shots in the first period, in your own building. And that Mr. Sutter - is excellence?
- doug fordWell - most of the media in Calgary is unbelievably indifferent to Sutter. Of course, he has taken this team deep into the playoffs every year….oh yeah….that’s right - he hasn’t…..hmmmm.
960 is no different that 630 CHED in Edmonton. The station is obligated to be non-critical of the Flames - they have the broadcasting rights and therefore do not offer anything other than platitudes about how great the Flames are. But - sooner or later - someone will wake up to the fact that the league has past Sutter’s style of game by and we will need need management and new players to start again.
- doug fordComment to Rob in Toronto
- K TaylorI hope not or I will sleep another Flame’S season away with boring hockey. I am a Flame’s fan but am absolutely sick of this in your face style if you can catch them.
My brain tells me to relax, we’re doing everything we need to do except score, which has to, and will, turn around.
My stomach tells me this season is going to be mediocre at best. This isn’t a slump, it’s a dose of reality. All the other teams have learned how to overcome our style of hockey.
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- Mark