Analyzing Sutter...

In light of recent movement in the Flames organization...
Some fans are wondering if Sutter's perhaps taken a leap
Off the Sanity Bandwagon lol.
First..there's the change up in Head coaches, bringing
Keenan behind the bench, and now..the trade of Andrei
Zyuzin for Adrian Aucoin from the Chicago Blackhawks.

Now it appears...most Hawks fans are happy to see Aucoin
Go, and his 4 million dollar salary freed up.
The time he spent in the Hawks organization was full of
Injuries, and he didn't have a great year besides the
Injuries.
Now..there's a LOT of speculation that this move has
To do with Keenan now being the Head coach, because Keenan
Had coached Aucoin before.
Which also brings the concern for the flames fans that
Perhaps Todd Bertuzzi is next.



I think though..the reality of the situation is this:
Sutter has had a basic idea all season long of what July
1st might bring this season, the free agent market.
As the season wore on and it became apparent the Flames
Defense was lacking something, he's had his eye out for
What defensive players might open up when free agency opened.
I think too, that if he didn't have his eye on Timonen..
Which I wouldn't at all be surprised if he did, the Timonen
Signing set the bar for what a Top Defenseman could ask
For in the market, something both Hamrlik and Stuart could
Ask for and GET, from other teams.
So getting a top 4 Defenseman for 4 million, in reality is
A steal.
But I'm not really going to go into the money aspect of it,
More if Keenan really has that much influence when it comes
To Sutter, or if this move would have happened even if Keenan
Wasn't behind the bench.
Having had his eye on the market all season long basically..
Regardless of the Keenan connection, Aucoin was on of the best,
If not the best he could get this season.
Interviews have also shown that although Sutter may have been
Considering a coaching change during the regular or playoff
Season, that he hadn't started talking with Keenan till after
The flames season was over. What I gather from the interviews..
The decision to bring him up to coach the flames went down
Pretty quickly, within a couple weeks of the time they announced it.
And if that's the case...and Sutter's had his eye out for most of
The season for a top D man, and with the good possibility of already
Having narrowed it down to just a handful of players if that..
Then really the fact that Keenan has previously worked with
Aucoin had little..or no bearing on the decision. It *may* have
Been the final deciding factor, but I highly doubt it was
Something that Keenan went to Sutter about. I'd place bets
Aucoin was already under serious consideration before Keenan
Was brought in to coach the team.
There's a strong possibility that the Keenan connection has been
Largely blown out of proportion

As for being worried about someone like Bertuzzi making it to
Calgary because of his Keenan connection, I honestly don't think
That Keenan has that kind of power with Sutter so to speak.
They may be friends, they may have worked great in the past, but
This is now, and this is Sutters team, This is what he's worked
So hard to build the last several years, and I don't think he's
About to let anyone come in..and push him around.
He might not always be outspoken, but he's no fool.

Has Sutter taken a flying leap off the Sanity bandwagon?
I don't think so, Sutter knows what he wants, and has made the
Moves to get there.
There's no doubt the flames needed a tougher more experienced
Coach behind the bench, and they got him.
They needed an improvement in their defensive zone, and Sutter
Believes Aucoin will at least partly fit the bill.
The bonus being that Aucoin played some of his best seasons under
The flames new head coach.

NOW...onto the other signings that have happened:

David Moss:
IMO a Sutter resigning Moss is a great decision, for his first
Season in the NHL, he's definitely proven he's ready to play at
This level. He plays hard, with allot of grit. At 6'3 203 lbs he's
A big boy, lol..he sure as heck don't look 26 though.
With 8 goals and ten assists from Jan till seasons end, I don't
See why he couldn't easily be at least a 20 goal scorer for the
Team. I'm actually surprised looking now, that he was a 7th round
Draft pick in 2001, 220th overall. Then again..it's taken him till
Now to play at the NHL level I guess.

Brent Krahn:
The resigning of Krahn perhaps indicates that McClennan won't be
Returning as a Calgary flame next season.
Rather that both Curtis McElhinney and Brent Krahn could end up
Vying for the position of backup goalie for Kipprusoff.
McElhinney has been a pleasant surprise for the flames, Taking over
Top spot in the AHL from Krahn.
However it goes down...it seems there's a good chance that One of
The two will back up Kipper, and one will stay in the AHL for
A while longer.
Either way..Calgary is in great shape for goalies for the next
Several years it seems.

The flames also resigned Lombardi and Nilson after their season
Had ended, Lombardi IMO was a great resigning, he had a great year
Last season, and his incredible speed, though he needs to learn to
Use it on a consistent basis.
Nilson, he's a good player, but I'm not 100% sold on this
Signing. 5 goals and 10 assists in the '07 season doesn't convince me
He's worth resigning. He had some decent seasons with the Panthers,
But hasn't seemed to show what he's capable of in his 3 seasons as
A Flame.

The flames drafted 5 prospects in the '07 draft, the most exciting
Prospect being Mikael Backlund, a strong Center with allot of skill.
Drafted in the 1rst round, 18th overall, he's got 20 goals and 26
Assists in his Swedish League.

They also drafted Defense-man John Negrin in the 3rd round, 70th overall.
A decent size defense-man who will only get bigger as he matures, 6'2
195 lbs. 1 goal and 15 assists on his WHL team last season.

What happens now for the Flames? well...lol, that's really anyone's
Guess since we are talking the team that Darryl Sutter manages, and
He keeps everything airtight till the last minute for the most part.
HOWEVER..I don't think he's done on the back end of things..especially
With the signings of Stuart and Hamrlik not completed yet, if there's
Going to be one. If both players end up going, the flames will likely
Be in the market for another top Dman, with Hannan being a possibility.
Though.. I'm still hoping against the odds that the rumors are NOT true
About Stuart, and that he decides he'd like to stay in Calgary.
If not... I may just have to kick his 6'4 ass :P lol.
One thing is certian...it could prove to be an interesting off season
For the flames once July 1st gets here.

Nine Lives Keenan?

Well now....TSN and Sports-net are reporting a bit of a whopper for flames fans.

The apparent Demoting of Head coach Jim Playfair, after only One season, and signing of Mike Keenan to replace him.
Soo, lets take a gander at the situation shall we?

Playfair..One season as an NHL Head coach carried his team to 96 points, one of the higher point seasons in recent Flames history.
The best home record in the league, and one of the worst road records.
However...he did pretty good for his first season as a Head coach.
96 pts.
30 home wins(league best in '07)
Made the playoffs

One of the biggest complaints among fans about
Playfair was the lack of passion/emotion he showed behind
The bench, believing that lack of emotion trickled down
To the players.
And I guess.. I'd have to agree on that, those were my
Feelings as well.
I don't think the team played with allot of heart this past
Season.
I don't think the team connected with Playfair like they
Did Sutter either.
And it's pretty well known Sutter was definitely a harder
Coach than Playfair.
Now I know allot of fans, me included..had hoped that maybe
Sutter would have a change of heart, and come back behind
The bench. Ahh well, you can dream right? lol.

Keenan...Mike Keenan comes with a rep for being a hard ass
Behind the bench. Maybe ten years of not coaching has mellowed
Him out somewhat? or maybe not.
Keenan's Stats:
1,014 games as Head Coach
569 Wins
447 Losses
140 Ties
20 OT losses.
He ranks #5 all time for wins as head coach.
He's a Stanley cup winning head coach
And A Jack Adams trophy winner(1985)

Is this a good or bad Move on Sutters part? eh..well I guess
We'll never know until next season starts and ends.
After visiting the Flames forum though..feelings seem very
Mixed on this move.
Then again.. they were last season with Playfair starting.
The consensus though is that most fans believed a change
Was needed behind the bench, that Playfair wasn't hard enough,
And that we needed another *Sutter type* coach.
Well..in the end, be careful what you ask for...
For better or for worse, it seems they got what they wanted.

I guess to a degree.. I get to view this from an ignorant
Perspective. Simply.. I wasn't a hockey fan at the time
Keenan coached in the NHL. So other than the here-say, I can't
Really say how bad or hard he is as a coach, but the overwhelming
Opinion seems to be...he's as hard ass as they come.

Now I'm going to say..I'm starting to think that maybe, just
Maybe..this is a great move on Sutters part.
I mean.. IF the team buys into Keenan's system..his coaching
Style, (something I don't think the players did with Playfair)
We could become the team that no one wants to play.
I mean..Just think;
Iginla, Regehr, Phaneuf, (possibly Stuart?)Hamrlik, Moss,
And some of our other very physical players, under the coaching
Of Keenan.
He could provide one helluva spark..
Possibly Wayne? Eric Godard, some big players could really
Make an impact.

Only time will tell though, the other side of the coin is that
This will be yet another new coach for the flames, another system
They have to learn, to buy into..
That could prove to be another setback.
And as it stands right now, we have allot of veteran players on
The team, who may be pretty set in their ways, and not easily
Swayed by Keenan's coaching Antics.

Though a shocking development to say the least, and frankly
Unexpected IMO, because of Playfair only getting one season
To pull out a miracle..I'm going to reserve my judgment on
This move.
After a couple months of seeing him behind the bench we'll see
What kind of coach he turns out to be for the Flames.
His record with players and GM's has me wondering..admittedly.
On the other hand, I'm hoping all the time off has had some
Kind of impact for the better.

The biggest concern of all, is if this backfires on Sutter...
There could be allot at stake with Iglina's, Kippers, and Phaneufs
Contracts coming to an end next season. (Unless he signs them this
Summer to an extension)
Or how someone like Juice may or may not fit into his coaching
Style..or plans.

Whatever happens.. it seems that Mr. Keenan's name seems destined
To keep appearing, long after most thought he would/should retire.

MOMMY.....IT'S OVER!!!!

Well Folks....
That's it... It's over.
The regular season and the playoffs have come and gone..
And that shiny silver coveted cup will sit on the Sunny
California Shores for a year.
I wonder...if Lord Stanley ever in his wildest dreams
Imagined that might someday be the case..

It might not be so bad,if the Sens had shown up to at least
Put in a fight, I mean..who takes the finals in 5 games??
Oh I'm sure it's happened..but it's definitely not something
You can walk away from, and know you gave it your all.
It can't be..can it? Could the Ducks have really been *that*
Good? so much bigger..and better as to make it appear the
Sens didn't bother showing?
Maybe..who knows...
Maybe the Sens had too easy of a run up to the finals..
Taking all the previous series in 5 games, maybe they took
For granted it'd be the same here.

I'll give the Ducks credit, they played like they wanted it
From day one in this series. Yes..there was allot of controversy
Surrounding the series, Pronger was suspended for the Second
Time this playoff run, Alfredson got away with likely the
Cheapest Classless shot taken all season long etc...etc..
But I don't really think anyone can deny that they played
With heart. Not allowing the finals to drag out one or two
More games proved that IMO, they wanted the cup..and they
Played hard to get it.

So she's back in the Western Conference, the Canadian curse
Still stands, and will be extended to 15 years without a
Canadian team hoisting up the Holy grail of Hockey.
But...the Ducks are the first team on the West coast to
Win it, hopefully that will be great news for hockey in
California, and hopefully, it will generate a new era of
Fans, God knows they need it.

I could recap the stats to the game..but chances are, if
You're fan enough to be reading hockey blogs such as mine,
You were either watching it, at the game, or listening to t
It on the radio, and are well aware of all that happened
In game 5.
Though I will say.. Alfredson coming out and scoring two
Goals IMO was his way of attempting to clear his name
With the Sens fans, and hockey fans alike for that cheap ass
Shot the NHL let him get away with.
Nice try Alfie..it didn't work.
This will be a series I'm sure you end up wishing you'd never
Made it too, and that one classless shot I hope haunts the
Rest of your career.

Congratulations Anaheim!!! Enjoy the cup, drink from her,
Create a world of memories with her..she'll only be stayin'
A little while..
My parting thoughts (inspired by a comment on another blog
Site)

Don't Take The Cup (To Hotel California)
©2007 Sharon Mark- Socan

(vs1)
There's rumors of this place in California
The walls whisper of many nights gone by
They've heard secrets from the rich and famous
And lone travelers under a weary sky

(vs2)
She stands tall under the western sunsets
Her haunting beauty shaded by palm trees
They tell me if you check in for a nightcap
You can checkout...but you can never leave

(ch)
So please don't take the cup..
To hotel California
I'm certian Lord Stanley would agree
Cause there are spirits
Never meant for capture
And that holy grail was born to be free

(vs3)
The blood, the sweat, the tears it takes to win her
A long battle fought just to hoist her up
Your name engraved in silver stands forever
But time will take the last sip from the cup

(vs4)
A few short months till the new season opens
And every team covets that silver prize
There's a special place reserved in 30 cities
But for now she'll make her home in Anaheim

(ch)
But please don't take the cup..
To hotel California
I'm certian Lord Stanley would agree
Cause there are spirits
Never meant for capture
And that holy grail was born to be free

(br)
Can't stay too long, it'd mean the end
A Nations pride, an era spent
You can't keep, what's meant to go
And moving on is all she knows

Un-Freakin'-Believable!!!

Yea yea yea.. another Rant, tough!!
I'll rant if I want too lol..

Soooooooooooo...
Here's the scoop, Daniel Alfredson...
Stanley Cup Finals playing against the Anaheim Ducks.
Yes.. I'm sure by now we've ALL heard about the incident.
It's been all over the news, CBC, NBC, Nhl.com..It likely
Filled the pages of many Canadian newspapers, and some
Down in Anaheim.

My question is this....
WHY??? WHY???? Has the NHL not reviewed this Incident?
Just in case you've been living under a Rock..let me recap
For you.
A few seconds left in the second period of Game four of the
2007 Finals, Alfredson decides he's gonna take ONE last shot
At the net, as some players normally do, maybe..just maybe
You'll get lucky and catch the goaltender unaware right??
And get in a very late goal.
Ahhh, if only that was the case..but INSTEAD..the Captain
Of the Ottawa Senators..JUST before he lets go on the puck,
Turns, his body..and his stick..*Directing* the puck
Straight in the direction of Scott Niedermayer with a
SLAP SHOT!!
Oh..now of course he denies that it was an intentional shot
AT Niedermayer, no one in their right mind would admit to
That afterwords, I mean.. what would that mean for your
Name and career?.
But IMO his actions CLEARLY show his intent.
There WAS a few seconds left, why would you NOT shoot the
Puck at the net if there was a small chance it might go in?
Especially taking a look at the scenario, it's not like there
Was allot of traffic and there was no point in it.
His excuse of *just wanting to get rid of the puck* is BULLSHIT
From my perspective.
I've YET to see a player who has ONE last chance to shoot
The puck at the net..*Before* the buzzer goes, decide not
To at least try.
If he had truly decided NOT to take a last shot at the net,
He could have simply..NOT SHOT THE PUCK AT ALL.
Instead..he Turns..Toward Scott..and Fires a bullet which
Although hits Niedermayer, was lucky to not cause any
Injuries.

(Incident is about midway through this video)


Alfredson had a loaded weapon, and he pulled the trigger.
Of almost ALL the cheap shots taken this year, I am adamant
That this one should not only have been one of the HIGHEST
In priority to review, but it should have led to a very
Stiff suspension, if not..NHL Dismissal.
You may all disagree with me, go ahead, but before you do..
Lets take into account some of the stories about puck injuries,
To Fans, Players..and Refs alike.

Lets talk about when Elizabeth Hahn, 32, of La Grange
Park was hit in the right earlobe while reaching for a
napkin at Chicago Black hawks game. The impact of the puck
tore off a piece of her earlobe and caused a blood clot
in her brain that required surgery to remove. Hahn is
suing the Black hawks, the United Center and the NHL for
$400,000.

Or when Brittanie Cecil, a 13-year-old from West Alexandria,
Ohio, was struck in the forehead at a Columbus Blue
Jackets game. Cecil, who died two days later, was the
first fan killed at a NHL game.

Or even perhaps when Blumhagen was seated in the stands,
a hockey puck hit by Western Michigan player Karl Merkle
left the ice and struck Blumhagen in the face. Blumhagen
sustained a broken jaw, facial injuries and several
fractured teeth, which required five root canals.
(During a university game in Michigan)

Not to mention the Countless foot/ankle injuries sustained
By pucks going near speeds of 100 MPH.

THIS IS NO JOKE!!
HOW could the NHL decide not to review this??
Or make a statement of their stand on the incident??
SURE.. players are protected, they wear helmets, and sometimes
Face Shields and whatnot, but the possibility for serious injury
Is STILL there, to the neck, face, etc...
And to think it was done intentionally..is sickening.
McClennan of the Flames was suspended 5 games for an intentional
Stick across the midsection of a Detroit player.
Pronger was suspended TWICE in the last two series for intentional
Hits to the head.
Now.. I'm all for rough and tough hockey, yes.. I love seeing players
Fired up, the *good* fights and hits during a game. I realize it's
Playoff hockey, and cheap shots will happen like it or not.
But just because this player happens to be a Captain, and a Star player
In the NHL, does NOT mean he should not be accountable for his
Actions. Especially one that could have had near tragic consequences.