The Calgary Flames, at least on paper, have what it takes to win games in today's NHL. They have size, skill, and great goaltending, and this should make for a great combination for success both in the regular season and in the postseason.
One of the biggest questions surrounding the franchise is how to build consistency, and improve on decent performances and make them better. The 2007-2008 season was no different than usual with a new bench boss (Mike Keenan) who led the team to a disappointing seventh place finish in the regular season and a first round exit in the playoffs for the third straight year.
Consistency and success were evident when Daryl Sutter was the bench boss of this team. His first full season saw his team go to game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final against the eventual winner, the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The past two seasons, the team should have fared better in the regular season. On paper, the team was talented and healthy, unlike other teams in the same division who finished higher in the standings. Both Mike Keenan and Jim Playfair (2006-2007 Flames Coach) lacked the skills to get this team motivated and determined enough to take themelves to the next level.
The truth is that Daryl Sutter is a bench boss, not a GM. He is a motivator and hard ass at the same time, and that is what this team needs. Tough love behind the bench will take this team to new levels. Keenan and Playfair should have been sent packing with their lacklustre performances.
With all the coaching and GM talent available, I would have to say that the Flames could find a great GM to back up Sutter-style hockey. Dave Nonis for instance is defence minded, and likes a big, heavy-hitting in-your-face hockey player.
First of all though, the Flames need to realize their need for change. Trading players in and out every season to play with the core of the team is not the answer. The players on the ice just need some direction and motivation to take them to the next level.
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2 months ago
I disagree somewhat. Flames need toughness and mike keenan brings it. Also keenan has more experience and i think he has a good shot at landing a cup in calgary next season if they add 1 more good scorer to go along with iginla.
Sutter was a good coach and still could be but big mike fits the clubs resume perfectly.
Allthough if its another early round exit next year.... you might be right
2 months ago
I'll take Keenan on the Rangers...
2 months ago
While I agree somewhat that Sutter might be better behind the bench than Keenan, I totally agree that we need a new GM. Looking at Sutter's 3 years with the Flames his only great move was bringing Kipprusoff over from the Sharks that first year. I guess you could give him credit for resigning Iginla, but after 2004 why wouldn't Iggy stick around and see if they could go for the cup again?
But after this year, I'm nervous about Iggy's chances of winning a cup in Calgary. The team is tapped out payroll now that we're paying bloated contracts to Tanguay, Sarich and Aucoin. How can we possibly take on any new blood? Everyone says Langkow deserves a big contract to keep him, but then why is everyone so keen to run Huselius out of town? Last time I checked, Huselius finished the season as the Flames second leading point getter. And that's after a really poor spring.
All Sutter seems to do is add 30+ has-beens with big contracts. Besides Phaneuf, where is our young talent? To me, Sutter has got to go. His bag of tricks is empty....
from 2 months ago
Springfield follows the Flames, cool :)
2 months ago
I think both Sutter and Keenan have to go. Sutter's hire of Keenan couldn't help but reflect his own philosophies
2 months ago
First off, 7th place in the conference means nothing. Getting into the playoffs is all that counts for the regular season, and what you do there is the indicator. Look at Philly and Dallas -- one wasn't favored to win the first round, the other the second, and here we are with both of them playing tough games in the conference finals.
Second, the Flames in this instance played the very team that everyone was calling the best team in hockey going into the playoffs. They were a few minutes from a 3-1 lead in the series and that would have sealed the deal. They are right there with the top teams, and had Kiprusoff done anything Kipper-like all year long, they would have been a top 3 or 4 team in the West (meaningless) and, more importantly, would have stood a much better chance of playing on May 17th.
Sutter and Keenan should be back. They should be back for next year and many to come. No other team in hockey has that incredible mix of a top-five GM and a top-five coach. They have the pieces in place in terms of players and it may just take a mix-up of supporting cast to make this happen. Also, they need to find a good, solid backup goaltender to start the year with.
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