Five Sure Fire Ways To Get More Emotion For Sutter's Calgary Flames

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Following the Chicago Blackhawks 7-1 ye ole' fashioned ass-whopping of the Flames last Thursday in Cowtown, Brent Sutter demanded more emotion from his club.

Which is a good thing because at times I have seen more emotion outta my 75-year-old grandmother when Safeway has a special on cheese than the Flames have shown at times this season.

"It's too casual. I don't like it. I am not used to it," Sutter declared after the Hawks game. "Get upset. Get upset with each other."

This was apparently followed by a shouting match between coach Sutter and Calgary defenceman Dion Phaneuf, and I'm almost positive their were a few four-letter words thrown around in that conversation.

So now what?

The Flames rebounded nicely against Los Angeles on Saturday with a 5-2 win, but this team is definitely not one of the leagues elite just quite yet.

You want more emotion you say?

Well here are just a few ideas to maybe light a fire under a club that at times look like they should drop the "F" off their team name.

Make a Trade

It has been pretty much like club med in Calgary since their run to the Stanley Cup finals in 2003-04, basically since Darryl Sutter stepped down from the coaching duties.

They are not going to fire Brent Sutter because he is getting the job done with what he has, but Olli Jokinen has to go. If they can't get anything for him, then it may be time to part ways with Phaneuf and get another goal-scoring forward.

As much as I like him the team is deep at the back-end with players like Mark Giordano and Adam Pardy more than capable of stepping up.

Warm the Bench

If players aren't producing then sit them.

Whether it's David Moss or the five million dollar man Jokinen, make them watch from the press box for a few games and call up some help from the farm. Usually guys like Jamie Lundmark and Brett Sutter are full of energy and emotion when they get their stint with the big club. The veteran guys will get it, and if not ship 'em out.

Give Leland Irving a Shot

Despite the fact Miikka Kiprusoff has looked as though he has regained his form it is time to call up Leland Irving for the backup because he is capable of playing thirty games which will rest the over-worked Finnish tender, and at the same time push him to remain at the top of his game.

The last time the Flames had a capable backup was with Roman Turek in 2003-04, the year Kiprusoff shone, and the team made the finals.

Kick Yourselves for not Keeping Fleury Around

It is times like these when if the Flames had of just sent Theoren Fleury to the minors that it may have been a quick fix having him available.

There is no doubt that the emotion he played with and brought to the building would be infectious even to a corpse...though maybe not Jokinen.

What's done is done I guess, but you have to wonder what shape Calgary's version of mighty mouse would have been in after twenty games in the minors. The Sutter's may have wanted a redo on the entire thing after the Hawks stomping.

Check the Waiver Wire

Not like it's a solution but when you don't have to give up anything, why not take a chance on a player that may just need a change of scenery.

The Flames have a good record, so they would have to wait for twenty or so teams to pass on the player, but in the case of Andrew Ebbett who was picked up by Chicago the first time around; Calgary could have had themselves a crafty little centerman which may have helped ignite some struggling players.

All and all the Calgary Flames have been very good this season.

Good enough to win the Cup?

Definitely no, but good enough for the playoffs and to make a team like San Jose's life miserable trying to get to another round. Which depending on what type of Flames fan you ask may be okay.

But it's not okay for Brent Sutter and company whom I'm sure want a team capable of challenging for a championship. Something that I'm sure they're questioning at this point in the season.

Something that like the latest Pearl Jam song, I'm sure the Sutter's are gonna put a little fixin' on it.

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