Calgary Flames' Strong Defense Better Than Ever

The Calgary Flames are known for their solid defense. Darryl Sutter had a good core to work with when he came to Calgary, and has added well to that group.

The team has changed a lot over the last few years since Sutter was hired. Robyn Regehr is the only blue liner who has been here the whole time Sutter has.

But if you're going to build around one defenseman, who better to build around?

Having Robyn Regehr, Denis Gautier, Andrew Ference, Toni Lydman, and Jordan Leopold to start with, Sutter didn't waste time in the 2003 offseason to solidify that defense.

That was the year Sutter cracked a huge smile, having drafted Dion Phaneuf ninth overall. He also added Rhett Warrener, who has been a key defensive piece of two runs to the cup, with Florida and Buffalo. Since then, players have come and gone, but this year's crew is the best the Flames have seen in many years.

Let's break down who will be on the blue line for the Flames this year:

Robyn Regehr

The backbone of the defense, who will always be a Flame until he decides to retire. His size and strength, combined with his amazingly quick feet, make him one of the hardest players to play against. 

Regehr is always out there to shut down opponents' top lines, and is one of the top penalty killers in the league. Not much else needs to be said, and Robyn doesn't look to be slowing down anytime soon.

Dion Phaneuf

Everyone in the league knows of Dion's ability to make highlight-reel hits. Teams watch for it, but can never truely prepare. Phaneuf also has a booming one-timer that is arguably the best in the league.

Although his power-play skills have been the strongest part of his game for the first part of his career, last season Dion picked his defensive game up a great deal. That combination of offense and defense was recognized in his first Norris Trophy nomination for Top Defenseman of the year.

I thought without Hamrlik this year that his production would drop off, but his confidence just gets better all the time—and he's only 23.

Adrian Aucoin 

Opposing goalies must hate power plays against Calgary. When Adrian Aucoin joined the Flames, there was talk that he had lost a step, or his scoring touch. His 35 points were good, but his steady defensive play was what impressed me.

Of course he has the booming shot, and we'd like to see it more this year—but Sutter preaches defense, and that was what he was able to do.

Aucoin is 35 this year, and will most likely be playing for a contract, although I don't anticipate him coming back after this next season due to dollars and cents. He should have another solid year in both aspects, and also as a leader on the defense.

Cory Sarich

Added after he was part of the team that beat Calgary in the Stanley Cup, Sarich was expected to be a strong defensive force. He has been that, and even adds an offensive touch when asked.

Sarich has good mobility—and, as we saw in the playoffs, is not afraid to lay out a crushing blow everyonce in a while.

Jim Vandermeer

With the Flames looking at a possible playoff run this past season, Sutter added Vandermeer to bring more depth in case of injuries. It was a trade that only cost a draft pick, and gave them a tough, solid defenseman who fits into the Sutter style of play. 

Vandermeer just re-signed, and I expect him to get some good playing time this year. He could fill Warrener's shoes nicely.

Mark Giordano 

Giordano has gone under the radar for most of his career—I'm guessing, because he was an undrafted free agent signing for the Flames. He has a great offensive upside, and is good enough defensively to garner regular ice time in the Top Six.

He has been an AHL All Star, and has a good head on his shoulders. I thought he was gone for good after playing in Russia last year, but he's back—and I'm willing to bet he's ready to make the full time roster with the Flames.

I love Rhett Warrener as a player, but this past season was tough on him, and the Flames have other players like Giordano and Vandermeer to hold that spot.

The Flames have had a couple of D-men over the last couple of years that were decent, but slight liabilities defensively—specifically, Andrei Zyuzin and Anders Eriksson. Zyuzin went to Chicago in the Aucoin deal, and Eriksson may just get traded.

Eriksson cost the Flames three games on sloppy giveaways. Those wins could have given the Flames a better playoff spot—and maybe even home-ice in the Northwest.

This year the Flames are young, strong and talented. They have a very strong mix of offense and defense, and I am expecting big things from the defensive corps for 2008-09.