Home Opener from Hell
So the "Young Guns" took their act on the road to Japan, batted .750
with a win and a tie, and hoped to continue with more of the same
back at the Saddledome. Somebody forgot to tell the Maple Leafs. By
the end of 10 minutes the Flames were on the wrong end of a 3-0
score. At the first intermission it was 4-0. From there Toronto
coasted to a 7-3 win.
In the opening minutes the Flames looked like they were running a
Chinese fire drill, not a pro hockey system. Maybe all that
opening ceremony pyro put them into that mode. Steve Thomas had
back-to-back breakaways and scored on one within the first three
minutes. It was either jet lag from Japan or some of the worst
jitters you've ever seen. Really, folks, the guys in red were
sucking wind.
One theory has it that coach Brian Sutter has put too much pressure
on his team. There's been a lot of "this has to be a playoff year"
talk around Calgary. Much of it has been generated by Sutter.
Anyone who knows hockey knows that that is the way he and his
brothers all approach the game...work hard and will the wins.
Trouble is, he may not have the team to do it.
Fleury a Fleeting Flame?
Speculation is rampant that free-agent-in-waiting Theo Fleury will
not finish the season with the Flames. One rumour has the
lion-hearted half-pint going to Philly for Chris Gratton. Fleury
would look great on the right wing with Lindros and Leclair, a spot
that hasn't been adequately filled since Renberg went to Tampa.
Gratton would look good in Cowtown as he's a centre, big, young, and
not too expensive. Remember, the Flyers got him for $16.5 million US
over five years but they paid $9 million US of it up front as a
signing bonus.
Pointing Fingers
Prior to the win in Nashville coach Sutter used his inimitably blunt
style to finger the guys he thought weren't pulling their weight.
The list was made up of: Valeri Bure, Cory Stillman, Theo Fleury,
Marty McInnis, Jarome Iginla and Andrew Cassels.
This was especially bad news for Iginla as the coaching staff has
been threatening him with a trip to the minors since training camp.
"It wasn't a given when he came into camp. I keep everything open.
We were talking about guys going down and making changes and I said
we're open to everything," said Sutter.
Iggy, understandably, feels differently.
"I really don't think that I should be playing there," he said.
"Maybe the last game or two I haven't played as well as I could,
but I don't feel I should be in the minors and can contribute up
here."
Bet he's happy they beat Nashville!...
Music City Dreamin'
"Nashville cats play clear as mountain dew." That's what the Lovin'
Spoonful sang of the musicians of Music City. When the Flames hit
town for their first ever game against the Predators they had a
hopeful on the bus.
It seems that Jamie Allison actually considered a career in country
music. Too bad he was too far into his budding hockey career. He
actually had a guy willing to act as his agent and take him down to
Nashville.
"Not too many guys know the old school like I do. Whispering Bill
Anderson, George Jones is my favourite, I'd like to see Hank Jr.
I'd like to do it as a career once hockey was over."
Well, Allison made it to Nashville as a Calgary Flame and while
there he took the opportunity to belt out a few numbers at one of
the local open stages. The reviews were good but he's sticking to
hockey for now.
Unfortunately for Allison, the Flames hated his singing so much they
decided to trade him. The Flames sent Allison, Marty McInnis and
Erik Andersson to the Chicago Blackhawks for Jeff Shantz and Steve
Dubinsky. The Hawks subsequently sent McInnis to the Mighty Ducks for
a conditional draft pick.
