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Wednesday, November 8, 2000
Flames turn up heat for playoff run
By George Johnson
Special to ESPN.com
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OK, they reached the 14,000 season-ticket mandate but really, that was easy considering that Calgary is Canada's second-largest area for corporate headquarters.
They ransacked the hockey department with a machete, lopping off, among others, GM Al Coates and coach Brian Sutter in an effort to at least appear younger, more dynamic, more upwardly mobile.
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Wed., Sept. 27
Calgary cleaned house in the front office and brought in a new coach. Unfortunately, the new braintrust must win – and win now. If Calgary is going to be a viable market for an NHL team, the Flames need to make the playoffs this year. The key is goaltending. The Flames have a lot of young players whose confidence will build with a solid netminder behind them. With coach Don Hay, they're going to play a good defensive style, but they aren't going to score much. The Flames' goaltending will have to be spectacular if they want to win. There is no time to be average.
The goalies have to give them a chance to win every night. I don't know if they are good enough to do that. |
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But in meeting their ticket ultimatum, they used up the one plea/warning being allocated to every small-market Canadian franchise these days. In wiping out the hockey end of the organization like a machine-gun nest, the Flames set themselves up should the Craig Button-Don Hay duo not push them through to the postseason after a four-year absence.
Now comes the tough part: Getting it done on the ice.
This is undoubtedly the most crucial season since the Flames relocated north from Atlanta in 1980. The onus is on the team to re-energize the community, qualify for its first playoff round in five years and not have to stump the grassroots and issue oh-so-transparent threats next summer about buying or dying.
Those ploys simply don't wash a second time around.
As part of their pledge to the ticket-buying public, ownership vowed to step up to the plate financially and improve the product. Instead, in the aftermath of the ticket blitz, they make like Lionel Barrymore in "It's A Wonderful Life." Yes, they did ante up $3.25 million to secure a veteran goalie without a history of knee problems, in 37-year-old homeboy Mike Vernon. But beyond that ... there's already been contract impasses with Marc Savard – their No. 1 or 1A center – and Derek Morris – their No. 1 or 1A young defenseman – who played more minutes on average than any player on the team last season.
Now, these guys are not asking for John LeClair-type money. Just the going rate for players of their value.
Ultimately, the faces around the Saddledome have changed, but little else. Fortunately, there are a few positives to dwell on. Specifically, an emerging defense corps led by Robyn Regehr, Morris – assuming he signs – and molar-loosening kamikaze pilot Denis Gauthier. Toni Lydman, a Finnish prospect, seems destined to stick around as well. Add those assets to a healthy Tommy Albelin and sprightly Phil Housley, and they've got a solid six defensemen.
Up front, Valeri Bure, the Russian Pocket Rocket, exploded into stardom last season, scoring 35 times – although, tellingly, none in the final 15 games as the Flames fell out of playoff contention. Early on in camp, he's been partnered with Cory Stillman – back after missing 45 games with a shoulder injury – and Washington acquisition Miika Elomo. Assuming Savard re-signs to center 29-goal-scorer Jarome Iginla again, Calgary could count on two decent scoring lines.
After that, though, the bottom falls out up front.
In goal, Button shocked everyone by pulling Vernon back from the Florida Panthers. If he can plug the hole for 40-odd games, giving Fred Brathwaite the breather he seems to need to be at his most effective, the Flames have a chance at playing in late April. If not, it could be an even more tumultuous summer in 2001.
Meaning the theme around Calgary this winter is: Survival.
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Bottom Line on the Flames
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Strengths
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Weaknesses
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Young defensemen
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Depth up front
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Vernon-Brathwaite tandem in goal
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No true enforcer
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New coaching staff and GM
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Outside of Vernon, no offseason upgrades
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SEASON OUTLOOK: The durable Vernon provides veteran stability the oft-injured (and now retired) Grant Fuhr couldn't a year ago. An encouraging mix of young talent – Morris, Regehr, Gauthier, Bure, Iginla – hints at better times ahead. Too thin and awfully brittle last season, the distinct class system within the division gives them a legitimate playoff shot, one they might require to keep the team in Calgary. |
George Johnson covers the NHL for the Calgary Herald. His NHL National column appears every week during the season on ESPN.com.
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