Flames keeping quiet over Sutter-Phaneuf confrontation
Eric Duhatschek
Despite recent hot streak, Calgary is anything but upbeat following home loss to division-leading Colorado
One would think the mood would be upbeat and positive, full of light and optimism. After all, the Calgary Flames are a respectable 12-5-2 after 19 games, the only Canadian-based team holding down an NHL playoff spot. Pro-rated over a full season, their start would translate into a 112-point season, good enough to make the playoffs and maybe even knock down one of the top three seeds in the Western Conference.
But no.
Yesterday, pushed out of the Pengrowth Saddledome by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, the Flames congregated at the suburban Westside Recreation Centre and issued a series of mea culpas: for losing 3-2 the previous night to the Colorado Avalanche; for relying too heavily on goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff; and primarily to address a heated confrontation that reportedly took place postgame between coach Brent Sutter and defenceman Dion Phaneuf.
No one exactly confirmed the exchange, but they didn’t deny it either.
“I’m not being ignorant, but those things happen,” Sutter said, invoking the what’s-said-in-the-dressing-room, stays-in-the-dressing-room defence. “It’s no one else’s business. It’s between players and players, and players and coaches.
“Everyone cares and everyone’s involved in a high level of competition, where there’s a lot of emotion and intensity,” Sutter added. “Those things are going to happen at different times during the year, and that’s just the way it is.”
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Re: Flames keeping quiet over Sutter-Phaneuf confrontation (Score: 1) by Kramer on Friday, November 20 (User Info | Send a Message)
TSN should hire Oprah.
Re: Flames keeping quiet over Sutter-Phaneuf confrontation (Score: 1) by reinjosh on Friday, November 20 (User Info | Send a Message)
I am pretty sure that the only confirmed person in this so called heated discussion was Phanuef. So the other person could be anybody. And I wouldn't look into it too much. Phaneuf has played better than last year. Although this issue might get ignited seeing as the team got crushed last night by the Hawks.
Speaking of Chicago, interesting situation coming up. Because of a rule the league has called tagging, the team cannot announce any of the deals that are rumored to be close to being done for Kane and Toews The rule basically prohibits teams from having salaries for the next season going over the present day cap limit. So with the two deals the team would be restricted from doing this because they couldn't fit in under next season, nor could they bring Hossa in or any injury replacements should the team need any (if the players they bring up have contracts next season) so look for chicago to make a deal before Christmas if the deals are close to being done.
Re: Flames keeping quiet over Sutter-Phaneuf confrontation (Score: 1) by reinjosh on Friday, November 20 (User Info | Send a Message)
This doesn't have anything to do with the Flames situation but rather potential RFA's. Going into next season Washington has 34 million committed to 11 players. Assuming that Nylander stays in Russia that leaves 30 million for 10 players Again Assuming the Cap stays the same at 56.8 Million that leaves 26.8 million for 11 players. Obviously priority number 1 is getting Backstrom resigned. I would say that the agent would probably look towards Kopitar or Savard (when or rather if he resigns) for precedent for a deal. Maybe he resigns for 6.5 million cap hit over 5 years. That leaves the team with 20.3 million dollars to sign 10 players. Does the team resign Semin or do they trade him for almost NHL ready prospects to take over on the forward and defense and then use the money to sign the rest of the RFA's (the ones they want) and go after a dman to play with Green and Poti?
Personally, in their position I would look into trading Semin at the deadline to a team like Atlanta (to persuade Kovy to Stay), Edmonton (have been looking for that big player for a while now)or maybe long shots like Nashville, Florida or Calgary even. In return I would look for a good dman, a prospect and either a pick or big bodied forward to play with Ovechkin and Backstrom.
Keep in mind Semin's agent doesn't believe in hometown discounts and will likely be asking for 6 -7 million.
Re: Flames keeping quiet over Sutter-Phaneuf confrontation (Score: 1) by DandoEagle on Saturday, November 21 (User Info | Send a Message)
What the Loafs need to do:
Stop looking forward to next season - the media has already started talking about how the greener pasters of next year look already - so Laffs fans you have to sit for the next six months and wonder when this lineup can win another game LOL.
The rebuilding process was stalled I don't care what anyone says by signing college prospects and whatever else they did add some depth to their proscepts, but these guys all were passed over in the drafts and when you're in your mid 20's the "prospect" lable should be dropped you go from prospect to flop.
Burke should have kept those draft picks and taken Taylor or Tyler this year, atleast with Kessel in the lineup though they're losing games 5-3 instead of 5-1.
Re: Flames keeping quiet over Sutter-Phaneuf confrontation (Score: 1) by cam7777 on Saturday, November 21 (User Info | Send a Message)
Eklund thinks a Phaneuf trade could be in the works. Apparently the fall-out from their fight is more serious than we though initially. Of course, it's Eklund, so we can almost certainly expect Phaneuf to be in Calgary for a long time. But still, it's interesting.
It's amazing to me, how many different hockey people are simultaneously reporting the Leafs need to shakeup the roster, and the Hawks need to dump cap in order to make their newly inked contracts official - yet none of them have bothered to suggest a potential Chicago / Toronto swap. They also only talk about moving of the core players - Versteeg, Byfuglien, Barker, Sharp, etc...
As a Toronto fan, I would be happy getting Troy Brouwer, or maybe even Ben Eager. If it meant taking back Sopel and a pick (for our cap troubles), than so be it - it's a shakeup.
To Chicago: Stajan, Exelby, 4th in 2010 (NYR) To Toronto: Brouwer, Sopel, 2nd in 2010
