CALGARY FLAMES
It's now seven years without a playoff game in Calgary, a painful stretch claiming four coaches and two general managers, with countless rebuilding schemes left in tatters. Now Darryl Sutter, veteran coach and rookie GM, gets his shift in the NHL's black hole.
Sutter's opening parry was to trade the spectacular but streaky Chris Drury, a prize acquisition of the previous regime. Getting defenseman Rhett Warrener and center Steve Reinprecht in return, Sutter deftly avoided the raise Drury was looking for, while adding depth and reliability to the roster. But if Warrener and Reinprecht disappoint, the deal could go down as the first misstep of another hopeless campaign.
Otherwise, the new Flames face the same old issues: Jarome Iginla must be Hercules, something he managed for only half of last year. The second and third lines must scrounge up a few more goals. The young defensemen have to stake their claim. And what is it with goaltender Roman Turek? He has a better record than the team and his stats are passable. But his specialty is the ugly goal at the worst possible time.
The hope is that Reinprecht, Oleg Saprykin and rookie winger Chuck Kobasew will emerge to share the scoring load. But if you substitute Drury’s name for Reinprecht’s, that’s what everyone was saying a year ago. With Warrener added to an improving group, defense should give Calgary a chance on many nights. But scoring famines and goaltending meltdowns can undo the best defensive efforts in a hurry, as Flames fans have seen all too often.
Trouble: Only four current Flames scored more than 10 goals last year.
On the Spot: With his poorly-timed lapses, Turek shoulders more than his fair share of the blame for disappointing losses. The Flames need above-average goaltending every night to have any shot at a playoff spot.
The Forecast: Defying optimists and trashing best-case scenarios is an annual tradition in Calgary. But once again, there are cautious signs of hope.
The Call: 10th in the Western Conference.
Who's in:
Defenseman Rhett Warrener (trade from Buffalo)
Defenseman Jesse Wallin (free agent from Detroit)
Left winger Krzysztof Oliwa (free agent from Boston)
Center Steve Reinprecht (trade from Buffalo)
Left winger Josh Green (free agent from Washington)
Right winger Matt Davidson (free agent from Columbus)
General manager Darryl Sutter (remains head coach)
Assistant coach Rich Preston
Who’s Out:
Goaltender Jean-Francois Damphousse (free agent to Montreal)[br
Defenseman Bob Boughner (trade to Carolina)
Defenseman Mike Mottau (free agent to Anaheim)
Center Chris Drury (trade to Buffalo)
Center Steve Begin (trade to Buffalo)
Center Scott Nichol (free agent to Chicago)
General manager Craig Button
Assistant general manager Dan Stuchal
2002-03 Regular Season Numbers:
Payroll:
$33,272,500, 19th overall
(Hockey News, November 15/02. Bonuses not included.)
- Record: 29-36-13-4 for 75 points.
- At home: 14-16-10-1.
- On the road: 15-20-3-3.
- Finish: 22nd overall, 12th in the Western Conference, 5th in Northwest Division.
- Goals for: 186 (2.27 per game), 27th overall.
- Goals against: 228 (2.78 per game), 18th overall.
- Goal differential: Minus-42, 25th overall.
- Power play: 12.1 percent, 29th overall.
- Penalty kill: 83.3 percent, tied for 16th overall.
Goaltending:
- Roman Turek, 65-27-29-9, 2.57 GAA, .892 SV PCT, 4 SO.
- Jamie McLennan, 22-2-11-4, 2.99 GAA, .892 SV PCT, 0 SO.
Leaders:
- Scoring: Right winger Jarome Iginla, 75-35-32-67.
- Power play points: Jarome Iginla, 75-11-9-20.
Center Chris Drury, 80-5-15-20. - Game-winning goals: Jarome Iginla, 6.
- Ice time: Defenseman Toni Lydman, 25:46 per game.
- Plus/minus: Three tied at plus-5.
