I think Sutter has found a useful role for Bennett. I still think he's overpaid for that role but at least he's finding a way to contribute now. Don't know what they do with him at the end of the year, maybe he ends up with Seattle but it'll be tough to justify resigning him at whatever raise his qualifying offer ends up being.
- tincup[url]

I think he winds up in Seattle. He’s done a lot better under sutter so far but so has the rest of the team. At the end of the day there are a lot of players around the league that can fill Bennett’s role on the 4th line for much cheaper.

I am beginning to be quite convinced the goal was to get 'ward' fired.

Monday will tell the tale.
- Donovan

I think it might be more a fresh start and Sutter being very clear on the way he wants them to play. Defining roles for each player, not tip toeing around the so called star millionaires.
His reply to
Francis question about what he thinks Monahan has to change to be a #1 center in the league says just that. He said we have 4 talented centres and you need to have that to win in this league. Basically Fuk you, next question.

I think he winds up in Seattle. He’s done a lot better under sutter so far but so has the rest of the team. At the end of the day there are a lot of players around the league that can fill Bennett’s role on the 4th line for much cheaper.
- RedC21

Pretty hard to clearly know what their thinking at this point in the season. Lots of things that affect who’s protected. One thing for sure though you’re right in there’s lots of cheaper option to fill his role but we don’t know how the dressing room is.

Darryl Sutter quoted today on the Flames website:

"In the back of my mind, losing in Game 7 with the Flames ... was the one thing that always led me to say, 'OK, if it was the right situation, I'd go back again.'

"I'm not interested in coaching 31 teams. I'm not interested in coaching just to coach. I'm coaching STRICTLY to win a Stanley Cup and that's it. Nothing else.

"It's a hard job being a head coach and it takes it toll, and the only reward for a head coach in today's game is what's at the end of the tunnel."

https://www.nhl.com/flame...-to-win-a-cup/c-322504242

That's exactly what I suspected when he was hired. I 'm certain that the first thing he told the team was " I'm here to help you win what we should have had in 2004."
I predict there will be no major changes. He's got the players he needs right now. There isn't time to work new players into the mix.
But what he did with an average team at best in 2004 was nothing short of a miracle. Imo, this team, by comparison, is like night and day compared to that team. He also has Conroy and Gelinas to help get the message across and keep the team motivated.
This year, one team from Canada is guaranteed to be in the final four. That's only happened 7! times since 1993 - so this year the odds for a Canadian team to get to the finals are as good as they'll ever be.
If anyone can do it Darryl can do it. Imo, 2004 was even more exciting than 1989 because no one ever imagined they could go that far.

I'm putting money on it before Las Vegas reduces the odds. Obviously,nothing's guaranteed but the odds will be changing pretty quick over the next few weeks so if you're going to do it now's the time.
And if for some reason they don't make it, we'll know that they gave it everything they had. We can't ask for more than that.

Thank you Darryl. GFG!

Darryl Sutter quoted today on the Flames website:

"In the back of my mind, losing in Game 7 with the Flames ... was the one thing that always led me to say, 'OK, if it was the right situation, I'd go back again.'

"I'm not interested in coaching 31 teams. I'm not interested in coaching just to coach. I'm coaching STRICTLY to win a Stanley Cup and that's it. Nothing else.

"It's a hard job being a head coach and it takes it toll, and the only reward for a head coach in today's game is what's at the end of the tunnel."

https://www.nhl.com/flame...-to-win-a-cup/c-322504242

That's exactly what I suspected when he was hired. I 'm certain that the first thing he told the team was " I'm here to help you win what we should have had in 2004."
I predict there will be no major changes. He's got the players he needs right now. There isn't time to work new players into the mix.
But what he did with an average team at best in 2004 was nothing short of a miracle. Imo, this team, by comparison, is like night and day compared to that team. He also has Conroy and Gelinas to help get the message across and keep the team motivated.
This year, one team from Canada is guaranteed to be in the final four. That's only happened 7! times since 1993 - so this year the odds for a Canadian team to get to the finals are as good as they'll ever be.
If anyone can do it Darryl can do it. Imo, 2004 was even more exciting than 1989 because no one ever imagined they could go that far.

I'm putting money on it before Las Vegas reduces the odds. Obviously,nothing's guaranteed but the odds will be changing pretty quick over the next few weeks so if you're going to do it now's the time.
And if for some reason they don't make it, we'll know that they gave it everything they had. We can't ask for more than that.

Thank you Darryl. GFG!


- itwasin

Nice to win 2 in a row but this team still needs to show that they will not collapse when things get tough.

Temper your expectations.

Darryl Sutter quoted today on the Flames website:

"In the back of my mind, losing in Game 7 with the Flames ... was the one thing that always led me to say, 'OK, if it was the right situation, I'd go back again.'

"I'm not interested in coaching 31 teams. I'm not interested in coaching just to coach. I'm coaching STRICTLY to win a Stanley Cup and that's it. Nothing else.

"It's a hard job being a head coach and it takes it toll, and the only reward for a head coach in today's game is what's at the end of the tunnel."

https://www.nhl.com/flame...-to-win-a-cup/c-322504242

That's exactly what I suspected when he was hired. I 'm certain that the first thing he told the team was " I'm here to help you win what we should have had in 2004."
I predict there will be no major changes. He's got the players he needs right now. There isn't time to work new players into the mix.
But what he did with an average team at best in 2004 was nothing short of a miracle. Imo, this team, by comparison, is like night and day compared to that team. He also has Conroy and Gelinas to help get the message across and keep the team motivated.
This year, one team from Canada is guaranteed to be in the final four. That's only happened 7! times since 1993 - so this year the odds for a Canadian team to get to the finals are as good as they'll ever be.
If anyone can do it Darryl can do it. Imo, 2004 was even more exciting than 1989 because no one ever imagined they could go that far.

I'm putting money on it before Las Vegas reduces the odds. Obviously,nothing's guaranteed but the odds will be changing pretty quick over the next few weeks so if you're going to do it now's the time.
And if for some reason they don't make it, we'll know that they gave it everything they had. We can't ask for more than that.

Thank you Darryl. GFG!


- itwasin

A great read for sure. And I agree, Sutter is not here just to coach and make some money... which is the case for many coaches in the NHL. He has proven everything at the coach level... He is here to win and that is it. I really do believe him because every chance he spoke he aways said 2004 is unfinished business... so let's hope to get into the playoffs... and then miracles can happen. Go Flames

Nice to win 2 in a row but this team still needs to show that they will not collapse when things get tough.

Temper your expectations.
- DuranDuran

Fine Duran... For now I'll listen to you and I'll put down the Stanley Cup Replica which has the Calgary Flames name on it for the 2021... but may I please have the permission to pick it up after Flames win atleast 6 in a row (Let me dream

Isn't it amazing what a good coach can do for the fan base of a team. No disrespect to Ward, but to even think about this kind of situation was not possible a week ago... but with Sutter's arrival... we have hope... and sometimes my friends Hope is all you need to get going. Go Flames!

Nice to win 2 in a row but this team still needs to show that they will not collapse when things get tough.

Temper your expectations.
- DuranDuran

Thanks but no way are my expectations greater than Sutter's.

Isn't it amazing what a good coach can do for the fan base of a team. No disrespect to Ward, but to even think about this kind of situation was not possible a week ago... but with Sutter's arrival... we have hope... and sometimes my friends Hope is all you need to get going. Go Flames!
- hockey4hockey

It's 5:31 am and I'm thinking about the Flames/Oilers game today. I need to get a life
Go Flames

It's 5:31 am and I'm thinking about the Flames/Oilers game today. I need to get a life
Go Flames
- hockey4hockey

Bwaaa haaa haaa...

Well Happy St Patty's Day for any of you Newfie's. For those not a Newfie, another excuse to drink!

Bwaaa haaa haaa...

Well Happy St Patty's Day for any of you Newfie's. For those not a Newfie, another excuse to drink!


- geta02it

Hey Bro! St Patty's day is Weds haha but it feels like Weds today so carry on

How many games has Todd let slip past without even acknowledging a result this year?

Hey Bro! St Patty's day is Weds haha but it feels like Weds today so carry on

- Kevin R

For some peopl St. Patty's is a way of life. Seemed out friend started a little early.

I got a couple bottles of single malt Irish whisky that I will be enjoying. Might have to start tonight!