In the end, it was not really a surprise. Recently, the Calgary Flames announced they are sticking with Darryl Sutter as the team's General Manager. At least for the start of the 2010-'11 NHL season. There was some question whether his job was in jeopardy, with the Flames missing out on the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2003.
However, the Flames are staying the course. But, there will be some changes in the front office. The club has not had an assistant general manager for about a half-decade. Calgary President Ken King says things will be different with perhaps one or two new aides for Sutter. Calgary Hitmen GM Kelly Kisio a popular name floating around to make the move up.
Talking to Flames fans after the decision was announced, I sensed some disappointment and some indifference about the announcement, but not a lot of outright support for the man who led the side to their first NHL Finals after a 15-year hiatus in 2004.
Does Sutter deserve better? As usual, there is no clear answer. The Flames have averaged 43 wins per season since losing to Tampa Bay in the Stanley Cup Finals. However, the club has not won a playoff series since.
And coming off a season where the Flames missed the postseason outright, many fans were ready for a new leader upstairs. Yet, Sutter remains.
There is no arguing some added help in the front office should be a good thing. However, Sutter has become used to running things pretty much all his way. Does this change if an assistant GM or two come in? Ideally, the additions will help.
Look at Detroit's front office. The Red Wings remain a constant threat year-after-year thanks to Ken Holland. But he's far from doing the job alone, with assistant GM Jim Nill given much credit. Also, Steve Yzerman played a prominent management role before becoming the boss for the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Wings also have an ex-NHL GM, Jim Devellano, around as a senior vice-president. A lot of good hockey minds collaborating to keep the Wings among the elite franchises in sport.
As for the Flames, it sure looks like Sutter could use some added help. No question, the man has made many terrific trades in his time in Calgary. Stealing Miikka Kiprusoff from San Jose on top of the list.
However, this past season, his moves were questionable. The Dion Phaneuf deal may have been a must for chemistry issues, but getting back the likes of Matt Stajan, Niklas Hagman, Ian White and Jamal Mayers from Toronto never made the impact that was expected.
Also, if there was another strong voice in the Saddledome offices, do either of the Olli Jokinen deals get made? Picking up the Finn from Phoenix cost the Flames Matthew Lombardi, who was a key cog in the Coyotes making the playoffs this spring. Sending Jokinen to the New York Rangers brought back Christopher Higgins and Ales Kotalik. The latter, is a huge burden, who bagged just 11 goals this past season, thanks to two years remaining on his pact at $3 million per. It is just a terrible contract for a team that is up against the salary cap.
Sutter has done plenty of wheeling and dealing in his time leading Calgary. Yet, it's his drafting record that has been less than fruitful. His best-drafted player for the Flames was Phaneuf. However, the bruising blue-liner quickly went from fan-favourite, soon-to-be Norris Trophy winner to much maligned defenceman, that not many fans were unhappy to see leave for the Maple Leafs.
Other than Phaneuf, very few Sutter draft picks have played for the Flames, never mind made an impact. The likes of Chris Chucko, Matt Pelech, both first-rounders who have extensive minor league experience, have yet to see extended playing time in the NHL. Others like Dustin Boyd and Brandon Prust were moved in trade. '06 first-rounder Leland Irving was shipped down from the AHL to the ECHL this past winter. The Flames top pick in '07, Mikael Backlund is a promising centre, and we shall see whether he develops into the first-line pivot the club desperately needs.
As is custom with any GM, there are plenty of hits and misses. While Sutter turned around an inept franchise, the Flames appear to be painted into a corner. The likes of Jarome Iginla, Kiprusoff and Robyn Regehr are getting older. The Jay Bouwmeester signing, while at the time seemed like a no-brainer, looks less so one year later. The club has little wiggle room under the cap, with White a restricted free agent, that I have to believe is still wanted around the 'Dome.
I can't argue with keeping Sutter around. I think he has built the team as he saw fit, and unless if the organization wants to undergo a massive roster overhaul, keeping him in place is the best course of action.
So, Sutter gets a reprieve from the Flames higher-ups, and it appears some "help." It can be the start of a new working model for the hockey operations department. Will it push them back among the NHL elite? Time will tell.
And if not, how much time is left for Sutter? For many Flames fans-it has already been too much.
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