Calgary Flames Trade Rumors

Sutter: No scheme to coach Flames
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March 5
New York Post
 
"Brent Sutter read and heard all the raised-eyebrow comments, including those of owner Jeff Vanderbeek about the way he resigned as Devils coach and was hired in very short order by his brother, general manager Darryl, to coach in Calgary. Sutter firmly denies there was any such plan, any such scheme, except to return to his wife and children on the farm. "It [coaching in New Jersey] became difficult because of other people, people more important than the game. Did I expect to be in Calgary after I resigned? No, I did not," Sutter told The Post. "It was such a quick turnaround because they were given permission within five days to talk to me. They wanted a coach in place and they had a ..."
Ducks trade Toskala for McElhinney
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March 3
Orange County Register
 
"The Ducks traded backup goaltender Vesa Toskala to Calgary for goalie Curtis McElhinney. The move comes after the Ducks traded their then-No.3 goalie, Justin Pogge, and a fourth round draft pick, to Carolina for defenseman Aaron Ward. McElhinney, 26, has served as backup to Miikka Kiprusoff for the past two seasons. He has gone 3-4 with a 3.22 goals-against average and .890 save percentage this season."
Flames sign Stajan
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March 1
Calgary Sun
 
"Matt Stajan is staying put. Less than a month after arriving at the Saddledome as part of a blockbuster swap with the Toronto Maple Leafs, the slick centre has signed a long-term extension with the Calgary Flames. Stajan, who has been skating with Jarome Iginla on the team's top line, was slated to become an unrestricted free agent this summer. Not anymore. Although the Flames did not disclose the terms of the deal, TSN is reporting Stajan put his stamp on a four-yeal pact worth about $3.5 million per season."
Bourque out with injury?
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February 9
Calgary Sun
 
"Someone else is going to have to shoulder the load. Rene Bourque's left arm was spotted in a sling, and the right-winger's bum wing — a shoulder injury that could keep him out through the Olympic break — means either Brian McGrattan or Jamie Lundmark will be elevated into an active role for the Flames Tuesday night against the Senators. No details were given on the severity of Bourque's injury, and the man himself preferred not to talk about the hit in the back from Tampa Bay Lightning defenceman Kurtis Foster that popped his helmet off and maybe the shoulder out of joint, too. Lundmark skated with Mikael Backlund and Curtis Glencross Monday during practice at Scotiabank Place and appears ..."
Flames Bourque blindsided by hit, leaves game
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February 7
Calgary Sun
 
"No word on how badly Rene Bourque may be injured, how much time he'll miss or what, exactly, is bothering him. But plenty will be bothered by the hit that knocked the Calgary Flames forward out of action early in the first period of Saturday's 2-1 overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Bolts defenceman Kurtis Foster hopped out of the penalty box and slammed into Bourque from behind, leaving the Flames' third-leading scorer dazed before heading to the locker-room. "One, he's an unsuspecting player. Two, it's from behind. Make your own conclusion," said Flames winger Jamal Mayers afterward. "It's gotta be a penalty. "Any time you come out of the box, you can do that." There was no call, ..."
Another deal on the Flames' horizon?
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February 3
Calgary Sun
 
"Flames GM Darryl Sutter has made a couple of trades which make it appear another deal is soon coming. He'd better be. Six new faces via trade, and a seventh if you count Mikael Backlund being summoned from the minors just over a week ago, has added up to big changes on the roster, but it's not enough to seriously call this club a Stanley Cup contender. Actually, an argument can be made it's not even a playoff team. Not when the Flames sit ninth in the Western Conference. Not when the Flames can lay claim to just one victory in it's last 11 games — which came at the expense of the lowly Edmonton Oilers — and just two wins in 14 outings."
No guessing Sutter's next move
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February 2
Calgary Sun
 
"Attempting to guess what Darryl Sutter's plans are should come with a warning label: Predicting the Flames GM's moves could be hazardous to your sanity. One week he's declaring he has no intention of trading Dion Phaneuf, the next he's sending the cornerstone defenceman to the Toronto Maple Leafs and adding four new players to his own lineup. Sutter followed up the Phaneuf blockbuster with a deal that sends forwards Olli Jokinen and Brandon Prust to New York to join the Rangers for Ales Kotalik and Chris Higgins, a move that was finalized following Monday's 3-0 loss to the Flyers. And now, the other shoe is expected to drop any minute. Don't put it past the realm of possibility a big name ..."
Jokinen bound for Big Apple, say reports
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February 1
Calgary Herald
 
"Olli Jokinen is reported to be Broadway bound. After negotiating a seven-player swap, speculation is rampant that Calgary Flames GM Darryl Sutter hasn't finished re-tooling his struggling hockey team. TSN.ca is reporting that the underachieving Jokinen will be officially dealt to the New York Rangers today along with Brandon Prust in exchange for wingers Ales Kotalik and Christopher Higgins. Between them, the players rumoured to be heading here have compiled 36 points in 103 games and are a combined minus-27. Kotalik signed a three-year deal with the Rangers last off-season and is owed $3 million over each of the last two years of the deal. A sizable hit for a habitually erratic return. ..."
Rangers discussing trade scenarios with Flames
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February 1
Bergen Record
 
"The Rangers feverishly worked on a deal Sunday to trade underused right wing Ales Kotalik and his three-year, $9 million salary. Multiple outlets reported late in the day a deal had been struck with the Flames that would send Kotalik and left wing Christopher Higgins to the Flames for center Olli Jokinen and forward Brandon Prust. However, the Rangers announced only that a potential deal had hit some "complications" and general manager Glen Sather did not address the media. Jokinen has 11 goals and 24 assists in 55 games with the Flames this season after being acquired from the Coyotes at last season's trade deadline. Jokinen is in the last year of his contract, which carries a salary-cap ..."
Jokinen dealt to Rangers?
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February 1
Calgary Sun
 
"Hours after completing a blockbuster seven-player swap with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Flames GM Darryl Sutter was back in the rumour mill — and allegedly back in the office swinging a second deal. According to a TSN report late Sunday night, the Flames and New York Rangers were getting ready to announce a four-player swap that would take forwards Olli Jokinen and Brandon Prust to Manhattan in exchange for Ales Kotalik and Chris Higgins. One of the Flames players involved said he hadn't heard anything other than the TSN broadcast. A team spokesman said he hadn't heard anything official, either. Another source suggested it hasn't officially gone through but could be completed as early as this ..."
Leafs get Phaneuf, Giguere in multi-team blockbuster
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January 31
Toronto Star
 
"GM Brian Burke has shaken up his struggling squad in a blockbuster multi-team trade with the Calgary Flames and Anaheim Ducks. From the Flames, the Leafs ended up star Flames defenceman Dion Phaneuf, as well as forward Fredrik Sjostrom and defenceman Keith Aulie. They gave up forwards Matt Stajan, Niklas Hagman and Jamal Mayers, and defenceman Ian White. Burke called Phaneuf "an elite player.""
Calgary Flames trade Dion Phaneuf to Toronto Maple Leafs
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January 31
Calgary Herald
 
"The Toronto Maple Leafs have aquired Dion Phaneuf in a trade with the Calgary Flames according to a reports. The 24-year-old defenceman has 22 points this season and is earning US$6.5 million. Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke said he would be making an annoucement today that would make changes to his current roster."
Flames dismiss overhaul rumours
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January 24
Calgary Sun
 
"Darryl Sutter has bad news for all those calling for an overhaul of his club following six straight losses. "We have no intention of breaking any of it up," said the Flames GM after returning from a four-night scouting trip out east. "You don't have to shake it up. I don't know how or why you'd do that. We have the intention of getting the most out of what we've got. You know those guys can be better." It's a familiar refrain from Sutter, who still believes this team can challenge for a division title. That doesn't mean he hasn't been fielding plenty of phone calls from GMs around the league wondering if all the Dion Phaneuf rumours are true. "When you lose three or four in a row, there ..."
GM says Flames want to keep Bourque, Jokinen
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January 15
Calgary Herald
 
"The Calgary Flames hope to be able to sign pending unrestricted free agents Olli Jokinen and Rene Bourque. General manager Darryl Sutter made the admission during Thursday night's inaugural FAN 960 Fan Forum at Flames Central. "We'll do everything we can to make sure Olli is not an unrestricted free agent," said Sutter in response to a question from the invitation-only crowd about the Finnish centre and his future with the team. A short time later during the two-hour-long town hall style gathering, which included club president Ken King, Sutter said right-winger Bourque was "a big part of our team and we'll do everything in our power to keep him." Bourque, of course, is probably up for a ..."
Rumour Phans Flames
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January 9
Calgary Sun
 
"Stunned as he was to hear about an unsubstantiated online rumour that he recently asked the Flames for a trade, defenceman Dion Phaneuf and reporters reversed roles for a few seconds as he tried to get to the bottom of it. "Where did you hear it?" Phaneuf asked. Responding it was posted online, the blueliner fished deeper for more specifics. "A website? Well ... was it a quote or ... ?" Learning it was posted to a blog by a fan, Phaneuf's response was what you'd expect from any self-respecting hockey player -- or member of the media, for that matter. "Oh, a blog," Phaneuf said. "Well, to be honest with you, there's my answer. Those are people sitting behind a computer and writing what ..."
Flames general manager dismisses Phaneuf trade rumour
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January 8
Calgary Herald
 
"If you believe the rumour mill, defenceman Dion Phaneuf has asked to be traded and Darryl Sutter is exploring the possibility of swinging a deal for Vinny Lecavalier or Ilya Kovalchuk or John Tavares or (fill in the blank). All of which is horribly amusing to the Calgary Flames general manager. "Everything is false," said Sutter of the rampant speculation surrounding his 24-year-old blueliner. "Whoever makes up that stuff is not doing anything. We've worked really hard at building a top young defence in the league and our intention is to keep them, so that's (rumours) just from somebody who didn't have anything to do on that day." It is, nevertheless, that time of the National Hockey ..."
Phaneuf expected to return Tuesday
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January 5
Calgary Sun
 
"Dion Phaneuf wouldn't divulge what kind of injury made him miss the third period of Saturday's 3-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Flames defenceman was quick to say he'll be good to go Tuesday when his team faces the Nashville Predators. "I feel good. I had (Sunday) off and feel good today and looking forward to starting the trip in Nashville," Phaneuf said after Monday's practice. "You don't like missing time, but sometimes it's out of your hands. "I had time to rest and recuperate and feel good." There were reports Phaneuf left the Saddledome Saturday night with an arm in a sling, which he didn't confirm or deny. "My arms feel pretty good," he said. That's the good news for the ..."
Nation waits for Captain Canada
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December 28
Calgary Herald
 
"Over the years, there have been obsessed captains (Ahab). Cheesy-chiselled captains (Kirk). Megalomaniac captains (Bligh). Disney-animated captains (Hook). Underwater captains (Nemo). Even cereal captains (Crunch). Sitcom captains (Stubing). Singing captains (the Captain and Tenille). Heroic captains (Nelson). Larcenous captains (Kidd). And kiddie captains (Kangaroo). But there's only one captain that even remotely interests this country at the moment: The one to lead Canada's men's hockey team out at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver. Will it be Scott Niedermayer? Jarome Iginla? Or maybe Sidney Crosby? They have received the most consistent buzz, and anyone half-listening to ..."
Conroy, Pardy back on ice at practice
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December 13
Calgary Sun
 (scroll down)
"Thirty-minute games are nothing new to Jay Bouwmeester. They were a regular occurrence during his six seasons with the Florida Panthers. However, you have to think Bouwmeester figured they wouldn't happen often on a Calgary Flames team with a pair of big-minute men in Robyn Regehr and Dion Phaneuf also part of the blueline brigade. "I didn't really know what to expect," Bouwmeester said. "Until you get somewhere and figure things out, you just go out there and play. It's all situational. When you have lots of penalties and stuff like that, you'll play more. There's been guys hurt, too. With Cory out, that's some minutes. "It's the way it goes." Bouwmeester, the club's big off-season ..."
Bourque returns to practice
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November 26
Calgary Sun
 
"Rene Bourque was back on the ice with his Flames teammates for Wednesday's morning skate. When the left winger is back in action, though, remains to be seen. "He's still day to day, so we'll see," said head coach Brent Sutter. The squad has been tight-lipped about what took Bourque out of the Nov. 19 loss to Chicago and forced him to miss three games so far. They've haven't even disclosed whether it's an "upper body" or "lower body" problem. Bourque, who is second on the team in both goals (seven) and points (21), wouldn't talk to the media after skating the full session."
Glencross suspended 3 games for Drury hit
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November 10
Calgary Sun
 
"Curtis Glencross will feel the effects of a head-shot for the next three games. The NHL decided Monday to suspend the Flames speedster for games in Montreal, Buffalo and Toronto, even though he insists it was his intention only to slow down Chris Drury, who the New York Rangers say suffered a concussion on a collision involving the two players during Saturday's 3-1 Flames victory at the Saddledome. "I was anticipating the play as the puck was being moved out of the zone," said Glencross of an early-game hit that dropped Drury. "My intent was to impede that process, and it unfortunately resulted in an awkward collision with Drury." Just 48 seconds into the game, Glencross bodied Drury, who ..."
Glencross Suspended Three Games for Hit on Rangers' Drury
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November 10
New York Times
 
"The N.H.L. announced Monday that it had suspended Flames forward Curtis Glencross three games for a blindside hit to Rangers center Chris Drury on Saturday night in Calgary. In a news release, the league said that Glencross was suspended "for delivering a high hit to an unsuspecting opponent." Drury, who sustained a concussion from the hit, was turning out of the Rangers' zone without the puck as Glencross skated cross-ice and brushed past him, bumping Drury's head with his shoulder. Drury was helped off the ice and did not return. Glencross was not penalized on the play."
Oilers' Quinn fined $10,000
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October 10
Edmonton Journal
 
"Pat Quinn, the Edmonton Oilers forthright bench boss, has been fined $10,000 for his post-game comment about vigilante justice. Quinn had suggested that in his day, one of Sheldon Souray's teammates would have taken a stick to the head of the Calgary Flames Jarome Iginla. Souray was left with a concussion after he had been tripped up by Iginla in a race to the puck. The Oiler slammed into the boards in a play that netted Iginla a two-minute minor. "Mr. Quinn's comments were inappropriate and without justification," said Colin Campbell, the NHL's principle disciplinarian."
Flames trade D Stralman to Blue Jackets for third round pick
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September 29
TSN.ca
 
"The Calgary Flames have traded defenceman Anton Stralman to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a third round pick in the 2010 Entry Draft. The 23-year old Tibro, Sweden native registered one goal and 12 assists and 20 penalty minutes in 38 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs last season."
Fleury set to announce hockey future
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September 28
Calgary Herald
 
"The latest chapter of the Theoren Fleury saga is set to be written Monday morning in a news conference at the Pengrowth Saddledome. The winger took the weekend to mull over the options with his wife, Jennifer, after his comeback bid with the Calgary Flames fizzled on Friday with the termination of his tryout agreement. A fighter by his very nature, Fleury, 41, could go play hockey in Europe or Russia or minor-pro in the United States. Or he could retire Monday morning as a Calgary Flame, the team that always owned his heart, and possibly even take a job in the front office with the NHL club. "I think I've already slayed the dragon," Fleury said last week before learning off his release. ..."
Bourque moves a step closer to return for Flames
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September 17
Calgary Herald
 
"Fans of Rene Bourque will love this news — at 8:42 a.m. Wednesday, near the players' bench at the Pengrowth Saddledome, the Calgary Flames' left-winger shucked his yellow (don't-hit-me) jersey in favour of a blue one. New sweater happily tugged on, Bourque operated on a forward unit with Brandon Prust and Hugo Carpentier. More importantly, the mending veteran took part in intense battle drills and, notably (not to mention characteristically), crashed into the net during a one-on-one exercise. No damage done. Just part of his training-camp fast-tracking. "I'm just slowly progressing into some contact drills," said Bourque, whose ankle had been surgically cleaned up in mid-July. "I'm feeling ..."
Report: Bertuzzi interests Wings
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August 18
Detroit News
 
"The Red Wings reportedly in negotiations with free agent Todd Bertuzzi. Bertuzzi played with the Wings in 2006-7 scoring two goals and two assists in eight regular-season appearances and three goals and four assists in the playoffs. According to reports, general manager Ken Holland is working on a deal to bring back Bertuzzi, who played with Calgary last season. Bertuzzi had 15 goals and 29 assists with the Flames."
Flames not hot on Theo
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August 12
Calgary Sun
 
"Darryl Sutter believes Theo Fleury will get a tryout if cleared by the NHL. However, the odds of it coming courtesy of the Calgary Flames are longer than Fleury's comeback attempt. "You and I could get a tryout -- as long as we pay for our hotel room," deadpanned the Flames GM yesterday, suggesting a no-strings attached camp invite means little. That said, while trying his best to remain non-judgmental, Sutter isn't optimistic the ex-Flames star will be capable of fitting into a league that has changed dramatically since Fleury's last season in 2003. "You pull for him because you think a lot of him, but six years is awhile," said Sutter, revealing Fleury approached him during the playoffs ..."
Fleury eyes NHL comeback
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August 8
Calgary Herald
 
"As prospects go, he's a bit on the small side. But his hands look decent. And the kid's got wheels. "I've skated with him the last couple of days at the rink," said Calgary Flames tough guy Brian McGrattan. "He looks pretty confident, pretty fast." The kid, of course, is Flames legend Theoren Fleury, who is attempting a National Hockey League comeback at the age of 41. McGrattan, who signed a one-year free agent deal with the Flames earlier this summer, was skating with a couple of other Flames at Westside earlier this week when Fleury showed up, complete with skates and stick. "We were just doing kind of like a shinny skate and passing the puck around," said McGrattan. "I was out there ..."
Calgary perfect for strong, silent Bouwmeester, says former coach
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June 30
Calgary Herald
 
"This scenario, according to Rick Carriere, is worth a chuckle or two. Sitting down for contract "talks" Monday afternoon in Edmonton were two famously tight-lipped parties--Calgary Flames boss Darryl Sutter (notorious for being a gruff dude of few words) and Jay Bouwmeester (a polite young fellow with a well-known shy streak). "Imagine the conversation," Carriere--a family friend of the Bouwmeesters, a current coworker of Jay's father Dan, a former coach of Jay with the Medicine Hat Tigers--was saying. He then laughs. "It wouldn't be much. 'Yup' . . . 'Yup' . . . 'Yup' . . . 'OK' . . . 'What do you think?' . . . 'Yup' . . . 'Don't know' . . . 'Yup.' " Of course, the Flames and their fans ..."
No progress on trade front
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June 30
Ottawa Citizen
 
"With one day to go before a $4-million bonus is electronically transferred into his bank account, Dany Heatley remains an Ottawa Senator. General manager Bryan Murray tried again Monday to find a deal for Heatley, who earlier this month requested a trade, but got no closer to finding another National Hockey League trading partner. He talked several times to Heatley's agents, J.P. Barry and Stacey McAlpine, and they're trying to help arrange a match. Whether they can before the Senators must pay the bonus on Wednesday is another question, but it doesn't appear so unless there's a drastic reduction in Murray's asking price, which would be an unwelcome signal of defeat. While there continue ..."
Jay the missing Oiler link?
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June 29
Edmonton Sun
 
"Today, Darryl Sutter will likely be in Edmonton to talk to Jay Bouwmeester and his Edmonton-based agent Bryon Baltimore. It's bad enough that the Calgary Flames already have two of the greatest NHL players ever to be produced out of the Edmonton area in future Hall of Famers Jarome Iginla and Dion Phaneuf, but to add Bouwmeester would be really rubbing the cowpies in the face of the franchise. Maybe that's all this is, a chance to do just that. NO. 1 UFA PRIZE When the Flames sent disposable impeding free agent Jordan Leopold and a third-round pick to Florida in Saturday's second day of the NHL Entry Draft, they bought themselves three days to try to convince the Panther who becomes the ..."
Heatley bidders remain in hiding
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June 29
Calgary Herald
 
"As the NHL entry draft wrapped up Saturday, an executive with one of the league's 30 teams leaned on the metal fence separating the trading floor from reporters and asked about Dany Heatley. Told that Senators general manager Bryan Murray had not yet received a satisfactory offer for the disgruntled winger, who earlier this month demanded the Senators trade him, the league executive nodded and said: "That's because nobody wants him. Nobody." It's difficult to believe that a two-time 50-goal scorer would be unwanted-- maybe even untradeable --but that's the reality Murray must confront as the days count down to July 1, the day the Senators must pay Heatley a $4-million US signing bonus. ..."
Flames to start talks with Bouwmeester
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June 29
Calgary Herald
 
"Today, for the very first time, the Calgary Flames brass will sit down with Jay Bouwmeester to talk turkey. Face to face. The negotiations, which are slated to take place in Edmonton, figure to be intriguing. "It'll be good to hear what they have to say," Bouwmeester said Sunday evening from Edmonton, his home town. "I've never (been in this situation before), so it's kind of an interesting process. I'm hoping to listen . . . and discuss some things." By Wednesday at 10 a.m., the star defenceman, a pending unrestricted free agent, is eligible to entertain offers from every team in the National Hockey League. Till that time, though, only the Flames can chat to him. Bouwmeester, however, ..."
Bouwmeester, Prust traded to Calgary
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June 27
Calgary Herald
 
"The Florida Panthers have traded soon-to-be unrestricted free agent defenceman Jay Bouwmeester to the Calgary Flames in exchange for defenceman Jordan Leopold and a third-round (67th) draft choice. The deal was announced immediately before the New York Islanders made their first selection in the second round of the NHL entry draft at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Saturday. With Bouwmeester and Chris Pronger both traded, the market for Toronto's Tomas Kaberle should intensify. Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke said he did not expect to move the puck-moving defenceman this weekend. But that could now change."
Flames hire Brent Sutter
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June 24
Buffalo News
 
"The Calgary Flames are adding another Sutter to their lineup. General Manager Darryl Sutter hired his brother Brent Sutter to be the coach of the Flames on Tuesday. The addition of Brent pushes the total number of Sutters in the Flames organization to five. Brother Duane is director of player personnel, brother Ron is a scout and Darryl's son Brett played for the Flames farm team last season. "When you're in it long enough, it's probably going to happen when you have that many brothers who have been in the game as long as we have," Darryl Sutter said at a news conference."
Flames add Brent
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June 24
Toronto Sun
 
"Another Sutter is joining the Calgary Flames. General manger Darryl Sutter named his brother Brent the new head coach of the club yesterday. The addition of Brent pushes the total number of Sutters in the Flames fold to five. Brother Duane is director of player personnel, brother Ron is a scout and Darryl's son Brett played for the Flames farm team last season. "When you're in it long enough, it's probably going to happen when you have that many brothers who have been in the game as long as we have," Darryl said as a news conference. The Flames also named Ryan McGill, Dave Lowry and Jamie McLennan assistant coaches. Darryl said the Sutter name played no part in hiring Brent. "I'm ..."
Brent Sutter rumours heat up
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June 22
Calgary Herald
 
"Former New Jersey Devils coach Brent Sutter is expected to be introduced as the Calgary Flames' head coach as early as Monday. Speculation has hit overdrive in the past day that negotiations to hire Sutter, who relinquished his post with the Devils a year early in order to be closer to his home and business interests in Red Deer, are in the final stages, if not already complete. With the Flames' brass scheduled to depart for Montreal and the 2009 National Hockey League Entry Draft in 48 hours, a media conference for Monday seems a logical assumption. Sutter did not return calls to his cellphone Saturday. Or, more accurately, could not, as his mailbox was overflowing. A sure sign in NHL ..."
Sutter close to signing as Flames head coach
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June 21
Calgary Sun
 
"His cellphone going unanswered and his voicemail inbox full, one could only wonder Saturday what Brent Sutter was up to. But there's been plenty of talk despite the undisputed (at least in media circles) future head coach of the Calgary Flames not picking up his mobile. Sources suggest an official announcement as early as Sunday — before Flames GM Darryl Sutter heads off to Montreal for the weekend's draft — declaring his brother Brent Sutter as the man to take over behind the bench for the fired Mike Keenan. The team is remaining silent, as it has during weeks of searching for a new staff to lead the Flames this fall. Nothing new to report. Nothing planned. History suggests that can ..."
Sutter Close To Flame Job
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June 21
New York Post
 
"Sources say former Devils coach Brent Sutter is close to becoming Flames coach under brother and Calgary GM Darryl Sutter. Those sources say Sutter is under serious consideration by Flames ownership for the job that became vacant when Mike Keenan was fired May 22. Sutter resigned June 9 as Devils coach, citing a desire to be closer to his family and Red Deer Rebels junior team."
Reports: Brent Sutter to Flames
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June 21
ESPN.com
 
"Brent Sutter is expected to be named Calgary Flames head coach as early as Sunday, several media outlets are reporting. Sutter, whose brother Darryl is the Flames general manager, stepped down as coach of the Devils for family reasons in early June with a year left on his contract. Darryl had to get permission from Devils GM Lou Lamoriello to speak to Brent, TSN reported. When Darryl fired Mike Keenan in late May, he said he wanted a coach in place by the entry draft. It begins Friday."
Leafs want to take it outdoors with Flames
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June 20
Toronto Sun
 
"Count the Maple Leafs in if the Calgary Flames get permission to stage an outdoor game at McMahon Stadium on New Year's Day. "We're very interested," Richard Peddie, president and CEO of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Ltd. told Sun Media in an e-mail last night. "If the National Hockey League invited us, we would jump at it. Any chance we have to bring the Leafs across Canada, we support." The Leafs are one of the Flames' preferred opponents after reports this week that league officials visited McMahon, which is being enlarged from 35,600 seats to 45,000 for the Nov. 29 Grey Cup. The Flames' game would be the second half of an outdoor doubleheader leading off with the Boston Bruins ..."
All eyes on Brent Sutter?
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June 20
Calgary Herald
 
"Ah, if only they'd been this airtight in front of Miikka Kiprusoff. Then Mike Keenan, the Iron Giant, would still be helming the rudder and there'd be no need for the continuing torrent of speculation. Ask anyone remotely connected to the Calgary Flames, even on the sly, about the prolonged search for a head coach and they go chalk-white, uncomfortably avoid eye contact and get all "I know notttttthing" Sergeant Schultzy on you. Such is the Cone of Silence being thrown up, the evil eye cast, by don't-cross-him general manager Darryl Sutter. The Dome is in lockdown. With the annual National Hockey League Entry Draft set for late next week at the Bell Centre, Monday would seem the likely ..."
Calgary Classic in works
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June 20
Calgary Sun
 
"Sun sources have confirmed the NHL and Calgary Flames have put the wheels in motion to host a New Year's Day Winter Classic game at McMahon Stadium this coming season. National Hockey League officials have visited the home of the Stampeders in anticipation of holding a game there, but have not yet put a contract in place with the McMahon Stadium Society to hold an outdoor game Jan. 1, 2010. McMahon holds more than 35,600 fans for football games, but with the Grey Cup game scheduled for Nov. 29, extra bleachers will have seating for more than 45,000. Flames president Ken King last night wouldn't confirm a report from ESPN The Magazine the league is planning for a Winter Classic game in ..."
Calgary Classic in works
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June 19
Calgary Sun
 
"Sun sources have confirmed the NHL and Calgary Flames have put the wheels in motion to host a New Year's Day Winter Classic game at McMahon Stadium this coming season. National Hockey League officials have visited the home of the Stampeders in anticipation of holding a game there, but have not yet put a contract in place with the McMahon Stadium Society to hold an outdoor game Jan. 1, 2010. McMahon holds more than 35,600 fans for football games, but with the Grey Cup game scheduled for Nov. 29, extra bleachers will have seating for more than 45,000. Flames president Ken King last night wouldn't confirm a report from ESPN The Magazine the league is planning for a Winter Classic game in ..."
Heatley still a hot ticket, NHL exec says
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June 15
Ottawa Citizen
 
"At least one National Hockey League executive says Ottawa Senators left-winger Dany Heatley remains an extremely marketable commodity, believing the two-time 50-goal scorer can turn the trick a third time. "He still had some pretty good numbers last season (39 goals and 34 assists), and he played pretty well," said the executive, who agreed Sunday to discuss the options facing Senators general manager Bryan Murray on condition of anonymity. "Logic would tell you that he can perform better if he's happy. If he was unhappy in Ottawa, he might do a lot better somewhere else. He's a major asset. Of course there's the uncertainty of the salary cap going forward (the current team limit of $56.7 ..."
Heatley camp calls its shot
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June 15
Ottawa Citizen
 
"Ordinarily, it would be an easy matter to trade a superstar sniper like Dany Heatley. Slap a "For Sale" sign on him, wait for the bids to roll in, and take the highest offer. It doesn't appear, however, as if Senators general manager Bryan Murray is going to have it this easy. The growing suspicion among league executives and agents contacted by the Citizen is that Heatley's agents have not only given Murray a list of preferred teams, they've also named one or two as their top choices. While there's colossal gall in this -- demanding a trade and then demanding where to go takes a lot of nerve -- there's also obvious self-interest. Who, after all, would want to be sent to the gulag known as ..."