OffThePost.org

To me this seems like the only solution to save Daryll's job. And if they trade Phaneuf and NOT resign the floater then they can pursue a bonafide center in the off-season.......aka Nicklas Backstrom (personally i'd like to see them get him now but unlikely).

It shuts up the media about scoring and removes the crosshairs. A temporary distraction if you will. The Flames won't resign him and pretty much constitutes a salary dump with Daryll saving SOME face.

It would certainly be a desperation move from Sutter but it makes sense.

I expect the Flames to be busy at the Deadline.

Sweet Jesus why is Cory Sarich signed so long!!!!!

Could they send OJ and Phaneuf the other way, and get Kovy and a throw-in center back? That would free up $11M right there...

But odds are Sutter wants Colby Armstrong as well. I too can also see more than 1 player involved here. Phaneuf would really have an opportunity to go to Atlanta and become the true #1 guy. Might be good for him. Flames are thin at RW so that works out too.

Jokkinen? Folks were willing to give him a good look after Florida but he hasn't done dog shit in Calgary. He could work in Atlanta.......Trashers would essentially be netting a LT deal with Dion and a chance at Jokkinen while getting rid of Kovalchuk and Armstrong (10 Mil). I don't suppose that's too bad for them. Kind of puts Calgary in a pickle again with little logical chance of resigning Armstrong or Kovalchuk providing they go after that center.

It doesn't make a whole lot of long term sense for the Flames but it does help stop the bleeding. If they can resign Armstrong and court a proven Center....they win out.

Moving the target from his back is D. Sutter's first priority.....second is making the playoffs (past the first round). Anything else only hastens the inevitable GM canning.

Sutter blowing his wad all on one player who I'm betting would NOT sign long term in Calgary would be just about the dumbest move any Flames GM has ever made, and that's saying something. I agree Colby Armstrong would be a great fit with the Flames though. Too bad thanks to that stupid OJ deal they don't have a 1st rounder to deal this year.

It's not Hotlanta that the Flames should be looking--it's Dallas. Right now they have a wealth of young offensive talent and a defensive corps that isn't cutting it. Sorry, Robidas is a fine d-man and all, but you can't actually build around him, I don't care what his numbers say. That being said if you send one of the "big 3" their way I think they'd have to give you a scoring forward or two with plenty of upside in return.

I think the problem for the Flames is that this will be D. Sutter dealing from a position of weakness. He can either stay the course and lose his job or make a change allowing Brent and he to stay on until the end of the season.

They need immediate dynamic help NOW. Someone who can light the lamp immediately. That is Kovalchuk.

Dallas has got some nice kids but Calgary doesn't have the time (unless its Jarome going the other way).

So stretching your analogy further, harmie, is B Sutter the Darth Vader to D Sutter's Emperor Palpatine?

I could agree with that. These primadonnas need loving because obviously kicking their dog is not working. Therefore the logical conclusion would be Sutters OUT. This thread is purely what I think Sutter should do to keep his job. Seriously....if this team is unwilling to move personnel then it needs a major change of approach in brass. Either way....the beat goes on.

At this level the lessons should be few and far between. After all at the end of the day its the players that decide if they should win or not. They have to earn their money.

Here's some more dead horse beating.....

Someone posted on the TSN website that when Calgary plays Edmonton this weekend that they'll probably both lose

Courtesy of CalPuck:

Apparently Kotalik is our Kovalchuk.....

Well both their names start with a Ko and end in a K so it looks as if the flames got KOK