Its been a while since I have actually posted anything on the Flames, hockey or anything really. I never imagined that my first post would be about Jokinen returning to the Flames along with Alex Tanguay. Even after a week of getting used to the signings, I am still not 100% sure that Sutter hasn't gone completely mad.
Olli was a bust in Calgary, without a doubt. $5.5M for 35 points in 56 games last season was not nearly enough. Everyone knew it, including Olli which was very clear after he was given the news he was traded. Much more was expected from him, not only for his salary, but for what Sutter gave up to bring him to town. This lack of production was not due to lack of effort from Jokinen though, and it seems that the Flames organization feels he can still contribute to the club but with a lower paycheck. And my oh my does Olli coming back to town raise ever some questions. Does this signify that players and management all wanted him back? That they believed in his efforts, and that he is not a cancer in the dressing room as always seems to get mentioned? Surely Darryl isn't that foolish that he would bring back a player who let down his teammates by not giving it everything he had? Can anyone reassure me of that? (Seriously, anyone??) Should the expectations of Olli be lowered given he is back with a smaller contract? He has shown in the past that he can put up significant points, but can he do it again? And have I ever mentioned how many posts he hit last season? Seriously, I would love to find that stat somewhere.
There is a flip side to the Jokinen signing however. After being run out of town, he is coming back by his own free will. Does that mean he doesn't give a damn about the attention and controversy that is going to surround him all season, or does he know that he can produce more? It takes some balls to make this move as there is little doubt he could have gotten a similar contract elsewhere in the league. It would have been the easy way out for Olli. Go somewhere new, leave the past behind. But Darryl called, Olli said yes and here we are. Jokinen played in 82 games last year and scored 50 points. I will be shocked if he puts up less than 70 this season, even though I do not think anyone expects that from him.
Alex Tanguay is a whole other story. I actually looked down the free agent list the night before the frenzy began and said that Calgary was going to sign him. He had his best regular season points total with Calgary with 81 points, 59 assists to help Iggy to his last 50 goal season in 06/07. Then Mike Keenan was brought in to replace Jim Playfair and Alex suffered by being used on the PK which is not a role he is suited for. His point production dropped, and he requested a trade. In just 50 games with Montreal the following season he put up 41 points before being injured for the remainder of the year. Last year with Tampa Bay is best left forgotten for Alex with just 37 points in 80 games with the Lightning while getting around 17 minutes of ice time a game. Tangs is now playing for his NHL career most would say. A one year deal for less that $2M. And while he didn't disappoint on the ice like Olli did with his last stint with Calgary, coming back after requesting a trade out of town takes some guts too. Does Tangs think he still has something special in the tank? He has shown he has what it takes in the past. He has a ring and has scored a Cup clenching goal. Is he due for a bounce back season? If he is used correctly and given the ice time that he is meant for I think so.
There was chemistry a few seasons ago between Alex and Iggy, and with Tanguay being the set up man it will take the pressure of having that role off Olli allowing him to take more shots which logically will lead to more posts, err goals rather. The salaries that these two have come back to Calgary for are not really that big of a gamble for the team to take on, and realistically with the amount of cap space Sutter had to work with who else could he have signed. Even if they only produce on par with last season no one could really complain. I have a feeling that these signings, especially Tanguay, are going to be looked back on as absolute steals. Alex and Olli have a few months to ensure they are both in top shape physically and mentally for what they have taken on. They both came back to Calgary for many reasons, and I believe that the biggest one is because they both know they can have something to prove. Not to the Flames organization, or the fans. They are back to prove it to themselves.
Perhaps I am being overly optimistic, and reading far too much into things. Perhaps they are just 2 guys looking for a paycheck and just took the first offer given. I could be looking back at this post next April when the Flames are no where near the playoffs wondering 2 things. How could I ever be so completely wrong about something, and why hasn't someone committed Darryl Sutter to a nice institution? I wonder how many concussions he had that went undiagnosed when he was playing.
By the way, Darryl isn't done yet. More has to be done with this roster and the cap situation so stay tuned.
Damn, I just was about to post when I found
this. I swear I must have seen all 10 of them twice if that is correct. Is there anyway to verify this???
C
