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Monday, September 13, 1999
Top Guns flyin' high
The 'Top Guns' took their inaugural NHL flight last night and didn't crash and burn -- in fact, they were arguably the best line on the ice.
The triumvirate of first rounders -- Daniel Tkaczuk, Rico Fata and Oleg Saprykin -- left a strong impression despite being shut out on the scoresheet in the Flames 2-1 loss to Montreal.
Saprykin, 18, was the youngest player on the ice, but stood out in his first test against NHL opponents.
"He does a lot of little things you have to do to play at the NHL level," said Sutter of the Russian forward who was drafted out of the WHL 11th overall this past summer.
"He looks like a player because he is a player."
Saprykin handled himself like a veteran, sending Habs tough guy Jim Cummins headfirst into the boards with a solid shoulder.
He of course took a big hit in return, but emerged with the same aggressive style that is quickly making him the surprise hit of the Flames camp.
"It would be great if he could step in right away and do the job but it's a huge step," said Russian teammate Val Bure.
"It's a big step from the AHL to NHL without talking about the Western Hockey League.
"It's tough but he is doing awesome."
Saprykin was all smiles after his pro debut, more than willing to try his sparse English on everyone who had a question.
"It felt great. I was so excited," he said.
"I was a little bit nervous in the warmups and a little bit in the first period.
"It's pretty hard. It's men not juniors and a big difference."
"I know I need more work. It's a big step to the NHL."
But can Saprykin, who is unsigned, make the leap this year?
"I'm not afraid to keep anyone. If they can help the team in any way, then obviously you are going to play them," said Sutter.
The Top Gun line was kept together for last night's game after scoring five goals in a rookie game against Edmonton.
Sutter may just keep them together a little longer after last night's strong performance.
"I would say that every person leaving this building noticed when they were on the ice and when they were on the ice they had probably more scoring chances than everyone but Valeri," said Sutter.
Staying together for at least another game would sit well with Tkaczuk, whose looking to make the team in his third training camp.
"I think that we showed a lot of effort and got some chances and unfortunately I don't know how some of them didn't go in," said Tkaczuk who rattled one of his three shots off the post.
"Hopefully we can get this line going again for the next game.
"We try to keep it simple and use our speed and try to cover up for each other. We got caught a couple times but we are going to learn from our mistakes and just get better."
The question is, are they going to be good enough to stick this season?
Now it's a question that is being treated a little more seriously.
The Top Guns are serving notice they belong.
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