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Sunday, September 5, 1999
Wish Grant-ed!
FLAMES BENCH BOSS GETS HIS GO-TO GOALTENDER
The news had just come in. He had his go-to goalie.
"One of the best," he said, not exaggerating, "to ever play the game."
But what of the forgotten men, those who felt this would be their chance to snatch NHL glory and run with it?
Freddie Brathwaite, Jean-Sebastien Giguere and Tyler Moss were scheduled for a cage-match, two falls out of three, to wrest the starting job with these Flames. Now the No. 1 slotting, and, with a cursory peek at Grant Fuhr's track record, 65 or so games, are spoken for.
Now, everybody's running to catch the 'No. 2 and trying harder' spot on the roster.
"I don't think any of our goalies should view this as a negative situation," said Sutter. "Freddie still has to come in and set the standard he did when he first came to us last year. Giguere and Tyler have something to prove.
"All last year, people said I was tough on our goalies. Geez ... I wasn't tough on 'em at all. I just wanted them to get better. But when Wregs went down, we really did put them in an unfair position: to carry the team, the franchise."
Fuhr, of course, is used to such weighty discomforts.
"We want our young goalies to come in and show us," continued Sutter. "With Grant here now, obviously one spot is gone. What happens in training camp will decide who gets the second one."
So there, boys. The gauntlet has been dropped. Who's going to pluck it off the ground?
General manager Al Coates said the incumbents should take this move and make the best of it.
"Rather than be upset by this, they should use it as a positive. They shouldn't feel slighted. This guy is a top-end, elite goalie. A future Hall of Famer. They should be happy to learn from someone who's won three Stanley Cups and done what Grant Fuhr has during his career."
Fuhr, for his part, says he's quite happy in the role of tutor.
"I've always liked working with young goalies. Billy Ranford in Edmonton. In Toronto, there was Felix. Dom in Buffalo. And Jamie (McLennan) had his best year here.
"I think it's important to help the young guys along. It's good for the organization, for the young goalie and, in a lot of ways, for you."
Having said it, he warned: "But I like work. Always have.
"Play my best when I'm busy."
That, sir, should be of no concern.
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