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Wednesday, September 8, 1999
Fuhr ready for new challenge as a Flame
After all, Fuhr has faced a number of challenges in his 19-year career from overcoming drug abuse to a series of serious knee injuries and bounced back from each one.
Fuhr -- a long-time Flames nemesis as the goaltending great with the Edmonton Oilers of the 1980s Stanley Cup dynasty -- donned a Calgary jersey for the first time Wednesday.
The Flames traded a third-round pick in the 2000 NHL entry draft to the St. Louis Blues for Fuhr, who turns 37 later this month.
"This is a building that has been good to me," said a smiling Fuhr sporting a crisp new Flames sweater.
"Each new team gives you a new challenge and an extra bit of motivation.
"It's going to be fun to be a part of a young team and good, bad or otherwise you have to enjoy it."
Financial terms of the deal haven't been disclosed, but it has been reported that Calgary is picking up the bulk of Fuhr's $3 million US annual salary.
Fuhr, who waived his no-trade clause, has only said that the deal looks good on the St. Louis books.
Fuhr, who has also made stops in Toronto, Buffalo and Los Angeles since leaving Edmonton in a September 1991 trade, appears fit and prepared for what is likely to be an up and down season with the rebuilding Flames.
He's going to see a lot of ice time and on some nights more pucks than he has years.
But that's OK with Fuhr, who prefers a heavy workload.
In fact, he'd like to see the league return to the wild and woolly days of 7-6 Oiler shootouts.
"The more work you have, the easier it is to stay in the game," said Fuhr, who grew up in Spruce Grove, Alta., just west of Edmonton. "When you're working constantly the body stays fresh."
Fuhr is being reunited with former Edmonton teammate Steve Smith in Calgary.
The two players have a special, if unwanted bond, dating back to their days with the Oilers when Smith banked a shot off the back of Fuhr's leg during the 1986 playoffs against Calgary that led to Edmonton being bounced from the post-season.
Fuhr has long forgotten that incident, like he does with every puck that gets by him. He'll never blame a defenceman for a goal.
"There's no sense really worrying about it," said Fuhr. "If the (red) light points at you then you've made a mistake."
Smith knows that have Fuhr -- even an older Fuhr -- as the last line of defence can make a huge difference for a team.
But he doesn't foresee the Flames abandoning coach Brian Sutter's defensive-style system for a run-and-gun offence.
"We don't want to make his job too tough," said Smith.
"But he does have an uncanny ability to bail guys out."
Smith said people shouldn't be fooled by Fuhr's relaxed demeanour, calling him one of the most intense players he has ever suited up with.
"He has the eye of the tiger once the game starts," said Smith. "He really turns it up when the game is on the line."
And that's exactly what the Flames are counting on -- Fuhr making the big save at a crucial point of the game to hopefully turn last season's one-goal losses into points in the standings.
"There are lots of goalies with good stats," said defenceman Phil Housley. "But he makes the big saves at the right time."
The big concern for Calgary is that Fuhr stays healthy.
The Flames went through a dreadful stretch last season, losing starter Ken Wregget, then backups Tyler Moss and Jean Sebastien Giguere.
"When we were going through goalies it was difficult," said Housley. "Grant will hopefully give us that consistency."
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