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Monday, March 1, 1999
Nothing much to watch now
By trading away the heart of an otherwise nondescript hockey club for two castaways and a player to be named later, Flames GM Al Coates gave up on any playoff hopes the Flames may have had with Theo Fleury leading the charge.
He also made it clear the Flames have no chance of signing him as a free agent next year.
None of this, of course, is news.
However, what makes the shocking trade so tragic is the confirmation a small market club like the Flames can never again be competitive.
The club simply can't afford it.
Can anyone in their right mind believe the Flames will now finish anywhere near a playoff berth without Fleury?
Can anyone in their right mind believe the on-ice future of this club is anything but dismal with names like Fata, Wilm, Tkaczuk and Bure representing its top prospects?
Besides, if any of them were to round into future superstars, the Flames would lose them too, as they will with their only remaining standouts like Jarome Iginla, Cory Stillman and Derek Morris.
They'll undoubtedly chase bigger money the first chance they get. And who can blame them? That leaves the club in a never-ending "rebuilding phase."
The Flames, while in Calgary, simply can't afford to compete while housed in this small market environment plagued by excessive taxes, a weak Canadian dollar, a paltry local TV contract and few available corporate dollars, amongst other disadvantages.
The NHL has simply priced itself out of cities like ours.
With the loss of its only exciting player, combined with a sagging oil industry, the Flames can expect massive season ticket cancellations this summer which will only compound the problem.
After all, who's interested in shelling out big money to sit in a lifeless building to watch an uninspiring team shaping up to be the next Tampa Bay Lightning?
The sad thing about it all, is that with Fleury leading the boys on its recent string, the Dome was actually a great place to be of late. No longer.
Don't be hypocritical by blaming Fleury for wanting to test free agency -- he's earned that right.
Don't blame Al Coates for salvaging what he could in a no-win situation.
Don't even blame the owners for sitting on their wallets and watching their franchise player fade into the sunset. If anything, they should be praised for keeping the team here this long and for not trying to hold fans hostage with Peter Pocklington-like threats to leave.
In due time they'll follow Fleury south in search of a return on their investment unless the government makes concessions and /or the league introduces radical revenue-sharing changes. It only makes sense.
The departure of Fleury, mark my words, is the beginning of the end.
February 28, 1999, a sad day indeed.
ICE CHIPS:
With apologies to the Philadelphia Flyers, a five-man unit of Peter Forsberg, Joe Sakic, Fleury, Sandis Ozolinsh and Adam Foote is the most talented group, by far, in hockey. Considering the play of Patrick Roy and the solid young second and third units the Avs can throw out to back the big boys up, anything less than a Stanley Cup this spring would be a major disappointment ... The best thing to happen to the Islanders this season -- Felix Potvin's injury -- had nothing to do with Meddling Mike Milbury ... Anyone who saw yesterday's Rangers/Flyers rivalry got a taste of what hockey should be about -- speed, skill, intensity, hitting and scoring. It doesn't get any better. Thank you, Fox.
AT THE BUZZER:
The baseball players' association is considered one of the strongest unions in the world while the CBC's striking technicians has to be one of the weakest, considering the only show anyone watches on CBC -- Hockey Night in Canada -- is running just fine without them ... As reported in the Sun this week, Stampede Wrestling will attempt a comeback Apr. 2 with a star-studded card of alumnus expected to kick off a regular schedule of events tentatively slated to air weekly on A-Channel this fall. Among those inquiring about the possibility of joining the loop include the Stamps' Jason Clemett and former Edmonton Eskimo great Willie Pless ... Tiger Woods would be wise to take note the only thing worse than playing golf with a sulking, whiny perfectionist is watching one. His miserable demeanour following every shot sure is wearing thin ... Even though car racing isn't a sport involving any true athletes, the recently introduced Hawaiian Super Prix CART race is the freshest new sporting concept in years. Awarding $5 million U.S. to the winner, the end of season event invites the top 12 racers in the world (plus four sponsor invites) and will feature a half-time show promising to rival that of the Super Bowl.