I have to hand it to Darryl Sutter. He has single-handedly created the strangest 2 days in recent Flames history. After trading Dion Phaneuf to Toronto on Sunday morning, he then went to work on Olli Jokinen.
The trade rumour that leaked last night was confirmed after tonight’s game as Flames GM Darryl Sutter announced that they had acquired wingers Ales Kotalik and Christopher Higgins from the NY Rangers in exchange for Olli Jokinen and Brandon Prust.
Jokinen, who thought he would finish his career in Calgary, said, “You play for that sweater, that logo. Until they tell you you’re not part of the team, and they just told me I’m not part of the team.”
“It comes with the salary, you make $5 million, 11 goals isnot going to cut it,” said a visibly shaken Jokinen. “It’s definitely a slap in the face to get traded.”
Prust, who has already been traded from the Flames once before said, “Calgary’s become my home and I’ll always respect the city and the organization”
I have to be honest, my head is spinning and I really don’t know what to make of this situation. The Flames now have too many wingers, so the logical next step is for Sutter to make another trade to even things out. What that will be could be anyone’s guess. I still think Sutter is doing all this to position for a major acquisition, but I’m not sure who he’s going for yet. We might as well start some Iggy-for-Malkin rumours while we’re at it.
Greg is the founder of Red Mile Blog has been following the Flames through good times and bad since they arrived in Calgary in the early 80s. He has written hundreds of articles on the Flames since 2005 and considers himself an expert on hockey inconsistency and frustration. He shoots right and usually plays defence, but has been known to jump up in the rush. He is a 2-time CAHL men's league champion and knows the sweet taste of beer from a Cup.
