I thought this would be a good place to post this article in today's Calgary Herald, rather than start a new thread.
Sutter heads to draft in search of scoring
On trading up for a 1st:
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But the skipper says he has no intention of trading up to get a first-round pick.
“It’s very difficult to get a first rounder,” Sutter said. “You’ve got to trade one of your favourite players, obviously.”
Any thought of doing that?
“No,” he said. “It’s very difficult to do that. I’m not trading one of our top players — that’s for sure.”
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On the backup goalie position:
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In the eyes of the boss, farmhands Leland Irving and Matt Keetley are not yet ready for the big time.
“I would want them to take over the No. 1 position at the American League level first, “ he said. “I think it’s important.”
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On Nystrom:
Quote:
According to Sutter, Nystrom could prove too expensive for the Flames.
“He fills a role,” Sutter said. “I like Eric Nystrom, but fourth-line players on the first of August are $600,000 players.
“You have to prioritize. If you can get a star by spending that extra $300,000 to $400,000, that’s what you do.”
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On the RFA front:
Quote:
On the restricted front, Sutter plans to tender a qualifying offer to defenceman Ian White, among others.
He also intends to qualify Kris Chucko Calgary’s first-round (24th overall) pick in the 2004 draft.
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On Kotalik:
Quote:
But like the fans, Sutter sees room for improvement in Kotalik.
“To be quite honest, he has to score 20 goals,” Sutter said. “He should score 20 and he only scored 10 or 11.”
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On Langkow's injury last season:
Quote:
For the first time Tuesday, Sutter shed light on the terrifying injury Langkow suffered March 21 when a White point shot pelted him in the base of the neck.
“Exactly where the puck hit him, in his third or fourth vertebrae, he had a tiny fracture,” Sutter said.
“It was nothing that was going to threaten his career or anything like that.
“We just wanted the bone to heal and the soft tissue to get rehabbed properly.
“By the middle of July, he’ll be up for full physical contact and everything.”
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