TAMPA – Darryl Sutter used the “C” word yesterday, and even though his Calgary Flames and the Tampa Bay Lightning play Game 1 of the Finals here tonight, it wasn’t, “Cup.”
“I know I’m not supposed to use the three-letter word, but we have a [self-imposed] cap, we play under a cap, and we need to have an economic system that mandates that all clubs are on the same level,” Sutter, the Calgary GM-coach, said yesterday despite the presence of two small-market clubs in the league’s showcase event. “What I’ve learned about money in our situation is that you have to spend it wisely and you can’t make any mistakes.”
Sutter made very few mistakes this year. Tampa Bay GM Jay Feaster made very few mistakes. Taking advantage of the system in place, the one that allows clubs to nurture and develop young players through the draft – the basis of success in the NHL forever – the Lightning and Flames are in the Finals though having begun the season with the NHL’s 10th and 12th lowest payrolls, respectively. They are in the Finals despite years of whining from ownerships and mouthpieces that it could never be done under the current CBA.
The Lightning finished second-overall to only the Red Wings during the regular season after having won the Southeast Division last year. This has been a steady progression for Tampa Bay ever since the trade three years ago for Nikolai Khabibulin. The ascension of the Flames, on the other hand, is somewhat of a shock to the system, coming as it does in their first appearance in the playoffs since 1996. And while the Lightning are playing pretty much for themselves and a community that was excoriated by Feaster and management during the season for not filling the arena, the Flames seem to be playing for Canada, which hasn’t had a team in the Finals since the 1994 Canucks and hasn’t had a Cup winner since the 1993 Canadiens.
“I’m proud that a Canadian team is still playing and so are the players on our team that I’ve talked to,” said Sutter. “At the end of the day that’s not why we’re playing, but the way our city has supported us, I’d like to be able to pay them back . . . it’s a little bit emotional.
“We’re recognized as a hard-working group, a blue-collar group, and that’s kind of what Alberta is about. We’re carrying the banner for that.”
And Jarome Iginla is carrying the banner for the Flames. Iginla has pretty much been the foundation of the franchise since coming from Dallas as an 18-year-old in the 1995 trade that sent Joe Nieuwendyk out of town after a contract dispute. He remains so despite a $7.5 million contract he earned in the wake of winning the Art Ross and Maurice Richard Trophies two years ago with a 52-goal, 96-point season, a contract that caused management to consider trading him.
“I’m a little surprised that I’m still here, but mostly I’m thankful,” said Iginla, who tied for the league-lead in goals this year with 41. “The fear of mine was that I was going to get traded and not be able to enjoy success with the guys and look back to see the road we traveled.
“I’m very thankful that the organization kept me here. It’s a thrill for me.”
These are two hard-working talented teams that lack only the high profile that comes with consistent success, regardless of address and payroll. The Devils have dominated with a moderate payroll over the last decade. Obviously it – what’s that three-letter word? – can be done.