There is an inherent conflict that is part of rebuilding in a hockey-savvy city like Calgary. On one hand, Flames fans have been calling for a Ground Zero rebuild for years. So they’re happy—in a fearful way—that their team has finally hit rock bottom, seen the light and begun to work its way back. But they also will have to stomach a really bad team, which is easier said than done.
It began this week. Thursday the Flames announced a No. 1 line of Matt Stajan between Curtis Glencross and Lee Stempniak, and head coach Bob Hartley knows there isn’t a hockey fan in Cowtown naïve enough to see that as a legitimate first line. So, wisely, Hartley did not come out and tell Calgarians that he had first-line skill on his top unit. What he basically said was: this is the perfect trio to lead this particular team, because—oh, boy—it’s going to need some leadership this season.
“Every morning you look in the mirror so that the mirror makes you look good,” Hartley said. “Those guys will be our mirror.”
That’s why this weekend is all about reflection for Calgary. With some crucial decisions to be made on the handful of prospects in the Flames’ possession right now, the front-office meetings that will shape this Flames roster the next two days are about being able to look in the mirror come Jan. 1—without having to call in sick. That means making the right calls on Sean Monahan and Sven Baertschi, and it will give us a window into who is actually making them.
Head coach Bob Hartley, in his postgame address after the final preseason game, sounded less than sold that Monahan—who turns 19 on Oct. 12—was NHL ready. The coach is right. But he has also never been known as kid-friendly; he is a believer in the traditional, time-honoured process of player development—a belief that tends to go out the window during these rebuilds.
And by all accounts Baertschi has fallen on Hartley’s wrong side. About to turn 21, the Flames invited him to his third summer development camp this season and sources say he wasn’t happy about it. So he was then assigned to his third Penticton rookie tournament, a not so subtle message that he is still a rookie and doesn’t get veteran treatment until he earns it.
Brian Burke, the new head of hockey operations, has had an eyeful this camp. And if he hasn’t already, will hear an earful from Flames fans as well, who will need something—anything—that can be construed as the light at the end of the long tunnel they are entering. Miikka Kiprusoff, Jarome Iginla and Jay Bouwmeester are all gone and the way these rebuilds work, if you buy a Flames jersey with a name plate other than BAERTSCHI or MONAHAN today, you’ll be swapping the name and number within 24 months.
Farming Baertschi out to AHL Abbotsford is the best thing for the young player. Moving Monahan back to Ottawa for a fourth year of junior is what the Detroit Red Wings would do—and what the Flames should do. But without those two, who represents the bright future this organization is promising its fans? Troy Brodie? He’s a young, up-and-coming defenceman, but by no means does he have the sexy name—or game—to sell hope.
With that in mind, and against all better judgment, here’s what will happen in Calgary: The Flames play seven of their first 10 on the road, which, theoretically, means less pressure on a kid to perform. So Monahan dips into the nine-game stint that junior-aged players are allowed without triggering their entry-level deals. Once that’s up, everyone will know if he’s ready for prime time, which Jay Feaster, if not Hartley, is hoping for. “He’s put himself in a good spot right now,” the GM said Thursday. “He’s going to make mistakes, but he has very good hockey sense. He continues to be in the mix .”
Baertschi will stay in Calgary as well, despite an average training-camp performance and the lingering doubts about his attitude. They’ll likely room him with a veteran influence like Glencross or Mark Giordano and hope that all the losing doesn’t sour him further. Who to play him with will be another challenge. With Mike Cammalleri nursing a hand injury—and former linemates Alex Tanguay and Iginla long gone—there’s not a lot of skill to go around, which is tough for young players who fancy themselves as skill guys.
Nevertheless, there’s a youth movement afoot. And whether Hartley likes it or not doesn’t matter, he knows it, and will play ball, fast becoming a fan of playing kids, because that’s what his bosses will tell him to do.