NASHVILLE – Last season, Michael Cammalleri experienced something that rarely happens to his NHL-playing peers: being traded mid-game.
On the night of Jan. 12, 2012, Cammalleri was traded to Calgary while playing for the Montreal Canadiens against rival Boston and he was pulled off the ice late in the second period. It was an unprecedented event, one that took place after some controversial comments from him about his teammates’ mentality and a lack of ice time.
“Getting traded is a difficult thing,” Cammalleri said last week. “You get engaged so much in the team that you’re on, trying to win, and to get traded during the season is definitely challenging. Having said that, finding out it was Calgary I was traded to – a familiar place where I have good friends – made it more comfortable … I really did enjoy my time in Montreal, but at the same time I love Calgary, too.”
Over a year later, Cammalleri’s second go-round with the Calgary Flames is going almost as well as his first stint with the team. In the 2008-09 season, Cammalleri racked up 39 goals and 82 points in 81 games with the Flames before signing with Montreal the following off-season.
In the 54 games since being re-acquired by Calgary, Cammalleri has compiled 41 points and has been producing more of late. After a slow start after the lockout he has 20 points in his last 20 games dating back to Feb. 5, and he credits a switch from wing to centre as a key reason for the success.
“I played centre my whole life until about eight years ago and then changed to left wing for a long time. Last year I played a little bit of center and didn’t feel as comfortable. This year going back to centre, having done it a little bit last year, I’m much more comfortable,” he said.
First-year Flames head coach Bob Hartley has liked the results too, with Cammalleri skating between Alex Tanguay and Jarome Iginla.
“Cammy is a goal scorer and an offensive guy, but more importantly we gave him a role at center and he’s been unbelievable. He’s done so many great things,” Hartley said. “He’s taking pride in his own zone and on face-offs. Offensively he’s been generating points at even strength and the power play, so he’s been a very important player for us.”
Cammalleri, who leads the Flames with 12 power play points, spent much time at centre in his first six NHL seasons before moving to wing in Montreal. He has won over 54 percent of the face-offs he has taken, which has him ranked 20th in the NHL on draws.
“The fact that it is a natural position that I played for so long, I enjoy playing center,” he said.
When asked why Calgary has always been a good place for him, Cammalleri said, “Feeling what you bring as a person and a player is valued and the Calgary organization has made me feel that way.”
The 30-year-old forward also doesn’t mind being reunited with Iginla. The two were a great one-two combo in 2008-09 as they played a big role in the Flames going to the playoffs that season (which, by the way, is the last time they’ve qualified for the postseason).
Cammalleri and Iginla have shown flashes of that past chemistry, but aren’t putting up comparable numbers. Still, those two (along with Tanguay) are being relied upon to carry the Flames offensively as they attempt to stay in the playoff race in this condensed season.
That said, rumours around Iginla’s future in Calgary continue to persist. The captain has spent 15-plus seasons with the Flames but is in the final year of his contract and will be highly sought after by top contenders. With the Apr. 3 trade deadline looming, Iginla’s days in a Flames’ sweater may be numbered.
Said Cammalleri of having some of his better NHL success alongside Iginla: “I don’t know if it’s so much chemistry or just the fact that you get to play with Jarome Iginla. I think anyone who can play with him would play well. We both like to play a sprinter’s give-and-go game. That allows you to be a little more dynamic and not so predictable offensively.
“I definitely enjoy playing with Jarome and I’m hoping we go on a run here so we can continue to play together, based on speculation and rumour.”
