Fleury made decision tough on Sutters

September 26, 2009   ·   Derek Felix   ·   Jump to comments

Seeing as Theo Fleury was stunning released after an impressive showing with his hometown Calgary Flames, I can’t help but wonder why.

Was there anything going on in either Sutters’ brains when they decided that the 41 year-old who outplayed some of their other secondary options wasn’t even good enough to be sent down to the AHL? This just reeks. We get that Fleury was desperate for a job but judging on what he did, it doesn’t make much sense. Then again, does anything Brent Sutter says or does ever? Just this bizarre quote should tell ya all you need to know about the thinking or lack there of:

“There was a decision made here this morning that, for Theo to play here, he was going to have to fit into our top six wingers. He didn’t have the capabilities to do so. It had nothing to do with Theo’s heart or his mind for the game because I learned a lot here the last two weeks just being around him…His work ethic and everything involved every day was great. It’s unfortunate that when you haven’t played the game for six years, and at the age he’s at, that the legs just aren’t where they need to be.“

Huh? So, they didn’t keep him around for at least a look on the third line? Hell-o McFly! Is anybody home?!?!?!?!?!

This is just not measuring up. Oh sure. The Flames got a nice roster that should once again compete with Vancouver for the Northwest and one of the top three seeds out West. Especially with the great addition of Jay Bouwmeester to their blueline with Dion Phaneuf due for a bounce back year. Up front, they got Jarome Iginla and Olli Jokinen leading the charge with Daymond Langkow, Craig Conroy, Rene Bourque, David Moss and Curtis Glencross all solid support players. Former Ranger Nigel Dawes figures to also see time for his former WJC Canada gold medal coach who knows him well.

On paper, Calgary’s top two lines look good but after that, it gets pretty thin with Freddy Sjostrom, Eric Nystrom and Brandon Prust hardly offensive threats. As much as we like Sjooey who will do a great job on the PK, he’s really a fourth liner. And Nystrom really needs to step out of Dad’s shadow already and do something to prove he isn’t a total bust after the Flames tabbed him 10th overall in 2002.

One ponders how there wasn’t room for Fleury. Of course as Conroy notes, it was going to be tough due to the numbers game that he alludes to here:

“It’s disappointing because the reality was, coming in, there were 14 forwards on a one-way contract and it makes it tough for someone to come in and take a job but he did a great job. I don’t know what’s going to happen now for Theo but it was fun to watch, fun to be around him, the stories. He’s a good guy so I wish him well.”

So even though Theo made the decision hard, he was really up against it. Unfortunately, sometimes that’s how it goes. That the popular Alberta favorite even made it back to the ice scoring a shootout winner versus the Islanders that made us flashback to the glory days along with a few points was a huge moral victory.

I’m proud to say I’m a big fan of the little guy and always shall be. It shows how much he wanted to be a part of it again. An emotional Fleury told FAN 440’s Bill Waters via text on Leafs Lunch he’d need a couple of days to decide if this was indeed it with a press conference on his future Monday.

“I am very thankful to Darryl and the Flames organization for following through on the commitment to provide me with this opportunity,” Fleury said in a statement. “I said in the beginning that no matter what the outcome, this would be a success story. I intend to take the next few days to review this experience and make decisions with my family regarding next steps in my life.“

No matter what, he certainly won the respect of many players who idolized him with some strong praise from the Calgary captain in particular.

“To be able to come back at 41 and look as good as he did and does to put the work in that he did,” Iginla said. “He was saying he was in the best shape of his life. To do that after not playing for six years at this high of a level, it’s great…He loves the game and loves to compete. We’re happy that as players in the camp we got to come and compete alongside him again.”

Of course, Brent Sutter is right here that this wasn’t only about a player trying to make a team. But about also overcoming a lot of adversity just to reach this point.

“This isn’t just about hockey, it is about life and where he’s at right now in his life and I’m really proud of him. I told him when I met with him this morning that he’s welcome anytime inside my office to come and sit down and talk,” Sutter said.

It’s nice to see that. It really sounds like Fleury won a lot of fans and for all the trouble he’s been through, he demonstrates that if you really want something bad enough, if you put your mind to it, you can do it.