Theoren Fleury released
by Robert Cleave on Sep 25, 2009 11:00 AM PDT
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Theoren Fleury's comeback has ended, at least as far as the Calgary Flames are concerned. Fleury was released this morning, with Darryl Sutter noting that the agreement with Fleury was that if he wasn't one of the top six wingers, he'd be out, with no hope of assignment to Abbotsford. It was a nice story while it lasted, but Theo was always going to have a hard time keeping up with the pace over a season, and he really didn't appear to have quite enough left to be a full time NHLer. I had no problem with the move to invite him to camp, because the Flames had nothing to lose by giving him a chance. As well, Theo got to be reinstated, had a chance to see what he had left, and got an opportunity to perform for a fanbase that held him in very high regard. I wish him well, whatever he chooses to do next.
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“he’d be out, with no hope of assignment to Abbotsford.”
That sounds kinda… mean.
Really I think with his book coming out soon Fleury would probably rather spend time promoting it and spending time with his family then making peanuts (comparatively speaking) hauling his 41 year old body around on a bus in the AHL. Best of luck to him in his future endeavors we’ll see him when they retire his jersey (‘cause you know that’s coming).
I’ll add one more thing that I didn’t put in the post. There will be worse players than Theo Fleury drawing a salary in the NHL this year. They’ll be the designated fighter types by and large. I’d still rather give him, or someone of his ilk, 8 minutes a night to create some offence, instead of hiring someone to skate for 5-10 shifts a night and have a semi-arranged square dance with another enforcer.
That’s what I think as well. Was Fleury’s play really all that bad in preseason? Which part of him didn’t they like?
by Sean Zandberg on Sep 25, 2009 1:03 PM PDT up reply actions
He would have struggled pretty badly at EV, Sean. It didn’t look like he had the legs to backcheck on a consistent basis, and it would have been hard for him along the wall in the defensive end. He still has the hands, head and heart, but the speed and power just aren’t quite there to be a regular forward. As a specialist, he might be able to play, but the NHL in general, and the Flames in particular, don’t seem to look at an offensive specialist in the same manner that they regard enforcers. The majority of teams wouldn’t think twice about dressing a guy like Eric Godard or Donald Brashear, but those guys can’t really play at all, and I’m not sold on their alleged value as tough guys. As I mentioned the other day, Eric Godard played in 71 regular season games for Pittsburgh last season, and didn’t dress once in the playoffs. That should indicate the real value most of those types of players hold, but the message never seems to take.
by Robert Cleave on Sep 25, 2009 1:40 PM PDT up reply actions
Thanks, Robert. Good to hear a Flames fan’s perspective.
by Sean Zandberg on Sep 25, 2009 4:54 PM PDT up reply actions
i agree. i think it will be depressing this year to watch brian mcgrattan collect a salary when theo would probably have contributed more, even if only for a game or two here or there…..
theo: if you’re reading this —-we love you man.
xx
by walkinvisible on Sep 25, 2009 7:28 PM PDT up reply actions
Funny, but I think there’s going to be some backlash on the Flames for this, even though it shouldn’t be a surprise and sounds like it was related to an agreement between Fleury and Sutter. Lots of news outlets, including US ones, were talking about this as a big deal and the headline on TSN – Snuffed by the Flames – will be one of a few which will make casual fans think “those bastard Flames”.
Really don’t care, and it will blow over, but it’s funny how this caught mainstream media imagination. Shows how little anyone really cares about actual preseason hockey.
I doubt it.
As far as most NHL fans know, Fleury was an alcoholic cokehead who threw his career away in 2003. Now they know he has recovered and was given a chance to redeem his career by the Flames. That he didn’t make it out of camp isn’t really relevant to that, imo. He’s done just that.
If he retires now, he retires as a Flame with a clean slate, and everyone will be happy for him. If he presses on, and tries to land somewhere else, then he will have earned any such opportunity directly as a result of the chance the Flames took on him. Either way, this franchise was very classy in how they treated him, and should be credited for what they did do for Theo.
Yea, I would consider
that its a success that he played in the pre-season. I guess sometime when it’s time, then it’s time.
Sorry to hear it
He had a lot of hockey fans pulling for him. His troubles from the past aside, he’s A-1 for getting his life together.
Exactly
Was happy to see him pull his life back together and give this a serious run. I wish him luck in whatever he decided to do from this point, but I think he showed that he’s got enough left to play at some level. I hope he finds a spot with an organization that has a space for him.
Even if he chooses to pursue another course from this point, he (and the hockey world) knows he got his shit straight and stood proudly.
Hell, Lets face it…that shootout goal and the subsequent ’Dome eruption was epic :P
i feel truly blessed to have seen that in person…. it will go down as one of the best.games.ever.
by walkinvisible on Sep 26, 2009 6:46 AM PDT up reply actions
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Yesterday was a very sad day. I think I felt more bummed yesterday than the day the Flames traded our favorite little guy with the enormous heart to Colorado way back when. I just love Theo…..bar none he has to be my favorite player I’ve ever seen…..period. I was really hoping they’d find some room for him…..christ….could he have been worse than SORE THUMB???
Anyhow…..Theo you rule!!! Look forward to the jersey retirement and your induction in to the hall some day. I will forever remember yesterday as Black Friday.
Ugh…
From a purely financial perspective
Would he not have put butts in the seats? More so than an enforcer?
I mean, the fresh round of Fleury jerseys that would have flown off the shelves would have been enough for me to keep him around.
Watch him sign with Edmonton. They need another small forward :-)
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