I believe Sutter saved the Flames. I would easily have him ahead of Treliving.
Without Kirpsuoff, the Flames don't go on a run. Without the run, does Iginla bother to stay with a team that hasn't made the playoffs since his rookie year? Do the Flames offer him a lucrative offer without the fan support that came with the run? I doubt either.
And without Kiprusoff, without Iginla, without hope, do the Flames even stay in Calgary? Balsillie might be looking at Hotchkiss and Edwards instead of the other teams he pursued.
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