Calgary Flames general manager Darryl Sutter failed to obtain forward Olli Jokinen at last year's NHL trade deadline. But he wrapped him up this time around.
Sutter proved to be one of the busiest GMs prior to Wednesday's 3 p.m. ET deadline, picking up Jokinen from the Phoenix Coyotes for forwards Matthew Lombardi and Brandon Prust and a first-round draft pick.
Sutter also reacquired defenceman Jordan Leopold from the Colorado Avalanche for defenceman Lawrence Nycholat, prospect Ryan Wilson and a second-round pick.
"If there had been more deadline, we had more room [under the salary cap]," Sutter said. "We wanted to get a centreman and we wanted to get a defenceman.
Just three days later Jokinens debut against the Flyers resulted in 2 goals, me and my brother were convinced we were destined for big things.
I'm almost certain thats the year the Flames blew a huge lead in the NW. Calgary Herald had a sports section headline with a rearview mirror and an avs logo "objects may be closer than they appear".
I think this may have been the unofficial spiritual end of the Kipper/Sutter/Regehr era of the Flames being contenders.
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The first round loss to Chicago, Cammalleri clocking that Blackhawk in the faceoff circle for no reason. Good times.
Yeah, that was Chicago's first really good season of their dynasty, losing the conference finals to Detroit. They were off and running the next season.
I remember watching game 2 on the airplane TV coming back from Florida, which Chicago won, going up 2-0.
Chicago had a better season, but I thought Calgary's better experience would carry the day.
Me and my buddies were in Okinawa that day. I remember us getting super excited after hearing about the trades online and the locals were wondering why the gaijin were so loud and happy. We went for Rafute (braised pork belly, local Okinawan delicacy) that afternoon to celebrate lol.
17 Years Ago Today: Flames Trade for Jokinen/Leopold
