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Sutter's contract now on term? Prospect signings

Recently Sutter came out and said that he was willing to go to 1 or 2 year contracts, this flies in the face of the Hossa like deals that are ranging 10,12 even 15 years in length. My question is why? If Sutter is only giving out one or two year contracts is that because ownership is only giving him that amount of time to turn this around? Most of Sutter's contracts have been 4-5 years in length, but it just so happens that in two years there is only a small amount of current players still on the roster. Iginla, Regehr, Stajan, Kiprusoff, Bouwmeester and Bourque are the players remaining after that time and one has to wonder if Sutter has been given two years to get a championship.

Feaster has been brought in as an assistant G.M. and almost since day one has been looked at as a guy who could replace Sutter at a moments notice should things go sideways. Perhaps ownership wanted to give him a grace period to familiarize himself with the organization, it's prospects and staff?

Sutter has a weird way of talking to the media, he actually gives away a lot, if you listen hard enough and read between the lines well enough you can decipher what he is saying. By saying to the media that he is looking to only sign 1-2 year contracts is he just saying, "I have two years to get the players I want?

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Pelech, Baldwin, Chucko, Patterson. The latest prospects to get contracts are interesting.

Chucko finally had a decent season prior to the last one with 28 goals and 23 assists but took a step back last year with injuries and posted a disappointing 9 goals and 9 assists in 41 games. He is definitely bound for the AHL this year and this season will determine if this 24th overall pick will ever make the NHL. He is known for his commitment to physical fitness and for going to the dirty areas to get a goal.

Baldwin is a tower. At 6'5 and 200lbs he is a huge guy on skates, he posted his best professional year last year with 24 points and a plus 7, he is not on the cusp of making the big team but has show a big improvement over prior seasons. The issue for Baldwin is that guys like Seabrook, Brodie, Negrin, Palin and Pelech are all looked at as better defensive prospects in an organization that is stocked to the brim with defense, the NHL is a far distant dream at this point.

Patterson has been consistent in the WHL with 50 points a season, this usually wouldn't be anything to write about but Patterson was selected in the 7th round so he is actually showing that he may be better than his draft position implies.

Pelech is the most interesting signing to me, this guy is ready for the NHL, in fact he probably was last year. Last season was derailed by blood clot issues in his shoulder but after he came back was a huge part of the Heat's defense. The interesting part is that he has signed a one year two way deal. Reading into this you have to wonder if his camp requested the one year term or the Flames? Pelech might feel he can not crack through the depth the Flames have and is just looking to get to UFA status as soon as possible which in my opinion would be a big loss for this organization. Pelech could take Sarich's role and probably perform it just as well, when he did play in his NHL games he showed that he belonged. While shutting down the likes of Marion Gaborik he posted 3 assists in 5 games and a plus 1 rating, that impressed me and I've been a fan since.

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