| 02 February 2010
CALGARY (MYFO) -- As the NHL winds down for the Olympic break, the Calgary Flames have made it clear that they intend to be sellers when the Trade Deadline rolls around. And while sending Olli Jokinen to New York seems to be such a move, MYFO sources have learned that the trade was made to set up a more important move in the near future.
"Yes, we've dealt Jokinen and Brandon Prust to the Rangers to shake things up, but really, the move happened as a precursor to trading for Brandon Prust," General Manager Darryl Sutter told the source. "We just like to screw with him."
The Flames' history with handling the 25-year old left winger and tough guy is indeed an unusual one. Last Trade Deadline, Prust and Matthew Lombardi were traded to Phoenix so that the Flames could acquire Jokinen. In the following off-season, the Flames dealt defenseman Jim Vandermeer in order to reacquire Prust. So just because he has been included in Jokinen's luggage the Big Apple, doesn't mean he has played his final home game in the Pengrowth Saddledome.
"It was Brent's idea," Sutter explained, referring to his brother and Head Coach. "This drives Brandog crazy. He just finished buying back the house he was in before I sent him to Arizona. At least his realtor is making some sweet commissions."
When asked about the trade, Prust was surprisingly cool.
"You know the Sudder Brudders - they like to mess with you to make sure you're on your toes. I'm a key cog to the Calgary organization; I'll be back. Who's going to enforce while I'm gone? Dustin Boyd? In the meantime, though, I should probably pack."
This year's Trade Deadline is scheduled for March 3rd.
"Yeah, we'll bring back Brandon, hopefully right after he puts a down payment in for a condo in Manhattan. We like him; he's a good kid. Eric Nystrom on the other hand, eff that guy" Sutter added.
