Warrener burning to be a Flame

Calgary Flames pending UFA defenseman Rhett Warrener tells George Johnson of the Calgary Herald that he’s hoping to re-sign with the club.

“I’m a Calgarian now,” he says softly. “I believe in this team and this town. I don’t want to be anywhere else. This is home.”

However, due to the league’s new economic environment, Warrener understands that he may very well end up playing for another team next season. He’ll have to take a substantial pay cut on the $2.35 million he’s making this season.

“… at the end the day it’s out of your control. You’re a commodity. That’s the tough part of this business.”

Despite struggling this season and being a healthy scratch in 10 of the previous 12 games, the 32-year-old blueliner says he’s still got a lot of game in him. And he hopes it’s with the Flames.

“I hope so. I mean, I still feel good. I look around the league, and I still think I can play, still think I can contribute.”

As for his lack of playing time, Warrener says that he’s trying to be a professional. Even tough he’s taking it hard.

“Am I POed some days? Sure. Do I take it personally? Of course. Some guys take it harder than others. I take it hard. But there’s a right way and a wrong way to act.”

“You don’t want to be negative or disruptive. You just sit tight and wait for your chance.”

“If you’re a professional, if you were brought up the way I was, to care about the team first, then you there’s only one way to handle a difficult situation like this.”