1.) Western Canadian guys. Sutter looks for players who were born or played in Western Canada, especially Alberta. In part because there’s a high probability either he or one his brothers have observed the player up close in the past (particularly current Devils coach Brent Sutter thanks to his years of coaching and managing the WHL Red Deer Rebels). In addition, a player who has lived or played in Alberta may be more likely to be familiar and comfortable in Calgary and therefore more amenable to signing a contract with the team. Some recent examples include Brad Stuart (Calgary Hitmen WHL career), Jim Vandermeer (Red Deer Rebels WHL career), Daymond Langkow (born in Edmonton, AB), Jamie Lundmark (born in Edmonton AB) and Eric Godard (born in BC, Lethbridge WHL career).

2.) Former “Sutter” guys. Darryl has been around the league for awhile, coaching for several years in both Chicago and San Jose before becoming the Flames coach and then GM. He draws from his extensive experience and values (some would saying “overly values”) players he’s had – and liked – in the past. Since becoming the Flames general manager, Sutter has acquired or signed Miikka Kiprusoff (Sharks), Tony Amonte (Blackhawks), Jeff Friesen (Sharks), Owen Nolan (Sharks), Mark Smith (Sharks) and Wayne Primeau (Sharks) to name a few.

3.) Guys his brothers know. If he doesn’t have direct knowledge of a player, Sutter leans on one of his 5 brothers (Brent, Brian, Duane, Rich, Ron) to provide him with information. For example, Duane Sutter was part of the Florida Panthers coaching staff from 1996-2002, where he would have had experience with future Darryl Sutter acquisitions Marcus Nilson and Kristian Huselius. Daryl has also made a number of trades with the Phoenix Coyotes during his tenure in Calgary (acquired Langkow and Lundmark) where his brother Rich is a scout. In his first season as Flames GM (’03/’04) Sutter traded for the Blackhawks Ville Neiminen near the deadline. Neiminen’s coach in Chicago that year was Daryl’s brother, Brian.

And so on. It’s clear Sutter likes to have as much primary, first-hand knowledge of a potential acquisition as possible and he takes full advantage of his extensive familial connections (as well as personal experience) throughout the NHL to that end. He’s also stated publicly that he deeply believes in Western Canada’s grass roots and junior hockey systems and their abilities to produce quality players, thus his resultant preference for those players with Western Canada somewhere in their past (over and above the reasons alreayd stated).

So as the deadline nears and the Flames look to tinker heading into the stretch-drive, keep the above in mind…you’ll be way ahead of Eklund, or most other media rumor mongers, in predicting Sutter’s moves.

Western Conference

The top 10:

Detroit: What do you buy for the person who has everything? Still, if the Blue Jackets fall out of contention, Sergei Fedorov could head north.

San Jose: Jonathan Cheechoo’s drop-off will have them looking for a big-time winger to play on Joe Thornton’s line.

Vancouver: The heat will be on general manager Dave Nonis to add one (or two) offensive threats.

Dallas: A tough question looms: Do they still believe in goaltender Marty Turco, or is this Mike Smith’s time?

Calgary: Coach Mike Keenan has leaned hard on goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff this season, but it’s not working.

Minnesota: Look for the Wild to play defenseman Martin Skoula less and Keith Carney more down the stretch.

Anaheim: They have no salary cap room to add a player. It’ll have to come from within.

Colorado: With Joe Sakic and Ryan Smyth out for extended stretches, they need to simply persevere.

Columbus: Might finally be a buyer at the trade deadline. The pressure is on, GM Scott Howson.

St. Louis: The addition of center Andy McDonald was an early present, but you know team president John Davidson has got something else up his sleeve.

The other five:

Phoenix: Adding goalie Ilya Bryzgalov was huge. But don’t be surprised to see defensemen Ed Jovanovski and Derek Morris moved.

Chicago: The future is bright, but goalie Nikolai Khabibulin has been a major bust.

Nashville: By the time injured winger Steve Sullivan returns, it could be too late.

Edmonton: It has been a disastrous 12 months for the Oilers, who now have a long way back.

Los Angeles: They’d be smart to unload defenseman Rob Blake and center Derek Armstrong to a contender.

Eastern Conference

The top 10:

Ottawa: The drama surrounding goaltender Ray Emery threatens to derail a return trip to the Cup Finals.

New Jersey: The Devils can never have enough “D.” Look for them to add a shut-down defenseman.

Carolina: They’re giving up way too many goals, so look for a move to shore up the back end.

Montreal: A defensive-minded forward or a shut-down defenseman would help a woeful penalty kill.

Pittsburgh: Keep an eye on Marc-Andre Fleury’s health. There’s no way they’ll go into the playoffs with Ty Conklin in goal.

Boston: Could be looking for a center. It doesn’t look like Patrice Bergeron will be back this year.

New York Rangers: “What can we get for you, Mr. Jagr?” As if Scott Gomez and Chris Drury weren’t enough.

New York Islanders: No way this holds, with so many minus players. Look for a second-half downward spiral.

Philadelphia: Biggest need is secondary scoring, even with the emergence of center Mike Richards.

Buffalo: Left winger Darcy Regier needs a big move to restore his reputation among Sabres fans.

The other five:

Florida: Putting lots of pressure on goaltender Tomas Vokoun will catch up to them eventually.

Atlanta: Stuck in a tough spot between “almost there” and “time to gut the roster.” Coach Don Waddell has a tough call.

Toronto: The torches are being wrapped and dipped in fuel. They’re coming for you, GM John Ferguson.

Washington: At some point, they’ve got to consider moving goaltender Olaf Kolzig to a contender.

Tampa Bay: Bad goaltending killed the season. Which one of the “big three” is on the move?

The Oilers and Hurricanes were told by Senators GM Bryan Murray that Neil isn’t going anywhere.

Garrioch also reports that the New York Rangers and Phoenix Coyotes have resumed trade talks involving Coyotes defenseman Ed Jovanovski.

A deal was almost completed at the start of the season, but word is that Jovanovski invoked his no-movement clause. Sources indicate that Jovanovski will only waive his no-trade clause if he was traded to the Florida Panthers.

However, it’s unlikely that the Panthers have any interest in taking on Jovanovski’s $6.5 million salary for the next four years.

Still from Garrioch, he reports that the Calgary Flames may soon announce that they have signed their goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff to a contract extension. And perhaps a trade, too. Flames head coach Mike Keenan appears to be very keen on Montreal Canadiens forward Alex Kovalev and wants him on his team.

On the Peter Forsberg front, Garrioch claims that Columbus Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson may “try to convince” head coach Ken Hitchcock to contact the UFA forward to see if he’d like to pay for the club.

While on the surface it may seem like a good match since Hitchcock and Forsberg have a relationship since their days with the Philadelphia Flyers and the Blue Jackets are actively shopping for a front-line center, appearances may be deceiving.

Even tough the Blue Jackets are much improved from past seasons, why would Forsberg want to sign with an up-an-coming team while he can join a Stanley Cup contender?

Lastly from Garrioch, the New Jersey Devils are still trying to find a team that will take defenseman Richard Matvichuk off their hands.

While the Flames are very interested in signing Kiprusoff to a contract extension before the regular season starts, for the moment, negotiations have “reached a polite impasse.”

That is believed to be due to Kiprusoff’s salary demands. The Flames’ All-Star goalie is said to be looking for a five-year, $35 million deal. Much like what Iginla received this past summer.

On the other hand, the Flames would prefer to sign Kiprusoff to a deal worth in the $6-million-a-year range, so that they have enough money and salary cap space to “re-sign Dion Phaneuf as a restricted free agent and possibly Daymond Langkow and Kristian Huselius as UFAs next summer.”

Communication between the two sides are expected to continue, but a deal does not look to be on the horizon.

Still, Kiprusoff admits his first choice would be to stay in Calgary.

“This is the place I want to stay,” Kiprusoff told reporters. “That’s my first option, for sure.”

“(Agent Larry Kelly) knows I’d love to stay here. That’s the main thing.”

However, word is that he would be willing to explore the free agent market if he can’t work out a deal with the Flames.

Kiprusoff’s agent, Larry Kelly, and Flames GM Darryl Sutter have already had a couple of conversations, and more talks have been planned for later in the week.

“We’ll probably talk again Thursday or Friday,” said Kelly.

Due to his good professional relationship with Sutter, and a close friendship, Kelly is optimistic he will get a new deal for his client without any problems.

“We’ve had a good relationship over the years and I would expect that to continue. It’s just a matter of coming to terms on dollars.”

“That’s the only issue,”

Kiprusoff, who is in the final year of his contract, will make $3.6 million this season. Lefebvre speculates that the Finn could get an average salary of between what Martin Brodeur is making and ($5.2 million) and what Roberto Luongo ($6.75 million) will earn this season.

However, Sutter warns that the Flames are operating under a budget and whatever the club’s Star netminder will earn will have to fit into it.

“We’ve pretty much been able to keep our guys together and work within the framework of a budget,” noted Sutter, who this summer signed right-winger Jarome Iginla and defenceman Robyn Regehr to five-year extensions.

“And we’ll continue to. If it gets to the point where somebody doesn’t want to play here and (demands too much money), then he won’t.”