I am walking around a little sadder today.  The Calgary Flames have put a player on waivers for purpose of a buy-out whom I consider to be a family friend, Rhett  Warrener.

I met Rhett during the lockout; my family was just getting back from vacation from Disneyland and Rhett was coming home from San Antonio, Texas.  We were both at the Phoenix airport on a layover waiting for the flight back to Calgary.  He sat down and talked to us for a couple of hours and told us what it was like for him to be a player during the lockout (wish I had been a blogger then!) Ever since then, whenever he see us he will come over to say hello.  So for about four years now I have considered Rhett Warrner a close friend.  He will always be a Flame in my heart. Rhett has done a lot of charity work within the city, and has a heart of gold for kids.

Rhett has been a warrior for the Flames for the last four seasons. Rhett has been great at killing penalties, and he is a terrific leader for the young prospects on the Flames.  Warrner's work ethic is unmatched by any other player. He does all the muscle work in the corner.  Rhett is great at blocking shots and getting his body in the way for the team.  He is a steady, dependable rearguard, who sacrifices his body for the team.  He will be a great asset for any team with his leadership skills and hockey know-how around his own net.

It's times like this that reminds me that sometimes hockey is a business more than a game.  No one knows that better than Rhett. It is very personal to Rhett; he loves this city and the fans and it shows. I know that Sutter is employed by the Flames, and he can’t let his personal feeling in the way of his job; but I just wish sometimes that he could.  The Flames need to get younger and better. It has just never affected me before, because I never really got to know the players before.

 
There is a lot going on when you are a manager; which players to keep, which to trade, and there is the option of buying the player out.   The business of hockey can sometimes take an ugly turn, turning its back on a veteran hockey player and letting him twist in the wind. As a manager, sometimes you have take the good with the bad; then there is the ugly - you know, having to buy out a player because of injuries, or maybe so you can keep another one of other players. 

 
The buy-out a consequence of the cap world, and it is something that had to be done.   The Toronto Maple Leafs used this option to exercise their demons, buying out Tucker, Wellwood, and Raycroft.  Rhett was not the only casualty from the Flames, the others who might be bought out being Nilson and Erickson. The next example of the buying-out option is Bert Bertuzzi who might or already has been bought out from the Ducks. It’s a tool that Gm’s use to fix their own boo-boos.  Whatever the case, maybe sometime the business of hockey can be pretty ruthless. 

 
The business of hockey is necessary evil in today's society. People have hockey teams to make a living.  Treating players like assets is nothing new; it is part of the new NHL. The players understand this. It is just sad that one of the good guys is its victims.  And there is no better guy than Rhett Warrener

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Randy

randy@islesnation.com