Flames' GM Sutter won't deal Tanguay

With one day to go until the NHL's trade deadline, the Calgary Flames don't appear willing to deal away winger Alex Tanguay.

General Manager Darryl Sutter told reporters on Monday afternoon that he is not trading Tanguay and he likes the make up of his team. "Alex Tanguay is one of the top left wingers in the National Hockey League an he'll be a pretty good player for us down the stretch," he said.

When asked again about the winger's status, Sutter replied flatly, "I'm not trading Alex Tanguay. I already answered the question, I said Alex Tanguay will be a good player for us down the stretch."

The Flames, coming off a 2-1 win over Minnesota on Sunday, lead the Northwest Division by one point over the Wild.

The team had long been rumoured to be shopping Tanguay, who has a no-trade clause and one year left on his three-year contract at $5.25 million. The most circulated rumour had him going to the Montreal Canadiens for winger Michael Ryder while the news of Mats Sundin staying with the Toronto Maple Leafs sparked suggestions that Tanguay's trade value would go up.


"Again, you guys have made that soup for two months haven't ya?," said Sutter. "The news is very clear. That outside information is not information, it's just gossip and they, our hardcore group, know how I feel about them and that's what's important - that the trade deadline does not effect what we're trying to do going forward."

Tanguay, who has 14 goals and 49 points in 62 games this season, was acquired in 2006 from the Colorado Avalanche in a deal for defenceman Jordan Leopold.