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Wednesday, June 20, 2001
Calgary Flames
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First-round picks: No. 11
2000-01 record: 27-36-15-4, 73 points (20th overall).
What they need
Offensive help is once again a need in Southern Alberta (Flames were 25th in offense in '00-01), especially if Valeri Bure ends up elsewhere in 2001-02. A goaltender could also be a need given Mike Vernon's advancing age and poor performance last season (3.23 GAA).
In the system
Calgary selected a pair of netminders in last year's draft. They took Brent Krahn (9th overall), who had a 22-10-3 record with a 2.99 GAA for the hometown Calgary Hitmen (WHL), in the first round and Levente Szuper with the 116th overall pick. The native of Hungary compiled a 16-10-2 record with a 2.50 GAA as a member of the AHL champion Saint John Flames.
Right wing Rico Fata (6th overall in '98) had a solid year with St. John as well, scoring 23 goals and 52 points in 70 games. Center Steve Begin (40th overall in '96) had 28 points in 58 games during the regular season, then added 17 points in 19 playoff games en route being named MVP of the playoffs.
Center Oleg Saprykin (11th overall in '00) made the jump from the WHL to the NHL this past season, recording 23 points (9 G, 14 A) in 59 games
during his rookie campaign.
Recent draft history
The selection of Krahn in the first round last year was the first time since 1995 the Flames did not select a forward in the first round. Two of the forwards the Flames selected during the '90's reached the conference finals last season -- with other teams (Chris Dingman with Colorado and Cory Stillman with St. Louis).
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