Sutter: Improvements needed to return Rebels to playoffs next year
By DANNY RODE – Brent Sutter sat back in his chair. A look of concentration on his face when asked what his thoughts about the Red Deer Rebels season were.
“I think it speaks for itself, we’re not in the playoffs,” said the Rebels owner, president and general manager.
“There were some good moments and some time when we weren’t as good as we needed to be. We went through a pretty significant losing streak and that certainly hurt us, but it is what it is, and we move on and start preparing for next season.”
Sutter had his exit meetings with the players and coaches last week and there was a lot to discuss, “things we needed to address and be better at” as he put it.
Things like their special teams, their road record (9-22-1-2) and the ability to overcome setbacks such as injuries.
All three of those played significant roles in a disappointing season that crashed when the Rebels lost 16 of 17, including 13 in a row from Dec. 17 to Jan. 25.
“I thought there were areas we underachieved this year in different ways,” Sutter said. “Looking at the stats, our powerplay was 22nd and penalty kill 20th, and we didn’t score a lot of goals.
“If you look at our personnel there are ways to create more things offensively … things we can do to create more and do things better as a team.”
Sutter believes the Rebels have some “really good young talent” to help lead the way back into the postseason.
“They will contribute more next year, now we need our older players to step up as we need more contributions from them offensively.”
Sutter believes in his coaching staff and hopes they will be back next season.
“I believe so, but I have to sit down individually and go from there…. see where they are with their thoughts and personal life.”
Sutter and the coaches agreed there are things that need addressing sooner in the season for a team to have success.
Brent acknowledged injuries hampered the season with veteran forwards Ollie Josephson, Jhett Larson and Kalan Lind, among others, all out at the same time.
“I get the injuries,” said Sutter. “I know what injuries do to affect a hockey team, but there were other things internally we could have been better at … things we could have addressed that could have given us a better chance to win hockey games.”
Brent is a high believer in the fact “injuries do not have a bearing on a team’s identity.”
“I’ve been fortunate to play for some great coaches and it was imperative to have a strong identity in your team right from the start, to have individuals who do no have excuses in their game.
“It’s important for you as a player to be sitting in that room to know you have an identity as a group. You look across the room and know there is that identity.
“You know you don’t have to score three goals on that night, but realize if we do things right we give ourselves the best chance to still win and I guess we missed that this year.
“There has to be accountability from everybody in the room, to be accountable to the team game and that reflects back on their identity.
“A guy has to know he has to play at this level and then challenges everyone else to raise their game to a certain level.
“Winning teams have that environment.
“You need a strong foundation. I’m not saying injuries don’t impact a team, but if you have that foundation from day one you’re able to carry on every day.”
That’s where a strong coaching staff comes in.
“We have to be able to adapt and adjust, not just throughout the year but throughout a game. Those are types of things that are game management and things we talked about, and the guys know.
“We (coaches) had good discussions, and they know.”
The injury bug hit the Rebels early and often this season. Right in training camp they lost import winger Kasper Pikkarainen with a knee injury.
The Finnish winger, a draft pick of the New Jersey Devils, returned home to have major surgery, which may spell the end of his career. He has been taken off the club’s import list leaving Samuel Drancak and Gleb Semenov for the time being.
“Sammy will be back next year,” said Sutter. “He’s a strong two-way player and I’m excited about his 19-year-old season.”
There’s been indication that CHL teams may be allowed three imports on rosters next season, up from the currently mandated two.
“That’s the word, and if so, we’ll draft one or two in the import draft,” indicated Sutter.
The CHL Import Draft comes in July shortly after the NHL Draft. An expansion draft for the Penticton Vees – entering the WHL next season – goes May 7 followed immediately by the WHL U.S. Priority Draft and WHL Prospects Draft, where the Rebels will draft no lower than 7th overall.
“There’s a lot of tournaments coming up and our scouts are busy,” said Sutter. “They’re putting together their lists for three drafts.”
There will be several tournaments for draft eligible kids, including the Alberta Cup April 24-27 at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre.
The Rebels won’t know who they’ll draft this year, but do know they have a number of outstanding young players already in their system.
“We have a good young group who are coming in the next year or two,” said Sutter. “They’re going to push others out of the way.”
One of those talented youngsters is 16-year-old defenceman Graeme Pickering of Adolphe, MN. Sutter doesn’t expect him to step right in and be an impact player right off the start, but will make his mark down the road.
“You don’t expect a 16-year-old defenceman to step right in … there is an adjustment period,” he said.
One area the Rebels fully expect be strong in next season is in goal with Chase Wutzke and Peyton Shore both returning.
“Our goaltending tandem should be at the top of the league next season,” said Sutter. “But then we have to play the right way in front of them. Goaltending is so important, it’s such a huge confidence thing for a group to know they have good goaltending behind them.”
One of the strengths for the Rebels is goaltending coach Ian Gordon, who also works with the RDP Kings netminders and Kristian Lyon, who was the MVP of the ACAC championships.
“We’ve been strong since Gordo came on board,”: said Sutter. “He not only coaches our goalies but scouts and knows the goalies in our system.
“Goaltending is a tough position to get a gauge on and it’s nice to have a good goalie coach.”
Sutter concluded his media day with one final statement.
“I think the players have learned something this year, the coaches have learned something as well. There are always positives in tough situations and it’s how they manage them moving forward.”
