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Saturday, October 30, 1999
Limits fade for Shantz
But two words were all it took in a recent column.
'Limited skill.'
A couple of years ago, Shantz might have accepted the tag.
He was a fourth-line centre in Chicago, playing eight to ten minutes a game, mostly killing penalties.
But the limits have clearly been removed in Calgary.
Jeff Shantz found himself the No. 1 line centre after his trade last season.
The Flames suspected Shantz had more to offer than defence.
Those expectations are being proven.
Shantz's two goals, including the overtime winner against Ottawa, are proof that there is a new dimension to his game.
"Nobody ever wants to be thought of as 'limited'," says Shantz.
"I don't want to have that rap, that I don't have skill, that I can't do anything with the puck. I just want to be a little better offensive player.
"I came here last year and was very surprised to be thrown in with Theo (Fleury) and Iggy (Jarome Iginla) right away. I couldn't believe what was going on.
"It's fun now. You always want to be counted on as a player, to be able to produce for the team. It's a great sense of pride to be able to do that.
"For me to get into a situation like this now, well, I haven't been counted on like that since junior."
And although it may surprise many fans, close observers of the Flames are beginning to realize those skills from junior are still there.
That came as no surprise to Chicago and Calgary teammate Steve Smith.
"All along it was obvious that he was a better offensive player than he was given credit for in Chicago. He was thrown into a checking role there -- to play against top lines," said Smith.
"When the team came to me before his trade here to Calgary, one of the things I tried to impress upon the Flames was that he is a better offensive guy than anyone has ever given him credit for. He's starting to show that now.
"It's like anything -- if a guy is given an opportunity, he will either run with it or he won't. His character has shown he has the ability and desire to do it."
Let's not assume Shantz is about to battle for the NHL scoring title just yet. But on a team full of grinders, Shantz is now getting to show his offensive creativity with linemate Val Bure, who had four points in the win over Ottawa.
"Brian (Sutter) just keeps telling me good things happen if you keep going to the net and that's what happened in Ottawa," said Shantz.
"Howie (Phil Housley) hits my stick with one pass, and then Val throws it in there and I just banged away on the other one.
"As I get older and I get to play 16 minutes a night, it's not so much my individual goals I care about. When I was younger, I'd think I got a goal tonight so that was good, even if the team lost.
"Now I'm more team oriented. I want this team to win. We have a good young team but I don't know yet if we truly believe we can win. I think that we can."
Certainly, the Flames' overtime win against Ottawa has helped them believe they can win against any team, including the high-flying Maple Leafs, who they take on tonight.
At 26, Shantz is also an acknowledged leader on this team. Sutter says no one works harder, and although Shantz's burgeoning offence is now getting recognition, it's still his defence that is his forte.
"The only trouble with Shantzie is that sometimes he overworks. That's a supreme compliment," says a coach not prone to overpraise.
"Our penalty killing with Jeff has been unbelievable. He has been on the ice, for regular season and exhibition games, for one five on four goal and one five-on-three goal. That's a pretty impressive feat."
Shantz still takes pride in his defence.
But he's ready for a new label.
"How about something just a little bit more than 'limited skill' " he laughs. "How bout `moderately skilled?' Or `somebody who works hard and takes pride in showing up every night.' That's all I want to be known as.
"Someone who is a pretty honest player."
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