I've viewed this season as a lost one for the Flames franchise from day one, so I wasn't terribly saddened by the lockout. At this point, I'm simply looking for them to build a truly competitive atmosphere and franchise that is consistent from game to game and period to period.
So far the compete level is there, but the consistency isn't.
I feel very strongly that the Flames need to trade Iginla, Kiprusoff, and anyone anywhere near 35 on this roster to get some pieces. Everyone else could be part of a winning solution in the future and I don't want to trade everything away unless we are truly at the bottom of the barrel. Until that happens, they have to keep trying.
This game is indicative of where the Flames are: a mediocre team with noticeable holes in the lineup that gets exposed once in a while by teams that are more complete. That is all there is and I refuse to get upset about the state of the current team because I know there are better things on the horizon. I have faith in the new era of Flames drafting and development, and I know that eventually we will look like the Blues we saw tonight. It might take a while and we will have to be patient, but it will happen.
Doesn't help deal with the loss tonight. Oh well, maybe I'll try that Maple Crown that everyone has been raving about.
