[thefoss1957]

All series the 'Hawks did well when they were moving their feet...and last night, at times, they stopped skating.

Many 'Hawk fans viewed this year's version as having a flawed roster (last year's too, despite winning a Cup), We wonder why the 'Hawk brain trust have refused to get a true #2 Center for years. Pirri never seemed to get a fair shake from Q, and got dumped. Also a partner for Leddy was problematic...I preferred Brookbank, Q preferred Rozival, a -2 last night.

As far as in-season moves, Gaborik was, for me, a surprisingly effective pickup for the Kings, at the deadline, I didn't think that he would play enough D to suit Sutter. On the other hand, all the 'Hawks did was give up two youngsters, Olsen and Hayes, for Versteeg, who now seems certain to be dumped.

I posted before, that in front of, and behind the 'Hawk net, the Kings' strength over the unphysical 'Hawk D, was dominant. Last night, that unphysical D also failed to "stand up" at the Blue line, allowing a zone entry that led to Gaborik's GTG. This 'Hawk fan was unhappy with all the "fishing" for the puck the 'Hawks did, instead of taking that extra stride to get to the damn puck. Before Toffoli's goal Bickell made a lazy clearance attempt with a poke, at the wall, failed to get the puck cleared and disaster followed.

I have never been a fan of the guy's game to game effort, and rewarding Bickell, so much, for a single playoff run was foolish...his failure to take open shots, off the rush, yesterday, screwed up a couple promising opportunities, and his soft play cost in the D-zone.

Lastly, the feeling among many 'Hawk fans, is that Q got outcoached...I don't doubt this, the result seems the proof...but...more to the point, many 'Hawk fans feel that the REASON the 'Hawks were inconsistent throughout the year, especially on special teams, is that Jamie Kompon and Mike Kitchen are two of the most incompetent assistant coaches in the league, and failures to adjust fall squarely on their areas of responsibility.

Disappointing finish to this season, but, there is some hope for my team...TT should be ready to go, to solve the #2 Center issue. I expect some room for some youngsters to be made, by dumping Versteeg and Brookbank (UFA), and IMO, hopefully Bickell, and expect Handzus (UFA) to retire, and perhaps Rozival too, as he had a hard time staying healthy, this season. Morin (RFA), Regin (UFA), and Nordstrom will be in the bottom 6 forward mix. I expect Leddy to be shopped, with Clendening a ready to move up.

I expect a more consistent team next year that will again challenge for the Cup...

Thanks again to all you fine Flame fans, for letting me hang at one of the best boards for NHL teams, and I truly hope your patience and passion for hockey get rewarded soon, by your Flames...not really a "rivalry", but, our two teams do have a playoff history vs. each other, and I hope to see the matchup again in the postseason soon.