[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by New Era

Here is my observations from the first four games of the season. It may turn into a rant, so apologies if it does.

The Flames are missing that youthful enthusiasm that made the difference for them last season. I'm so sick and tired of seeing the same useless performance from some of the vets. They make as many, if not more mistakes that the young guys make.

Mason Raymond is the new Paul Byron, except Raymond doesn't play with the same urgency as Byron. He is such a poor fit on this team. His line mates get him the puck, but the play dies right there. He's soft on the forecheck and worse on the backcheck. Markus Granlund should be in before Raymond.

What does Brandon Bollig do for the Flames again? He's slow and doesn't use his body worth a damn. He isn't intimidating anyone out there and is always behind the play. He's supposed to be one the Flames wide bodies and provide some physicality out there, but he can't catch anyone to lay a body on them. Garnet Hathaway would be an improvement on Bollig.

Same things can be said for David Jones. He's another big body that just doesn't do anything with that size. You want to know why our cycle game sucks, its because these guys are too slow to get in on the defense and gain possession of the puck. The Flames need guys with speed. Another problem with Jones is he's supposed to finish, but he can't get to the areas to score quick enough. I would much rather see a guy that can at least get to the areas and not finish than watch another big guy that can't get there. Like, Mason Raymond is providing more than what Jones is right now. Ugh!

Dennis Wideman. Just typing that makes me want to punch someone in the face. The guy should have an orange helmet on so he more closely resembles the pylon he's looking like on our blueline. Someone should remind him that September is United Way month and he should stop with the ####ing giveaways! Yes, he has a big shot, but holy crap is he useless the other 98% of the game. Give me any one of three or four guys on the farm. They will at least play hard and hopefully learn from their mistakes.

Backlund and Jooris both need to get their crap together as well. They are not bringing what they need to. I can't believe these guys are this bad with the likes of Billy Arnold, Kenney Agostino, Emile Poirier and Morgan Klimchuk all knocking at the door.

I understand the need for veterans on the team, but man, if those vets stink up the joint like the our guys are doing right now, I see no reason to give them the benefit of the doubt. I'd much rather lose with a team than goes out and works its sack off than go out and lose with this bunch of pedestrians.

Yup, it turned into a rant. Sorry, its been a tough start to a season that held so much promise. Hartley has his work cutout for him.

Yes, and don't forget Gio has not been good. Monahan has not been good. Bennett has not been good. Etc.
As a team, they have been weak and disappointing.