It is quite perplexing as to what ails the Flames right now.
I don't think it is goaltending. That last game that Ramo had I thought he was spectacular until the Flames allow the NHL's best goal scorer a high-percentage shot, followed by his own rebound to score. Flames became rattled.
Same thing happened in most games. There has been some bad goals that one can point and say: "Hey, after this goal went in, the Flames lost it".
Hiller and Ramo have both made sensational saves that should have given this group confidence to turn the play around, but that didn't happen. They just keep looking rattled.
Is it a chemistry thing? I don't think so since the majority of the team is the same as last year, and last year saw a LOT of movement personnel-wise with all the injuries.
I don't think it is because of the 'unsustainable' crap either. They just aren't getting off enough high-percentage shots like they were last season, and they are allowing tonnes of prime scoring opportunities that I think last year they weren't. Ramo and Hiller were both 'average' goalies last year by every metric. This year, they are being exposed (or were with Ramo as he is in the AHL) because there are a lot of 2nd and 3rd opportunities. Some of the 2nd opportunities are almost uncontested. That is really difficult for goalies to stop - even elite goalies have trouble stopping some of those chances regularly.
They just don't seem like that hungry fast team anymore that just bears-down. The swagger is gone. That lunch-pail attitude that everyone seemed to love has disappeared.
I don't know if it is a case of just 'playing through it' with the coach just trying to pull positives and show patience, or if a shake-up trade is required. Maybe more bag skates. I have no idea what is really wrong with this team at the moment, but there has probably been about maybe 8 or 9 periods where I saw last year's team performing all season long.
Hudler looks much more like a passenger this year, while last year he looked like the guy leading the charge mostly.
Backlund often seems confused or unsure out there at times.
Giordano is finally looking more like himself, but also not quite the same outside of that Detroit game.
I didn't think Bouma started the season well at all, and now is out with an injury.
I love Paul Byron, but he was hardly a huge loss (a loss I thought, since he has tremendous speed and solid PK ability, but hardly any sort of an explanation at this point).
As lousy as Hamilton has played, I can't say it is him either. He has made some critical errors, but it isn't like the Flames look better when he is sitting on the bench between shifts.
It seems the whole team is a bit of a mess. It is almost as if the 29 other teams decided to watch video on the Flames and have picked apart the system and completely neutralized every player. There were some piss-poor efforts to start the season for sure. However, there were also some very good efforts that were just neutralized I thought.
At this point, hopefully they just play through it. Hopefully when Brodie comes back, the Flames will do a much better job of transitioning than they have been doing so far. Hopefully it is just a confidence thing. I at least have the confidence that Treliving won't react with a bad 'shakeup' trade. Rebuild should be a longer process than what the Flames have done so far, and perhaps they are much more like Ottawa in that regard where it seemed they were almost done their rebuild, only to show by the mid-season mark that was so obviously not the case.
I do agree with what many have been saying - there is too much 'filler' in the top 6 so far. I don't think it explains the drastic difference from this season (so far) as opposed to last season, however. Bennett is not ready to be counted on. I thought he should have just been permanently fixed as the 3rd line center getting very sheltered minutes. I like Colborne, but he is a 3rd liner at this point. Same goes for Bouma, Ferland, and arguably Frolik as well. I see this team more of a 1st line team and a tweener 2nd line/3rd line team.
Season's far from over, and the Flames are far from out of it. Anyone really believe that Arizona, LA, San Jose, Vancouver, Edmonton, Anaheim and Calgary will actually be the final ranking this year? Of course not. It better get clicking for the Flames soon, however, but they are definitely not out of it. I don't see Calgary as a bottom-feeder this year. I see them still as a bubble-team that would more than likely make the playoffs. I saw Anaheim as a top team in the league. I saw Arizona competing hard for their Arizona-born better than Eichel but not nearly as good as McDavid wonderkid this year. Weird start, but I still don't see those three things not ending up that way.
I am still in 'rebuild mode' though as a fan. If they lose, sucks, but fine.. it is a rebuild after-all. Things are still looking good with the depth the Flames have organizationally. There is no reason to jump off a bridge at this point so early in the season - or at any time this season even if the Flames finish dead-last. As long as Treliving maintains his long-term focus, I won't 'hate' what is happening. Disappointed with the way the Flames came out? Definitely. But hardly anything to be embarrassed about. No good reason to stop cheering for them and supporting them.
It is a rebuild still. Ups and downs. In my mind, part of really enjoying a win is remembering how difficult it was before those wins came. Bandwagon fans scream and shout and have lots of fun. Sometimes the real fans are the ones that can't help but shed a tear or two because they remember how much time and support they kept investing in the team even when they were 'losers'. It is still a rebuild. Not a time to panic.
Anyone thought this team was the finished product and was competing for the cup this year? Don't think so. Just enjoy the season unfold. Rough start, but it is bound to get better with some exciting stretches. Even if they have a terrible season, I will still be interested to see how the young players respond throughout the year in dealing with it. I appreciate the good seasons that much more because of these.
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