[Red Slinger]

Random thoughts:

It seemed like the Flames were having issues generating high quality scoring chances. I don't know if the stats back up the eye test on that or not. It also seemed like the Canucks weren't really concerned about point shots and were mostly blocking shooting and passing lanes, both 5 on 5 and the PP. I wonder if the Flames had a real threat from the point if the middle of the ice would open up at all. It could have made a difference on the PP at least.

The team seemed tentative and discombobulated in general. Especially, in the first period the puck support was pretty bad and looked like nobody was on the same page. There were a few good individual performances but they didn't seem to play together. I suppose that can be expected but, for the 7th year running, I would have hoped that's what they used the preseason for.

I was really disappointed in some of the vets who are supposed to be difference makers, especially early on. Gaudreau and Neal were largely invisible for 2 periods. I can give Neal a pass since it's his first game with the new team and he's not really the straw that stirs the drink. But Gaudreau has no excuse. He needs to be better and more consistent for this team to have a real shot at being contenders.

It looked like Frolik's woes from last season continued into this game. Hopefully he can get out of his funk. If not, they need to move him down the lineup permanently and make room for someone like Bennett, Czarnik or even Dube.

While he didn't have a great game I really liked what I saw from Hanifin. He has the makings of a great all-around defenseman. He had physical play, great skating, great defending, good puck-handling, nice outlet passes, controlled the play and was involved. He had some mistakes but when he irons out the wrinkles in his game I think we will be looking back and saying "Dougie who?"

In one of the preview shows (TSN I think) they talked about how the NHL is getting faster. However, they also pointed out that the biggest team in the league won the Cup last year. There were also other big, fast teams like Winnipeg and Nashville that are in the elite of the league. After the hit on Dube and the beat-down of Hamonic it sure showed that this team isn't physically intimidating to anyone, even a very young Vancouver team. It's good to have a fast, skilled team but it's even better to have a fast, skilled, big, tough team. Even against a relatively small team like the Canucks the Flames couldn't really answer. This could be a problem against some teams. Even one big guy in the lineup that can play a regular shift could make a big difference.