I don't think there are many players that are blameless.
Heck, Tanev had a very strong defensive season, but I still think that's two much cap and too much ice-time for no offensive production in today's 'modern NHL'. If you disagree, then Tanev (and perhaps Mangiapane too!) are 100% blameless, while everyone else deserves some poop thrown in their direction.
Markstrom was a GOD to start the season. Then he became a sieve. Down this stretch, he has been 'fine' - it is arguable if he lost the Flames a couple of games, but that's about it. He most certainly didn't save any games that I can remember either, so he was just 'fine'.
The Flames' 6 million dollar man has to be better than fine. I bet he will be next season, but we will see. I disagree with the notion that if the goalie only lets in 2 goals, then you can't blame him. Of course you can blame him. What was the context to any of those two goals? Were the Flames dominating, and then he let in a stinker? Did he make any momentum changing saves? Were the Flames being shelled and it was a heroic performance to only allow 2 goals, or were they two ugly goals? Of course the skaters have to put the puck in the net too, but not being able to criticize a goalie for only allowing 2 goals isn't a valid argument, at least not without context. The context down the stretch is that Markstrom was good enough to win most games, but he wasn't 6 million bucks good enough. I hope that changes next season, and at this point, I don't blame him (entirely) for the Flames missing the playoffs. He is one of the reasons why they missed. They didn't miss because of Markstrom alone, nor did they miss in spite of Markstrom. Markstrom was very much like the rest of the team this season - simply not good enough most nights.
To start the season, the Markstrom was a God. Flames were playing HORRIBLE, but were mostly winning due to the God in net, a red hot PP, and a red hot SH% from Gaudreau.
When those 3 things cooled, Flames were terrible, Ward was fired, and the entire team sank.
Under Sutter, I think they have played mostly better, and the these metrics do a good job I would say of aligning with the eye test. However, I think only the Gaudreau line (ahem, Gaudreau himself specifically) has looked 'dangerous', and that greatly concerns me. However, I do think that the Flames have cleaned-up a lot of their game.
I am actually looking forward to next season. Sutter mentioned early on that he needs to make changes to the system, but that there wasn't enough time to do so, so he instead he made some tweaks. I am curious what those changes will be. I trust him to really think about it this upcoming off-season after learning first-hand what this team is all about.
I am both really looking forward to this upcoming off-season, while at the same time being very apprehensive about. BIG changes are probably needed, but I am also worried that some babies are going to be thrown out along with the bathwater. Bennett and Brodie were, IMO, some of the lone bright spots in every single playoff game this team has had under this current core. I am worried that some skilled players are going to be moved just for the sake of change, which I am afraid is going to both result in the same amount of success, but with an even crappier and more boring product to watch.
Tough job to do this upcoming off-season, but I do think the stats have aligned fairly well with what this team was this season.
Almost everyone on this team is to blame for being out of the playoffs, and that definitely includes Markstrom.
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