Quote:
Originally Posted by Lanny_McDonald
Cap space only counts if you use it. If you don't spend it, or spend it poorly, it doesn't matter.
We are getting closer and closer to the opening of training camps. 25 days left. I would hope the Flames go into camp with a solid roster and uses this time to team build and get out of the gate quickly. I would think this is the smart thing to do, but who knows anymore. All we have to do is squeak into the playoffs and then its a whole new ball game!
The exact same problems that have been holding this team back since Treliving arrived have continued to be problems. We need at least one top six player, preferably a #1 right shooting RW. We need center depth. We now need at least one top four defenseman, thanks to letting two walk for nothing in back-to-back years. We do get to hold out hope that he addressed two areas where he's been a disaster. We get to hope that he solved the coaching position (still not convinced). We get to hope he solved the starting goaltender position (wasn't great last season). He's trying, but the team is still very much in the exact same place it was before he arrived. After seven years, shouldn't he have more to show for his work than the same gaps existing and a team sliding in the standings? Shouldn't he be under a microscope by this point?
Did it? Outside of finishing against a hapless Canucks squad and gaining some easy points the team didn't play much different than under any of the previous coaches. They tightened up their defensive play, but then couldn't score with regularity. It became Sutter hockey, but can this team play that type of hockey for a full season? We're going to find out if the last four games of the season was more indicative of a change, or just playing against a really ####ty hockey team.
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The Flames have spent to the cap in each of Treliving's seasons, no point in guessing that's going to change now.
And yes the team played well under Sutter. Using his WHOLE sample size and not just Vancouver games the Flames were near the top in most play driving metrics, but didn't get the goaltending to make it work.
CF% 2nd
Shot splits 8th
High danger splits 3rd
Expected goal splits 3rd
Don't get me wrong, I'm not in love with this team as it's constructed but there are signs pointing to a rebound even if they don't make the changes most of us would like.