You lose two 100+ points wingers that were on the best line in hockey, you are going to feel it. Don't care what the return is, outside of say a McDrai duo coming back. Not to mention this team is a very reliant on Sutter's system and both Tkachuk and Gaudreau fit into the system very well once they got used to it. Not saying the newcomers aren't on board with buying in, but Sutter's first season back V.2 after Ward left had a fairly long adjustment period as well.
The amount of turnover, the loss of 2 elite top line wingers, and a goaltenders tendency to sometimes fluctuate season to season all play a role. Toss in a coach who is often hard-headed, stubborn in his ways and hard on the players. This is the result.
The first 5 games the team looked like gangbusters, but now that most teams have settled in it's obvious this season is likely going to be a grind.
I have faith they will eventually figure it out and hopefully peak at the right time. But man do the Flames miss Gaudreau. Say what you want about his size, but they sure do miss his puck carrying skills, his passing, his vision, his...everything. The loss of a legit gamebreaker is now a huge hole on this team. Hopefully Huberdeau can become that player at some point. I hadn't really watched him before, so not sure if that is part of his skillset.
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