[browna]

Good points.

There's also the aspect of drastic changes after a offseason of change. This season, unlike many others where there was a general malaise or a bunch of contributing factors where it's hard to pinpoint where things are going wrong and why, this year, unfortunately it's cut and dry...goaltending.

A lot of the gripes about Huberdeau, Kadri and others is a lot quieter (and they don't have to play much better) if average goaltending has this team in a comfortable play off spot. I think that's being conservative, becuase the Flames would be much more confident game after game after being rewarded for their effort and structure in winning games...but even not counting that, this roster is shown good enough to be higher in the standings overall than it is.

There are also so many other issues behind the scenes that never come to light in the public, with team dynamics and relationships and personal issues both now and previous...and relationships in the room and with the coach and GM and constant conversations they drastically alter the situation and circumstances as to how it appears to the interested fan base.

Promises made to players, business and marketing decisions, organizations and the GM's reputation with agents for future clients, in addition to yes, the buisness side (ie season ticket renewals and playoff tickets normally come out in the next week) etc etc all factors in, in some regard to be weighed by the entire organization when determining how to push forward on decision days such as today.