[RoadGame]

3 wins against the Blackhawks and we're having a different conversation... about why we almost never get out of the first round.

I'm not as convinced as most that Sutter needs to go, partly because I don't know who we'd replace him with who would be better. Other than Bob Hartley there hasn't been a coach I have liked more than Sutter in an average year since our cup. Looking around the league (even at a sampling of ATLs) coaches are often the target of angry fan bases. I remember how much the Dallas fans hated Rick Bowness during our playoff series and it's not like that disqualified him from one of 32 job postings this year.

I don't know if I am just feeling more at peace with our inevitable mediocrity, but if I set the bar for happiness at a deep playoff run or even a cup win, Flames hockey is going to do nothing but make me miserable. So instead I'm taking enjoyment from a game where there is good skill on display, with some passion from guys like Stetcher... obviously I want playoffs and the rest of it too, but we've had enough track record here to know we're probably looking at being a middling team going forward.

I buy a couple tickets a year, will probably keep doing so opportunistically when they're playing well. As for merch, I did just buy a reverse retro... I'm lucky to have a decent jersey collection (6) so at this point if they put ads on the jerseys I'll be sitting on my wallet. We have a beautiful uniform, don't mess it up for a small uplift in revenue.

So yeah, I'm not super upset about how the season ended because it seemed we were destined for 9th or a quick 1st round exit no matter what. Honestly I'm more worried about relocation the longer the arena saga drags on. None of this matters if suddenly we're keeping company with the Hartford Whalers and Atlanta Thrashers.