PROBLEM:
This is the Calgary Flames right now at this very moment:
The image above says everything about this Flames team right now, they are slowly but surely kill themselves every game via the neutral zone right now, on both sides of the ice. From turnovers on their own breakouts, to defending the opposition’s breakouts. As of this moment IMO, these are the 2 biggest short term issues with this team that need to be addressed ASAP.
DEALING WITH PRESSURE:
From what I’ve seen from the opposition, they either drop back to clog the neutral zone or they come back hard with a layered attack on their backcheck and the Flames are falling right into their trap every single time. The opposition wants this. They’re forcing long passes from the Flames that are getting easily picked off, flip passes cross ice that aren’t being cleanly received, rushing the puck up ice with little support and turning it over with ill-advised passes or when the opposition defense decides to step up. Enough with the tunnel vision already players; the skilled plays are rarely working because the back pressure is too hot, their gaps are too good and you're just not that talented. They need to start pulling back and make the easier play instead of trying to force low percentage plays that result in a turnover + an easy counter attack by the opposition. If nothing is there, restart, find the open ice that isn’t completely flooded with bodies and just take the path of least resistance because it’s there.
FORECHECK/BACKCHECK:
On the opposite side of things, the Flames are so late on the forecheck right now (aided partly by their awful neutral zone breakouts) that it’s actually hurting they way they can defend on the backcheck. They commit to an aggressive forecheck by sending F1 and F2 in deep, but without speed or any discernible pressure, it just ends up as an easy breakout for the opponent. Not only that, but they continue to shoot themselves in the foot further by sending in the F3 in an already futile forechecking effort allowing the opposition odd man rushes or the easiest of zone entries all because you left yourself completely vulnerable. There’s nothing wrong with just dropping back and going 1-2-2 most of the time and start feasting on other team’s turnovers. Being aggressive is fine at times, but when you’re playing no confidence and not working hard, this tactic won’t just fail, but it’ll hurt you.
Please fix these above problems and I believe this team can get back to playing competitive hockey instead of being blown out every second game. Talks about the future or what to do after this season can be had at another time, but the race for a playoff position is still very much in the balance. Just fix the above issues first so fans aren't subjected to any more torturous 60 minute efforts.