I Believe - 2013

[Manhattanboy]

The thing that irriates me is that when you watch other teams, it looks like their players KNOW this is a 48 game season, that every point is huge and that even a minor losing streak can be fatal. No surprise there are so many three point games.

Watching the Flames compete (not skill) level overall over the past ten days or so, you would think this is mid October, with a " no worries, lots of time to turn it around attitude".

I like Iggy, and do not want to see him traded.

What we need is to become more physical at both ends of the ice. Hopefully Feaster can accomplish that through some minor trades.

[1_Flames_Fan]

Having a hard time finding the positives now so it's nice to see this thread

[foshizzle11]

I am a fan and always will be. We will go through tough times but this year I have liked the changes more than any other year over the last 4.

I can't complain about anything except for the fact that some players came into this shortened season out of shape and have suffered because of it, ie so many injuries.

Once those guys are healthy I think we can see a different way of finishing off the season.

Go Flames Go!

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Flames89

(Haven't read the thread but )
4 pts back with 1 game in hand. All our games are against divisional opponents.

so many teams in the way though

[djsFlames]

What's odd is i've always been on your side of the fence. Typically stubbornly optimistic, I've never lost belief that the team could do it over the past 3 years even, I always felt that they could raise their play a little more and a little more, until they broke into the top 8 again.

This is the first time in a decade with the tipping point being this last week of lackluster and disappointing play that I've honestly put up my hands and said "nope, they're toast" which is very uncharacteristic of me. And there's some strong arguments for why I shouldn't think so. Kipper's possibly the biggest piece of the team and without him, the GA shouldn't be surprising. But at the same time, I'm not even sure if Jarome will break his goal slump in a big way before the season is done. We can't rely on secondary guys like Hudler and Stempniak to score every night, enough to compensate for his lack of contribution offensively.

I mean a 6-7 game win/point streak would put them right into the top 8, but I just don't see the consistency, or more specifically consistency of effort and desire to win from these guys that a streak would require. I've learned a lesson that you can sign as many past 30, 40 goal scorers, big time defenders, or european all-stars as you want, but if those guys aren't the type that just Despise losing, and wear their hearts on their sleeves night after night, then you're simply not going to get that 'elite' level play out of them often enough, that they were supposedly going to bring in the first place.

A guy like Kane for example (as much as I am not a personal fan) made it clear that he wants to make his name in the league starting this year, that he wants to be spoken of in the same breath as the Crosbys, Malkins and Girouxs of the world, and he's gone out and put in 110% every night since the season started. Toews also is a guy who hates to lose and has expressed that about last season, and wanted to turn it around this year. And well, look what that team has done. That's passion right there. And in the games where they did struggle, (against us) they still rallied and found a way to win. That means not hanging your head and throwing in the towel when you've still got a chance, any chance, to steal points. This team could really take some notes on what those guys are doing, because while I believe we do have the Ability and Tools in our room to make some great things happen, we certainly have too many mental issues happening here, and a questionable level of commitment to winning.

I'd love to see them sort those issues out in time, whatever it takes to do it, becasue I'm a big fan of a lot of our guys and want to see them succeed, but if they can't come in and put forth the needed effort and the passion each night whether it's against the Canucks or Blues, or Minnesota on a sunday afternoon, it simply does not matter. You've got show the same level of play. Killer instinct, and no mercy. God knows how many times we've been embarrassed despite teams having the option to 'play down' to our level on a bad night, but instead kept pushing.

Backlund and Baetschi are huge for this team and I think we are sorely missing what they bring, but there is still more than enough talent with this crop that they should be doing Miles better than what they are. They need to start believing in that.

One can hope, but my optimism has taken a big hit so far this season. They are welcome to go out and restore it with some consistent, solid play, though. Any day now..

[Hugh Jahrmes]

My baertschi heat jersey from boxing day arrived yesterday. Bring on the wins.

[PlayfulGenius]

Originally Posted by Realtor 1

No I wouldnt but at this point in the season it is far from being an accurate odd and has very little math involved. We are not rolling a dice. Teams can easily win or lose 5 straight to drastically change the entire picture.
I agree once we get into the home stretch the odds become something worth paying attention to.

hehe, I don't think you understand what 'odds' are... I don't mean this as a personal attack... I just think its funny when people think they're arguing against statistical analysis when actually supporting it.

[Asain421]

I agree1 They are very interesting to watch when they are on a roll. However, I feel that they always forget their defensive skills every other game

Originally Posted by Jackpot_Smooth

I am really liking how much more the defense has been getting more involved offensively even though it may have resulted in more goals against. The offensive style Hartley preaches is much more fun to watch when the team can actually execute.

[EN FUEGO]

Originally Posted by troutman

Math don't care about that. The longer the season goes, the more accurate those odds become.

Would you bet anyone $100 that the Flames will make the playoffs?

At 10:1 odds? Yeah, probably.

[edn88]

I like the positive thread as well. Whether it is realistic or not, better place to be...

[Travis Munroe]

2 of the 3 teams with 19 points (7th through 9th) have played 1 more game than us. If we win that game we are looking great. All this while missing Kipper and backs.
I know it is extremely far fetched but what are your thoughts on trading kipper for 1 more elite fwd in his mid 20s? I know its a small sample but Joey Mac has looked good enough to play in front of a team who will put 4+ in every night.

[blender]

Originally Posted by Realtor 1

2 of the 3 teams with 19 points (7th through 9th) have played 1 more game than us. If we win that game we are looking great. All this while missing Kipper and backs.
I know it is extremely far fetched but what are your thoughts on trading kipper for 1 more elite fwd in his mid 20s? I know its a small sample but Joey Mac has looked good enough to play in front of a team who will put 4+ in every night.

Not sure if I'd want to give up on Kipper just yet IF the Flames are really in the chase (which, by the way, they currently are). MacDonald has had injury issues, and as good as he has looked, I don't think he's the answer as a starter on a playoff team. Great stop-gap/back up.

If the return for Kipper is too good to be true, you go for it, but IMHO you need a decent young center to even think about it.

[edn88]

Great goaltending wins championships. But it will be nice to have a solid backup when Kipper returns.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by Realtor 1

2 of the 3 teams with 19 points (7th through 9th) have played 1 more game than us. If we win that game we are looking great. All this while missing Kipper and backs.
I know it is extremely far fetched but what are your thoughts on trading kipper for 1 more elite fwd in his mid 20s? I know its a small sample but Joey Mac has looked good enough to play in front of a team who will put 4+ in every night.

Its great the flames won the last 2, but if they want any chance of making the playoffs they will need Kipper to play like he did last year.


You need to look at the first 7 games in March and the April schedule. The only chance is Kipper standing on his head.

[CSharp]

The only thing I want to believe is that Comeau-ver is not in the Flames lineup!

[JeanLucPicard]

I am currently going through the positive phase of CP-Bipolar disease so I approve this thread!. go Flames!!!!

[Diverce]

Last time Kipper went down for an extended time... Calgary made it to game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals. Just saying

I believe in this team, always have, always will. The players, the coaches. I cheer cause I love the team, and I always hope for the best.

[FlameZilla]

Hartley's Flames are really fun to watch. I like the intensity & speed they play with, and there's a little bit of skill thrown in for good measure. As long as they keep playing that brand of hockey I'll keep watching. Anything could happen if we squeak into the playoffs.

[Gary83]

Originally Posted by Realtor 1

2 of the 3 teams with 19 points (7th through 9th) have played 1 more game than us. If we win that game we are looking great. All this while missing Kipper and backs.
I know it is extremely far fetched but what are your thoughts on trading kipper for 1 more elite fwd in his mid 20s? I know its a small sample but Joey Mac has looked good enough to play in front of a team who will put 4+ in every night.

I would only want to trade Kipper if:

Irving comes back up and plays better then he was.
Ramo's season ends and he comes over and plays better then Joey Mac is.

Otherwise, moving Kipper is a recipe for disaster, as good as Joey has been I would not gamble with putting starting duties on his shoulders.

[Flames89]

2+ pts out, one game in hand.
Doesn't seem that dismal to me.