[Game Takes] Flames 4 Jackets 3 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Bingo · 10-04-2013, 08:45 PM

http://www.calgarypuck.com/2013/10/p...t-jackets-4-3/

To Be Quite Honest · 10-04-2013, 08:56 PM

I've been happy that the Flames have scored more than 1 goal! This season has been fun so far! ... 2 games in.

nfotiu · 10-04-2013, 09:03 PM

Quote:

What if the Flames are a .500 team that is tough to play against all season? Do you add free agents and spend to the cap next season to supplant the team you’ve built risking the veteran presence brought in wrecking the team’s mojo? Or do you stay the course and build by developing and mid round first round draft picks? Tough call. And yes it’s only two games.

This year is going to be a good guage of where they are starting from. If they get 82 points with a team that is only going to get better, then they are in a pretty good spot. Bump up spending when it make sense and don't trade any picks or prospects. If you can start the rebuild with 82 points, it seems like an attainable goal to improve by 5-7 points every year. Just don't make any moves that will hurt your ability to keep growing 3-4 years down the road.

Street Pharmacist · 10-04-2013, 09:24 PM

Really interesting in the glass slipper comment. I would think though, that if the Flames are playing this well early on due to being more fit, we'd see them pull it out in the third period and the end of periods. Seems like we come out gangbusters, then the other team catches up

Displaced Flames fan · 10-04-2013, 09:34 PM

Thanks for pointing out how well Backlund has played so far. Agree completely with you. Tonight it was evident in offensive zone moreso than last night, but he has been great in the other two zones throughout both games.

Delthefunky · 10-04-2013, 09:57 PM

The hypothetical rebuild question is a good one. It is early, but I would say try and do what we can with the mid-round draft picks and home-grown talent. Main reason being that I like our recent drafts, and I have a lot of faith in Weisbrod etc. When I look at our prospects, I see a lot of potential, and there's some high end potential in there too. What I like most is that this year, we went out and got a teams worth of projects and players who scouting believed had some untapped potential ( guys like Galiardi, Russell, Jones ) and held a really competitive training camp. Kind of like throwing #### at the wall to see what sticks. I like the honest approach, and the players I'm sure appreciate it as well, as they've shown with their work ethic the past 2 games. This is the merit system, but for it to work, you have to have guys waiting to replace those who under perform, and I think we have a few players in each position ready to step in, that are hungry and pushing guys ahead of them. I take a lot more pride in cheering for a team like this, then that embarrassment of a team up north. I hope they can keep this up, but in the end, I'm most pleased with the work ethic and pack mentality seen so far.

iamca · 10-04-2013, 10:09 PM

The Flames look good so far. Really like their compete level.

The Caps and Jackets are not elite teams by any stretch, so it will be interesting to see how they look against teams like the Sharks and Kings.

Hate to be a downer, but it's really early and the goaltending has looked below average. Over the course of 80 more games the jump will wear off and grind will set in. They definitely need to stay the course, however they will probably finish below .500

FacePaint · 10-04-2013, 10:12 PM

I'm surprised there hasn't been more talk about Hudler. I agree he has had good chemistry with Backlund but this guy seems to always make good decisions with the puck, back check well, and is a good mentor for the young guys. I hated the signing at first but think it can really pay off.

Dorkmaster · 10-04-2013, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamca

The Flames look good so far. Really like their compete level.

The Caps and Jackets are not elite teams by any stretch, so it will be interesting to see how they look against teams like the Sharks and Kings.

Hate to be a downer, but it's really early and the goaltending has looked below average. Over the course of 80 more games the jump will wear off and grind will set in. They definitely need to stay the course, however they will probably finish below .500

While I'd say the caps are borderline elite, your comments are spot on. Until the Flames still need to be stronger defensively with stronger goaltending. On top of that they'll probably struggle more with bigger teams cycling the puck down low. Overall though they've looked energetic and really seem to be pushing the pace of the game as opposed to previous years where they just chip it out into the neutral zone and never get it back.

dino7c · 10-04-2013, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamca

The Flames look good so far. Really like their compete level.

The Caps and Jackets are not elite teams by any stretch, so it will be interesting to see how they look against teams like the Sharks and Kings.

Hate to be a downer, but it's really early and the goaltending has looked below average. Over the course of 80 more games the jump will wear off and grind will set in. They definitely need to stay the course, however they will probably finish below .500

Caps are a good team and will likely have the best PP in the NHL. BJs are an average team what will likely be in the race. I think you under estimate both teams

Redrum · 10-04-2013, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

Thanks for pointing out how well Backlund has played so far. Agree completely with you. Tonight it was evident in offensive zone moreso than last night, but he has been great in the other two zones throughout both games.

Also agree. I remember someone made a comment a few months ago about him having a weak shot but every time I see it, its like a freakin bullet with a very quick release. I just hope he can avoid the injuries.

Enoch Root · 10-04-2013, 10:28 PM

Yup, they're going to get badly outmatched at times - especially in their own end by big teams like the Kings - but I think everyone is prepared for that.

As long a they show fight like they have so far, I'll enjoy the wins when they come, even if they don't come that often.

atb · 10-04-2013, 10:34 PM

I think the best part of the first two games is how hard the team has worked without letting off in the later periods. Inconsistent effort seemed to have been a theme the past 5+ years. How often would we see the Flames take the lead then slowly let off the gas with sloppy effortless play. It's only two games, but it's been great to see a consistent effort for the most part. I really, really hope this is a trend that continues all season and we're past the days of team that doesn't give a 60 minute effort.

sa226 · 10-04-2013, 10:35 PM

Nice write up.

The "Odds and Ends" could very well have been written by me (Except much less eloquent with grammar and spelling errors) Agree with just about everything.

That is what I was thinking on the glass slipper thing. It has been said a few times that Hartley ran one hell of a training camp. The Flames have simply looked better prepared than the other teams. We have seen it before with other teams that unexpectedly burst out of the gate to start the season, but then once things settle in and the top teams hit mid season form, everything falls to where it should.

I know this sounds very debbie downish. I'm not trying to wet blanket this whole thing, because the last two days have been pretty fun. I hope it keeps going.

sa226 · 10-04-2013, 10:35 PM

Woopsie daisies....double post

dying4acup · 10-04-2013, 11:45 PM

IF, and that's a big if, results are better than expected for the first 3/4 of the year, you still trade vets at the deadline. You still build through the draft. And you still stay the course.

If, and only if, a high-profile is willing to sign long term, is in the 25-27yr old range and fits into the long term plans, do you open the vault for a 3+yr contract. Otherwise, stay the course.

Remember that Colorado has had a couple of seasons during their rebuild that have exceeded expectations, and thus they altered their plans. They have looked like a confused franchise since 2009.

But it's easy to say. If the flames are in the race at the trade deadline, it will be a very uncomfortable conversation when Brian Burke tries to tell Ken King and the owners that they should be accepting the best offers for Cammy, Stajan and Hudler.

memphusk · 10-04-2013, 11:53 PM

Don't give a team like this any dumb found glory. If their in a position to do anything, let them do it on their own. There is a certain gratification that comes with knowing you can do it as a group, without outside help.

JJsChaos · 10-05-2013, 12:00 AM

For all the flak Sven has taken I hope he gets a good job from management. That was a great two-way game he played tonight.

c.t.ner · 10-05-2013, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJsChaos

For all the flak Sven has taken I hope he gets a good job from management. That was a great two-way game he played tonight.

Sven still needs to add a bit more muscle, but that was the biggest thing I saw during the game last night. I counted three or four time in the second/third where Sven was there to break-up or at least slow down the play for reinforcements to catch-up. I even recall him back on a 2-2 with I think girodano.

Sven's going to be more than alright as the season moves on. The kid has pride and a strong compete level.

moon · 10-05-2013, 06:23 AM

I don't think the Flames will run the risk of being .500 or better than expected this year but if they somehow are I think that they need to stay with the plan and not try to accelerate it based on one year.

We have seen too many teams have a big jump one season only to return back to their poor ways and the Columbus team we just played looks like they are very likely to be a team like that as they looked pretty bad last night.