QOTD: Will the Flames pull out of this tail spin?

[Bingo]

Clearly this will be the topic of the next 48 hours

[burn_this_city]

They'll pull out of it eventually, but I doubt we'll get back to the pace they were winning at before. Teams are keying on the defense now and the offense has dried up. Need to get back to making smart simple plays and crisp passes. They're forcing things too much at times and those turnovers are ending up in our net.

[Samuelsson]

I'm really not fussed either way. Yeah, it was great winning, and it'll be even greater if we snap outta this and keep on winning but, obviously, this wasn't supposed to happen this season. We've shown that we have the heart and chemistry to beat teams, which is more that can be said for a lot of the other 'tankers', and a lot of the reasons why we're not playing so well at the minute is due to injuries and inconsistensies (plus, every team goes through a funk).

So yeah, if we start winning again, great.
If we start losing and snatch a top-3 pick, then also great - safe in the knowledge that we'll most likely be a helluva lot better next year.

[Poe969]

I think they were playing better than they are for a while mixed with teams underrating them. I don't think they'll drop to bottom 3 but I don't think they'll finish top 5 either. It's hard to tell if they'll make the playoffs or drop right off. This is a young team and it'll be interesting to see how they manage this.

[GGG]

In some ways we have been playing better but not scoring and not getting timely big saves. If we keep it up we will start winning again.

Got to eliminate mistakes though.

[-TC-]

top 10 is gonna be tough...I don't think they are Oilers bad, but they will be bottom 6 methinks

[bubbsy]

i went with the last option, though there's no way we're in mcdavid territory, but think they'll fall to 10th in the conference. That's still pretty awesome.

Oops, misread the options, guess i fall more in the second option category.

[Table 5]

At the end of the year they'll be Top 10...of the draft. We won't be in guaranteed McDavid/Eichel territory, but I just don't think we have what it takes to stick around the playoff race. I voted that we wouldn't make the playoffs in the earlier poll, and I still feel that way.

I just hope they can keep up the effort level, and don't start giving up like a certain team.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Table 5

At the end of the year they'll be Top 10...of the draft. We won't be in guaranteed McDavid/Eichel territory, but I just don't think we have what it takes to stick around the playoff race. I voted that we wouldn't make the playoffs in the earlier poll, and I still feel that way.

I just hope they can keep up the effort level, and don't start giving up like a certain team.

Me too. I'm a little surprised they are on such a long losing streak but not surprised that the scoring has dried up and wins are harder to come by. I think they will finish in the 10-12 in the conference but I'm pretty happy with the compete level and a solid step forward in the rebuild process.

[DoubleF]

I think there's going to be a big sway and it starts with Hartley. Hartley needs to start trying new things to find ways to bring back what we had before, or a new formula that's better than before. We could find ourselves winning again or watching a lot of head smack plays and longer lost games streak while the team figures out something new.

This could be a good time to renew vows with the #IHartFlames movement. Come one Bob! Enthrall us!

I know Wideman says he credits his scoring with a change in stick that is more rigid. Perhaps we suggest the same to Byron and see if it works?

But in all seriousness though, it's great to see us moan and groan. Thank you Flames for spoiling us this season. Definitely hope the spoiling of us fans continues.

And to add... either way whether win or lose, I've never been prouder as a Flames fan.

[SeeGeeWhy]

I'll be concerned when I see consistent effort and team play trailing off. All of that has remained intact during this losing streak, so I remain hopeful their progress continues. Here is a team that might be battling for a playoff spot by the end of the year which is a great step from where they were last year.

Teams have to learn how to lose as much as they have to learn how to win. This is a good opportunity for the group to cement good habits, trust in each other and not lose the mental toughness needed to see themselves through a streak of losses.

Are we really surprised to see a lump of L's against some of the top tier teams in the league? The group is still very much a work in progress. I'm not concerned yet.

[codynw]

Nope, it's over. Flames go 0-55 to finish the season.

[DoubleF]

There's always the old adage that says, "You learn more from failure than success."

Cheers to that!

[codynw]

Originally Posted by DoubleF

There's always the old adage that says, "You learn more from failure than success."

Cheers to that!

Hey, MacTavish. I've got good news for you!

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by codynw

Hey, MacTavish. I've got good news for you!

Hah! I had a part which essentially said that it doesn't apply to one of the "NHL" teams, but removed it as I wanted to focus on the Flames discussion.

Next time, I'll leave it in, even if just for you.

[Gaskal]

Yes we will! As soon as we stop making dumb defensive lapses.

[Drury18]

There's way too much hype and panic being made about this slide. Not just here but in the media.

The best teams do this from time to time and the Flames even have a reason. There's been some lineup changes with the return of some vets from injury and assignment of the prospects back to Adirondack. The team is going through roster changes and lines are being mixed up both due to this and losing.

Our play hasn't been up to the level of the start of the season at some points, but I'm confident that I'm not saying anything Hartley isn't seeing and seething about already. I'm sure this is being worked on in practice and will correct itself. Again, part of this comes from new bodies in the lineup and adjustments having to be made. It is an issue that can be corrected.

We were supposed to be playing like this to start the season. This was supposed to be our normal. The team rose above those expectations by far and now reality caught back up to them. If we pull out, great. If we don't pull out, we still have made other teams notice us and respect us and for a rebuilding team, that's still far ahead of most.

[Bourque's Twin]

The Flames have an easier schedule coming up.

Rangers
Stars
Canucks
Kings
Oilers
Kings
Oilers

5 of 7 are at home, and the Canucks and Kings aren't playing lights out at the moment. If they can win 4 or 5 out of 7, then they will have a 21-16-2 record for 44 points or 22-15-2 record for 46 points.

Winnipeg plays a hot Buffalo team, Boston, Philly, Chicago, and Minny.
Los Angeles plays St Louis twice, Arizona, Calgary, and SJ
San Jose plays Edmonton but then STL, LA, ANA, VAN
Minnesota has CHI, BOS, Nashville for their next 3.

The Flames need to take advantage of the remaining games of 2014. It's a chance to push a team or 2 out of a playoff spot.

I believe they will do it and pull out of this tailspin.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

It's at the point where this season is completely in Trelevings hands. There's so many directions he can go at this point.

He can dismantle the team and continue the fall for Mcdavid (even though it's already out of reach).

Make a trade to improve the team while not sacrificing the future.

Waive anyone under-performing in an attempt to re-inject youth into the line-up.

Status quo until the trade deadline to see where the team is at and add/subtract accordingly.

[ForeverFlameFan]

7 games left in December, I'll be happy if we can go 4-3 on that stretch. We get the Oilers for one of those games, so really, we just need to go 3-3.