How's your flames passion level?

[heep223]

Originally Posted by saillias

It was pure crap btw.

I mean unless you really liked the Red Wings

And if we're having a discussion about the modern state of the game, the hockey right now is not the most entertaining. I feel like hockey peaked for entertainment back in 06-09. An NHL game is very mechanical, very systems oriented, a circling, possession chess match. The narrative around the league right now is "wow the speed of the game!" Players are not faster, it's a crock. It's just the best way to score goals now, run around in circles until the other team is tired, goal.

I feel like I'm watching completely different games than some of you. There are tons of odd man rushes in today's game and D are activated into the play more than ever.

If you think the NHL is mechanical, holy crap have you never watched an NFL game? Gameplay in the NHL is nowhere near as mechanical as the NFL or the MLB. That's why some Americans can't follow hockey - it seems completely random and chaotic. Now obviously it's not, but again it's nowhere near as mechanical as the other pro sports. I can't speak to the NBA because well, I don't follow pumpkin toss.

[Galakanokis]

It's not entertaining hockey. They're not battling or competing and that makes it hard to watch. Last couple of years if they got down they dug their heels in and fought back. Now? Seems like they just take their puck and go home.

The team is in good shape moving forward but it has been a wasted year standings wise and development wise in my mind.

[GioforPM]

I still watch almost every game, beginning to end. Am I happy? No. I don't see the progress from two years ago, or the success from last year. Either would do for me.

That said, I am happy with the additions. Bennett is basically an addition and he's great. Frolik has been a plus. Hamilton has obviously struggled but I think he is going to pan out fine.

And with basic, average goaltending, IMO this team would be well in the hunt for a PO spot and everyone's interest would be raised, including the skaters.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

If half the league is eliminated by January you end up with a bunch of teams trying to out-tank the others for best draft odds like the NBA. That's terrible for the league and fans as meaningful games in February and March make for much better entertainment than watching teams go through the motions of playing out their schedule.

Teams don't tank. Heck the NFL doesn't even have a lottery and they don't tank.

Games in February and March cannot be entertaining when the entire product as a whole is not entertaining.

Back on topic. I don't think that the Flames are boring this year, they are just the product of a boring league holding them back. So I still like watching the Flames.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by saillias

It was pure crap btw.

I mean unless you really liked the Red Wings

And if we're having a discussion about the modern state of the game, the hockey right now is not the most entertaining. I feel like hockey peaked for entertainment back in 06-09. An NHL game is very mechanical, very systems oriented, a circling, possession chess match. The narrative around the league right now is "wow the speed of the game!" Players are not faster, it's a crock. It's just the best way to score goals now, run around in circles until the other team is tired, goal.

Are we watching a different sport? Mechanical? 1995-2003 was a chess match. Jason Weimer and Steve Begin were part time water skiiers, part time 4th liners.

It is systematic, but far more dynamic. The "new" NHL transitioned from 1 PP specialist and 5 solid D (old system, bonus if you can have a offensive D that could play D) to having 5 puck moving D and maybe 1 stay at home guy. We say in the playoffs, everyone last year was activating their D, not just us. And strategy was all about pressuring and hammering the D to just try to wear them down over the coarse of the playoffs. A Before 2004, you would occationally see Sergei Gonchar or Sandis Ozonlinsh jump into the rush but that was kind of it.

NHL is all about skating. I will agree that the open ice hits and scrums left with the obstruction, but I guess it is what it is. It was going to go with all those concussion problems anyways.

[polak]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I still watch almost every game, beginning to end. Am I happy? No. I don't see the progress from two years ago, or the success from last year. Either would do for me.

That said, I am happy with the additions. Bennett is basically an addition and he's great. Frolik has been a plus. Hamilton has obviously struggled but I think he is going to pan out fine.

And with basic, average goaltending, IMO this team would be well in the hunt for a PO spot and everyone's interest would be raised, including the skaters.

I think The Gio, Hamilton, Wideman and Russell would keep us out of the hunt even with above average goalie. Hamilton has been slowly improving but the other 3 are absolute garbage this year. Huge detriment to the team.

[Southside]

I have probably missed more road games on tv this season than in the previous few seasons combined. Like some other posters have said, I just don't find it entertaining enough to draw me in this season. I've missed games watching movies, watching baseball, grocery shopping, etc.

[saillias]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

Are we watching a different sport? Mechanical? 1995-2003 was a chess match. Jason Weimer and Steve Begin were part time water skiiers, part time 4th liners.

It is systematic, but far more dynamic. The "new" NHL transitioned from 1 PP specialist and 5 solid D (old system, bonus if you can have a offensive D that could play D) to having 5 puck moving D and maybe 1 stay at home guy. We say in the playoffs, everyone last year was activating their D, not just us. And strategy was all about pressuring and hammering the D to just try to wear them down over the coarse of the playoffs. A Before 2004, you would occationally see Sergei Gonchar or Sandis Ozonlinsh jump into the rush but that was kind of it.

NHL is all about skating. I will agree that the open ice hits and scrums left with the obstruction, but I guess it is what it is. It was going to go with all those concussion problems anyways.

I don't disagree that the 90s-03 was garbage. You're arguing with a point I didn't make. That NHL sucked.... I just prefer 06-09 to the last 5 years. There were more elite players in their prime in that era. Datsyuk Zetterberg, the heydays of Crosby and Ovechkin, Thornton, even Iginla. It was a good time for hockey.

[HarryH93]

My passion for the Flames is still there and still strong. One difference this year from previous years is not tuning in until 0:00 as often as I used to. I try to watch the entire game but when we're conceding 4+ in games and making zone entries look like rocket science and thus failing, it's extremely hard to watch the entire 60 minutes.

I still get excited on game days, still do my best to make time for the game, but I'm more likely to turn the game off before it's done than recent years.

I think of all the games so far this year, today's game against the Stars is one where I am trying my hardest to sit down to watch because I really don't know what to expect from the boys when the Stars are the second highest scoring team in the league and we're dead last for goals conceded. I'm sure I'll still watch it, but my excitement today is a little less than other days.

Sigh.

[Dan02]

The only whole game i caught this season was the season opener against Vancouver, just watching that killed my passion and it hasn't been reignited yet. 2/10 this season. To me it's the lack of passion/intensity from the players that's killing it, win or lose this isn't team right now that's fun as a fan to watch.

[flamesfever]

I enjoyed almost every game last year, but except for a few odd games like the last one with Chicago, they don't seem like the same team. I think deep down they have what it takes, but for some unknown reason they just can't put it together on a consistent basis.

In my experience, usually when things seem hopeless, they start turning around soon thereafter. So in spite of my relatively low enthusiasm, I guess I am still somewhat hopeful they will recover from this awful stretch of games.

Patience is the name of the game...not overreaction.

Go Flames Go

[Cube Inmate]

Passion = 0 right now. Up until the past road trip, I could at least muster up some anger... But now it's gone too.

Truth be told, I'm trying out for a spot on the team and I think I've got the inside track with my new outlook.

[Your Calgary Flames!]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I still watch almost every game, beginning to end. Am I happy? No. I don't see the progress from two years ago, or the success from last year. Either would do for me.

That said, I am happy with the additions. Bennett is basically an addition and he's great. Frolik has been a plus. Hamilton has obviously struggled but I think he is going to pan out fine.

And with basic, average goaltending, IMO this team would be well in the hunt for a PO spot and everyone's interest would be raised, including the skaters.

I'm with you. I watch every single game for who know how many years. I'll pvr if I'm not home. I just try and take the positives out of watching the kids develope as frustrating as games are.

[Danomite]

Mine's been pretty low so far, with the excitement of the Blue Jays run and some of these NFL games lately I have found it harder than usual to get into the hockey spirt. I love our future though, Monny, Johnny and Bennet etc... We'll be fine, with everyone having high expectations and other teams realizing the can't take a night off when playing Calgary has created some disappointment for many of us. Go Flames Go! #NeverQuit

[FBI]

Passion level power up!

[Frequitude]

Went to my first game tonight. I was tremendously entertained. Passion level power up indeed.

[pylon]

I'm gonna be that guy and say it straight up. I'm in the camp that I grew up with violent, bloody, Bob Probert fight card, Scott Stevens head shot hockey. And as bad as it was for the players health, it was 10 times more entertaining as a fan. They were true gladiators. We are slowly seeing the transformation to soccer on ice. What Ferland did last year against Vancouver was touted as this amazing physical performance. 15 years ago, it was just the way the game was played. It used to be you bragged to other sports fans that hockey players were the toughest athletes alive... I don't know if you can say that anymore. Because they aren't.

Yes the game has changed for the better for the players. But it has lost a significant amount of emotional investment for fans. So it's a catch 22. The players want longer careers and better health, which is 100% understandable. But the fans want the entertaining barn burners of the 80's, which is also understandable. Scientifically the game is better. But the game as a whole is losing it's edge.

When you grew up with V8 obnoxious muscle cars, it's really, really tough to get into Tesla's. Even if they are faster and more refined. They just don't have that same crazy character. And the NHL has completely lost that side of itself.

For me, it's not that I am losing interest in the Flames, as much as I am losing interest in the entire game. People mocked me 10 years ago, when I said we are headed for women Olympic rules, and full cages. In 10 years, the game will be there. Hitting is already half eliminated, as every player is terrified now to catch a guy off guard and get 10 games for an accident. Also, minor hockey is becoming pussified to to the point, that hitting will be gone within a decade. I would also wager significant money, they will be using foam pucks within 20 years.

I understand the reasoning, and I understand the health implications. It doesn't mean I have to enjoy it. Once hitting is eliminated, I'm done with the game.

[crapshoot]

My passion level has plummeted lately, and tonights game against Dallas was the first game this season I didn't watch even a portion of. Well of course that's the exact game they had to go resurrect last years team...

[malcolmk14]

In the middle of the second period last night my passion level was literally zero. I almost got up and left the Saddledome.

I'm really glad I didn't. That's the kind of game that turns a season around. 7 points back of a playoff spot, here we go, baby!

[heep223]

Originally Posted by pylon

I'm gonna be that guy and say it straight up. I'm in the camp that I grew up with violent, bloody, Bob Probert fight card, Scott Stevens head shot hockey. And as bad as it was for the players health, it was 10 times more entertaining as a fan. They were true gladiators. We are slowly seeing the transformation to soccer on ice. What Ferland did last year against Vancouver was touted as this amazing physical performance. 15 years ago, it was just the way the game was played. It used to be you bragged to other sports fans that hockey players were the toughest athletes alive... I don't know if you can say that anymore. Because they aren't.

Yes the game has changed for the better for the players. But it has lost a significant amount of emotional investment for fans. So it's a catch 22. The players want longer careers and better health, which is 100% understandable. But the fans want the entertaining barn burners of the 80's, which is also understandable. Scientifically the game is better. But the game as a whole is losing it's edge.

When you grew up with V8 obnoxious muscle cars, it's really, really tough to get into Tesla's. Even if they are faster and more refined. They just don't have that same crazy character. And the NHL has completely lost that side of itself.

For me, it's not that I am losing interest in the Flames, as much as I am losing interest in the entire game. People mocked me 10 years ago, when I said we are headed for women Olympic rules, and full cages. In 10 years, the game will be there. Hitting is already half eliminated, as every player is terrified now to catch a guy off guard and get 10 games for an accident. Also, minor hockey is becoming pussified to to the point, that hitting will be gone within a decade. I would also wager significant money, they will be using foam pucks within 20 years.

I understand the reasoning, and I understand the health implications. It doesn't mean I have to enjoy it. Once hitting is eliminated, I'm done with the game.

I don't want 80s barn burners. The game was a joke back then.