I'm not too disappointed with the season thus far. This is what happens when 2 of your most important players from last year are essentially no-shows as of yet.
Hudler and Wideman went from having their best seasons of their careers to arguably their worst since becoming full-time NHLers.
Hudler on pace for a 48 point season. His worst since 2010-11 when he had 37 in 73 games, followed by 2007-08 when he had 42 in 81 games.
If those 2 players are even back to playing their career average, our PP alone is much improved.
I hate having to eat crow with all the people who said that this exact type of regression would happen. It really sucks.
Really? Yeah a high draft pick would be nice but short of absolutely tanking, is it really proven that one or two spots higher in the draft equal better success? Would you trade that for success and a winning culture? Losing is losing. Period.
No tanking required. The Flames play most of the season has been plenty bad enough to put them in a situation where they are likely picking in the top 5. Sure goaltending has been horrendous but I don't remember a Flames team ever being last in both special teams. That's something special bad in itself. The team has played worse in their own end than the Oilers have most of the season. That's embarrassing. This is a bad hockey team that is full marks for their low standing.
Really? Yeah a high draft pick would be nice but short of absolutely tanking, is it really proven that one or two spots higher in the draft equal better success? Would you trade that for success and a winning culture? Losing is losing. Period.
I didn't say they should tank.
I said losses are probably better. But winning should still be the goal for the team and organization.
This team just doesn't work hard enough right now. I was really hoping that we'd see a leadership transition this year, but its not happening.
Earned not given seems to be a long time in the past, there are way too many passengers every night. I would hope that BT finds a way to dump off some of the veteran contracts this year, and begins to transition some of the farm players up.
Josh Jooris I love his energy but he's an offense killer in the opposition zone.
This team played like it was the last game before the all star break and then put in some effort in the second and third, but when the canes scored that fourth goal they folded their tents and pouted for the rest of the game.
Yeah. In terms of leadership I really thought we'd see Monahan step up and become one of "the" guys on the team. After all his talk in his first couple seasons about helping the team and becoming a leader improving on all aspects of his game, he has in my opinion had a really pedestrian season for the standards he set for himself early on and isn't showing much heart or clutch ability when it counts. Gaudreau has done more than we could possibly ask of him. Would be nice to see Monahan contribute the odd game breaker instead of leaning on his line mate to do the heavy lifting.
The response after the 4th goal was a good representation of the team's lack of resiliency and confidence. Last year's team would play like they had a good chance even after that.
Hudler and Wideman's drop offs have hurt this team more than anything. Particularly considering their leadership last season. Jiri goes from being the Red Wing outcast who redeemed himself, has a monster season and wins himself the Lady Bing, then comes back and plays like a shadow of his former self one season later. Contract year, too... Where'd all that heart go? I just keep remembering the Hudler that lit up the Kings in the second last regular season game to eliminate the then defending champs. This player is a far cry from that one.
Last edited by ScorchyScorch; 01-24-2016 at 08:07 PM.
It's getting harder and harder to see any good in continuing to play Wideman when his game is such hot stinking garbage.
I can't see any way we can move him to any team this year. Even if he were to waive his own NMC, which other team is going to want him at $5.25M + another year left on his contract. We're stuck with him for this year at least.
That's why I'm convinced they'll have to move Hudler and/or Russell if they want to do trades, because no other team will want to give us anything in return except another bad contract for all the other vets.
If Calgary had an NFL team in the conference championship, I would be watching that also.
Hell, I missed the first 10 minutes of the first watching the AFC game.
To top it off the weather is really bad as they had a recent snow storm. They are not able to adapt to bad weather in the south. The roads are still pretty bad in a lot of places so I am sure that has been a factor.
It's getting harder and harder to see any good in continuing to play Wideman when his game is such hot stinking garbage.
I can't see any way we can move him to any team this year. Even if he were to waive his own NMC, which other team is going to want him at $5.25M + another year left on his contract. We're stuck with him for this year at least.
That's why I'm convinced they'll have to move Hudler and/or Russell if they want to do trades, because no other team will want to give us anything in return except another bad contract for all the other vets.
####, Wideman sucks.
We could always offer to retain up to 50% of his salary. He isn't totally un-moveable.
I don't suppose we will see the playoff snake threads bumped again this season.
Even if we don't find a single taker for a UFA at the trade deadline, I would be fine with letting every UFA walk. There is no point in retaining the supporting cast of a mediocre team.
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Originally Posted by JobHopper
The thing is, my posts, thoughts and insights may be my opinions but they're also quite factual.
Said it in the GT, but I don't think I've ever seen him or Monahan play as poorly as they did tonight. Horrible turnovers, bad decision making, total non-factors.
not to make excuses...but I really think the lack of games has hurt the team, hard to get into a rhythm with so much time between games and all the long layoffs of late
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Team needs a overhaul in the bottom 6 and a RW in the top 6. Also Wideman is a liability every time he touches the ice. Simply not NHL material defensively.
Canes 5 Flames 2
