[PGT] Canes 6 Flames 3 - Road Trip Mercifully Over

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by blender

It has been said here already plenty, but I'll say it again.

The possible effects of the Covid itself (that we know nothing about) and the layoff are being way understated.
Combined with the 3 in 4 and the level of competition, and it is a bit much to see the comments about people leaving their consciousness on a beach or whatever.
Anyone else here finding this pandemic a drag?
Seeing any effect on your job?

I don't mind the talk about the events of the game, but the ripping the players is too much for me. If Sutter says the effort is ok, it's good enough for me.
Hopefully lots more games to come.

I'm not excusing the team at all. they haven't been great for the road trip. But I have to wonder even with the break about road fatigue, they've played 11 games at home and 22 on the road. During Covid, and being away from their family for long stretches. that has to have an effect on a team.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Combine his junk contracts with Gaudreau and Tkachuk each with one foot out the door and the outlook is as bleak as it's been for a long time. It's why I haven't been posting a lot about the Flames as Treliving has ruined the Flames for me. I'm happy to follow them from afar this season and hope they get into the playoffs but the future for this organization is as bleak as it's ever been especially when you factor in the arena situation. Brad's the first GM that's ever managed to put a dent in my fandom. If Gaudreau walks for nothing that may be the breaking point for me. There's a minute chance he's got some super duper plan that's going to blow us away but outside of that fantasy I find it really hard to get excited about the direction of the team.

Hate to say it but I've had these thoughts to myself about the team on the whole and have come to the same conclusion about how bleak the outlook is.

The only distraction from that was the winning.

That's why I was really hoping they would show that they can skate with one of two of the top teams.

Now that the illusion is broken you remember how ####ed the outlook is.

Brad can't seem to deal anybody for assets, can't seem to re-sign the two core guys, and is having trouble acquiring the type of talent we need to take a step. And the team can't lock down its future home.

Right now this is a train headed for a brick wall unless something changes.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Wow. The only distraction from the bleakness is the winning? Yikes

If they didn’t play these 3 teams in 4 nights, coming off of a long layoff (except a couple of much less challenging opponents) it could be quite different

I think I will go ahead and enjoy the winning for what it is. Winning.

[Manhattanboy]

The last two years have been incredibly hard on everyone. Not looking for excuses but COVID has made a mess of things. The schedule, the breaks, the weird road trips. Credit the NHL for doing what they can but it’s like Cassie said last night the players don’t even know from day to day whether they are playing or will test positive. Layer on that concerns for the health of family and friends.

With everything going on including the arena debacle and the expiring contracts there’s a big black cloud hanging over the franchise.

[Strange Brew]

“The only distraction was the winning”. I guess we all have different reasons for being Flames fans.

[Flame On]

Not really worried about this three game road trip against the NHL's best. The team in general plays well, is competitive, the effort is there and they're probably a playoff team.

More concerned with whether they can be improved for the playoffs and what sort of team we'll see next year, will they even be a semblance of what they are this year? Will they rebuild or try to tinker? All the questions.

But in the meantime they're a pretty fun team to watch night in night out this year.

[Blaster86]

Even an ideal world saw the flames coming back from the four games at 2-2. 1-3 Was not unrealistic, even if it's a little poopy

[Flames_Gimp]

I have zero faith in Treliving, he's never going to be the GM that makes the moves to make a winner. He's waisting this good core. We're a couple pieces and upgrades away imo.

[really?]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Combine his junk contracts with Gaudreau and Tkachuk each with one foot out the door and the outlook is as bleak as it's been for a long time. It's why I haven't been posting a lot about the Flames as Treliving has ruined the Flames for me. I'm happy to follow them from afar this season and hope they get into the playoffs but the future for this organization is as bleak as it's ever been especially when you factor in the arena situation. Brad's the first GM that's ever managed to put a dent in my fandom. If Gaudreau walks for nothing that may be the breaking point for me. There's a minute chance he's got some super duper plan that's going to blow us away but outside of that fantasy I find it really hard to get excited about the direction of the team.

I understand where you are at. From your posts you seem to be a fairly pragmatic individual, and it is frustrating watching a team continue to overestimate it's potential, but that may not fall entirely at the feet of the GM. I doubt ownership/sr. mgt is on board with a rebuild, though this period of depressed attendance would have been the perfect time to pursue that course, and if those above Treliving weren't willing to go that route, it wasn't going to happen regardless of what the GM desired.

Darryl Sutter and his coaches are a top tier staff, and I believe it's telling that he openly states that the current roster is not positioned to compete with the rest of the league on a nightly basis. That's not saying there aren't solid components on hand, but Sutter knows the league and sees that this roster must give uber effort to compete with the best. That is a lot to ask on a nightly basis, especially in the playoffs. I would trust his assessment, and if Treliving is just now coming to this realization, then shame on him.

History has shown that this team is capable of above average mediocrity. By definition that is above the waterline, but in professional sports that is the worst place to be. Treliving's greatest sin is allowing Gaudreau to get to this point without having assumed control over the situation. What is the incentive for him to resign here outside of a major overpayment? There are probably a number of teams he can sign with who are better positioned to push for a cup over the next couple of years, Tkachuk may find himself looking at a similar scenario after next year. The truth is that this deadline may be the last chance to salvage this team from a truly painful period, but that would require some really hard decisions, and this management group has not exhibited the fortitude which would be required to move on from players like Gaudreau or Hanifin while they are in a playoff chase.

At this point it looks like being a Flames fan requires riding this out and hoping for the best. If the end of this season is no Stanley Cup and Gaudreau playing elsewhere next year (absent that elsewhere being the result of a deadline deal), then this is an absolute failure by management, and whether that was Treliving's plan or not, he has come up short. I am a Treliving supporter, but if that is the ultimate outcome, then I would definitely come aboard your ship of despair.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by blaster86

even an ideal world saw the flames coming back from the four games at 2-2. 1-3 was not unrealistic, even if it's a little poopy

2-3

They have played 5 road games since the break

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by Blaster86

Even an ideal world saw the flames coming back from the four games at 2-2. 1-3 Was not unrealistic, even if it's a little poopy

It’s more how they lost rather than that they lost. The games weren’t close.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by edslunch

It’s more how they lost rather than that they lost. The games weren’t close.

Goal tending was the difference last game...each team dominated a period

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Goal tending was the difference last game...each team dominated a period

A truly bewildering opinion

[djsFlames]

Goalies were worse, special teams were worse, and even strength was even at best for stretches.

They didn't register on the measuring stick where you hoped they might.

But that also doesn't mean they don't improve and get to a place by years end where they can be a much tougher out for an elite team.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

A truly bewildering opinion

Not when you actually look at the numbers

Shots 39-27 Calgary

Vladar .838
Andersen .923

It was a one goal game late despite the final score

Calgary absolutely dominated period one
Canes dominated period two

Its not a 6-3 game IMO

Vladar wasn't very good but too be fair it was a tough spot for him

[Manhattanboy]

We seem to be able to start well and even outplay these teams early, but can't sustain things. That may be more about them than us. But you can't fault the effort or how the coaches have the guys prepared.

[Strange Brew]

To Dino’s point, Flames did lead 12-8 in high danger chances. Canes did a great job of capitalizing on their chances and Vladar wasn’t great IMO.

[DeluxeMoustache]

I made an earlier post, will refer you to that. Post 93

Shot count means nothing.

Situation and shot placement mean everything

You want to talk goalie by goal, and corresponding chances on the other side, sure

You want to rely on shot count? Waste of time

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by Manhattanboy

We seem to be able to start well and even outplay these teams early, but can't sustain things. That may be more about them than us. But you can't fault the effort or how the coaches have the guys prepared.

We can fault the effort over 60 minutes.

Flames have managed to sustain their play in many games this year. Not sure if covid beat up their lungs that much or if they're just not focused in the same way they were early.

The effort in Boston... against the Rangers both times, even against the Canes the first time.

Worlds better than what we've seen of late.

I feel like the Florida game messed with their confidence and set them up to be a more fragile team in the next two.

I would put most of the Carolina result on Vladar though. I thought they did well enough to at least bank a point.

[DeluxeMoustache]

^ the team carried the first 15, ran out of gas on the third in 4 nights, and was outplayed in the last 45

You want to blame the goalie, I challenge you to take post 93 and tell me where I’m wrong.