[News] Flames are done for the day

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by 1qqaaz

I think the two posts above are spot on.

It's bad asset management. I don't see how anyone can honestly say it's looking to the future when it's bad under basically every scenario that can unfold.

It’s harder to move guys with term at the deadline and literally everyone with value has term. The 1sts that moved weren’t great and I don’t recall much in the way of good prospects moving.

If y’all wanted a 28-32 pick in the 1st round for a guy like Lindholm then I don’t see how you can sit there and think you know what is or isn’t good asset management.

[Savvy27]

I didn't want the Flames to trade Zadorov. That dude signed a contact when the roof was collapsing on the franchise. He likes the city and wanted stability for his young family. I'm glad he stayed. He's gotta pick his game back up but on the whole he's been good this year and I like having a giant with snarl back there.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by The Cobra

Their goaltending is good enough to have the team with the 2nd best GAA in the league.

Any team could use a Lindholm or a Backlund, but I doubt either player was available.

Their save% doesn’t seem like cup winning goaltending to me.

[tkflames]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

It’s harder to move guys with term at the deadline and literally everyone with value has term. The 1sts that moved weren’t great and I don’t recall much in the way of good prospects moving.

If y’all wanted a 28-32 pick in the 1st round for a guy like Lindholm then I don’t see how you can sit there and think you know what is or isn’t good asset management.

I think that Hanifin or Lindholm on the weekend get you Ekholm esque packages...maybe more. Backlund I think gets you a 2024 fist with retention.

I think the problem is worse though...as an organizational direction...we don't know if we should be extending all these guys or selling them. We are not good enough with them, but not committed enough to be good to get rid of them and build...we are addicted to the mediocre middle, because we always take the short term view...

[blender]

As a true fan I try to stay positive all the time as it it isn't fun for me otherwise. I'm not happy with this season, but I am happy with this deadline. Obviously not dynamic, but safe.
The deals look like positive moves, too, if not necessarily impactful ones.
The other thing that stands out is the stark reminder of the seriousness of Chris Snow's situation and the weight it has put on the organization for the last several years. Sometimes a conservative approach is the right approach.
The opportunity to enjoy pro hockey, especially for those who get to see it live, is a privilege. I won't waste the next 20 cheering for losses while they still have a chance.

It'll be a different team next season.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Savvy27

I didn't want the Flames to trade Zadorov. That dude signed a contact when the roof was collapsing on the franchise. He likes the city and wanted stability for his young family. I'm glad he stayed. He's gotta pick his game back up but on the whole he's been good this year and I like having a giant with snarl back there.

Yeah he has had a few bad games lately, been good most of the season and actually chose to play here

[InternationalVillager]

Huberdeau is going to return to being elite next season and the lot of you will have to feel stupid.

A player that is virtually 90+ points for the past 4 years doesn't lose his talent overnight.

Most here literally watch Flames games and thats it. I've watched most Hubderdeau games for the past 6 years. Yeah he's having a bad season but could just be him adjusting to the new team, city, lifestyle.

[Ped]

I'm sure it's been said, but hard to really bitch about the deals (Well, not hard apparently, but logically it should be). Clearly there's something off with the Flames this season, so why spend assets? Maybe they missed the boat on some of the big deals, but they had no one that had to be moved this season. The Flames acquired a couple of guys to audition for new deals without giving up any draft capital; they just traded players who don't have a future here anyway.

Could they have done more? Probably. But if you believe they are going nowhere, for what? Re-evaluate in the summer and see if you can figure out what went wrong. If you're not sure you're bring back your GM, why let him make those kinds of deals anyway?

[Goriders]

The Ritchie Ritchie swap is probably a slight uptick. Mackey wasn’t going anywhere and we got a depth defender in return. Why not make those moves.

It would have been nice to potentially get something for Lucic and Lewis. But really, they don’t have much value and it seems the Flames still think they have a shot a catching the stumbling Jets.

There are 6 UFAs in 2024. I’d figure out who isn’t in your plans in the offseason and try and move them or move them at next years deadline if you’re in the same situation. I’d try and move anyone that doesn’t extend their contract as well. When you’re mathematically eliminated this year take a look at Wolf, Zary and Coronado and see if they are ready.

If the Flames can figure out their goaltending and the powerplay they are in the playoffs easily. Probably close to the top of the division. The goaltending situation is the big question mark in my mind.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by InternationalVillager

Huberdeau is going to return to being elite next season and the lot of you will have to feel stupid.

A player that is virtually 90+ points for the past 4 years doesn't lose his talent overnight.

Most here literally watch Flames games and thats it. I've watched most Hubderdeau games for the past 6 years. Yeah he's having a bad season but could just be him adjusting to the new team, city, lifestyle.

Most players decline after 27-28 years old.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by troutman

Most players decline after 27-28 years old.

No they don't. Some start declining by 30 or early 30s, but most start declining in the 32-34 range, and many don't start declining until after 35.

And the key word there was 'start'. Very few players simply fall off the cliff in one year - especially after a career high

[Coach]

Originally Posted by InternationalVillager

Huberdeau is going to return to being elite next season and the lot of you will have to feel stupid.

A player that is virtually 90+ points for the past 4 years doesn't lose his talent overnight.

Most here literally watch Flames games and thats it. I've watched most Hubderdeau games for the past 6 years. Yeah he's having a bad season but could just be him adjusting to the new team, city, lifestyle.

Feel stupid for what? It's not out of line to call Huberdeaus play this season garbage. It's the truth. It doesn't mean people who are complaining about him now can't be happy if he does return to form. He's been bad and not as advertised. Fans, management and ownership all have good reason to be nervous about the sudden drop-off of a player that's signed at $10.5 for the next 8 years. If he doesn't turn around it will stall this team for a long time.

We all want him to be better. I'm sure he wants to be better too.

[Enoch Root]

Acknowledging that his season was a disaster is one thing. But writing him off as washed up, useless, garbage, and the biggest mistake in franchise history is another. Not saying that you said that, but many fans have, and that is what InternationalVillager was referring to.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

No they don't. Some start declining by 30 or early 30s, but most start declining in the 32-34 range, and many don't start declining until after 35.

And the key word there was 'start'. Very few players simply fall off the cliff in one year - especially after a career high

... I'm very sorry but this is just... wrong. I simply don't understand how you can think that most players don't start declining until they are 32-34.

While I do agree that very few players follow the Cheechoo career trajectory, most players start declining well before they are 30.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

... I'm very sorry but this is just... wrong. I simply don't understand how you can think that most players don't start declining until they are 32-34.

While I do agree that very few players follow the Cheechoo career trajectory, most players start declining well before they are 30.

I assume you are referring to point production. Yes, most offensive players see their point production peak more in the 26-29 range. However, most players also become better, and more complete players in their late 20s and as they move into their 30s.

Actual decline, and becoming a worse player, typically doesn't start until the 32-35 range.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Acknowledging that his season was a disaster is one thing. But writing him off as washed up, useless, garbage, and the biggest mistake in franchise history is another. Not saying that you said that, but many fans have, and that is what InternationalVillager was referring to.

Are they not doing the same thing in the opposite direction saying that he will return to elite form based on dubious reasons of adjustments to new life etc.. and everyone that made concrete declarations of badness will feel stupid?

Not to say those can't be factors. Just seems odd to harp on people for making declarations or predictions of the future while also doing the same.

[flambers]

Key statement, Flames continue to say this is a really good team that has under performed.

Is this really a good team or are they more of an average bubble like team

Some years they get a wild card others they will just miss

Flames in my view, are over evaluating their talent and missed the mark,

Will they rebound next year, with a similar like team (i.e. some of the depth players will switch around, 1 or 2 dman will switch)

[Enoch Root]

Backlund is 33
Kadri is 32
Coleman is 31
Toffoli is 30

None of these players have started to decline. Kadri has had some issue this year, but I put that on deployment, I don't see any decline in his abilities, and he certainly skates as well as he ever has.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

... I'm very sorry but this is just... wrong. I simply don't understand how you can think that most players don't start declining until they are 32-34.

While I do agree that very few players follow the Cheechoo career trajectory, most players start declining well before they are 30.

A prominent study from ten years ago showed most forwards stay within peak range from something like 24-32. As fitness has advanced and play style has changed over the last 20 years, I imagine it’s at least stayed the same if it hasn’t expanded.

More guys are playing better, longer, as far as I can tell.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Coach

Feel stupid for what? It's not out of line to call Huberdeaus play this season garbage. It's the truth. It doesn't mean people who are complaining about him now can't be happy if he does return to form. He's been bad and not as advertised. Fans, management and ownership all have good reason to be nervous about the sudden drop-off of a player that's signed at $10.5 for the next 8 years. If he doesn't turn around it will stall this team for a long time.

We all want him to be better. I'm sure he wants to be better too.

It’s totally out of line to call his play garbage. Also unnecessary and irrelevant.

Huberdeau has been the victim of poor fit with linemates and general poor play by linemates for most of the season. I constantly see him doing good things and having his passes wasted.

But even if he wasn’t doing those things, “garbage” is a garbage comment.