[PGT] Stars 2 Flames 1

[DoubleK]

Can we have the team that played in Nashville back? Those were the days. . .

[N-E-B]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

I suppose, although I think to start I'd keep Versteeg out there with different linemates against a different level of competition considering the level of success he's had in that position in the past. If he'd continue to falter, then yeah, Stone.

Even if Versteeg is on the 2nd unit I could live with it, but it's long overdue we see Gio and Hamilton out there with Johnny and Monahan.

[toonmaster]

thanks for the laughs everyone. made my night. things will come around. enjoy the season... gfg.

[boogerz]

Originally Posted by camm13

According to the fan skills event..Backlund actually has the hardest shot on the team so...

Michael Stone probably has the hardest shot. He has an absolute bomb

[Calgary4LIfe]

The Flames just haven't been able to string together some strong performances in a row. They have, unfortunately, been able to string together some poor ones.

Still too early to call for Gulutzan's head. He has at least until game 41, unless the Flames go on some really ugly losing streak. What I did see today was a horrible response from the team tonight.

I can't tell if Gulutzan has 'lost the room' so to speak, or if it is just a matter of guys playing too tentatively.

As for Bennett and Lazar (who wasn't in the lineup tonight), I really think they just need ice. Flames don't have a 'make it or break it window', and these two players need to be afforded some ice and regain their confidence. They have zero. Having them sit on the bench and getting thrown out there so irregularly isn't going to fix them. Jankowski trying to play center for 2 young players who have zero confidence is going to result in 3 players without confidence. Invest the time into them.

Szome perplexing decisions at times. Still, you just wait it out and see what happens. Smith has masked a lot of problems.

One thing that is still bothering me - the defence. One paper, this is one hell of a defence corps. In actuality, they look nothing special. They aren't defending well (or at least, not consistently well), and they are not moving the puck well enough or creating offence.

I do think that this team is a struggling one with absolutely no swagger. They are a fragile team. They need a win streak so badly. However, it seems they will require some outrageous puck-luck for that to happen by the way things are looking like on the ice.

Also, the Flames are so not entertaining any longer. It definitely makes things worse after a loss, but they just don't entertain very much. They are not a fun team to watch, even when they win (for the most part - a few wins and a loss or two they were fun to watch, but point stands). Hopefully this is due to confidence, but these games are not a treat to watch.

I do think that there is enormous pressure on the organization right now. Flames are in the midst of an arena negotiation that has essentially gone off the rails for them. It is much harder to gain public support when they are losing - people lose interest. A strong run would probably drive up some support on that front for the Flames (though I personally find myself firmly siding with that of the city, regardless of how successful they are). I imagine that there should be a tonne more pressure to perform this year. Maybe it is just snowballing at the moment. If Gulutzan doesn't turn it around by game 41, I imagine he will be gone.

Brent Sutter was the only coach in the previous 4 to simply not be extended rather than be fired while under contract (though Hartley did get extended - but who wouldn't be considering the success he achieved that year?). Flames are not shy of firing a coach. I do wonder how long the leash is, but I imagine it is game 41 (or, once again, some ugly losing streak).

Hopefully this team comes together and they start putting together more inspiring efforts. They just don't look good out there, even through a few of their wins.

[afc wimbledon]

Teams are never as good or as bad as you think generally, unless you are an Edmonton Fan, in which case you think they are great but they are actually as bad as their record indicates

[Flash Walken]

I think there are lots of comparables with this team and Brent Sutter's couple of years in Calgary.

The first year Brent coached the team only 2 flames scored more than 40 points(Iginla and bourque). They had Europe level players in the lineup in top 6/9 roles like dawes. They had a significant amount of money tied up in their defense, including a couple of possession anchors making pretty good money to play #5/6 minutes.

The flames would narrowly miss out on the playoffs playing .549 hockey, trying to ride out a hot goalie.

They finished Brent's first year 29th in the league, exactly where they find themselves right now.

[Benched]

Watching the style/system absolutely had me flashing back to B. Sutter

[BruceCody]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Mike Keenan
Bob Hartley
Darryl Sutter
Jim Playfair

Any of these guys is an upgrade.

Brent Sutter

[combustiblefuel]

Originally Posted by BruceCody

Brent Sutter

Brent Sutter is not an up grade. Some of the worst years I had to watch outside the young guns era.

[tfi racing]

Originally Posted by Machiavelli

Speaking of Jagr, are there any updates on his progress back to the lineup?

Perhaps relaxing and stroking his beard,thinking I just might want to sit here a game or two until this clown show figures out a thing or two.Sadly this sad sack of a team hasn't figured out too much of anything in the last couple of decades...

[Karl]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Who would you put up there instead?

Ferland.

[Frank MetaMusil]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I can't believe the team mortgaged all those future draft picks for this team. So depressing.

Big game hunting.

[Manhattanboy]

Flames look like a very small team. Not the least bit intimidating.

[Poe969]

It's getting hard to cheer for this team. They're just not fun to watch and it doesn't even look like they're trying or even that upset after a loss. So many other teams are at least entertaining, something needs to change.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

I seriously doubt, knowing how this organization is run, that GG gets to make roster decisions.

LMAO...ok conspiracy theorist. That's enough of this stuff.

[tkflames]

I like to believe the Stajan line getting more time than the Bennett line was the result of a chance to prove yourselves night. The fact that they didn't means that a veteran gets sent down to keep Janko up on Sunday. Otherwise this makes no sense to me. If we are going to suck at the beginning of the season then at least invest in your young guys. Young players don't just turn into stars. Both Tkatchuck and Gaudreau who were high end prospects were at verge of getting sent down. The team needs to invest in the Kulaks, jankowskis, mangiapanes and Hathaways of the world. This is the purpose of a sheltered 4th line and 3rd pairing. That approach who would be far more effective than playing borderline or "were once" NHLers year after year. I would rather this team produce a bunch of guys that got 100-150 mhm games before fading into the abyss than playing brouwer, Stajan, Bartkowski etc. Those are the type of guys you load up at the trade deadline for in preparation for a deep run (see Simon, Niemenen and Nilsson).

[bubbsy]

Originally Posted by Poe969

It's getting hard to cheer for this team. They're just not fun to watch and it doesn't even look like they're trying or even that upset after a loss. So many other teams are at least entertaining, something needs to change.

It's funny that the flames decided to make the threats of leaving just before icing one of the most boring hockey teams to watch. No way they fill up even half a building anywhere in the states with this product.

If the flames don't get some major points in this home stand, I just don't see how Gulutzan isn't fired.

[mrdonkey]

Something is going to have to be done if this keeps up, because the fans will absolutely not tolerate an entire season of boring, sucky hockey capped off with the Islanders picking top 10. That might be the tipping point of 20 years of disappointment and mediocrity.

Treliving cannot afford to sit on his hands this time.

[goodyear]

Brouwer on the PP is insane but GG did the same thing last year by rolling out Chiasson all the time. Smfh.

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