[PGT] Flames lose in shootout again…4-3 to canucks

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by jayswin

Me too, I really think that Huberdeau is going to come around (and already is) despite not having proper line mates. I also think Treliving knows we're down at least one top 6 forward and will make a move for one.

I mean, this was probably Huberdeau's worst game of the season.

I know he had 7 points in his last 7 games or something like that but he hasn't been really noticeable even then.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by howard_the_duck

Cool story. If you’re disappointed flames fans, pack it up because it’s not fun anymore, and don’t complain amongst each other because it’s depressing for the optimists to read.

Glad you’re having fun making fun of people. That’s a much better way to spend time.

You don’t have to pack it up if it’s not fun for you, I’m just saying I would.

You can whine about whatever you want for as long as you want, including whining about me explaining why I stay an optimist. Oh, you disliked that “take” did you? Nobody cares. It wasn’t a take, it was answering a question and it applied to me alone.

I already said you can do whatever you want and I’m going to do whatever I want, so why pretend I’m telling other fans how to act? Grow up.

[Ashasx]

Nm

[saillias]

Interesting that our media is going after the coaching

https://twitter.com/user/status/1603287888275574785

To read between the lines of what he's saying, it sounds like Sutter has been a massive ####### all year and it has killed team morale.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by Kovaz

If the top line was any good offensively, this team has easily 5 more wins this season. 30 games into the season, we've scored 3 goals with Huberdeau-Lindholm-Toffoli on the ice. Forget the goalies, forget special teams - this is the biggest issue with the team.

Thankfully we keep playing them together at 5 on 5. It will work, trust the process.

[Classic_Sniper]

Well that’s another loss in the books, on the bright side though, took home another point which is important.

Thought Kadri’s line and Backlund were all over the place tonight. Not sure I’ve seen Dube with that much jump all season. That Zohorna guy, I think this guy may have just earned himself a full time job. I think he did more tonight than Kevin Rooney has done all season. His speed certainly gives the 4th line a different dimension that they didn’t have with Lucic or Rooney in the line up.

In terms of the bad tonight though, after all a couple strong games, Markstrom’s start was pretty terrible, notably that second goal. That put the Flames in chase mode just a few minutes in.

Also, really rough game for Huberdeau too. He pretty much turned the puck over every time he touched the puck. That game should pretty much spell the end for the 10-28-73 experiment. They just don’t have it. We’re not going anywhere if that’s our top line. Honestly, Ruzicka looked better with Lindholm and Toffoli.

[iggyloob12]

Originally Posted by saillias

Interesting that our media is going after the coaching

https://twitter.com/user/status/1603287888275574785

To read between the lines of what he's saying, it sounds like Sutter has been a massive ####### all year and it has killed team morale.

The guy Sutter can't hide his contempt for in pressers says Sutter is a jerk.

[MisterJoji]

Maybe, just maybe, this is their worst stretch of the season and despite poor play they’re still picking up points. It’s hard to believe Huberdeau has just forgot how to hockey. Coaches are not putting him in a situation to be successful.

[browna]

3-0-1 in RR's.
Infinitely better than 1995 through 2001 when they were the main threads the first go round.

[N-E-B]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

I mean, this was probably Huberdeau's worst game of the season.

I know he had 7 points in his last 7 games or something like that but he hasn't been really noticeable even then.

Even 7 points in 7 games is only an 82 point pace. He’s getting paid to produce more than that. I didn’t expect 115 points from him this year but I thought 90 was a realistic ask.

Part of me thinks this is absurd and irrational to say, but part of me thinks it’s fair: if it were up to me I’d be thinking about firing Treliving over that contract and the Kadri contract, and I’d be looking at completely burning the pro-scouting department to the ground.

I thought the moment Gaudreau left was the perfect moment to rebuild. It’s a monster draft this year and there’s a generational player up for grabs. You’ll have McDavid and Draisaitl in their primes in your division for the next 5 years. You’re not beating them with what you have now. I’ll never understand Canadian owners and their reluctance to commit to a full tear down.

I appreciate that Tre didn’t throw in the towel and I think at the time the trade and signing made sense, but it hasn’t panned out as hoped and someone has to be accountable for that.

Maybe this post ages like milk, who knows. But in this moment this is how I feel and I’ll stand by it. I really don’t know where to go with this team. They feel like they’re closer to being the San Jose Sharks than they are the Vegas Golden Knights. Are they only one more piece away? Can that be solved in the off-season? I really don’t know.

This team can’t score. They can’t win. They’re not entertaining. They have no players who can be electric to watch. Maybe Huberdeau can be that guy but he hasn’t yet. At least with past seasons of the team was struggling there was always a chance Johnny or Tkachuk would do something awesome. I just don’t see that here. And I think the worst part is that they look like a team that works hard. I don’t think I’ve faulted their overall effort this year. They just aren’t good. And it’s so disappointing.

[Hockey_Ninja]

Well…..good thing I feel asleep and missed the game by the looks of it

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by CroCop

Seriously do we have the worst #1 line in hockey right now?

from the best #1 line to the worst #1 in the league and that's essentially the difference between this and last year's teams

it checks out

however, I would've thought bringing the center depth from middling to upper echelon would've counted for more than it has so far

after all that hoopla about the middle of the ice being what makes championship teams, I didn't expect to be pining for skilled wingers again over the C depth we built

a lot of expectations subverted .... here's hoping this is the case of latent cobwebs for a group that still has the right ingredients but just needs time and maybe more mojo like we thought earlier on

I do want to believe there is potentially another gear here and it's not an unskilled group giving max effort

in a lot of ways I've seen them as a group working hard (-starts) but in ineffective ways. hard but not smart

can they increase the speed of their team game? can they crash the net and look for rebounds? can they shoot from better locations? can they cultivate an identity that makes them a tougher out on any given night?

yes .. I do think there are a lot of things that they can do much better than they have that don't necessarily come down to inherent skill

[CGY12]

I was at the game, 3rd straight home game I've attended. I was stoked about the new squad, preseason, start of season and now. Come to the relization we are in massive trouble. This aint it.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by iggypop

Legit, who’s everyone’s favourite flame right now? I can’t name anyone lol.

Sure, I'll go:

I think Backlund has been superb this year. He's got great energy every night and routinely handles his own end and then creates good offensive opportunities at the other end. Whatever wingers you put with him have looked really good too. He's been fantastic.

I love seeing Rasmus Andersson move slowly toward becoming a true #1 defenseman. He's really playing well in the offensive end and has even played a little more consistently defensively. Hasn't had a partner yet that has supported him that well, but he's been great.

Vladar has shown that he's more than just a capable backup, he has borderline starter potential. If Markstrom were ever to go down with an injury I feel very comfortable running with him as the starter.

Both Dube and Zadorov continue to improve upon their seasons from last year and are becoming more consistently positive contributors at both ends. I also think Toffoli has returned to the player we thought we were getting when we traded for him: a consistent, albeit unflashy, 20+ goal scorer.


There is plenty to like about this team. I think it's pretty hard to sit here and say they're all terrible or that there's nothing to like. They aren't playing sharp or crisp right now, and there's a lack of creativity that I don't think Darryl can suddenly coach into them, so yes, there are significant flaws that we shouldn't ignore. But those thinking that this is a team doomed to years of mediocrity or are close to getting a top 5 pick are absolutely overreacting to what I always assumed would be a transition season. We tore out the core and put in a new one, it takes time to adjust the team around that new core. They probably don't put it all together this year, but a few adjustments to the roster or playing style and they're likely back near the top of the division.

I'm not waving the pom poms here, but I certainly don't believe doom and gloom is the answer either. As with all things, the truth about this team is somewhere in the middle.

[BurningSteel]

Originally Posted by bigpete

Watching Flames games this year...not fun. Something is missing.

Yes 13 and 19 and to some extent 23.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Manhattanboy

He can’t. The Huberdeau signing so far is an epic debacle. That’s no overstatement.

Hahahaha. It absolutely is an overstatement.

Man, I can tell that nobody watched Huberdeau for more than 5 minutes since he's come into the league. The dude is an exceptional talent and can do it multiple ways. I think he has a bad mix of linemates at the moment limiting his 5 on 5 play, but he's producing well on the powerplay now.

Zadorov the other day mentioned on spitting chiclets that it took him 30-40 games to get used to Sutter's system. I imagine it probably takes longer for a d-man than a forward, but still, I think you're seeing Huberdeau make the adjustment now.

I'm not saying he's been great so far, but he's starting to figure it out. I'm seeing signs of the player he was in Florida, but much better defensively. That has me excited because it tells me he will truly be a complete player here and will be full value for that contract.

I get it, it's a "what have you done for me lately" kind of league. But Huberdeau is not going to be a problem going forward.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Bourque's Twin

For some reason I think this team is going to bounce back. They’re probably going to make the playoffs, then anything can happen.

It’s built well from top to bottom. It’s easy to say we miss 13 and 19 but they had some bad years too. We finished 1st in the western conference and were a 1st round exit.

For some reason, they don’t have their mojo. But if they get it back, they have a lot of experience to grind out playoff wins.

I may have Homer glasses on but I think they’ll be fine.

Literally one 3-4 game winning streak and the Flames are back on top.

[sonq]

Well this is not fun anymore. Everytime the games go to OT you just know that we are going to lose. It's so mindboggling that a team with this much talent is just barely in a race to make the playoffs.
STILL I have not given up on this team. I mean who would've thought at the start of the season that the Canucks would be where they are right now, with all the jersey tossing and players arguing with each other? I thinks the team is able to turn it around, they just have to find the spark and start having fun again. The underachieving needs to stop. Good thing is we are not being blown out, just need more finish. The last 3 games could have easily been W's if the team had little more finishing. Very super fking disappointed rn, but go Flames go.

[GS Skier]

At the game. You could have heard a pin drop after the second Canuck goal. Perhaps Markstrom should be sent for a stint with the Wranglers. He is killing us. Sure can't see anyone claiming ihim off waivers.

As for the noise levels at the Dome? The morons play all kinds of pretty good music however somebody decided that every single song needs an extra loud added bass drum/cymbal beat that is NOT part of any of the songs. Sweet Dreams does NOT have a thumping pounding Bass drum line it.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by N-E-B

Even 7 points in 7 games is only an 82 point pace. He’s getting paid to produce more than that. I didn’t expect 115 points from him this year but I thought 90 was a realistic ask.

Part of me thinks this is absurd and irrational to say, but part of me thinks it’s fair: if it were up to me I’d be thinking about firing Treliving over that contract and the Kadri contract, and I’d be looking at completely burning the pro-scouting department to the ground.

I thought the moment Gaudreau left was the perfect moment to rebuild. It’s a monster draft this year and there’s a generational player up for grabs. You’ll have McDavid and Draisaitl in their primes in your division for the next 5 years. You’re not beating them with what you have now. I’ll never understand Canadian owners and their reluctance to commit to a full tear down.

I appreciate that Tre didn’t throw in the towel and I think at the time the trade and signing made sense, but it hasn’t panned out as hoped and someone has to be accountable for that.

Maybe this post ages like milk, who knows. But in this moment this is how I feel and I’ll stand by it. I really don’t know where to go with this team. They feel like they’re closer to being the San Jose Sharks than they are the Vegas Golden Knights. Are they only one more piece away? Can that be solved in the off-season? I really don’t know.

This team can’t score. They can’t win. They’re not entertaining. They have no players who can be electric to watch. Maybe Huberdeau can be that guy but he hasn’t yet. At least with past seasons of the team was struggling there was always a chance Johnny or Tkachuk would do something awesome. I just don’t see that here. And I think the worst part is that they look like a team that works hard. I don’t think I’ve faulted their overall effort this year. They just aren’t good. And it’s so disappointing.

I don't know if Treliving deserves to be fired for those contracts as hindsight is 20/20. Few of us were upset with the acquisitions and contracts at the time. Clearly it hasn't worked out but I can't criticize the GM for his moves over the summer because everyone around the league thought he was a genius for making them. It's starting to look like the team would have been better off rebuilding but with this ownership group you just never know if that's even an option for a GM. I think right now the best option now is to try and get a little younger in the offseason by moving on from guys like Lucic, Ritchie, and Lewis and not replacing any through free agency. Simply force Daryl to pick their replacements from within the system. Pelletier has to be on the roster next season and maybe Zary as well. It's time to look from within the organization for solutions as free agency and trades have made the team more expensive, older, and worse.