[PGT] Flames 1 - Blue Jackets 3

[Tsawwassen]

Postgame links
https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/games/2466066/
https://www.espn.com/nhl/recap/_/gameId/401459018
https://stats.cbc.ca/hockey/nhl/recap/146107

[Flamesfan05]

So they play like #### because Sutter is asking them to play the right way

That sounds right lmfao

I have seen enough to know Huberdeau is not elite. And now with a huge locked in contract, the extra motivation is not there. Plus the age. Sad for the Flames.

[Aarongavey]

Given the age of a number of the Flames top players, this is probably going to be one of the better teams of the years left in this decade. Hopefully they can put it all together.

[Erick Estrada]

It's weird to say but a Darryl Sutter coached team is playing well below its potential. This team isn't as talented as last season but they are too talented to be a .500 hockey team. I understand that there would be an acclimation process for the new players but we are in an era where expansion teams make the Stanley Cup finals in their inaugural season. They shouldn't be this bad, this far into the season.

I just don't see the buy-in from the players as this team has one of the deepest defense groups in the league and but they have really underperformed. One has to wonder if the shelf life for Darryl Sutter is even shorter with today's players. I just don't see the enthusiasm for this group. Most nights they look like they are merely going out there to do a job. We really have to hope they get things together in the 2nd half of the season as otherwise they are going to miss the playoffs and the lone consolation prize there is that they own their 1st round pick.

[GaiJin]

Quasimodo out there doing mean stares for 5 minutes is a waste of space and money. Not sure what his role is if he won't even crush people anymore.

[memphusk]

Lucic looks ike he's doing his Oiler pout. 50 some games and then he's gone.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

It's weird to say but a Darryl Sutter coached team is playing well below its potential. This team isn't as talented as last season but they are too talented to be a .500 hockey team. I understand that there would be an acclimation process for the new players but we are in an era where expansion teams make the Stanley Cup finals in their inaugural season. They shouldn't be this bad, this far into the season.

I just don't see the buy-in from the players as this team has one of the deepest defense groups in the league and but they have really underperformed. One has to wonder if the shelf life for Darryl Sutter is even shorter with today's players. I just don't see the enthusiasm for this group. Most nights they look like they are merely going out there to do a job. We really have to hope they get things together in the 2nd half of the season as otherwise they are going to miss the playoffs and the lone consolation prize there is that they own their 1st round pick.

Funny that's not what I saw last night.

I saw a team that over extended themselves trying to create something rather than have the game come to them and let their systems take them where they want to go.

So not an effort issue.

Perhaps not buying in because they abandoned their systems too often trying to create something, but certainly not tuning out the coach in a traditional way.

Mental strength was at zero last night. They played like children.

[memphusk]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Funny that's not what I saw last night.

I saw a team that over extended themselves trying to create something rather than have the game come to them and let their systems take them where they want to go.

So not an effort issue.

Perhaps not buying in because they abandoned their systems too often trying to create something, but certainly not tuning out the coach in a traditional way.

Mental strength was at zero last night. They played like children.

Not playing to their system is an effort issue. They would have to put in the effort to atleast achieve a portion of success against a bottom team. Looks like they overlooked Colombus and their so called top guys can't ever lead the charge. Pretty frustrating.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by memphusk

Not playing to their system is an effort issue. They would have to put in the effort to atleast achieve a portion of success against a bottom team. Looks like they overlooked Colombus and their so called top guys can't ever lead the charge. Pretty frustrating.

They over extended themselves to make something happen.

That's not an effort issue.

It's a sharpness issue ... mental toughness.

But I guess either way we are agreeing it's the players.

[8sPOT]

It sucks but Lucic has really just been a liability out there. Other teams probably salivate at the notion of easily dancing around him or poking the puck away from him.

He’s not the only problem but he’s the low hanging fruit that should be addressed.

[All In Good Time]

Originally Posted by memphusk

Almost like everyone signed a new contract?

This is an important, often overlooked point I believe
Quite often you see players have a down year after signing a huge contract
Must be an incredible adjustment personally
But
We all are to busy being angry with them to consider this as a factor

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

if Sutter also gets gm dibs from ownership I would resign my fandom for a bit

but I think Sutter would refuse it at this stage in his career and with his history at the position

Sutter is a great player motivator and teacher but his grasp on what makes a successful present day nhl roster is really not great .. he is behind on that front, no matter how much he claims to be a student of the new game and analytics

size and toughness are not the factors they once were

tough guys get sent to the bin for clean hits on nhl stars .. its sad, but it's the reality we're in now

he's right on all his criticisms of the officiating according to the old ways when tough sobs ruled the game but this is the new normal

LOL to the bolded. Based on past history, your resignation would last about 15 minutes and you'd be back under yet a different name.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Funny that's not what I saw last night.

I saw a team that over extended themselves trying to create something rather than have the game come to them and let their systems take them where they want to go.

So not an effort issue.

Perhaps not buying in because they abandoned their systems too often trying to create something, but certainly not tuning out the coach in a traditional way.

Mental strength was at zero last night. They played like children.

Originally Posted by Bingo

They over extended themselves to make something happen.

That's not an effort issue.

It's a sharpness issue ... mental toughness.

But I guess either way we are agreeing it's the players.

Agree with the bolded. This has been said many times about previous versions as well. This team deserves more time to figure things out but it does make you wonder that if at some point, you need to tear out all the veterans and start fresh with a group of younger players who have a chance at building a different history.

Anyway a little early in the season to be thinking like that. Hopefully the players make some kind of breakthrough.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Agree with the bolded. This has been said many times about previous versions as well. This team deserves more time to figure things out but it does make you wonder that if at some point, you need to tear out all the veterans and start fresh with a group of younger players who have a chance at building a different history.

Anyway a little early in the season to be thinking like that. Hopefully the players make some kind of breakthrough.

And you can't coach mental toughness. You coach structure.

But if, as a group, they can't stay on point and collapse and make mistakes that are unforced they may just not get this figured out this year.

Some of the judgement calls last night was more "we need a goal!" then "where am I supposed to be in this situation?"

It was telling.

[PuckSlap]

Originally Posted by JohnnyB

The Flames are just kind of boring this year. Whatever's going on with their chemistry, they're not much fun.

That’s how I feel. I actually can’t even sit through a whole game this season.. it’s just bland and boring.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Bingo

And you can't coach mental toughness. You coach structure.

But if, as a group, they can't stay on point and collapse and make mistakes that are unforced they may just not get this figured out this year.

Some of the judgement calls last night was more "we need a goal!" then "where am I supposed to be in this situation?"

It was telling.

Yeah we can't blame Gio or Tkachuk or Gaudreau or or Monahan or Brodie or Smith. Can't blame Peters or Gulutzan or Ward.

Whether you like his moves or not, Treliving has mage changes to the team every year to the point where the core is unrecognizable.

And different coaches have brought in different approaches and x's and o's, but the Jimmy's and Joe's need to actually get it done.

[Bingo]

And they may not figure it out this year.

I thought it would take time but now it's 1/3 of their season. Some signs on that home stand for sure, you don't want to over react to one brutal road game after a good run of games, but they're still not dangerous.

Not clicking.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Yeah we can't blame Gio or Tkachuk or Gaudreau or or Monahan or Brodie or Smith. Can't blame Peters or Gulutzan or Ward.

Whether you like his moves or not, Treliving has mage changes to the team every year to the point where the core is unrecognizable.

And different coaches have brought in different approaches and x's and o's, but the Jimmy's and Joe's need to actually get it done.

The one thing I would say though is this isn't a Calgary thing ... It's the middle third response of all fan bases.

You're not having a great season, you're not out of it ... the team can be great so the fan base wonders why they're not great all the time.

But in a hockey market you think your team and your situation is unique.

It isn't.

[PepsiFree]

With Huberdeau, Kadri, and Weegar signed long term, on top of the entire rest of the top 9/top 4 signed through next season at least, I’m not that stressed about timelines.

We don’t have a McDavid situation where we’re wasting a star’s prime years.

My hope is that they can squeeze into the playoffs. A lot of these guys are (for better or worse) stuck here for some time yet, and unless they want to keep getting embarrassed they’re going to want to figure it out. A rough season might do good to bringing the new guys together, as I think some of them had things pretty easy last year.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

With Huberdeau, Kadri, and Weegar signed long term, on top of the entire rest of the top 9/top 4 signed through next season at least, I’m not that stressed about timelines.

We don’t have a McDavid situation where we’re wasting a star’s prime years.

My hope is that they can squeeze into the playoffs. A lot of these guys are (for better or worse) stuck here for some time yet, and unless they want to keep getting embarrassed they’re going to want to figure it out. A rough season might do good to bringing the new guys together, as I think some of them had things pretty easy last year.

Great point, although arguably we kind of wasted Gaudreau and Tkachuk's cheap years. But that is water under the bridge.

You get the feeling that this team needs a young star to emerge from somewhere. Someone who can become their best player and leader, which could really change everything. Because maybe some of the players you mention who are signed long term could play better in a more supporting role.