[PGT] Poor goaltending does the team in .... AGAIN. Flames lose 6-4 to the Bruins.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

Haha, well if Smith’s play is enough for you to not be willing to pay to see the show some of the other amazing Flames (like Gaudreau, Monahan, Lindholm, Tkachuk and Gio) have been putting on this year that’s totally your perogative. But I’d say as a Flames fan you are missing out and I’d question how much you actually like this team or sport cause it’s been entertaining as hell.

Not sure who you are but I have lived and died with this team for over 30 years

Smith is barely over .500 despite Calgary being a top team...I can watch on TV when Smith is in net

Gaudreau had a great game tonight, Smith spoiled it

[keenan87]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Worried because of the play of Mike Smith in the midst of the Calgary Flames's best season in over two decades? I have no doubt that SN is concerned about subscribers, but am quite certain this has nothing to do with the poor performance of one player on one team. This is another issue entirely, and it is completely irrelevant with regards to Mike Smith.


The Flames are the top team in the Pacific Division, and have lost fewer games in regulation than 26 other teams in the NHL. If there are Flames fans who are "frustrated with losing" to an inordinate degree, then I don't know what to tell you—that is just patently ridiculous.

Thats great that the Flames are a top team in the Pacific division this year. However, they have not been very good over the past decade. Barely squeaking in or not making the playoffs.

Many people in Calgary have lost interest in the Flames and its partly due to being a medocre team for so many years. That attitude doesn't change after 41 games and it also doesnt change when Smith has lost so much on home ice the past two years.

Outside of Ottawa, there is no other Canadian team that would be first in the conference right now and a fan can buy tickets for $30 pair.

[oldschoolcalgary]

Originally Posted by 8sPOT

I just don't get it. This is a guy with years of NHL experience and decent stats. Now it seems he can't even track a simple shot and is constantly fighting the puck all game. He seems so awkward and out of it. Come to think of it I could say the same for Neal. Really bizarre to me.

Guys playing at the highest level can hit the wall... the 'wall' is very thin at this level...if you are just a 1/4 step slower and your eye/hand coordination is just 1/4 second slow it could end your career.

Reminds of Amote... he was still an elite skater, but simply couldn't finish anymore... sort of like Lucic. I loved him when he played in Boston (esp when he beat Vancouver)... but now he has absolutely hit a wall.

Smith is clearly at that point, and it sure feels like Neal is there too... its a shame cause both seem like great people... but the game has passed them by...

Father time catches up with everyone.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by keenan87

As for an entertaining product and being accountable to the fans, its pretty apparent fans are frustrated with losing. Have you seen the reduced prices on tickets on this forum? Along with not being able to sell out... so yes, the team is accountable to fans who ultimately pay their effing salaries.

You're not talking about this season are you?

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by keenan87

That is a fair statement. Then, I think the blame goes to incompetent management as I do believe they owe fans to ice the best lineup on the ice each night.

Fair but management needs to be evaluated on the sum of their work. Management has pulled together a great team, and they are doing their job well. Like every team, it’s not perfect and it is their job to fix this. But they also need to be given time to do so, especially considering how well the overall product they’ve pulled together is.

[TheAlpineOracle]

I believe the Flames have lost 13 regulation games this year. Smith has lost 9 of them....

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

You're not talking about this season are you?

when Smith is in net

12 wins 10 losses...that's an Oilers record, how are they feeling about their season?

[Chingas]

Backlund knows best. He tried taking Smith out before the game began to no avail.

[AC]

Originally Posted by darthma

Is this green text? McBackup was a thing for a loooong time.

https://calgaryherald.com/sports/hoc...for-mcelhinney

I'm not sure what you're arguing.

McBackup definitely didn't tend to allow soft goals his time in Calgary. If anything, I recall he got poor goal support.

But it seems like you're arguing that the nickname McBackup was a thing his time here, but that's not what the post you quoted was talking about.... so I'm confused.

[Fan in Exile]

Originally Posted by sketchyt

Turns out it's really difficult to make saves at an NHL level when you sit on the goal line.

100%. Since the beginning of the season. And now his confidence is gone too. And he's not moving well either.

[keenan87]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

You're not talking about this season are you?

No I am not. I am talking about the past few years and how that is still affecting ticket prices and viewership today. Smith sucking at home doesnt help.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by dino7c

when Smith is in net

12 wins 10 losses...that's an Oilers record, how are they feeling about their season?

I'm not sure why you're quoting me.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

When I say we don’t owe Smith anything, I mean the Flames don’t owe him the curtesy they would owe a longtime staple to the roster. Smith was brought here to do a job, he’s not doing it. Put him in the AHL. He hasn’t done #### for this franchise. You don’t put a guy like Stajan in the AHL as he put years of sweat equity here. Smith hasn’t done a goddamn thing for this franchise other than collect a paycheck. He’s owed no curtesies from this franchise.

This is just extremely callous and entitled. Are you actually like this in real life?

[keenan87]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

Fair but management needs to be evaluated on the sum of their work. Management has pulled together a great team, and they are doing their job well. Like every team, it’s not perfect and it is their job to fix this. But they also need to be given time to do so, especially considering how well the overall product they’ve pulled together is.

Sure, but if Rittich is not ready to go on Saturday.. you would think competent management will give Gillies a shot, no?

What's the worse he can do? Allow 3 bad goals instead of 2. At least we will have a clear idea on Gillies moving forward.

[dino7c]

I don't think Smith will cost the team a playoff spot, could cost them a division title though if nothing changes. That could be huge depending on how the playoffs shake down.

All to not ruffle the feathers of a guy who won't be on the team next year and likely won't be in the league?

Seems crazy to me, now is the time to make a move

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by keenan87

No I am not. I am talking about the past few years and how that is still affecting ticket prices and viewership today. Smith sucking at home doesnt help.

Okay, gotcha. I was going to say if fans are upset with losing hockey this season would be a really bad time to show that frustration. Elite team, lots of wins, fun to watch.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by TheAlpineOracle

When I say we don’t owe Smith anything, I mean the Flames don’t owe him the curtesy they would owe a longtime staple to the roster. Smith was brought here to do a job, he’s not doing it. Put him in the AHL. He hasn’t done #### for this franchise. You don’t put a guy like Stajan in the AHL as he put years of sweat equity here. Smith hasn’t done a goddamn thing for this franchise other than collect a paycheck. He’s owed no curtesies from this franchise.

I curtsy for no one.

[keenan87]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

This is just extremely callous and entitled. Are you actually like this in real life?

I am not trying to argue with you for the sake of arguing but he isnt necessarily wrong.

37 year old goalie who has no term left on his contract. Has played 1/2 a season at a high level with the Flames. I have no loyalty to him.

However, if this was Kipper, I may feel a bit differently and hope he just retired mid-season.. kind of like Conroy.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

I'm not sure why you're quoting me.

Just saying the Flames aren't winning a ton with Smith in net...they have an average to below average record.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Not sure who you are but I have lived and died with this team for over 30 years

Smith is barely over .500 despite Calgary being a top team...I can watch on TV when Smith is in net

Gaudreau had a great game tonight, Smith spoiled it

Sounds like you and I are close to the same age then (I’m guessing I’m a tad older than you based on your timeline) and have lived and breathed the same ups and down with this team for our entire lives. But what does that have to do with anything?

Surprised that a fellow Flames fan who has lived with the limited success of this franchise, especially since the end of 80’s could have such a strong season with some very amazing performances ruined evertime our goalie ####s the bed. You more than anyone should know we aren’t in first place thus far into a season very often, and we rarely get treated to such an offensive dynamic team in Calgary, and you should also know you don’t win them all. Don’t let one player ruin a season you must have been waiting like me for close to 10 years and enjoy the ride and hope BT finds a solution for the Smith problem. Must suck not be fully enjoy a very rare and cool Flames season cause you are overly focused on one player.