Unpopular Opinions about Flames

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

I don't disagree, but I think this may be by design. An experienced and talented team needs to ramp up intensity as the season progresses. Of course, this is a dangerous game to play as you may never be able to find the next gear if you come out too flat footed, and all of a sudden you are 5-5-1.

I see signs of improvement in consistency as they settle in so I am not panicked. In a perfect world, you try to get rolling from game 62-82 instead of 1-20. If they can do that, I have no worries for R1.

I suppose like the Blues last year they could ramp it up in the 2nd half of the season translating to better playoffs play but winning isn't an on/off switch for most clubs. It's only October so the sky isn't falling or anything but it's troubling that the team is back to playing this style of hockey after the disappointing playoff results of last season.

[Igottago]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I suppose like the Blues last year they could ramp it up in the 2nd half of the season translating to better playoffs play but winning isn't an on/off switch for most clubs. It's only October so the sky isn't falling or anything but it's troubling that the team is back to playing this style of hockey after the disappointing playoff results of last season.

I was pretty sure this team would:

a) have complete confidence in its place as an elite team in the league/conference based on last year's experience, and
b) be thoroughly dissatisfied with what happened in the playoffs,

leading to a motivated, businesslike and strong performances right out of the gates. Instead we are seeing glimpses of the unsure, uninspired, unprepared team that they were a couple seasons ago.

I don't really buy the ramp up to the playoffs as a sound strategy -- I think good teams just win, and win a lot, and keep winning over long periods of time. It would be nice to see this team stay in the elite category spanning several seasons, as I think it gives them the best chance at being a true contender. That could certainly still happen, but its kind of frustrating that even after their experiences they still seem to be in a figuring it out stage.

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by Igottago

I was pretty sure this team would:

a) have complete confidence in its place as an elite team in the league/conference based on last year's experience, and
b) be thoroughly dissatisfied with what happened in the playoffs,

leading to a motivated, businesslike and strong performances right out of the gates. Instead we are seeing glimpses of the unsure, uninspired, unprepared team that they were a couple seasons ago.

I don't really buy the ramp up to the playoffs as a sound strategy -- I think good teams just win, and win a lot, and keep winning over long periods of time. It would be nice to see this team stay in the elite category spanning several seasons, as I think it gives them the best chance at being a true contender. That could certainly still happen, but its kind of frustrating that even after their experiences they still seem to be in a figuring it out stage.

They have to go to every player and give whatever support, suggestion, advice and demands that they gave to Monahan.

[Traditional_Ale]

After going to many Cavalry FC matches (in section 200!) and having a total blast I don't think I can ever justify paying to watch the Flames live ever again. As far as the fan experience goes, there is no comparison.

[shermanator]

There is zero entertainment value in watching the Flames on TV and minimal entertainment value in watching the Flames live. And every time you get sucked back in to caring just a little, the club chokes yet again.

[kermitology]

Originally Posted by Traditional_Ale

After going to many Cavalry FC matches (in section 200!) and having a total blast I don't think I can ever justify paying to watch the Flames live ever again. As far as the fan experience goes, there is no comparison.

It's going to get so much worse when the new building is opened. I haven't enjoyed myself at a game in probably 3 years. Gave up my season ticket share in part because I was struggling with how expensive and frustrating it was to go to games.

[Traditional_Ale]

Originally Posted by kermitology

It's going to get so much worse when the new building is opened. I haven't enjoyed myself at a game in probably 3 years. Gave up my season ticket share in part because I was struggling with how expensive and frustrating it was to go to games.

To be fair, I'm lucky that I get tickets for free at least a couple times a year for Flames games and the last time I actually paid for a pair was a few years back, but still I cannot fathom thinking blowing that kind of money for such a comparably mediocre fan experience ever again. Hell, I actually think hockey in general has gotten so vanilla. Every team plays the exact same way. The salary cap ruined hockey. Hockey used to be my favorite sport to watch before the cap era. It was exciting to win games against the big spending clubs.

[mrdonkey]

Originally Posted by Traditional_Ale

To be fair, I'm lucky that I get tickets for free at least a couple times a year for Flames games and the last time I actually paid for a pair was a few years back, but still I cannot fathom thinking blowing that kind of money for such a comparably mediocre fan experience ever again. Hell, I actually think hockey in general has gotten so vanilla. Every team plays the exact same way. The salary cap ruined hockey. Hockey used to be my favorite sport to watch before the cap era. It was exciting to win games against the big spending clubs.

I’m not sure if it’s the salary cap or if it’s just players reaching a plateau in terms of skill. Back in the Gretzky/Mario days an elite player was one who was a clear cut above the rest and nobody else could come close. Today, you’ve got guys like McDavid and Mackinnon who are clearly all-world, but aren’t head and shoulders above other star players in quite the same way.

It feels like you could pretty much roll the dice on whether your team will be any good from season to season, as parity is so tight. I agree though that watching hockey (and the Flames in particular) has gotten dull. Probably doesn’t help that the Flames are notorious for taking one step forward and two steps back at any sign of success.

[Corral]

Originally Posted by shermanator

There is zero entertainment value in watching the Flames on TV and minimal entertainment value in watching the Flames live. And every time you get sucked back in to caring just a little, the club chokes yet again.

This goes for NHL hockey in general. The game is too fast for television, and i don't need someone telling me what player happens to be doing what on the ice. I can see it quite clearly on the screen. Compare that with football, where i feel the TV crew adds a lot more value to the viewing experience by showing replays with the time between plays. Much more entertaining.

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by Corral

This goes for NHL hockey in general. The game is too fast for television, and i don't need someone telling me what player happens to be doing what on the ice. I can see it quite clearly on the screen. Compare that with football, where i feel the TV crew adds a lot more value to the viewing experience by showing replays with the time between plays. Much more entertaining.

So which is it?

[Magnum PEI]

Ehh, I go to Cavalry games, and while it's pretty fun, it's nothing compared to NHL hockey. Just watch Gaudreau and to a lesser extent Tkachuk. They put on a show almost every shift. Tkachuk has insane hand-eye skills, to see it in person is worth the $50 for greens alone.

[Corral]

Originally Posted by Toonage

So which is it?

The speed of the play is distinct from knowing who has the puck. Watching the play develop so you can critique choices made by players and coaches is what makes viewing interesting and that happens way too fast in today’s game for tv.

Telling me who has the puck or other play by play is useless commentary unless you are visual impaired.

But thanks for your intelligent question

[N-E-B]

You guys are nuts. Nothing beats live hockey. It’s the fastest game on earth.

[edslunch]

PL has the best seats

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by edslunch

PL has the best seats

Loubardias?

He isn’t tall, maybe they don’t want him to have to strain to look over the guy in front of him

[DuffMan]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

This is probably unpopular but dating back to Gulutzan's first season I have found the entertainment value of watching this team poor. Say what you want about the Hartley years but that team worked hard every night and there's something redeeming about watching a team that's busting their humps even if the results aren't there. Under Gulutzan it felt like watching a neutered product where the team lacked emotion and belief that if they played hard they could win. Last season was entertaining because they won a lot of games and winning masks issues. For a good portion of last season they were not the hard luck Flames of the Gulutzan era where the effort was just good enough to provide the illusion that the results would come and a lot of their losses were just bad luck. The effort level was higher and it led to the bounces going their way. Now they have reverted to playing that style where the effort is just enough to make it look like they could have won some of these games they are losing but not good enough to actually win. I hope that Peters can get them out of this rut but we have seen this before under another coach and it's not pretty to watch this team go through the motions.

Really wished Flames had someone like Ovechkin.
Skilled, fast, physical, and seems to bring it almost every night. Loves winning.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by DuffMan

Really wished Flames had someone like Ovechkin.
Skilled, fast, physical, and seems to bring it almost every night. Loves winning.

You don't say? LoL.

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by edslunch

PL has the best seats

The first PL row is absolutely fantastic. Also bathrooms that don't have massive lineups!

[DuffMan]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

You don't say? LoL.

I did say

[Johnhitbox]

I for one,am in a way, proud the flames have never had a first overall pick.


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