Francis: Tire Fire

[shutout]

https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/...ame-tire-fire/

• Season has become a tire fire
• Smith injury beginning of the end
• not just goaltending
• major character issues
• leadership issues
• coaching issues
• goaltending masking the problems on the team
• Not a shot at Giordano and Hamonic
• Team just disappeared
• Sense of urgency and leadership
• Lack of leadership and buy-in from the young guys
• Young guys just want to get their points but don't hate to lose
• Defensive lapses - guys not playing the game at both ends
• Gaudreau and Monahan not the guys to lead the team, not guys that will do anything and everything to win
• Tkachuk the next leader and captain
• Lack of pure leaders on the team

[Finger Cookin]

Yes, Francis is a tire fire. Good succinct summary.

[Parallex]

Not even gonna click it. Don't want to give the little toady any page views.

[btimbit]

Thanked for the Francis warning in the title.

Not reading that garbage

[shutout]

Have to wonder if Jagr, even injured, was providing some of that dressing room leadership when it looked like they turned the corner and had the win streak going. Right after that he was gone and the team had two weeks off over three weeks and they never looked good since. Lack of effort, consistency, and competitiveness had disappeared.

If that's the case than some changes to the teams character have to be made or this team will do nothing but compete for mediocrity.

[shutout]

https://www.sportsnet.ca/590/hockey-...n-went-flames/

full interview without video

[Canehdianman]

This one should be ok, no?

[colbym72]

I have not been around Alberta long enough to know the Francis hate. Other than being a propaganda machine for the Flames in arena talk, can someone explain why else he is so unpopular?

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by colbym72

I have not been around Alberta long enough to know the Francis hate. Other than being a propaganda machine for the Flames in arena talk, can someone explain why else he is so unpopular?

He's somewhat clickbaity. He doesn't know much. He's the product of his mom's fame. Often he gins things up for his own purposes or to be important. I swear that no one was thinking much about the Wideman hit until he made a huge fuss afterwards (without telling anyone he was friends of the Henderson family).

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by shutout

Have to wonder if Jagr, even injured, was providing some of that dressing room leadership when it looked like they turned the corner and had the win streak going. Right after that he was gone and the team had two weeks off over three weeks and they never looked good since. Lack of effort, consistency, and competitiveness had disappeared.

If that's the case than some changes to the teams character have to be made or this team will do nothing but compete for mediocrity.

I haven't read the article only the summary in the first post. I agree with your comment regarding Jagr and if the points being reported are correct about lack of leadership and a poor environment it doesn't really surprise me. One of my beliefs and a point that I previously made in our Iggy discussions is that the young Flames (Johnny, Monahan, Bennett, etc.) need a veteran presence to mentor and guide them such a Jagr or Iggy. I believe this is a key contributor to the problems in Edmonton over the last ten years with guys like Hall, Eberle, RNH and maybe even McDavid. The kids in Edmonton had skills and plenty of potential but lacked mentorship from a veteran.

[the2bears]

Smug Francis commenting on leadership qualities is priceless.

[Teroy]

Francis sounded like he had it right on the money. Maybe some of you apparent hockey geniuses would like to give us your opinions and we can compare smugness.

[The Big Chill]

So the team sucks from all angles. Seems insightful.

[Rubicant]

Summary looks pretty well on the nose to me.

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

I haven't read the article only the summary in the first post. I agree with your comment regarding Jagr and if the points being reported are correct about lack of leadership and a poor environment it doesn't really surprise me. One of my beliefs and a point that I previously made in our Iggy discussions is that the young Flames (Johnny, Monahan, Bennett, etc.) need a veteran presence to mentor and guide them such a Jagr or Iggy. I believe this is a key contributor to the problems in Edmonton over the last ten years with guys like Hall, Eberle, RNH and maybe even McDavid. The kids in Edmonton had skills and plenty of potential but lacked mentorship from a veteran.

Was Iggy a great leader though? Flames were floundering around basically in the same spot during his whole time here, with the exception of 2004, as the team is now. Hovering between 8-10th or worse in the west. Same crap for almost 30 years now.

[Beninho]

Bennett seems like he’s trying but is unable to get any points tho

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

I haven't read the article only the summary in the first post. I agree with your comment regarding Jagr and if the points being reported are correct about lack of leadership and a poor environment it doesn't really surprise me. One of my beliefs and a point that I previously made in our Iggy discussions is that the young Flames (Johnny, Monahan, Bennett, etc.) need a veteran presence to mentor and guide them such a Jagr or Iggy. I believe this is a key contributor to the problems in Edmonton over the last ten years with guys like Hall, Eberle, RNH and maybe even McDavid. The kids in Edmonton had skills and plenty of potential but lacked mentorship from a veteran.

I guess you might mean a forward. There isn't a real skill guy to mentor, but I've always thought guys like Stajan can give advice on how to be a pro. I think Johnny and Monahan are still going through the young rich player growing pains, based on stuff I've heard, and the inconsistency in the on-ice compete levels.

[colbym72]

Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn

Was Iggy a great leader though? Flames were floundering around basically in the same spot during his whole time here, with the exception of 2004, as the team is now. Hovering between 8-10th or worse in the west. Same crap for almost 30 years now.

I dont care if Ghandi is your frickin captain. If you dont have a good enough team, your leadership can only do so much

[SportsJunky]

I find Francis’ articles are usually pretty bang on. This article probably is too. It’s too bad he has forever sullied his reputation around these parts. It’s hard to find genuine discussion in a Francis thread.

*Disclaimer- I haven’t read the article yet.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by Teroy

Francis sounded like he had it right on the money. Maybe some of you apparent hockey geniuses would like to give us your opinions and we can compare smugness.

I read the summary and I don't disagree on a single point. Doesn't change the fact that Francis is a tool.