May I have some crow please

[OptimalTates]

It's so refreshing that someone is honest about being wrong and is taking it in stride. When I'm finally wrong about something I hope I can be as humble.

[habernac]

There's a lot more here that should be joining you for the meal, Jiri. I've been a supporter for years. The combination of a better centre and Daryl Sutter seems to have made it even more magic.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

No one has been as hard on Johnny than me over the years
I was wrong
He’s a helluva player and we are so lucky to have watched him
Pass me the damn bird

Well done sir.

You and I have had numerous conversations on the guy ... and while I wasn't as "against" him as you, I certainly agreed that you may not want to give him the term that would be required to retain him.

That's looking foolish now.

[activeStick]

Kudos go Jorge for starting this thread and owning it. Good on others admitting it as well. Interesting seeing some well-documented haters with some revisionist history now though saying they always believed in Johnny. We know who you are!

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Well done sir.

You and I have had numerous conversations on the guy ... and while I wasn't as "against" him as you, I certainly agreed that you may not want to give him the term that would be required to retain him.

That's looking foolish now.

It's been really cool seeing him mature this year. The on-ice transformation under Darryl is obvious, but I see it off the ice too. Him wearing the A (though Darryl I think referred to letters as "decoration") is a really good sign of how he has grown into a real leader. And you see it in his post-game interviews. He still has that slightly goofy "aw shucks" quality but he's grown up a ton.

Darryl gets credit for sure, but people don't improve if they aren't willing to put in the work themselves.

[CroFlames]

Why is the saying "eat crow" and not eating something else?

[Jiri Hrdina]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eating_crow

[kermitology]

I seriously thought that the Flames were going to trade him after the Dallas series in the bubble. Personally, I was so angry with the team and lack of emotion and drive. But Sutter.. man, Sutter challenged him in just the right way and he has been an absolute force all year long. He finally found an extra gear and he dragged the team onto his shoulders.

His complete game has been an absolute revelation this season. Keep going Johnny!

[SeanCharles]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Cheers to you for saying that. Pass me a big dish of crow as well, I have been on Michael Backlund all year, he is a huge reason why we win this series and a key player for us.

He certainly did his part to help us win.

I have been hard on him as well.

We needed him to step up just as much as we needed Tkachuk and Toffoli to for us last night.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

It's been really cool seeing him mature this year. The on-ice transformation under Darryl is obvious, but I see it off the ice too. Him wearing the A (though Darryl I think referred to letters as "decoration") is a really good sign of how he has grown into a real leader. And you see it in his post-game interviews. He still has that slightly goofy "aw shucks" quality but he's grown up a ton.

Darryl gets credit for sure, but people don't improve if they aren't willing to put in the work themselves.

Agreed, and I actually came here to post that while you or I and others have been hard on him over the years, I think this year Johnny the person took a big step forward, and Johnny the hockey player as a result did as well.

Amazing the work Sutter has done with him especially on getting him to the next level.

[TheScorpion]

Johnny deserves to keep that "A" full-time if he sticks around.

[Doctorfever]

Originally Posted by Johnny Makarov

Instaban for anyone who types Little Johnny on here!

Looks like we have our first instaban.

Mods, can you get on this right away please

[PlayfulGenius]

I was previously of the opinion that a team won’t go far in the playoffs with Johnny as their best player … just too easy to knock around come playoff time.

I too was wrong … certainly not the first time.

If he re-signs here, he has the potential to be looking up at only #12 for all time greatest Flame

[CroCop]

I gotta eat some (or a lot) too… this group has proven me wrong all season!

First before the season started I was completely down on them because I thought the core was bad and not enough changes were made to compete when It mattered….Wrong

Then after their Covid break and they got roasted on that Florida State/Carolina trip I thought their bubble burst…Wrong again, they went on a huge heater after that.

Most recently after game 3 and they went down 2-1 I was thinking here we go again and posted some crap on the pgt. Hmm…Wrong…they just kept grinding and won.

I was even on the fire Tre bandwagon last summer and then I end up getting a fist bump from him after game 5!

This group is different/special and they delivered with pressure to give us the BOA we’ve been waiting 31 years for. It’s gonna be unbelievable can’t wait!
I’m sorry for doubting this group they’re changing the way I think about historic Flames hockey.

[Locke]

I was never sure he could step out of the 'secondary threat' role and really become the straw that stirs the drink.

Maybe he just needed time? Maybe he just needed Darryl?

But, give me a beer or a glass of wine and I think I'd take Johnny...Mr. Hockey over almost any other player in the league.

Oh...and...

104th overall.