GM Brad Treliving on the First Quarter of the Season

[Mathgod]

https://www.sportsnet.ca/960/flames-...of-the-season/

I thought he explained things very well. There is an adjustment period when there's this much roster turnover. It's not an excuse - it's just reality.

[Mr.Coffee]

Personally I think it has been not all bad, but tough to see it being anything better than the word “disappointment”.

The first 5 games were amazing, like, some of the best Flames hockey dominance I have ever seen. But since then…

[CalgaryFan1988]

The only thing that really concerns me is Markstrom, the rest is to be expected under the circumstances.

[flambers]

Interesting interview, however adjustment period at this stage 22 games in the season simply does not make sense

Not for a player of this caliber

[Huntingwhale]

You lose two 100+ points wingers that were on the best line in hockey, you are going to feel it. Don't care what the return is, outside of say a McDrai duo coming back. Not to mention this team is a very reliant on Sutter's system and both Tkachuk and Gaudreau fit into the system very well once they got used to it. Not saying the newcomers aren't on board with buying in, but Sutter's first season back V.2 after Ward left had a fairly long adjustment period as well.

The amount of turnover, the loss of 2 elite top line wingers, and a goaltenders tendency to sometimes fluctuate season to season all play a role. Toss in a coach who is often hard-headed, stubborn in his ways and hard on the players. This is the result.

The first 5 games the team looked like gangbusters, but now that most teams have settled in it's obvious this season is likely going to be a grind.

I have faith they will eventually figure it out and hopefully peak at the right time. But man do the Flames miss Gaudreau. Say what you want about his size, but they sure do miss his puck carrying skills, his passing, his vision, his...everything. The loss of a legit gamebreaker is now a huge hole on this team. Hopefully Huberdeau can become that player at some point. I hadn't really watched him before, so not sure if that is part of his skillset.

[chedder]

We got 246 points back in the trade and Kadri and the little game breaker didn't break much in the playoffs last year (yeah one huge game winner)

I hope the team and new players build towards one that can actually do something in the playoffs. Not be happy to just get there.

[Dion]

I expected that this would be a transition year with the loss of talents like Johnny and Chucky. The additions are great, but the team is going to need time as players develop chemistry.

Just make the dance and see where it goes from there.

[All In Good Time]

Originally Posted by CalgaryFan1988

The only thing that really concerns me is Markstrom, the rest is to be expected under the circumstances.

The thought begins to creep in this year watching Markstrom:

“At what point are we better off going with Vladar/Wolf?
Cap space is an asset, would someone take Markstrom for a fourth?”

Not saying it’s a good idea, or that we are at that point yet, just saying that the thought has crossed my mind, surprisingly

[Erick Estrada]

I don't think it should surprise anyone that there would be an adjustment period amongst the forward group when the two best players are replaced with two different players. What's surprised me is the defensive breakdowns and poor goaltending. They haven't looked like a Sutter coached team at times in their own end.

[Cycling76er]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

The loss of a legit gamebreaker is now a huge hole on this team.

I'm not sure anyone would refer to Gaudreau as a 'game breaker'. %100 an elite player but not one that could put the team on his back and crack the game.

Regardless, his play making is definitely missed.

[dino7c]

NM, read the post wrong

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by Cycling76er

I'm not sure anyone would refer to Gaudreau as a 'game breaker'. %100 an elite player but not one that could put the team on his back and crack the game.

Regardless, his play making is definitely missed.

He absolutely was a gamebreaker. Maybe not a McDavid video game cheat, but how many times did he put the offence on his back and take over a game? Quite regularly. A player quick of the transition, could make a big play and the puck would be in the opponents net in a matter of seconds. He was as close to a gamebreaker as any in the NHL.

I get that there's a lot of hate for him now and obviously in the playoffs that was a lot less , but he absolutely was during the regular season.

[D as in David]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Lol yeah just a SCF OT winner, a hatty, causing the Blues to lose their ####ing minds, and ppg. He would have owned the Oilers too but was injured.

He was also over ppg in the 2020 playoffs with 18 points in 15 games

Kadri had an amazing playoffs...miles better than any Flame since Kipper/Iginla

I read Chedder's post as referring to Gaudreau as the "little game breaker", not Kadri.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by D as in David

I read Chedder's post as referring to Gaudreau as the "little game breaker", not Kadri.

Totally, I read it wrong...4 hours of sleep

My bad