The Eternal Optimists Thread

[Robbob]

Just wanted to create a safe place for some positive thoughts in an attempt to appease the hockey gods. So if you don't have anything positive to say you can stick to the other 99 world is ending threads.

27 games into the season we are 1 point back from the teams in the last WC spot and 3rd Divisional spot. 4 points back from a home advantage for the playoffs. Not a whole lot going right and still in the thick of things.

Gaudreau is 3rd in the league in points, only 2 points behind the leader Kucherov.

Monahan is 5th in the league in goals, only 5 behind the leader Ovechkin.

After a bumpy start Bennett has 6 points in his last five games.

[mikephoen]

It's fun seeing Jagr in Flames colours.

[Geeoff]

Hopefully we nail the 4th we got in the Hamonic trade.

[Looch City]

Smith is a good goalie.

[BeltlineFan]

Jankowski might be my favourite flame to watch right now. He's looking like a 2nd line centre with great hands.

[scotty2hotty]

I asked for a Jagr jersey for Christmas

[Poe969]

Ferland has been a pleasant surprise, he looks like he's gaining confidence and starting to hit his stride.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Flames retros are still the best jerseys in the league.

[Robbob]

That entire 3rd line is a treat to watch in the offensive zone.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I love this team's flexibility in the forward ranks. A first line that excels on the rush but can play along the boards a bit, a second line that is elite at shutting down the opposition, can also rush and is pretty good along the boards, and a third line that can rush a bit, but is becoming increasingly dominant along the boards.

It is going to give other teams fits for years to come.

[dino7c]

The Flames haven't even played the 2nd and 3rd teams in the division...destiny still in their hands.

[kevman]

I'm optimistic that despite this mini slump they're still in the thick of things. Is it Bingo that always says you see the team doing right things and losing before they go on a tear? Well, last night they did a lot of things right. As soon as they find a way to limit the brain farts they'll be off to the races!

I'm also looking forward to the mini road trip. I don't know what it is but the Flames are a better road team so far this year.

[Huntingwhale]

The Flames historically take half the season to get going. This is absolutely nothing new, and it's kind of funny most people seem surprised and upset about the way the team is now. If anything, we should be grateful to Smith and the top line for not letting the team dig itself in a big hole to start the season. We kept pace, and are still within striking distance.

Things would be 10x worse if we have Elliot-quality goaltending to start. We'd be at the bottom of the West. Instead, Smith and Gaudreau bought the team time to work things out.

It's frustrating for sure, like all slumps are. But this is nothing new. No one should be surprised. We should all be looking forward to the next couple months when things start to pick up.

[kevman]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

The Flames historically take half the season to get going.

Except that one time. With Turek. But we all know how that ended.

[Benched]

Johhny has looked pretty damn fantastic and highly exciting most nights. Just a pleasure to watch.

[Vinny01]

Bennett appears to be turning a corner

[Fire in the disco]

Feels like we’ve had some bad bounces and poor puck luck. I think the team turns the corner and gets home ice in the playoffs. Some posters seem to feel that perfection is the only gauge of success, it’s a long season with lots of high lows. Flames might not be a contender yet but I think they have the pieces to catch fire and can hold their own against any team in the league

[Tyler]

Janko's going to be a player in this league.

[Loudog]

Bennett has looked so much more confident with the puck the last few games. His 2nd goal against Edmonton was a treat to see. I think he's getting comfortable on the wing and that whole line with Jagr and Janko is starting to click. It's great watching them hold on the puck in the offensive zone and I think this is the turning point for Bennett.

Come on Bennett! Time to prove all my friends wrong!

[Machiavelli]

This is going to sound like a downer, but I'm actually optimistic because the personnel on D cannot play any worse relative to their skill. Only up from here.