A Light at the End of the Tunnel?

The ugly

The woeful Calgary Flames power play is getting embarrassing. I think it may be time for them to get back to the basics. They are handling the puck like a hot potato. Teams are rushing the Flames, and they are panicking and throwing the puck away. Fans are demanding that Zane Parekh be utilized. Not to pour gasoline onto a major fire, but time to go to the Petro station. Why not use the kid? He can’t make it any worse.

Defensive zone coverage is horrible

The Flames are still making too many defensive mistakes, creating huge scoring chances in their own zone. They are leaving Wolf to the dogs. (See what I did there?) Seriously, the Calgary Flames have to clean up their act; they need to be more responsible defensively.

Especially right now, when they can’t score a goal to save their lives.

Offensive

Talking about offense, can we please score a goal? Maybe more than one goal a game? I’m not sure if this results from a lack of confidence, incompetence, or simply insufficient talent to be on this squad.The Calgary Flames team has to be more imaginative. Get their noses dirty. It’s time to bring out the garbage—get to the net and make it hard for their goalie to see the puck. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Calgary Flames consistently outworked. We do not have enough talent to float around for 60 minutes.

Final Word

Not to be overly dramatic, can I say the R word? Yes, I am still hearing a backlash on this comment. The Calgary Flames do not want to be in this rut for the next five seasons. They want to see a light at the end of the tunnel. The only light I’m seeing right now is a dumpster fire.

Randy

The Flames’ Season So Far: Please Send Help

If there’s one word or phrase that describes the Calgary Flames’ season, what would it be? Would it be disturbing? How do you describe the Calgary Flames folding like a cheap tent? How about “I fell down and can’t get up?” Or maybe “Keystone cops.” Whichever description you use for the Calgary Flames, it can’t be very flattering. I would characterize the Calgary Flames as a Nightmare on Elm Street.

Here is the good news:

The season isn’t over. There’s still time to turn this ship around. Granted, it’s currently sinking, but the band hasn’t finished playing ‘Nearer, My God, to Thee’.

(Yes, that’s it. That’s all the good news.)

What needs to be fixed:

As I’m writing this blog, the Flames have played four games and are 1-3. The disturbing thing about the last two games is that the Flames have been awful in the third period. At this point, I think they’re running a workshop: 101 Creative Ways to Blow a Lead. You could easily blame the defense, particularly Daniil Miromanov, in the game against the Knights. So, the Calgary Flames put him on waivers. Do they have anyone better to replace him? Well, unless Zamboni drivers are eligible...

Yes, we can complain about the effort, and yes, we can complain about the roster of the Calgary Flames. How many of us can be really surprised with the results going so far this season? Ryan Huska can only play the cards he is dealt. Our defense is weak. Our forwards can’t score, and the biggest thing is that Wolf hasn’t bailed them out in these games.

Before you have a conniption fit, let me explain. Wolf has not been bad, but he has not been the Wolf of last season. We need Wolf to be Vladislav Tretiak. For those who do not know who he is, get a book. No pressure, kid—just carry the entire team on your back like a Costco-sized sack of potatoes.

I wish that was the end of the list. But defense is not the only problem with this team. Can somebody please score besides Matthew Coronado? A close friend, who just happens to be one of my sources, asked me what would happen if injuries became a factor. Well, here we are—the Calgary Flames have not had Jonathan Huberdeau in the lineup for the first four games. Is it a coincidence that they are losing? I think not.

Here is a tip: if you cannot score, you cannot win. Until somebody addresses the offense, it will be hard for this team to succeed. It is unfair to expect Wolf to give up two or fewer goals per game.

Final word

I know there’s plenty of time to fix this. They do have players capable of playing better. Kadri, Zarry, Frost, and finally, Farabee, should be able to score. The defense has to smarten up. I think that has to come through a trade.

Last but not least, the Flames have to fix their backup goaltending situation. Either play Cooley, or find a goaltender who can play. Playing Wolf of 77 games is not an option. Unless he’s secretly a Terminator, we should probably find him a backup. Or a clone. Maybe both.

The Calgary Flames: proving once again that hope springs eternal, but defense apparently doesn’t.

Breaking Down the Flames’ Depth Problem: Offence, Defence, and Everything in Between

I expect the Calgary Flames to have a hard time producing offence this season. The Flames’ most enormous hole to fill was one more offensive forward, but they failed to do so. Look no further than right down the middle. The Calgary Flames are weak in the centre position, and it may hold them back this season.

What will hold them back 74 pts?

The Calgary Flames’ defence is not strong enough. We have three very good defenders and a number 5 or 6 defender. Weegar, Ball, and Andersson will carry this team. We will lose Andersson with the trade, and he will be distracted most of the year. Here are my predictions:

Points  

Jonathon Huberdeau - 77 pts

Huberdeau will once again have a steady season. He will be the most consistent Calgary Flames player. He will have company; Kadri will also be there with him. His playmaking skills will have to continue for them to make the next step. The Calgary Flames vitally need them to be successful.

Goals  

Matt Coronato / Nazim Kadri - 35 goals

Matt and Nazim, the Flames’ two thirty-goal scorers, will share the goals. Matt will continue to take the next step. He has one of the best shot releases in the NHL. Nazim is the best centre and will continue to score the garbage goals.

Surprise Player - Connor Zarry

This one surprised many people, including myself. I’m most likely wrong, but I have a gut feeling that Connor will surprise some people. Connor is going to get 25 goals and 55 points. He will have to stay healthy.

Final word

I am really trying to stay positive. The Calgary Flames do have some talent. The lack of talent—or should I say depth—in the centre and defence is going to be this team’s Achilles heel. The young kids will be entertaining to watch.

Kadri and Huberdeau will continue to be the leaders of this team, and frankly, they have to be. What the team so desperately needs is scoring support.

Players like Frost and Farabee will have to improve their scoring numbers. Both of these players will have to rebound from disappointing seasons last year, but I don’t think they can. Coleman and Backlund must match or surpass their numbers from last year.

Lastly, the Calgary defence needs to improve on the silly mistakes in the defensive zone. If they can shore it up, it will vastly help the Calgary Flames in the long run.

Wolf at the Door: Flames’ Fate Lies in the Blue Line

We all know the Calgary Flames’ season totally relies on how Dustin Wolf responds in goal this season. We could try to kid ourselves by saying our offence is essential too. However, the Calgary Flames’ offense was one of the worst in the league last year, yet they still managed to score 96 points. Yes, Dustin Wolf holds our fate in his hands.

You could say that if the defence improves this year, it would go a long way to helping Dustin Wolf. The problem with that conclusion is that the Calgary Flames have still not resolved the Rasmus Andersson fiasco. The Calgary Flames have a solid top four, featuring Andersson, Weeger, Bahl, and, of course, the wonder kid, Parekh. Here’s the big challenge: The Calgary Flames need to get more out of the final third pairing, whoever they decide to insert into the lineup.

This is where life gets interesting. The Calgary Flames have plenty of candidates who can fill that position. Here are my picks for the battle of the final three spots.

Daniil Miromanov

Dani Miromanov was in and out of the lineup last season. He would typically be a sixth- or seventh defenseman on most NHL teams. I think what the Flames need is more consistency from Miromanov. He cannot be a hindrance and make the coach afraid to put him out on the ice. When he focuses on his game and doesn’t try to go too hard, he is helpful to the Flames.

Brayden Pachal

Brayden Pachal plays with a chip on his shoulder and does not shy away from physical play. He gradually began to fit into the lineup with his physical play. If he continues to grow, hits smarter, and colors within the lines, he is a good defenseman. We need his toughness. He has to stay out of the box while playing physically.

Joel Hanley

Joel Hanley was a pleasant surprise. Joel is defensively responsible. He adds more stability to the defensive core. Joel was a plus-12 for a third-pairing defenseman, which is excellent. I love his game; nothing flashy, but he is a reliable third-pairing defenseman.

Final word

The Flames aren’t expecting Norris Trophy candidates for the fifth/sixth defencemen. What they’re hoping to do is add some energy to the game, change momentum, and keep mistakes to a minimum. The Flames need to be more defensively responsible and give Wolfe some support.

Can a 19-Year-Old Handle the Heat? Zayne Parekh in Focus

The biggest question this season is whether Zayne Parekh will make the squad. I don’t think there is any question. There is little doubt that he’s making the Calgary Flames. Well, at least not in my mind. Keep in mind, he is only 19 years old. I hope the Flames keep expectations down to keep the pressure off. Zayne has nothing to prove in the OHL; he’s done everything that was expected of him. He can’t go to college since he signed a pro contract with the Flames. Zayne has two options: either play in the NHL or return to Juniors and dominate the league with nothing to prove.

I do worry that the Calgary Flames are rushing him. He needs a mentor who can show him the lay of the land. I have two different defensemen who could do this:

Mackenzie Weegar

The clearest choice is MacKenzie Weegar. In my mind, MacKenzie is the closest to a complete defenceman on the Calgary Flames. He is definitely the leader of the defensive core. He has a physical game and plays very well on defense. Weegar is underrated in his defensive game. He has a terrific shot in the offensive game and is an excellent puck distributor. MacKenzie does not do one thing outstanding; he does everything well. The biggest obstacle in pairing MacKenzie with Weegar is putting him on the left side. I have no doubt he could adjust. I see minimal downside to this option.

Kevin Bahl

There is no doubt that Kevin could be Zayne’s mentor. Kevin is probably the best defensive defenceman on our team. He would definitely help Zayne become a better defenceman. Kevin would also cover for Zayne when he pinches in the offensive zone. The main obstacle in choosing Kevin is breaking up Rasmus and Kevin. Kevin will probably be Rasmus’s sidekick for as long as they are both on the team.

Final word

Zayne has been very good in the preseason. Unfortunately, the preseason is not equal to the regular season. Can Zayne perform in the regular season? Nobody says he can’t, but he will have a lot to learn. He is going to have to know when to pinch or not to pinch, he’s gonna have to know when to pass or shoot. He must use his speed when he gets caught up, as he pinched at the wrong times. Trust me, he is going to make mistakes. Growing pains that come with the territory of being a rookie. That being said, there will be time for him to make miraculous plays, making us wonder why we didn’t do this earlier. I suspect the good plays will outnumber the bad, and the Calgary Flames will be happy to have him on the team. 

Flames Secure Backlund: Veteran Leadership for a Young Roster

A minor update on the signing of Backlund.

If I had a picture of a player exemplifying the ideal Calgary Flames, it would be Backlund. I could be happier than I am with the signing of Mikael. He has done everything that was expected of him. He is a great example of what it means to be an ideal teammate.

He is a third-line centre who might be the most defensively responsible forward on the team. He is a great penalty killer who manoeuvres well in his own zone. He works a lot with the young kids and will teach them how to be defensive and responsible, something that the Calgary Flames really need to be this season to be successful.

The Calgary Flames release their camp rosters this afternoon. Two players stood out to me from the rookie camp. Keep your eyes on these guys:

Aydar Suniev

Aydar is a slick-moving forward. He could be a Calgary Flames player within the next couple of seasons. I think he has the potential to be a top-six forward. Aydar has a great wrist shot; he needs to use it more. Aydar’s play-making skills are terrific, particularly in terms of stick handling in small spaces.

His high hockey IQ makes him a dangerous forward, as teams may not know exactly what his next move will be. He’s thinking two moves ahead. I’m intrigued to see what his potential will turn into.

Sam Honzek

Everyone is talking about the new Sam. He is beefed up and appears to be motivated to take the next step in his career. He has all the tools to be a top-nine forward. You know has the motivation to fight for the puck and has been winning some battles. He has great speed with a good-looking shot. Sam is catching people’s attention. It’s nice to see something happened to a good kid. Here’s looking at you, Sam.

Conroy has made a comeback recently, and his off-season signing of Backlund will undoubtedly help the kids. He can be another coach out there. Backlund still had some good speed. He could be helpful for the Flames in the next couple of seasons; only time will tell.