Now that the Flames have lost Hall and, even worse, they lost him to the Coyotes. What is the next step? The knee-jerk reaction would go ahead and bring in our own hired gun. But let me caution you on that move. Never trade in a response to a trade from another team.
We know the Flames were the "mystery team" that almost acquired Hall. We know that if Hall had signed long-term, the deal would have gone through. The Flames are now asking questions on Kovalchuk. So we know the Flames are not happy and they're trying to change that. And we know they are targeting the forwards.
Does this mean the defence is off the hook? Not at all. I think our defensive play needs to improve too. The Flames are still too loose in their own end. I saw signs of weak defence even in the seven-game winning streak. The Flames must play a full sixty minutes. No easy games. I have preached this all season; the team cannot afford to take any nights off. It is going to be a dogfight to get into the playoffs.
Ward has given the responsibility to the players and let them run with it. The team is beginning to slip back into its old ways. The Flames can't take these brain farts anymore. Taking 10 minutes off in a game cannot be tolerated. This might be the very reason the Flames management are not standing idly by. Whether or not they make a trade is immaterial. They have the ability to make changes. Let the fight for a playoff spot begin.
