Issues need a-fixin'

Let me start with this: I do not have any inside info with regard to this blog. Now that I have said that, you all can slam me as much as you want. I have significant concerns with this team's work ethic. It is like they do not think they need to skate.

I can understand the eviction of Coach Ward. I agree that Ward has lost some of the dressing room, but let me add: how much of the blame does Brad Treliving get? The main problem is trying to spread out the responsibility on this team. Treliving's biggest failure is in getting the right-winger to accommodate Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan. In Brad's defence, there is not enough money to spread around. I can hear everyone screaming at me; now, who's fault is that? My biggest problem is that they have not fixed this issue in the last three years. I don't count 2014 because that was supposed to be a rebuilding year. 

You can argue that Brad's distribution of the cap has flaws. The Backlund contract of $5 million for the next four years is a sore point. Don't get me wrong; Backlund is a useful player, but he would be a more helpful player at $3.5-4 million. Derek Ryan is one of the best fourth-line centers in the League. Again it is his $3.125 Cap hit. In my estimate, most fourth-line centres make around $700K to $1.8 million. Derek is one of the best, so give him $1.8 million.  

On the other hand, Brad made a huge splash by signing Jacob Markstrom for six @ $6 million. So give him credit for that one. He also signed Christopher Tanev for $4.5 million for four years. Most Flames fans hemmed and hawed, but what sold me was the improved play of Noah Hannifin. So Brad gets a pass on that one.

Ward might in trouble with this team. The problem is the system. What is the Flames' identity? Most people complain that Ward mixes up the lines so that no one knows their linemates. Do not get me started why Bennett was sent down to the fourth line. If you are going to capitulate and move him to the top-6 forward to prove himself, don't put him back to the fourth line after playing his best hockey of the season. What kind of message is that? If he has earned the top-6 minutes, give him the top-6 minutes. 

Last but not least, some of this has to be on the players. Stop playing like the world owes you something, and start playing like you owe the world something.  

Randy