Not to belabour the point, but...

The trade deadline is coming

I could go into exactly what went wrong this season, but that is like beating a dead horse. 

I could tell you the Flames look like the Keystone Cops, but I don't want to go over that again. 

I could tell you the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over again and expecting different results. 

But I am too good for that. Or am I? Okay, enough of the buffoonery on with the blog. With Canada approving the seven-day quarantine, the Flames doing something before the deadline becomes a real possibility. 

I am not saying it will happen; I am saying there is a possibility. It might happen. 

Johnny Gaudreau

The only way Gaudreau goes is if the Flames get blown away. Johnny's contract is one of the best in the league, and he is under contract for another year. He is also one of the most talented forwards in the league when motivated. The problem is keeping him motivated to lead them to the promised land. 

Sean Monahan

The next trade opportunity is Sean Monahan. The problem is that Sean's value is not exactly high. I also think Sean would be more willing to re-sign than Johnny at this point. Sean has not been fantastic this year, failing to live up to expectations this season.  

The other option is a series of smaller trades of the players whose contracts expire this year.

Derek Ryan

Derek might be the best option from the expiring contracts. He is a fourth-line centre who is excellent on the faceoff. He would help with the team's penalty kill and be on the ice to protect the lead last minute. 

David Rittich 

Rittich is a capable backup goalie. A few teams in the NHL are looking for a third goalie and would consider David an upgrade. I am not sure whether the Flames are planning on re-signing him. They may consider dealing him at the deadline. 

Those are the top options. The Flames could trade Backlund or Bennett. They have tried to trade Sam Bennett, but the offers have been underwhelming, to say the least. Teams would balk at Backlund's cap of $5 million. Leivo and Nordstrom are also on expiring contracts, but do not draw much interest. Nesterov on defence could be a bargaining chip as a number seven dman.  

Randy

Team's Heart is Lacking (Humor blog)

Warning, this blog contains humour. If you are allergic to humour or have lost your sense of humour with regard to the Flames, please do not proceed. 

You have been warned.

Should we be questioning whether the Flames have lost their heart? There is a lack of intensity in the Calgary Flames' play this season. They are like zombies out there, playing without any concern for the outcome. One of my pet peeves is when players are only playing for their paycheques. 

Their heart has pretty much given out. The Flames Management recently lashed out at the media for questioning the character of the team. Do you remember the cell phone commercial that said, "How about now?" You have to respect Lucic for coming out and defending the coach and saying it is a problem with the players. Now hear me out; yes, I believe that Ward should not be head coach. But that does not give the players permission to be bumps on a log. The core players have not shown they have the fortitude it takes to be winners.  

The root of the Flames' derailment is twofold. Firstly, the players are not on board with what the coach is teaching. Secondly, they lack the desire to win. Once a coach losses a room, the players turn off the ears. They become the Keystone Cops. Coaches run around looking like chickens with their heads cut off. Players have their fingers in their ears, singing la la la. The General Manager is sucking his thumb in the corner, saying, "I want my mummy."

Judging by past experience, sooner or later, Management will give players a time out. You know, sitting in the corner. Just ask Sam Bennett. Coaches will become tyrants, telling players to get with the program or become the Sam Bennetts of the world. If that doesn't work, they will threaten the players' job security. You know—the dreaded taxi squad. Players will respond by demanding trades or head butting walls. They will start fighting with each other, each sending his dad against the other dads. The prima donnas, feeling they should get special treatment, will demand to have their nails done. 

Management will then resort to doing a minor transaction to get the players in line—the dreaded shake-up trade. The Calgary Flames will then see if the team gels. As a source told me. "Every General Manager is allowed one coach change before he gets the heat put to his feet." He went on to say, "Brad will take his time before giving Coach Ward his walking papers. No GM wants to fire anyone. But he doesn't want his job on the line either." It is called Covered Butt Syndrome; otherwise known as the General Manager's contract. 

That may be cynical, but apparently, it is the unwritten code by which the general manager lives (and dies). Brad will fire Ward only as a last resort.  

Yes, this blog may have gotten a little facetious, but you get the point—this team is a mess. Until the General Manager addresses the issues, the team's course has been set. 

Randy