The bad, the ugly, and the uglier

Yes, I have to keep a professional attitude while writing about this team. The Flames are very hard to watch right now. There are not very many things to be positive about right now. The forwards have sticks of stone. The defence is trying too much to pitch in, leaving their team vulnerable down at the other end. The Flames goalies are failing to make the big save when the team needs it the most.  Of course, the goalie tandem has all the pressure on their shoulders, due to the offence having gone dry. 

Everyone knows the Flames are having trouble scoring, including the goalies.  This leads to the goalies being afraid to make a mistake, and inevitably making mistakes because no one is perfect. When there is an awful goal, the team lacks the confidence to overcome the error.

It's easy to blame the top-six forwards. They are not doing their job.  Gaudreau, Lindholm, and Monahan look lost. The trio is struggling with the puck, fighting for control every time they touch it. The lack of communication is an issue. They don't know where the others are when passing the puck. Most concerning is their lack of effort to get back to the zone. In the second line, Tkachuck has no support. Backlund and Frolic are being asked to be what they are not. Backlund and Frolic are excellent third-line players. 

The coach's primary responsibility is to put the players at the best chance to be successful. Putting Backlund and Frolic as second-line forwards does not do that. That is the first problem. The second problem is there are no second-line centres or right-wing on this team.

It is partially the General Manager's fault for not bringing in the right personnel. The Flames do not have enough support on the second line to be successful. If the first line struggles, the second line is not good enough to get them out of it. Janko has not scored in his 22 games. He is struggling. Sending him down to Stockton to get his confidence back might be an option. Lucic has not been worth the acquisition. The two best bottom six have been Derek Ryan and Andrew Mangiapane, and their offensive totals are not great. 

There is not enough offensive depth unless the Flames change a system or make a trade. Peters has to mix this group of players somehow, add some blood and fire to them, or be burned at stake. (Not literally, of course, but you get my meaning.) The players don't seem to be getting any consequences for the way they are playing. There is no fear of repercussions whatsoever.

What is the definition of insanity?  Doing the same over and over and expecting different results.