Blow it up

Not literally, of course, until our new arena is finished.  It is time to start rebuilding this team now. This core has never answered the bell. They have yet to prove they have what it takes to take it to the next level. Well, of course, we know the Flames will not do the rebuild. Ownership has no interest in the rebuild.  There is little doubt the Flames have been a colossal disappointment.  What has gone wrong? What would be an easier question is what has gone right?

The Flames players have no urgency; they don't seem to care if they win or lose. There is no energy; they are just taking the easy way out. The leaders have gone into hiding. I can't remember seeing any of them in a game of late. The followers are looking for the leaders to guide; instead, the Leaders are showing them where the vacationing spots are. The turnovers in the game are worrisome. If I ate a turnover for every turnover, I would have gained 50 pounds.

Blind passes seem to be the order of the day. Way too many of them.  Players are not looking where they are passing. There is no communication. The forwards not know where each other is and are panicking with the puck. They have to start looking to dump and chase. There is too much fancy-schmancy. Get back to the basics. Dump and chase. Enough with the Stupidity.

The defence is struggling with zone coverage. Too much time chasing the puck and not following the body.  Making mistakes that even rookies don't make. Not to pick on anyone, but the Hammer/Hannifin combo is not connecting. They seem to be losing track of each other. Neither has been bailing out each other. It might be time to think about splitting them up and letting them work it out with another partner.

Yes, I know the Flames are not going to blow it up. I also see the chance of finding partners for the core players might be pretty low.  Read the following statement carefully. They are willing to hear offers for Gaudreau. They are in no sense shopping him, but would be willing to see what they could get.  What that tells me is that they are looking to retool, not rebuild.  What they want for Gaudreau is a top-three player back who knows how to win come playoff time.  Draft picks or prospects will not do it. If the Flames don't make the playoffs, then come off-season, all bets are off.

Randy