Is it time for the Flames?

The Flames have not been able to make it to the next level. Is it the players' fault or is it the coach?  Every year this team does not live up to expectations. Are we expecting too much? Somehow, the veterans—not the kids—make the same mistakes over and over again. Either the vets are blocking out the coach or they do not care. 

Either way, if the Flames do not make a considerable run, is it time to get a more expensive coach? Or is it time to blow this team up?  I think it is time to jettison the core, which has not lived up to expectations. The only exception was 2014. It is time for a change.

It is hard to pinpoint the exact issue. I have heard this is entirely on the core. In other quarters, they blame it on goaltending. If we had consistent goaltending, things would be different. The third option is that the defence is terrible. It seems harsh to put this all on the defence.

So, who gets the blame?  I can tell you who will shoulder the blame: the coach. It might not be fair, but there is no way you can trade the whole team. At this point, I wish they would. 

Which begs the question: When is the last time the Flames had a big name coach? I would say it was Bob Hartly in 2014, the year he took the Calgary Flames out of nowhere to the playoffs. Before that, try Darryl Sutter 2004. And we know what he did that year.

I get it. It is too easy to blame the coach. Maybe it is time to do a little of both. Time to address the coaching and to shake up the core? What do you think? 

Has Hammer played his last game?

Travis Hamonic. It looks like it's time for him to move on. Not because I want him to move on, but for economic reasons. There is not enough money to go around. I think his ultimate destination will be the Winnipeg Jets.

What will we miss in Hamonic? His first strength is his character in the dressing room. You can never underestimate a player who wears his heart on his sleeve. Of course, Hamonic is probably the Flames' best stay-home dman.  His presence will be missed in the defensive zone. He won't be there bailing out stupidity. I can't count how many times his hit or blocking a shot saved a scoring chance. The Flames will have to bring in a cheaper version, because every team needs a Hamonic.

The only downside on Hammer as he goes into free agency is his injuries. He has had some really bad luck, getting healthy only to be put back on the shelf. Hamonic's injury woes were mostly due to his play; he never shied away from any circumstance. I often cringed when I saw him jumping or diving to block a shot. Or when he would stick up for his teammates.

I was thinking to myself how sweet it would it be if he went back to Long Island.  I went to ask some of my islander fans how they felt. The feeling was that most likely, it's not going to happen. Not that they don't want him; far from it. It's just not a good fit. They would love to have him at a lower price tag. But that is not likely not going to happen. Hammer should get the same money for a three-year term. 

A connection of mine, Tommy Baffi from Long Island, put it this way:

"Travis Hamonic came up through the Islanders system and, of course, played the first portion of his career here on Long Island. I truly enjoyed and loved the time number 3 spent here as he brought superior play in his own zone and a true dedication to the community on Long Island and to his teammates in the locker room. Travis will be a free agent coming into the 2020-2021, and I think it is an interesting possibility for him to return to Long Island and play for our NY Islanders. If Travis is willing to come back on a reasonable short term deal to add beef and toughness to our defence, I say let's bring back number..."

Tommy does a Facebook watch program called Coaches Corner. You can find it on Drive 4 Five Facebook group or his own home page.

I concur, especially to his dedication to the community. Hammer is known for his time to the community; the City will surely miss his contributions to the charities within the City. His no-nonsense attitude has helped a team which, at times, has lacked the necessary toughness. In my opinion, the Islanders should consider picking Hamonic up.

When it comes to Hamonic, I don't believe he wanted to leave in the first place. He is most likely leaving Calgary for the same reason he left Long Island. I understand that family is his priority and I respect that. So chances are, Long Island won't be an option.

Last Word

It looks like this tourney will go on whether we embrace it or not. I am pretty sure the NHL really doesn't care what old farts like me think.  All eyes are on the players going into the tourney. Let's hope we can enjoy the game for what it is a sport. 

Talking about players, Mr. Gaudreau seems to be a major topic. Everyone but the kitchen sink is wondering what the Flames will do with him. Most people think that he will be sent packing. The Islanders might be a fit for him, along with Philly, Devils, Rangers, or Bruins. It will get interesting to see where he goes. 

Until next time!

My favourite moments in Flames history

There has been a fair share of all-stars hockey players passing through the foothills. I have been there since the Flames inaugural season. From magic man Kent Neilson to the firecracker Theo. I will never forget how the so-called experts said that Theo would not make it because of his size. Mr. Theo had the last laugh as he becomes one of the elite of the Calgary Flames. And, of course, captain Jerome Iginla. And all of the players in between. 

Going through Flames history, there are some good times and some bad. I have lost a lot of hair over the years; the Flames could very well take credit for that. I am being facetious, but there has been a lot of heartbreak with this team, in all honesty. The Flames have also had some glorious moments.

Today, I thought I would like to share some of my memories. There are many, as I am old as a dinosaur. A toothless dinosaur, but I digress. On with the memories of the Flames. 

May 25, 1989

Most Flames fans who wear false teeth can remember this game. My fondest goal is the Lanny goal to give the Flames a 2-1 lead. The pass from Newy was a beaut. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sp2os0CqnAE

March 21, 1989

Lanny Mcdonald scores his 500th goal against the New York Islanders. A wrap out faking out goaltender Mark Fitzpatrick. I think it was Ed Whalen with the call of the goal in Calgary. The link has the Islanders broadcast of the goal. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sr8TABakZwg

April 7, 2002

Jerome, with a great pass from Conroy, fires a howitzer past goalie Jocelyn Thibault. A terrific shot that Jocelyn had no chance of saving, from a superb set-up by his best friend, Conroy. 

April 7th 2002: Iggy reaches the 50 goal mark for the first time in his career!!! from r/CalgaryFlames

https://www.reddit.com/r/CalgaryFlames/comments/gsegaa/april_7th_2002_iggy_reaches_the_50_goal_mark_for/

April 5, 2008 

Iggy scores his 50th on Trevor Linden's last game as a Canuck. This memory is two-fold. A great pass by Nystrom, who is only looking to set up Iggy on the play—a great pass to Iggy. Then the celebration of the team for Iggy for scoring his 50th. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qg_IJEytm2o

I will never forget what Iggy and the Flames did for Linden at the end of the game. Watching them all coming to shake Linden's hand still brings a tear to my eye. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rWVyc2UUDk

Some history of the Flames

For instance, who holds the most points as a Calgary Flame? Kent Neilson, otherwise known as the Magic Man in the 1980-81 season, had 131 points. Kent also had a career year in goals that scoring 49 goals.  

Who had the most goals in one season for Calgary Flames? For this, I go back to the Lanny Macdonald. Lanny erupted for 66 goals in the 1982-83 season.

Who scored the first goal as a member of the Calgary Flames? Guy Chouinard scored two goals that night. The Flames blew a 4-1 lead to the Quebec Nordiques and settled for 5-5 tie. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuzqaMPQ_AA

There are so many more memories to share, because I am so old. I will try to do a nostalgic blog more often. 

Last Word

Oh yes, the Johnny saga continues, now that Johnny is being separated from his linemates. It has been suggested that Johnny didn't do enough exercise during his time off. The Flames are coming to crossroads on what to do with Johnny. The main problem is making sure the Flames have the same rules for him as they do the other players. Where do you draw the line? I have no idea. All I know is that the line has not yet been drawn. The next problem is will he sign after this contract is up? For the Flames to get more, they should trade him sooner or later. A Johnny for two years is worth a lot more than last-minute Johnny. 

Tale of Two Players

As the Flames prepare to meet the Jets, let's discuss a couple of the players from the Heat. The two players I would like to talk about are the two hardest to spell; this is not a good thing because I can't spell, but I digress.

Artyom Zagidulin

When the Calgary Flames signed Artyom Zagidulin, I must admit I knew nothing about him. So I had to do some research and here is what I learned. He is a young goalie, rough around the edges. But he has potential. Artyom has fast reflexes going from side to side. He needs to control the rebounds and he goes down too early. There is a consensus that he is rarely caught out of position.

I have fabulous followers on Twitter. One, in particular, is Nicole Watt @NikkiWatt18. I love her quote. With her permission, allow me to share her observation on Artyom Zagidulin.

"He is still developing. The Heat aren't really there yet as a team tbh, so it's harder to gauge, but he really needs to work on his numbers if he wants to make it. He has a lot of potential though."

Alexander Yelesin

When the Calgary Flames signed Alexander, I completely understood why. Alexander has terrific depth and will fit in nicely in that number six defensemen role. He is a solid stay-home defenceman with a solid, rugged game. He is what he is. He will be of use on the penalty kill.

With these two players, I feel Yelesin, in particular, will get a chance to play. Thanks to "players not fit to play,"  the Flames may be forced to play Alexander. I am quite comfortable with him in the lineup.  Zagidulin is there on an emergency basis in case the Flames lose every goalie in the world. Zagidulin will grow tenfold with the Flames. To steal a baseball term, they will teach him what it is like in the big leagues.

Last word

I just wanted to say a few words on Travis Hamonic. I don't think there could be a more exceptional representative of the NHL than Travis. He has done more for the community than most of us will in a lifetime. He is as solid a hockey player off the ice as he is on the ice. I am afraid to say; I think he has played his last game as a Flames, and it is a darn shame.