The Flames’ Season So Far: Please Send Help

If there’s one word or phrase that describes the Calgary Flames’ season, what would it be? Would it be disturbing? How do you describe the Calgary Flames folding like a cheap tent? How about “I fell down and can’t get up?” Or maybe “Keystone cops.” Whichever description you use for the Calgary Flames, it can’t be very flattering. I would characterize the Calgary Flames as a Nightmare on Elm Street.

Here is the good news:

The season isn’t over. There’s still time to turn this ship around. Granted, it’s currently sinking, but the band hasn’t finished playing ‘Nearer, My God, to Thee’.

(Yes, that’s it. That’s all the good news.)

What needs to be fixed:

As I’m writing this blog, the Flames have played four games and are 1-3. The disturbing thing about the last two games is that the Flames have been awful in the third period. At this point, I think they’re running a workshop: 101 Creative Ways to Blow a Lead. You could easily blame the defense, particularly Daniil Miromanov, in the game against the Knights. So, the Calgary Flames put him on waivers. Do they have anyone better to replace him? Well, unless Zamboni drivers are eligible...

Yes, we can complain about the effort, and yes, we can complain about the roster of the Calgary Flames. How many of us can be really surprised with the results going so far this season? Ryan Huska can only play the cards he is dealt. Our defense is weak. Our forwards can’t score, and the biggest thing is that Wolf hasn’t bailed them out in these games.

Before you have a conniption fit, let me explain. Wolf has not been bad, but he has not been the Wolf of last season. We need Wolf to be Vladislav Tretiak. For those who do not know who he is, get a book. No pressure, kid—just carry the entire team on your back like a Costco-sized sack of potatoes.

I wish that was the end of the list. But defense is not the only problem with this team. Can somebody please score besides Matthew Coronado? A close friend, who just happens to be one of my sources, asked me what would happen if injuries became a factor. Well, here we are—the Calgary Flames have not had Jonathan Huberdeau in the lineup for the first four games. Is it a coincidence that they are losing? I think not.

Here is a tip: if you cannot score, you cannot win. Until somebody addresses the offense, it will be hard for this team to succeed. It is unfair to expect Wolf to give up two or fewer goals per game.

Final word

I know there’s plenty of time to fix this. They do have players capable of playing better. Kadri, Zarry, Frost, and finally, Farabee, should be able to score. The defense has to smarten up. I think that has to come through a trade.

Last but not least, the Flames have to fix their backup goaltending situation. Either play Cooley, or find a goaltender who can play. Playing Wolf of 77 games is not an option. Unless he’s secretly a Terminator, we should probably find him a backup. Or a clone. Maybe both.

The Calgary Flames: proving once again that hope springs eternal, but defense apparently doesn’t.

Breaking Down the Flames’ Depth Problem: Offence, Defence, and Everything in Between

I expect the Calgary Flames to have a hard time producing offence this season. The Flames’ most enormous hole to fill was one more offensive forward, but they failed to do so. Look no further than right down the middle. The Calgary Flames are weak in the centre position, and it may hold them back this season.

What will hold them back 74 pts?

The Calgary Flames’ defence is not strong enough. We have three very good defenders and a number 5 or 6 defender. Weegar, Ball, and Andersson will carry this team. We will lose Andersson with the trade, and he will be distracted most of the year. Here are my predictions:

Points  

Jonathon Huberdeau - 77 pts

Huberdeau will once again have a steady season. He will be the most consistent Calgary Flames player. He will have company; Kadri will also be there with him. His playmaking skills will have to continue for them to make the next step. The Calgary Flames vitally need them to be successful.

Goals  

Matt Coronato / Nazim Kadri - 35 goals

Matt and Nazim, the Flames’ two thirty-goal scorers, will share the goals. Matt will continue to take the next step. He has one of the best shot releases in the NHL. Nazim is the best centre and will continue to score the garbage goals.

Surprise Player - Connor Zarry

This one surprised many people, including myself. I’m most likely wrong, but I have a gut feeling that Connor will surprise some people. Connor is going to get 25 goals and 55 points. He will have to stay healthy.

Final word

I am really trying to stay positive. The Calgary Flames do have some talent. The lack of talent—or should I say depth—in the centre and defence is going to be this team’s Achilles heel. The young kids will be entertaining to watch.

Kadri and Huberdeau will continue to be the leaders of this team, and frankly, they have to be. What the team so desperately needs is scoring support.

Players like Frost and Farabee will have to improve their scoring numbers. Both of these players will have to rebound from disappointing seasons last year, but I don’t think they can. Coleman and Backlund must match or surpass their numbers from last year.

Lastly, the Calgary defence needs to improve on the silly mistakes in the defensive zone. If they can shore it up, it will vastly help the Calgary Flames in the long run.

Wolf at the Door: Flames’ Fate Lies in the Blue Line

We all know the Calgary Flames’ season totally relies on how Dustin Wolf responds in goal this season. We could try to kid ourselves by saying our offence is essential too. However, the Calgary Flames’ offense was one of the worst in the league last year, yet they still managed to score 96 points. Yes, Dustin Wolf holds our fate in his hands.

You could say that if the defence improves this year, it would go a long way to helping Dustin Wolf. The problem with that conclusion is that the Calgary Flames have still not resolved the Rasmus Andersson fiasco. The Calgary Flames have a solid top four, featuring Andersson, Weeger, Bahl, and, of course, the wonder kid, Parekh. Here’s the big challenge: The Calgary Flames need to get more out of the final third pairing, whoever they decide to insert into the lineup.

This is where life gets interesting. The Calgary Flames have plenty of candidates who can fill that position. Here are my picks for the battle of the final three spots.

Daniil Miromanov

Dani Miromanov was in and out of the lineup last season. He would typically be a sixth- or seventh defenseman on most NHL teams. I think what the Flames need is more consistency from Miromanov. He cannot be a hindrance and make the coach afraid to put him out on the ice. When he focuses on his game and doesn’t try to go too hard, he is helpful to the Flames.

Brayden Pachal

Brayden Pachal plays with a chip on his shoulder and does not shy away from physical play. He gradually began to fit into the lineup with his physical play. If he continues to grow, hits smarter, and colors within the lines, he is a good defenseman. We need his toughness. He has to stay out of the box while playing physically.

Joel Hanley

Joel Hanley was a pleasant surprise. Joel is defensively responsible. He adds more stability to the defensive core. Joel was a plus-12 for a third-pairing defenseman, which is excellent. I love his game; nothing flashy, but he is a reliable third-pairing defenseman.

Final word

The Flames aren’t expecting Norris Trophy candidates for the fifth/sixth defencemen. What they’re hoping to do is add some energy to the game, change momentum, and keep mistakes to a minimum. The Flames need to be more defensively responsible and give Wolfe some support.