What has Changed?

So what has changed? How have the Flames turned it around?  Have they improved that much? What is the main reason? Since the Coach's display and the throwing of the stick, the Flames have won four in a row.

I will take it a step further. Since Ferly has developed into the forward he can be, the Flames have been on a roll. Ferland is learning where he is supposed to be. The first line is playing like a first line.

Another key ingredient in the Flames is the emerging number 6
Brett Kulak is slowly growing into an NHL quality defencemen; Stone has found his partner. Brett is good, competent dman who knows his abilities and plays within his zone. I like Brett because he knows his role and does not try to do too much. He contributes where he can. He is only going to get better.

Another cog in the success of the Flames is that they have found a backup goalie. David Rittich has come out of nowhere and has been a feel-good story. David has given the Flames every chance to win especially with the last 40-plus save performance against the Panthers.  Dave has not lost a game in regulation this season. Each game better than the last.  He is a steady goalie who plays the angles and gives the Flames chances to win each game.

Trade deadline

I have been told the Flames are expected to be a big fish come deadline. No names have been named.  I am guessing the Flames will call on Hoffman from the Sens, unfortunately, Kane from the Sabres and a long shot Pacioretty from the Habs. All three names are out there. It will be interesting to see what the Flames will do, if anything.

Well, This is Ugly

The Flames have fallen into this habit of not playing a full 60 minutes.  Either they are trying to the easy way out, or they have lost the will to work, basically hoping to rely on their good looks.

The defence is still making very embarrassing turnovers. Well-established defensemen do not make these kinds of mistakes. On paper, we have one of the best defences in the League.  We continue to give up close to 40 shots a game. The nights we don't, the goalies take the night off.

Don't even get me on the forwards. They have decided that playing in their own end is no longer necessary. They seem to think that they do not have to fight for the puck. It is like they think they have diplomatic immunity. Lazy is not acceptable; work is. Someone has to take away their immunity and give them hard labour.

The good news is that the Flames are still in the midst of the playoffs race. These brain farts can be fixed, it just a matter of discipline and hard work. Right—work seems to a dirty word. Putting themselves on the line should not be an alternative. It should be the only method of playing.

In the news, the Flames have sent Lack down for obvious reasons. He was struggling with his play. To be honest, he did not have much help in front of him. I was quite surprised that Gillies did not get the call-up. The Flames instead went with Rittich, who was great against the Avs. Before we ordain Rittich as the backup, let's see how he does in his second start. At least his first start was a pleasant surprise.

Bennett Update, Addressing Jagr

The Calgary Flames and Sam Bennett are about a million dollars apart. Sam wants 3 million a year, and Calgary Flames are offering 2 million. Most of the people seem to think that Sam Bennett will settle with a 2.5 million per season.

I do not see the problem. Just cut down the middle and split the difference. From what I have heard, it might not get settled before camp starts. Which really surprises me, considering we are only a million apart. What is the problem? The Flames need to settle this. If Bennett lives up to his potential, he will be a force in the future.

Not only do they have to fix this to bring in Bennett to the fold, but they also have to do it for another reason. The Flames are focused. They can not be distracted this season. They are all in, and the distraction over Bennett could cause a rift in the space-time continuum!

Apparently, the Flames have contacted Jagr and are considering him an option.  Enter the second problem. The Flames need to sign Bennett to figure out how much they can sign Jagr for. The main problem is that if they sign Jagr for too much, it might put a kink in the Bennett negotiations.

So there it is a nutshell. Sam Bennett pretty much controls how long the Flames stay in this holding pattern. Will it cramp the Jagr talks?  Only time will tell.