Do you remember?

Today is the anniversary of some event.  I know it's not my wedding anniversary because my wife has not thrown me out. I know it isn't my son's birthday because he has not come up to me asking for his gifts. I know it's not Christmas because we don't have a tree up. Gees, I wonder what it could be?  Oh yes, the Stanley Cup came a-visiting. 

I remember it has something to do with Lanny McDonald. He did something on this day. Didn't he score some significant goal?  It was the last goal Lanny would ever score. Fans believed it would be the last game he would ever play. What a way to go out. 

The game clock couldn't go fast enough in the third period. I was sweating bullets. Then Doug Gilmour scores by batting the puck between Roy's pads, otherwise known as the five-hole, to make it 3-1. 

Then the worst non-call ever, I thought. Claude Lemieux had run over Vernon and there was no call. I was flabbergasted, waving my hands and calling the refs every name in the book. I might have needed some blood pressure pills.

Then Gilmour scored the empty net goal. I could finally breathe. We were finally the Stanley cup champions.  Cheers for the memories. 

What to do Next: Gaudreau Update

This year has been a disaster. Unfortunately, this is nothing new. We have all seen this movie before. You would think the Flames would know this script and maybe change it up a bit. It is like they don't believe they need to change. When the teams fail over and over to meet expectations, usually the coach gets the axe. This year was no exception. Mr. Ward got the axe, and in came Mr. Daryl Sutter. With Sutter, we got to see heads roll. Players were motivated to play winning hockey, and the players did perform... for about four games. Then the old habits began to rear their ugly heads, and sure enough, the team fell into that dark hole otherwise known as oblivion. If you like Star Trek: there seems to be a rip in the space-time continuum. 

The first problem the Flames have had is automatically firing coaches and not looking at the root of the problem. I am not saying keeping Ward would have been the solution; I am saying you have the right players for the coach. If you bring in a disciplinarian, you need the players who will respond to him. Or, as my hero of Stampede wrestling days, Ed Whalen, says, "What we have here is a malfunction at the junction." A coach's job to put his players in the best position for success. For Sutter to achieve his goals, he must have Sutter players.  

When a team fails to reach its ultimate goal, it is easy to blame the players. And that is what management does when hiring a new coach does not produce results. Like it or not, the first place they look is the core of the roster. To keep with the Star Trek theme, it is only logical.   

Our Captain is at the age where he needs more help in the leadership role. I see too many passengers and not enough leaders on this team. What they need is a young Lucic with some skill who can learn from Milan. Sutter knows this team needs some players who know how to win. More Gios and Milans. The only way there going to get those kinds of players is trading talent back. 

Will this be the year Gaudreau is moved? Will the Flyers find a way? Will the Islanders or Rangers make a run at Gaudreau? Or do the Flames try to keep Johnny and consider dealing Monahan? The most likely choice is Gaudreau because the return is higher. Although, one can argue more teams are looking for a Centre.  I could see the Rangers and Canadiens looking at Monahan. Only time will tell. The Flames will be busy around the draft. Rumour is, they would like to clear up some salary in the off-season. 

Randy

Not to belabour the point, but...

The trade deadline is coming

I could go into exactly what went wrong this season, but that is like beating a dead horse. 

I could tell you the Flames look like the Keystone Cops, but I don't want to go over that again. 

I could tell you the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over again and expecting different results. 

But I am too good for that. Or am I? Okay, enough of the buffoonery on with the blog. With Canada approving the seven-day quarantine, the Flames doing something before the deadline becomes a real possibility. 

I am not saying it will happen; I am saying there is a possibility. It might happen. 

Johnny Gaudreau

The only way Gaudreau goes is if the Flames get blown away. Johnny's contract is one of the best in the league, and he is under contract for another year. He is also one of the most talented forwards in the league when motivated. The problem is keeping him motivated to lead them to the promised land. 

Sean Monahan

The next trade opportunity is Sean Monahan. The problem is that Sean's value is not exactly high. I also think Sean would be more willing to re-sign than Johnny at this point. Sean has not been fantastic this year, failing to live up to expectations this season.  

The other option is a series of smaller trades of the players whose contracts expire this year.

Derek Ryan

Derek might be the best option from the expiring contracts. He is a fourth-line centre who is excellent on the faceoff. He would help with the team's penalty kill and be on the ice to protect the lead last minute. 

David Rittich 

Rittich is a capable backup goalie. A few teams in the NHL are looking for a third goalie and would consider David an upgrade. I am not sure whether the Flames are planning on re-signing him. They may consider dealing him at the deadline. 

Those are the top options. The Flames could trade Backlund or Bennett. They have tried to trade Sam Bennett, but the offers have been underwhelming, to say the least. Teams would balk at Backlund's cap of $5 million. Leivo and Nordstrom are also on expiring contracts, but do not draw much interest. Nesterov on defence could be a bargaining chip as a number seven dman.  

Randy

Team's Heart is Lacking (Humor blog)

Warning, this blog contains humour. If you are allergic to humour or have lost your sense of humour with regard to the Flames, please do not proceed. 

You have been warned.

Should we be questioning whether the Flames have lost their heart? There is a lack of intensity in the Calgary Flames' play this season. They are like zombies out there, playing without any concern for the outcome. One of my pet peeves is when players are only playing for their paycheques. 

Their heart has pretty much given out. The Flames Management recently lashed out at the media for questioning the character of the team. Do you remember the cell phone commercial that said, "How about now?" You have to respect Lucic for coming out and defending the coach and saying it is a problem with the players. Now hear me out; yes, I believe that Ward should not be head coach. But that does not give the players permission to be bumps on a log. The core players have not shown they have the fortitude it takes to be winners.  

The root of the Flames' derailment is twofold. Firstly, the players are not on board with what the coach is teaching. Secondly, they lack the desire to win. Once a coach losses a room, the players turn off the ears. They become the Keystone Cops. Coaches run around looking like chickens with their heads cut off. Players have their fingers in their ears, singing la la la. The General Manager is sucking his thumb in the corner, saying, "I want my mummy."

Judging by past experience, sooner or later, Management will give players a time out. You know, sitting in the corner. Just ask Sam Bennett. Coaches will become tyrants, telling players to get with the program or become the Sam Bennetts of the world. If that doesn't work, they will threaten the players' job security. You know—the dreaded taxi squad. Players will respond by demanding trades or head butting walls. They will start fighting with each other, each sending his dad against the other dads. The prima donnas, feeling they should get special treatment, will demand to have their nails done. 

Management will then resort to doing a minor transaction to get the players in line—the dreaded shake-up trade. The Calgary Flames will then see if the team gels. As a source told me. "Every General Manager is allowed one coach change before he gets the heat put to his feet." He went on to say, "Brad will take his time before giving Coach Ward his walking papers. No GM wants to fire anyone. But he doesn't want his job on the line either." It is called Covered Butt Syndrome; otherwise known as the General Manager's contract. 

That may be cynical, but apparently, it is the unwritten code by which the general manager lives (and dies). Brad will fire Ward only as a last resort.  

Yes, this blog may have gotten a little facetious, but you get the point—this team is a mess. Until the General Manager addresses the issues, the team's course has been set. 

Randy

Issues need a-fixin'

Let me start with this: I do not have any inside info with regard to this blog. Now that I have said that, you all can slam me as much as you want. I have significant concerns with this team's work ethic. It is like they do not think they need to skate.

I can understand the eviction of Coach Ward. I agree that Ward has lost some of the dressing room, but let me add: how much of the blame does Brad Treliving get? The main problem is trying to spread out the responsibility on this team. Treliving's biggest failure is in getting the right-winger to accommodate Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan. In Brad's defence, there is not enough money to spread around. I can hear everyone screaming at me; now, who's fault is that? My biggest problem is that they have not fixed this issue in the last three years. I don't count 2014 because that was supposed to be a rebuilding year. 

You can argue that Brad's distribution of the cap has flaws. The Backlund contract of $5 million for the next four years is a sore point. Don't get me wrong; Backlund is a useful player, but he would be a more helpful player at $3.5-4 million. Derek Ryan is one of the best fourth-line centers in the League. Again it is his $3.125 Cap hit. In my estimate, most fourth-line centres make around $700K to $1.8 million. Derek is one of the best, so give him $1.8 million.  

On the other hand, Brad made a huge splash by signing Jacob Markstrom for six @ $6 million. So give him credit for that one. He also signed Christopher Tanev for $4.5 million for four years. Most Flames fans hemmed and hawed, but what sold me was the improved play of Noah Hannifin. So Brad gets a pass on that one.

Ward might in trouble with this team. The problem is the system. What is the Flames' identity? Most people complain that Ward mixes up the lines so that no one knows their linemates. Do not get me started why Bennett was sent down to the fourth line. If you are going to capitulate and move him to the top-6 forward to prove himself, don't put him back to the fourth line after playing his best hockey of the season. What kind of message is that? If he has earned the top-6 minutes, give him the top-6 minutes. 

Last but not least, some of this has to be on the players. Stop playing like the world owes you something, and start playing like you owe the world something.  

Randy

Sixty Minute Effort

The title summarizes the problem in a nutshell. The Flames need to show up on time and go to work. They have been outworked and outmuscled so far this season. This is on both forwards and defencemen. Too often, they are taking lazy penalties, using the stick instead of taking that extra stride.  I am not sure if it is a coaching issue or if players are not executing. If this is on the players, I find that it is worrisome, simply because this should not be an issue. If the players do not want to put in an effort, the results will not change. 

Matthew Tkachuk has been showing some frustration lately. He does not like losing. He takes every defeat to heart. They are not fighting back; the Flames look like they are accepting the loss. I heard a great description by a friend in describing another team: " there is no energy in this team." This is the Flames to a T.  We need to see some fight from this team.

Tkachuk has a nasty habit of feeling he has to be the one who fights back. I know; he is Tkachuk and it in his blood. But in truth, this should not be part of his job description. Coaches or players have to step up. Sooner or later, he will find himself in suspension territory. The last thing this team needs is to lose Matthew for a couple of games. This kid is the future captain of the team and everyone knows it. He has to use his head. 

I have to mention a couple of defencemen who have made an impression on me. Noah Hanifin and his tag team partner (WWE plug with Royal Rumble coming soon) Christopher Tanev have been nearly perfect this season. We all know how much Hanifin struggled last year. This season, he is a different player, keeping his back end nice and tidy. Noah has worked hard on defensive zone coverage. So far, Tanev has shown his worth. Whether he is wholly or partially responsible for Hanifin's play, Hanifin has profited from playing with him. 

I know it is still early in the season, but it is vital for the Flames not to fall too far behind in the standings. The season is only 56 games long and there have been too many 3 point games already. 

It is getting close to that time

It sounds like the Flames will send Sparks down with Artyom Zagidulin because of the Parsons injury. I, for one, really questioned the Sparks signing. Seriously Flames, what were you thinking? Then the media came out with the Parsons status and I began to think maybe the management did not lose their minds. I must admit, evil thoughts were going through my head. 

The second player's contract reminded me of a movie that goes on and on and never seems to end. Calgary Flames defenceman Michael Stone— yeah, I have seen this movie before. The Flames have shown loyalty to their players, giving them every chance to make the teams. Bringing in Stone is another example of how the Flames look after their own. Stone does provide them with depth on the blue line. I could live with him on the Taxi Squad. 

Talking about the blue line; it will be interesting to see how the war for the number five and six spots works out. Let's go through the list of players that could battle for that spot. Well, at least who I think will fight for the spots. 

Connor Mackey 

I like this kid. I think Connor has all the tools. From what I have read on Connor, he has a high hockey IQ. He can adjust to pressure, is a great shot, and, most importantly, can be relied on in the defensive end.  

Alexander Petrovic 

Alexander has the experience of an NHLer. He is what he is; nothing flashy, but he gets the job done. Alexander is the typical sixth dman who can play solid at times in his own end. He is not the fastest skater, but knows his limitations. 

Nikita Nesterov 

He might have the edge because of his offensive skills. Nesterov is a puck-moving defenceman who knows when to pitch in. He has good puck-handling skills and distributes the puck well. He can be also used on the powerplay.

Alexander Yelesin

Alexander is a mean, nasty, stay-home defenceman. He brings much-needed physical play to the Flames blueline. Yelesin will not help much on the offensive side, but that is not his game. 

Oliver Kylington

We all know Oliver is a capable NHL defenceman. Oliver knows what is expected of him and just does it. Oliver has excellent speed and some offensive skills. He has solid defensive skills. 

There will be a lot of eyes watching this battle of the defense. Who do I think will win it? I do believe that it will be Kylington's job to lose. If Kylington slips, Nikita will be happy to take that job from him. I expect those to get the last pairing. Yelesin and Petrovic are not far behind. 

Randy