Now what?

Now that the Flames have lost Hall and, even worse, they lost him to the Coyotes. What is the next step? The knee-jerk reaction would go ahead and bring in our own hired gun. But let me caution you on that move. Never trade in a response to a trade from another team.

We know the Flames were the "mystery team" that almost acquired Hall.  We know that if Hall had signed long-term, the deal would have gone through. The Flames are now asking questions on Kovalchuk. So we know the Flames are not happy and they're trying to change that.  And we know they are targeting the forwards. 

Does this mean the defence is off the hook? Not at all. I think our defensive play needs to improve too. The Flames are still too loose in their own end.  I saw signs of weak defence even in the seven-game winning streak. The Flames must play a full sixty minutes. No easy games.  I have preached this all season; the team cannot afford to take any nights off. It is going to be a dogfight to get into the playoffs.

Ward has given the responsibility to the players and let them run with it. The team is beginning to slip back into its old ways. The Flames can't take these brain farts anymore. Taking 10 minutes off in a game cannot be tolerated. This might be the very reason the Flames management are not standing idly by.  Whether or not they  make a trade is immaterial. They have the ability to make changes. Let the fight for a playoff spot begin.

The bad, the ugly, and the uglier

Yes, I have to keep a professional attitude while writing about this team. The Flames are very hard to watch right now. There are not very many things to be positive about right now. The forwards have sticks of stone. The defence is trying too much to pitch in, leaving their team vulnerable down at the other end. The Flames goalies are failing to make the big save when the team needs it the most.  Of course, the goalie tandem has all the pressure on their shoulders, due to the offence having gone dry. 

Everyone knows the Flames are having trouble scoring, including the goalies.  This leads to the goalies being afraid to make a mistake, and inevitably making mistakes because no one is perfect. When there is an awful goal, the team lacks the confidence to overcome the error.

It's easy to blame the top-six forwards. They are not doing their job.  Gaudreau, Lindholm, and Monahan look lost. The trio is struggling with the puck, fighting for control every time they touch it. The lack of communication is an issue. They don't know where the others are when passing the puck. Most concerning is their lack of effort to get back to the zone. In the second line, Tkachuck has no support. Backlund and Frolic are being asked to be what they are not. Backlund and Frolic are excellent third-line players. 

The coach's primary responsibility is to put the players at the best chance to be successful. Putting Backlund and Frolic as second-line forwards does not do that. That is the first problem. The second problem is there are no second-line centres or right-wing on this team.

It is partially the General Manager's fault for not bringing in the right personnel. The Flames do not have enough support on the second line to be successful. If the first line struggles, the second line is not good enough to get them out of it. Janko has not scored in his 22 games. He is struggling. Sending him down to Stockton to get his confidence back might be an option. Lucic has not been worth the acquisition. The two best bottom six have been Derek Ryan and Andrew Mangiapane, and their offensive totals are not great. 

There is not enough offensive depth unless the Flames change a system or make a trade. Peters has to mix this group of players somehow, add some blood and fire to them, or be burned at stake. (Not literally, of course, but you get my meaning.) The players don't seem to be getting any consequences for the way they are playing. There is no fear of repercussions whatsoever.

What is the definition of insanity?  Doing the same over and over and expecting different results.

The topsy turvy life of a Flames fan

If the Flames could manage to play a full 60 minutes, they could compete with any team in the League. On Twitter the other day, I hinted that there are problems in the dressing room. The Flames thought they had fixed the problem with the additions of Talbot and Lucic.

Both Lucic and Talbot are great character players, but as the old saying goes, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink. What is my point? Lucic and Talbot can lead as much as they want, but if they don't have buy-in, nothing changes. The players have to start putting the team over themselves. Yes, I am pointing at the leadership. They have to lead by example. I see the interviews; the players are saying all the right things. The problem is, do they believe what they're saying?  If the leadership does not buy what the coach is selling, how do you expect the followers to? 

I don't know if this is a problem because the players are rebelling against the coach? Too many times, we see coaches trying to be friends with the players, but here comes Mr. Peters, and he is all business. I see the Flames as a dysfunctional family. 

How deep does this go? Until the players are willing to go into the corner to fight, there is no solution in sight. Which begs the question, where is the grit in this team? The Flames use to be known for hard work. Right now, all they are known for is a bunch of loafers collecting their paycheques. The players are not willing to go the brink for their coach. Do we have the wrong players or the wrong coach? We all know who usually wins these battles, and Coach Peters has already lost one fight in Raleigh.

Make changes now before it is too late

The Calgary Flames need to make a statement, because the way they're playing is hideous.  So much inconsistent play, from the forwards down to the goalies. Rittich is coming off his worst start of the season against the Panthers. The Flames had total control of the game, up 4-2 in the third, when their brains seem to cease working. They instantly went into sleep mode and allowed the Panthers to score three goals in the third.

What is going on? One has to think there is a problem in the dressing room. They seem to be uninterested in playing a full 60 minutes. The defence is getting caught flat-footed in their zone. The forwards are taking penalties, too lazy to make an effort.  Too many times, the Flames have just stopped skating. They are holding and tripping to get the puck back, which could easily be fixed by taking that extra stride to catch up.

Is it the coaching?  The players seem to have no idea what system the Flames are playing. They seem to be confused about their coverage in the defensive zone. Two defencemen are going behind the net, leaving opposing forwards wide open in front of the slot, while the Flames forwards are waiting for the defence to getting them the puck.

The second line is lacking hustle.  Frolik is the one taking the heat. Frolik is a steady player, but he is not a second-line winger. The Calgary Flames have to take part of the responsibility for this. They knew he was not a second-line player, yet they did nothing to find a replacement.

The Flames have had an issue with second-line support with scoring for the last three years. They have had a dressing room issue for the previous two years. Players are putting themselves over the team. The Flames have to make a statement. They must hold players responsible for their actions.  Changing the lines up at the Heritage Classic was a step. Free rides must come to an end; this team has to mesh before it is too late.

I know what you are going to say. I know it is early. But too many times, I have seen the Flames fall behind too far to come back. The team's attitude of just "showing up" has to change; this team is not good enough to just show up.

Randy

Same old, same old

The Flames are still looking like they forgot that a game is sixty minutes. They are making too many mistakes, leading to many scoring chances. The forwards are still not coming back; the defence again caught way out of position. To be fair, the Avs are one of the best teams in the League. I know it is only one game, but it just concerns me the team is still having the same issues.

My biggest worry is the goaltender not being able to bail the Flames out. Rittich was not bad, but he was not spectacular. For the Flames to win against this all-out offence, the goaltending has to flawless. The Flames are a force to be reckoned with, but they cannot win with this offence. Frankly, they don't have the tools to do it.

The Flames are trying to sell Frolik. But they are running into problems with the cap. Teams need an incentive to take that cap on. Frolik is a useful player, but his cap is a bit too high for a third-line winger.

So the Flames have to add a pick get a deal done. They have another option, and that is eating some of the cap. So far, they have not been willing to do that. 

They have been in discussion with the Devils. The Devils have not shown much interest in Frolik. But they have admitted to looking for a defenceman. That is okay with the Flames, but the Devils are balking at the price of Brodie. I guess the Flames want an arm and a leg for TJ. I never understood that saying, but I digress. The Devils are not alone; many teams are showing interest, but the Flames cannot get anyone to bite on the price.

Don't kid yourself; the Flames are one of the most active teams in the League, but they cannot find a willing partner.

I can tell you they are ecstatic with the play of Lucic—go figure.

The Ugly Truth

TKACHUK

Who in Calgary, in all honesty, isn't sick of the Tkachuk saga? I know I am getting tired of hearing all the same answers. No matter how much I ask, I am not going to find out the full truth. To be fair, my source can only say so much. This much we know: they're fighting over the bonus structure. The good news is that the differences in the dollar amounts is not a worry. Tkachuk wants the Marner contract. The Flames have made it clear that under no circumstances are they going to yield to that demand. Well, there is one way — maybe if Tkachuk lowers his cap hit, the Flames will put some of the bonus structure back. See how that works, except if Tkachuk wants as much as he can and is giving up some free agency years. So right now it is a game of chicken or who blinks first. My money is on Tkachuk.

The team has gone through this before and will again. Tkachuk does not have much pull here; sooner or later, he will have to capitulate. The Flames will only go so far.  

GOALTENDING

Jon Gillies 

What are the Flames going to do with him? He struggles with controlling the puck; stopping the puck. In fact, he struggles with anything that has to do with a hockey puck. The Flames pretty much informed him that he has dropped down the depth chart to number four. 

Artyom Zagidulin

The Flames are being cautiously optimistic when it comes to Artyom. He has been flawless, but this the preseason. He is a terrific prospect in which the Flames have insurance if Talbot or Big Save Dave go down. 

Tyler Parsons

The intriguing question is Parsons. Do you put Gillies in Stockton at the expense of him? Parsons has been better than Gillies but can he keep it up for the whole season? The other question is, do they base their decisions only on the camp or does last season play into it? Gillies was the better goalie last year, no doubt. An interesting dilemma. The only thing I am sure of is that Gillies will have to clear waivers this season for sure. 

PTO PLAYERS — MY TOP PICKS

Zac Rinaldo

Zac has shown he has some talent. Making a beauty pass on the Flames second goal was impressive. He has picked up some speed and hustle. He has fit in and has represented himself in Flames colours quite nicely.

Devante Smith-Pelly 

I am a big fan of Smith-Pelly since his Capitals days. I love his no-nonsense style; the Flames lack toughness, and he would address this issue for sure. He might not add much offence, but his style is contagious and would put some fire in the dressing room. 

What does Andrew MacDonald's PTO mean?

The Calgary Flames made it very clear that they wanted veteran defencemen to fit in that number six or seven spot. So, does Andrew MacDonald fit the bill? Well, he's a vet, alright. The problem is, he is also a slow dimensional dman.  Andrew would help in the powerplay and add the goal now and then.  He is a good leader who would help the young dmen. You can never get enough leaders in the dressing room. The advantage for Andrew MacDonald is there is no pressure on him; he would simply be another weapon on the powerplay.  

But does he fill the role of third pairing on the defence?  Technically, yes;  but do I think he is the answer?  I think the Flames can do better. The problem is they might not be able to for a couple of reasons. Defensive strength comes at a high cost. The Flames may very well have to give up a high pick and a couple of prospects to get him. I am not sure the Flames will be willing to pay that price.  First of all, the Flames have to believe that they are a cup contender. Then are they comfortable giving up prospects? Are the Flames confident in their prospect cupboard? The experts seem to think it is a little thin. Do they want to make it thinner?

The next problem in that teams are holding onto their picks. A lot of organizations feel this draft pool is deep and talented. Something more the Flames have to evaluate is if they want to gamble for a defenceman.  I hate to be negative, but I am not that sure the Flames are that close enough to a cup run to ruin the future doing it.

So Andrew MacDonald gets a PTO with nothing to lose. If he doesn't make the team, the Flames turn him loose. If he does, he is a $700,000 number 7 defencemen.

The elephant is still the elephant. There is no change in the Tkachuk contract negotiations. Same old, same old - negotiating the bonus structure. Tkachuk wants to get paid during the lockout. The Flames are trying to minimize that bonus structure as much as possible. Both sides want to get done; this is just business. As a fan, sometimes that is hard to believe.

Randy