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

Flames: It's Not Enough

As I looked at the Calgary Flames' offseason moves, I say blah blah blah. Don't get me wrong; I love the Markstrom transaction. There is little doubt he is one of the best goalies in the League. I don't even mind the cost. The problem that I have is the downgrade on defence.  

I want to be positive, but the Flames are in dire straights of getting an RD. I have a reputation for being a cynical grump. If you want a yes man, go buy a car. If you want honest facts, pay attention: the Flames are in trouble with their defence. 

The other problem is that the top six are not good enough. I am sorry to say that the Maple Leafs, Jets, and Oilers all have a better top six. Yes, I went there. Unfortunately, in the real world, the Flames don't automatically get a pass. They are still a playoff contender, but when it comes to the championship, they are a pretender. 

Last word

Get excited about Dustin Wolf. He is the real deal. I never thought we would get a better goalie prospect than Parsons, but Wolf is a WHL first-team All-Star goalie. He led the League in games, save percentage, and goals against average. If he sees the puck, he usually saves it. Not bad, considering he was picked 214 in the draft.  

Randy

Blasty from the Past

 

The Calgary Flames brought Blasy back. It was the worst-kept secret ever, as the NHL revealed its #ReverseRetro Jerseys. Another cash grab media, only this time it works. I always like the old jerseys. The more the Calgary Flames can get their name out, the better in this pandemic year. With the NHL delaying the season's start, the Flames have to remind us that they are still here. 

The Flames need a blast from the past for this team. What this team is missing is an Al MacInnis slapshot. Wouldn't it be nice to have a slapshot like this on the powerplay? 

How about another blast from the past? Maybe a right-winger with some speed who can score with the best of them. Show me some Swedish cooking!

No, not him! I mean Hakin Loob, the magical right-winger. Besides, I don't think the Swedish Chef can skate, let alone shoot. 

The Flames are also looking for a stay home right-defencemen. A Rod Ramage would fit the bill. A player with some offense but who does not look out of place in the defensive zone.  

Yes, the Flames need to roll back their hockey lineage. Bring back some grit and some speed. Adding one last ingredient, a top-six forward, and you have the perfect recipe for a playoff-bound team.

Joey Moss: We grow a little sadder today

As I was a little saddened today, my heart aches as the world lost a friend today in Joey Moss. I will never forget what he meant to the Oilers fans and every hockey fan in general. My most significant memory of him is when he sang Oh Canada. I have never felt so emotional as I did that day.

Joey Moss was loved by everyone he left. His spirit represents why this game of hockey is Canada's game. Every time I saw him, he had a smile on his face; he was right there through every step of the Oilers' growing pains. Joey never gave up, and he never let the Edmonton players give up. He was as much a part of the dressing room as every player through the years was. 

 

There are not enough words I could write that could describe how much Joey Moss was loved. Every story the media did on Joey, it made me pull for him. Every time I saw him smile, it gave me the reason to smile. No matter what Joey was going through, you would have never known it by looking at him. He gave me the motivation to keep going; he represents the will to win.

Joey, in my heart, will be not only an Edmonton icon but an Alberta icon. His heart and soul will live on. Thank you. Thank you for the encouragement you gave the players, the city, and, most of all, for me. Joey was elected to the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in 2015. 

God Loves you, Joey, as do we all. 

Randy

A Little Quiet

 

It has been a little quiet of late in Cowtown. Especially after Brad Treliving said the Flames are not done.  I haven't written, because it is hard to find a topic to write on. I could write on how much I loved the improvements on our top-six forwards. No, I couldn't. I hate that we have not made any progress on our top-six forwards. I could write about our much vastly improved our defense from last season. And I believe that pigs fly. Yeah, I really don't think that. I could write about how I feel the Flames could win the Stanley Cup. And I am a supermodel—wait, no, I am not. Maybe closer to the exact opposite. I could write about how excited I am about the powerplay this season. And I could write on how I am a highly successful millionaire I am—wait no, I am not. I bet all my money on the Calgary Flames in the playoffs. That's right; they have no chance of winning the Stanley Cup.  

Maybe I could write about how many trades the Flames are rumoured to be involved in. Perhaps I could go to watch paint dry. Because that is more interesting than the news. I could write a blog on how much I sincerely believe Brad Treliving every time he speaks. Or I could tell you how much of a deal I found on my dream car in the scrap yard. Oh, wait, no, I didn't, and I really don't believe anything Brad says. 

I could write on how exciting the options are for the Flames in the offseason. Or I could write about how wonderful 2020 has been. Oh, wait, 2020 has sucked. I can't wait until this year ends. The Flames don't have many options left to improve this team.

We all need to laugh at ourselves once in a while.

Randy

 

Flames Go Big Game Hunting: Add Chris Tanev and Jacob Markstrom

The Calgary Flames went big game hunting and came up with an all-star goaltender. They seem to like the Canucks players and circled back to pick up Defencemen Chris Tanev. The choice of Tanev, $500,000 cheaper than Brodie, is an interesting one. It calls into question whether Brodie wanted to stay a Flame. I think the Flames made a statement about why they lost last year, putting it on the defensive core as a whole. 

With Tanev, the Flames get a nasty stay-home defenceman who will make a difference in the defensive zone coverage. There is no doubt the Flames lose on the offensive side with Brodie, but maybe they have addressed a massive defensive hole in their own end. The Dallas Stars exposed the Flames' inadequate defence unmercifully; the Flames felt they had to address it in the offseason. No, this was not all on Brodie, but you have to start somewhere, and this was the first step. 

Game 6 cost Talbot his chances of coming back to Calgary for sure. The Flames have been having trouble with consistency in goaltending for years, and game 6 was the last straw. Enter Jacob Markstrom, all-star extraordinaire from the Vancouver Canucks. Jacob is cashing in from his (put in non-family-rated classifier here) extraordinary year. He was outstanding—superhuman even. He had his best save percentage in his career ringing it in at 918. Talking about Mr. Consistency, Markstrom has a save percentage of 913 for the previous five seasons, compared to Rittich, who has a 908 save percentage. Markstrom was outstanding in the playoffs giving the Canucks a chance to win every night. The Flames have not had a goalie who gave them a chance to win every night since Kipper. 

There is still work to be done. The Flames still have not addressed the top six issues. We lack a top sniper who could match Gaudreau. Everyone has put the responsibility on the shoulders of Gaudreau, which happens when you're the best player; it is par for the course. In his defence, we have not really given him a number one centre. What really worries me is that Brad might be done. If he is, then this is a considerable failure. 

Randy