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It’s a familiar refrain for the Calgary Flames, as they fell to the Dallas Stars 3-1 at home on Thursday night. This team couldn’t score when they needed to, gave up timely goals to the Dallas Stars, and let their opponent hang around when they were pressing and getting their opportunities. Once again, a strong performance from Miikka Kiprusoff, but the cushion is now just 1 point for 8th in the West.
The big story from this game was the no-goal late when it had seemed Calgary had tied things up. Inside the locker rooms, Flames forward Niklas Hagman said he saw the goal past the goal line, no question. Stars goalie Marty Turco said it may have ended up past the line AFTER the whistle was blown. The officials got tons of looks at it, and took their time to make a decision…and from the replays we saw, it wasn’t a goal. Turco made the save, and the puck didn’t end up over the line. But you may look at it differently.
23 shots against, 34 shots for…yet the team still falls by 2 goals. Everyone knows this team has trouble scoring. But what we’re looking for right now is a team that is able to win close games, and when the offensive woes are likes this, it just isn’t that easy. You’re pressing, you’re not scoring, you’re close in seemingly every game…you have to imagine the pressure mounts to play a perfect defensive game, and when that’s the feeling, mistakes are made. A couple breadowns lead to a couple goals, and bam the Stars come away with a win. I still don’t buy the fact that Calgary doesn’t have an offensive element to what they do, they are getting the chances…but they still can’t cash. You have to believe that’s messing with the confidence.
How you fix it? Who knows…I guess you can go out and make some more trades, but I wonder if at this point it might be better for the Flames to try and work themselves out of this. If that works? Great. If not? Then you can make some changes in the offseason. I wonder if that might not be the best bet for this team right now.
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I would agree with letting this team work it out for themselves…but there is not much time left. And how many years have we been saying lets see what changes are made in the off-season and yet every year there are changes with the players and the coaches…but it seems we’re getting worse and worse with each passing year.
Ultimately, it’s the guys on the ice who play this game. I can’t blame coaching as we are on our 4th different coach since the loack-out. We have to look at the players and the GM. Who is it that could ultimately find themselves off this team in the off-season if an improvement does not start soon?
PS: I guess what I’m saying Bob, is that if you’re going to make changes, maybe make them after the season is done. I mean, right now, you don’t have the option of free agency, and it might be a little hasty if you’re going to bust things open right now. I just think it might be the best bet for the team THIS season to try and work themselves out of whatever issues they may have. And hey, that might not happen…but trying to see if it DOES happen may be the only option.
- Bob in the AbbeyLet’s face it – it’s the coaching…
PS: So…tell me how that’s the case…
- JohnI have said it before to Rob Kerr (who never answers, but that’s ok) – this team needs to go through what other teams like Chicago, Washington, San Jose, etc. have gone through; we need to have 2-5 years of cellar dwelling (not just missing the playoffs or just making the playoffs) so that we can get some hi draft picks and start to rebuild. This GM, coach and group of players are not the answer, plain and simple. I wish it wasn’t the case, but the results speak for themselves.
PS: My question to you is this Tim. Will this group of fans be willing to be patient for 2-5 years of rebuilding? I’m not convinced…by and large this group of fans is used to a competitive team where the playoffs are always in play. Plus, lets face it. This ownership group wants to make money…is it a guarantee they’ll make the same dough if the team ISN’T competitive? I’m not sure.
- TIM O'NEILYou have to be kidding right Pat my boy! Maybe wait and maake changes for next year? There is no next year here, certainly for this GM. You know even if they make 8th place they are gone again ib the first round. Nothing short of first in their division will not cut it. I would say that folks like you need to take the rose coloured glasses off and realize the reason we are not scoring is we do not have the talent here. The FLames are over rated by most of the media and fans. That is the 800 pound gorhilla – not good enough. It’s always soreboard. Last night was a microcosim of the year to date. Chance after chance and no finish.
PS: Yeah, but Mike, what are you going to do right NOW? You’re going to fire the GM and the coach and do it 62 games into the season? Tell me how that makes sense. Right NOW, the only option might be for this group of players to try and work themselves out of. That may or may not work, but it might be the best option to finish THIS season. Since when did I overrate this team? I’ve been saying for weeks now it’s a middle of a pack team. There’s no question.
- mike kellyAgain,
this is clearly a coaching and management issue. We are at the bottom of the NHL for offensive stats, who cares about 25 shots against or only 2. blah blah goals against. None of it matters as you loose and likely miss the playoffs…wasting the prime years of two possible hall of famers… Iggy and Kipper. Sutter has had his chances with a number of great players and it just doesn’t happen under his watch or with his brother who obviously still needs to learn how to motivate and engage adult players…not teenage bus riding mcdonald’s eating junior with stars and hope in their eyes.
AHHHHHHHHHHH!
PS: You wanna frame an argument that it’s a management issue, you might have something. But PLEASE give me a real argument why this is a coaching issue! The team has had numerous game where they’ve generated chances, been strong offensively, and have had large chunks of time with offensive possession. Yet, when it comes down to it, they can’t cash or bury…can you coach someone how to score Peter? I don’t buy it. Maybe this team isn’t skilled enough, but I don’t think you can lay this at the feet of the coaching staff. At all.
- PeterI think it is a shame we missed out on Dave Tippett. If he could turn the Coyotes around,he could have taken the Flames to another level. We would be enjoying success right now instead of mediocrity.
Make a trade or get us some draft picks, it is time to either blow it up or stock up.
PS: Dave Tippett has done a great job in Phoenix. I’m not convinced he’d be able to do any better a job than Brent Sutter has with this team though. Again, you can’t coach a team HOW to cash in on opportunities. There are consistency issues with this team that also aren’t linked to WHO the coach is, but more who’s in the locker room. So, Tippett is great…but I don’t buy that he turns this team into an elite group.
- JaredIn my humble opinion, if are going to rebuild we should have hung on to Dion. Don’t get me wrong, I think he was one of the teams worst defenseman in his own zone and couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn with his slap shot. I think maybe Daryl should stick around but get rid of his current scouting staff. I like western Canadians as much as the red in my neck will show you, but sometimes you need to look around for some diamonds in the rough ie. Detroit with Datsyk and Zetterberg- both late round picks found overseas. It’s getting to the point where I don’t even enjoy watching flames broadcasts anymore because it’s like watching paint dry. I’m one of those guys that would rather watch a 6-5 loss than a 1-0 overtime win. What’s the point of playing 1-0 playoff hockey if you don’t make the playoff or are out in the first round? Thanks Pat and keep up the great work, love your overtime show brother!
- TravisI’m going to agree with you Pat that it’s not the coach. The players they have on the ice right now are not capitalizing on their scoring chances and whether that is because of a lack of skill or effort is uncertain.
- DarrenI like the recent changes and unlike Travis, I like the Phaneuf trade because it not only spreads some scoring around the lineup, but it spreads the money around better. (The glint of the diamond in TO is already starting to lose its shine ie. -2 in a 4-0 loss to St. Louis).
However, I would like to see some more Stanley Cup experience in the lineup either at the trade deadline or in the off season. Some players who know and understand what it takes to win in tough games.
I would also agree with the Western player comment above. At some point, we need to find some players that know how to finish around the net (no, Jokinen wasn’t it). It’s obvious that Nigel Dawes also isn’t it. Having David Moss out of the lineup and not in front of the net has also been a huge loss. Also, Daymond Langkow’s season has been a flop for the amount of money he is getting. Darryl needs to shed this contract somehow, but I don’t think any team is picking up this contract with his play being so poor.
I don’t think blowing this team up is the way to go….as you mention Pat, the ownership group wouldn’t support being in the basement for 3 straight years just to get first overall draft picks and frankly, I don’t support it either. Sure, a 1st overall pick would be nice, but I don’t like getting rid of world class talent (Iggy, Bouwmeester, Kipper) just to get it. I don’t want an Oiler situation where we don’t see the playoffs for 5 years.
More tweeks are need to this team and fans are just going to have to wait for Darryl to make them. I like his trades and he always seems to pull a name out of thin air that know one saw coming (ie. Tanguay, Drury, and Bouwmeester).
Sorry Pat, one more comment. A couple weeks back I was asking for some Stanley Cup experience to be added to the lineup. I suggested someone like Jamie Langenbrunner. You asked why the Devils would trade ‘Brunner. I agree…..they wouldn’t. I was offering him as an example of the type of player I’d like to see. Someone who isn’t going to break the bank and offer 50-60 point/yr. and more importantly, leadership in the dressing room. It would help immensely to keep this team from having the letdowns that they seem to be prone to having.
Pat….Thanks for offering your opinion to our comments. It makes the blog SO much more interesting!! Awesome!
- Darren