What a day yesterday, as much as anyone says “ohh we have seen this before” it never is quite the same as the one before. Safe to say the Flames have fallen face first on 3 or 4 occasions prior to this, but this one was defiantly different. Not so much in the way the team responded, but in the way you the fan responded, the response for those most part was lengthy, well thought out, and it seemed like that it had been clearly there for a while.
Take heart in one thing the Flames heard it, all of it that I can guarantee you. Please don’t interpret that as they are going to do exactly what “you” want but they were listening yesterday.
I believe that Brent Sutter has a vision for what he wants this team to be and how they need to get there, as far as I am concerned he is off the hook here, unless you want a 5th coach in 6 years.
The GM took a lot of shots yesterday from disgruntled fans and it was hard to argue with most. At the end of the day he assembled the team so he suffers the slings and arrows.
This is at the end of the day this team’s lack of consistency and statistical struggles lay directly at the feet of the players. Good bad or indifferent these players as individuals and collectively have shown in the past that they are better then that. It is up to them plain and simple.
None of this is earth shattering I know, but the reality is there appears to be no quick fix coming and this team has to pull itself up on its own. Does that mean Darryl won’t do anything? I still believe the GM will make deals and maybe blockbusters, but history has shown that in the past that they aren’t cure all’s.
By now it is well known that I believe that #3 is a huge part of this teams future, but I would be foolish not acknowledge the sheer number of e-mailer’s, listeners, guys I run into at remotes who want him gone. It is becoming more and more apparent that he leaving town could become a self fulfilling prophecy here. Talking to alumni and people who covered the team in the 80’s and 90’s compare they fans’ relationship with Dion to that of Mike Vernon and Al MacInnis, with one big difference the internet and social media’s seem to be speeding up the process of spoiling the water. Again I hope not because that is one I am sure that would turn out bad for the team.
One apology today, probably should be way more, guy e-mailed in yesterday day about “true fans” and how true fans always stand behind their team. I started to read the e-mail and then just stopped, I shouldn’t have done that, everyone has the right to have their opinion. There are very few things that are non starters for me but I can’t stand that line of thinking that blind faith is the only option for a fan. I take my cue from the great Joe Sports, who can’t define a fan they come in all different sizes, shapes, dispositions, financial involvement, degree of dedication, time commitments, and locations just to name a few of their characteristics. At then end of the day I need them all for what I do so I won’t stand for a blanket description of being better then another. Oh well that’s my opinion, I know it is not everyone’s.
Practice today featured no David Moss, and a lot of battle drills, a lot compete and hustle drills, but by no means was it a bag skate.
For the record one of my favorite guys to interview Gary Bettman will be live in studio Thursday from 5:30 – 6pm. I want to ask about respect and NHL discipline, and the Phoenix situation, NHL in Canada, and outdoor games.
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Excellent point about what a true fan is Rob. Everyone has there own definition of true fan, and, hopefully, we all want the team to play at its best every game.
- Target29Bang on Rob, the old adage, you win as a team and you lose as a team, I think Sutter said that as well, is very true in this case. I only got part of your comments after the game, but I did like what one listener e-mailed to you regarding where the 1986 Flames ended up after a losing streak of 11 games. This is no different, it’s a slump. Fans who jump off the bandwagon will get and deserve skinned knees.
- curmudgeonInteresting times… now we read, it’s not the coach. Probably because it’s a Sutter? I mean Daryl Sutter thought it was the coach with Playfair and then Keenan. By now, in previous seasons, the GM had already barged into the dressing room to dress down the players. This totally undermined the coaches’ authority and then he fired them. This year the power play is worse, the team getting hammered more then ever and no GM in the dressing room. Has he realized it’s not the coach? Is he admitting an error? Or is it because it’s his brother?
The fact is that the GM wants to see a style of hockey - Sutter style, the defensive clutch & grab and interfere style. Problem is, that’s 1980’s and 1990’s hockey. The league now rewards the skill player and skating, it’s time for the Flames to catch up. The hockey players coming up now are used to that game. Telling them to clutch, grab and interfere while getting 20 shots on net is like telling a kid today that he can’t use a computer or text on a cell phone. It might work for the short term but eventually, they want to use the tools they are used to.
The Flames are big and slow. It was painfully obvious against the Sharks and even Nashville.
This whole style stops at one person….the GM. His penchant for firing coaches and building a team based on “old-time” hockey has to come home to roost.
Time for a change.
- charlesSome Bettman comments,
There is no doubt the NHL is hurting in more than a few places. With the US economy still languishing, what is the plan? In reality, a huge correction is needed in the league from player salaries down to ticket prices to concession and parking rates.
Calgarians are spoiled as are the players. In Nashville, players are far more accessible and make themselves very accessible to the fans. In fact, could it be that because Calgary is always sold out with high ticket prices, the players have become complacent and lose the attitude to win, as in the last few seasons?
Do Calgarians know that a seat that is $125 in Calgary is $34 in Nashville??
What is Bettman’s take on these financial issues? How many more teams will fold or move? To suggest “none” will be disingenuous.
This state of the league question must be answered.
- charlesI beg to differ trying to compare this team with the team in the late 80’s. This team has no where near the heart and desire that team had. I believe this year’s team has a great deal of talent - possibly the most I’ve seen in many years, but that is not enough. I don’t care what anyone says there is a problem in that dressing room and it wouldn’t suprise me one bit if it had something to do with one or more of the 4 core players.
- PaoloAll the Calgary fans seem to forget that the Canucks were in the same spot at this time last year. They lost something like 10 in a row, AV was ducking corners at GM place to avoid getting fired and their team was a mess. Low and behold, they get their stuff together in time to steal first place.
I’d rather have the meltdown now that at the end of the year like we did last year!!
- LANGDON