cross16

I don't think that is the narrative. 7 games in you can understand scoring slumps, you can understand system issues, you can understand execution not being close to 100%, but it's really tough to comprehend why the effort isn't there. In particular the energy or passion. Not sure what effort we are looking for but I sure say the Rangers winning most of the puck battles, I didn't see the Flames fighting through traffic and I really didn't see much of a 2nd effort on lost puck battles. This is obviously not a high skilled team that is going to score at will based on individual talent, but I also think it's a lot better than what they are showing.

they weren’t good before this. Really haven’t been good outside of the first 3 mins and 1 PP.

Just another vanilla effort. Sure they’re skating but they are second to most pucks, not fighting through checks or traffic. Just no desire or passion to their game. concern level should be rising. I can understand early mistakes but I can’t understand efforts like this.

The desire to keep this group together continue to get weirder and weirder. Props to Z for calling it out.

Not really how it gets framed, at least it shouldn't. It comes down to the directive. When the 2 stars walked who make the call that the team had to return to 100pt form? I don't think that was Treliving and had that not directive not come down I don't think the Flames would have signed Kadri. He signed the deal so he is 100% accountable for the player but I don't think it was his decision or directive to think that this team should go all in to try and stay a 100pt team.

It's still early but i'm already asking how much longer the Flames can spin their wheels before they try something new. Not jus Zary but Wolf too. How much longer can you watch Vladar play below average and keep Wolf down there. Especially when Conroy has preached youth from day 1. It will get louder the longer the Flames spin their wheels.

well.... Weird for Salim to "break" anything (and nothing picked up by anyone else yet) and also weird that Hanifin would speak specifically. could be nothing. EDIT: looks like nothing

If the discussion is his legacy, I think it's fair to credit him for modernizing the Flames F/O. He hired more scouts, brought in Chris Snow and analytics, and updated their scouting criteria to more modern times. Agree with crediting him for that. Just was a really poor hockey guy.

Well then we differ on what constitutes a rebuild. I don't think drafting outside the top 10, and a 4th round pick means your in a rebuild. Especially in all of the years before that they were adding to their team to try and get back into the playoffs. He did mention they were in a rebuild but it was mostly in the context of playing young players. He was also honest that their goal in the 13/14 season was to get into the playoffs and that's not a rebuild in my books. But could just be a difference of semantics.

This is where I agree, what is the base here and how can we agree it's solid? At least not if the bar is competing for championships. We differ on Hanifin as I personally don't see him as part of a good base. Great player to bolster a base but not someone who should be part of it. That's where I don't see the vision here. I get the rationale of these are good players, because they are, and we don't want to lose them for less than what we are worth but I think this franchise needs to see the bigger picture and that's that these good players are not making for a great team. I will acknowledge that part of the problem with Hanifin is I think you won't get much for him in trade. So I can appreciate that looking at losing a 26 year old top 4 dman for little is not very attractive, but at the same time I think trying to keep this thing together is less attractive for me.

This. Maybe, maybe in 2 season if the cap jumps up as much as they are suggesting someone might take a bite but there is some wishful thinking in there on my part too. He'd have to really raise his level of play which has been pretty rough to start the season. Don't think he's going anywhere.

No he didn't. Jarome made that call for them when he told them he wasn't going to re-sign at the end of his contract and then Kipper retired. The marching orders after that season were to get back into the playoffs. They also went out to hire Burke, in large part due to the fact that they weren't impressed with Feaster's performance. The Flames owners have shown they are understanding of a bad year in order to get a high draft pick. But to date no one has been able to convince them to sustain a multi year rebuild.

Yikes. I mean i'm not surprised but it's getting very cringe worthy how much desire there is amongst Flames brass/hockey ops to keep this thing together.

Really good start for Poirier. Did get hurt in last names game but sounds like it isn't serious

Not to suggest I was expecting a juggernaut or something but based on what I saw in the preseason i'm really surprised how the first few games has gone. The flames were far more creative in the pre season and the more games they play in the season they more they seem to be reverting back to their style last year. This is the nature of October but I sure hope it's something the coaching staff has got a handle on.

To be more accurate i'm not sure either one stays. I sure as heck woudln't if I were them. City aside I'd be done with the "attempts" made to build a winner around me. I see no reason McDavid stays. He'll make more money elsewhere, he doesn't' have to live in Edmonton and he'd likely go to a better team. Even if he wants to stay I think his agent would talk him out of it. He's likely losing out on millions a year by playing in Edmonton. The only reason I could see Draisaitl staying is Oilers can make him THEE guy and give him a max deal. I don't think that will speak to McDavid, who like I said I think can make more elsewhere anyway, but it may speak to him.

Wasn't part of the summer camp. He'd be a real long shot as TC blueline is deep this year and they also tend to shy away from guys his age, especially on D. he'd have a better chance next year. Played for Canada at the Under 18s so he'd be on the radar for sure.

Have to like how Gilbert has settled in. Small sample size but i think he has stabilized that pairing. I like how Huberdeau has started the season. That is very encouraging. Flames still finding their way but October is all about just finding ways to win. Don't really care where your game is just find ways to win and improve as you go. Flames are doing that so far. The quick answer back last night when the Sabres tied it was a good sign for me too.

I may be wrong on this but so far basically all the buzz is that McDavid is not interested in playing in Edmonton for the duration of his career. It wouldn't surprise me if Draistail stays but it will shock me if McDavid does.

Oilers would need some big season acquisitions for me to put them in the cup contender conversation. I just don't think their D or goaltending is good enough. Bouchard - Ekholm is getting them closer and if they can pick up another player like Ekholm and get a goalie it would change my mind but until that happens I just don't think you can win a cup with Nurse playing 20 mins a night and Campbell/Skinner in net. Bigger question is do they have 3 years? I think they've got 2 because Draistail is gonna be expensive and I think the odds of McDavid staying in Edm are miniscule. This year and next and then I think a tear down starts because you can't let McDavid walk for nothing.

Playoffs (Yes / NO)? Yes Pacific Division standings: 1. Vegas 5. Seattle 2. Edmonton 6. Vancouver 3. LA 7. Anaheim 4. Calgary 8. San Jose Goals: Assists: 1. Lindholm 1. Huberdeau 2. Mangiapane 2. Lindholm 3. Kadri 3. Andersson

I like what the Flames have started to do lately with drafting goalies later in the draft an in particular having a bit of a focus on the Russians and players heading the NCAA route. Afford you the chance to be more patient which I think is ultimately what you need with goalies.

A bit surprised Dube is off there so fast but at the same time Mang was excellent on Wednesday and they've been experimenting with him up there too. I prefer the idea of Dube because I think in order to thrive Hubie-Lindy need someone who likes to carry the puck. Mang's forecheck ability though, as seen on the GWG, is a boost too. So it's a bit of a dice roll to see what ends up happening and I won't be surprised to see it change from game to game.

A move that surprised me a little is Parker Bell being assigned to Tri City for his overage season. Had a really good year last year but was pretty quiet at the prospect tourney and camp. Wranglers do have both Ciona and Stromgren already needing some ice time so I can see the logic here.

Calgary Wranglers kick off their AHL season tonight. Quite a few changes to this year's group as the AHL coach of the year and their best forward are both in Washington now but they sill have Wolf which should make them competitive. Their D looks better and eyes will be on Porier and Kuznetsov to see if those players can start leading the core, Kuznetsov in particular. Hopefully players like Zary and Kerins can take a step forward while younger guys like Ciona and Stromgren make a difference