CheersMan

It’s a little premature for this thread as plenty of season still needs to be played out, but it is harmless nonetheless. The further we go in the playoffs the more $$ unsigned players wants. The big Z could be the odd man out on D. He is entering UFA and will be looking at the highest bidder no question. Gudbranson is UFA as well, but he may be happy with the stability being offered here and may accept something less than present Z money. That would leave some change for Kylinton. The forward group is exploding with Tkachuk, Gaudreau and Mang looking for raises. The Tkachuk family have never left money on the table, Gaudreau will be swinging for the fences and Mang’s agent thinks he is top 10 in the league, something big needs to give in the forward group and it could be 1 of the 3 mentioned above heading out of here. This will be the offseason that challenges BT the greatest.

Lunch break is over. We got to fit Gudbranson in there somewhere too.

Well that was impressive, nice bounce back game. Gudbranson was large in every way tonight, so were a few others. Been trying to put my finger on why we have been so successful with these home games, and it keeps coming back to GC. Can’t fault the guy from where he’s from but he is country and Albertan in every way and does a great job with the national anthems. When you criticize GC you insult Flame fans and most Albertans. GC is a success story for Canada, belittling him makes you look irrelevant. Been reading it for some time now on these boards, just saying that the GC needs a little more respect around here. Now back to the win column.

32 games remaining. 3 wins every 5 games is 0.600 hockey and gets us to the post season. That equates to 19 more wins to be a contender. Still lots of work to do, before the real work starts.

Yes I agree. Too much attention around the league period. We are a blue-collar team that needs to stay out of the limelight. The run was great but…. Good opportunity now for Sutter to grab the team’s attention to again work on the finer details of the game. It was comical today listening to the talking heads, not sure if it was radio or tv, but they were talking about who the 3-4 hottest teams in the league are now. With 1 Flames loss in the last 10 games they look to have dropped off the face of the earth, they are now talking about other teams who have won 4 in a row. Perfect. Can't win them all but lets try to win the majority that remain.

yessir

The Flames/Hurricanes Blockbuster: 3 Years Later - Matchsticks and Gasoline Scroll down to Adam Fox.

A Canes vs Flames final would be sweet, then we could rehash the DH trade. The Canes still have Jamieson Rees, Anttoni Honka, and Noel Gunler to show for it, but chances are none see the NHL anytime soon, if ever. Maybe getting a wee bit ahead of ourselves here but doesn't hurt to promote the positivity thread.

As you know, if we get to the finals, we will only need face 1 of the 3 bolded teams, what’s remaining of them that is. We play TB once more regular season, doesn’t matter how that game goes, give them the 2 pts for all it matters, let them build up some false hope. Won’t see FLA or CAR again regular season. The 2 remaining games vs COL are going to be interesting, not sure why both are in COL? No guarantee we see COL in the playoffs either, you know how those first round upsets go. We will need to play at least 2 teams not on your list. Maybe 2 of EDM, LV, MIN, STL? Non which are terrifying.

Gonna go out on a limb here but I think the Kraken are pretenders.

With a grumpy coach masterminding a goal differential of +52 and spring around the corner things are looking real good. Its been far too long since we seen the Pyro charts. Pyro, where are you, we miss you and your beloved charts.

Probably time to bump this thread up. How about those dmen? I think they are doing a terrific job. Combined, they are the most frugal group in NHL at giving up fewest goals. Sure, the forwards are chipping in and contributing to entire team defense, and having Markstrom backstopping sure helps, but give those dmen full credit, all of them. The top 4 are doing their job plus some but the bottom 2 have been a pleasant outcome. Not seeing Gudbranson or Zadorov get beaten very often. Gudbranson has shown he has good speed, sound defensively and keeps the opposition honest, doesn’t go looking for trouble but finishes the troublemakers when he has too. Same for the big Z, keeps everyone’s head on a swivel (or he’ll knock it off). Not sure I’ve ever seen a Flames dman stand up Getzlaf and stop him in his tracks on the back boards like the big Z did the other night. Checkmate. Flame forwards are all playing a little more comfortable knowing they have some big men (including Luc) on their team that will back them up. I like the bottom pairing dmen and the attributes they bring to the team. I’m not looking for any personnel changes there.

Markstrom had an amazing start last season if I remember right, he single handedly won us games and was first star most nights. Then the VAN game, the old gang was in town, he tried doing too much and dove straight into a concussion, there went his season and the Flames season. You can criticize BT’s efforts in trying to acquire a #1 prior to Markstrom but you have to admit he tried. No sense living in the past when the future is looking you square in the face. If it were not for Markstrom’s injury last season, Flames likely don’t falter as much, life goes on with average coaching and Sutter is never given the opportunity to come here. Different universe altogether.

I don't know man. I'm thinking Lewis just fell to the bottom of Doughty's SC best friend list. That hate runs deep.

The goaltending critics have been speechless lately. I guess they are waiting for the cloudy days to come out. Nice looking depth top to bottom. More importantly is the top dog, Markstrom, top 4 in every category including SV%, GAA and SO. BT seldom gets credit on here about anything but him targeting Markstrom last season was bang on. Vlader 7-3-1 is doing an excellent job as well when called upon. He is doing everything you want for a backup. Shame Parson fell off the map, he looked to have a bright future when drafted. Maybe he fights back from injury and works his way up the ladder.

Pretty hard not to like this trade. Like BT says, you have to give to get, and this team looks deserving for addition. I admired Tofolli’s contribution in LA, then VAN and again in MTL, the kid has been a gamer everywhere he goes. His connection with the Flames appears deep and real, have to think that his competitive and productive nature along with his cheery character will only strengthen what the Flames have been building in the room and on the ice. Lets not “Trade Tyler Tofolli”, lets keep him as he still has 2.5 years remaining on a friendly contract. If it doesn’t work out we flip him down the road and get out 1st back, unlike that of a pure rental. I like the timing as well, the team is on a roll, on the eve of passing LV for top spot in the division with BIG games coming up, 8 of next 10 vs our division / conference.

Not bad company considering we gave; FLO -Bennett TOR -Brodie WAS -Hathaway NYR -Fox MIN -Talbot EDM -Neil 😂

Just sew the "C" on Sutter's game coat already.

A good tool box is filled with a variety of tools. You don’t use a screwdriver to put in a nail and you don’t use a hammer to put in a screw. Suter obviously feels he needs a hammer from time to time. The front of our net has been a tea party for the opposition for over a decade, maybe Grabranson can start knocking over some tea cups.

Well that’s a tad dramatic, but maybe he will be deserving. Gudbranson was quoted as saying “yes Sutter called me”. So lets not call it a rumour, but rather take the man for his word. If we are subtracting D bodies via trade tmrw then yes I see Gudbranson getting leaned on this season, otherwise our D looks to have depth, and I see him in an out of line-up depending on the match-ups and availability. Let’s judge the big G after he has played a string of meaningful games and stop critiquing the team for having depth. Personally, I haven’t watched much of the preseason but I do understand the physical addition.

Parson had a SV% of 0.921 and 0.925 in the two years leading into his draft year. Not sure how his offensive-juggernaut team changes how he stopped pucks.

Here's hoping Brad forgets his cheque book at home tomorrow. Let the smoke clear then find some good value in the next day or three.

Pretty goal........for a guy who holds his stick the wrong way.

5 years ago when we re-signed Gio to a 6 yr $40.5M deal not many liked the 6th year of that deal except Gio. If we had known then that an expansion team would take him off our hands the final year of his contract then it was a slam dunk re-signing. If Gio stayed this season he would have still been good value here while leading the team one more year. Gio is a leader, seeing him show up live on the Seattle stage was not surprising, he is a solid dude. The Kraken have added a great dman this season. We had to give up somebody. The team will definitely miss Gio but the Flames were forced to turn the page. All the best Gio and thank you for the great many years.

Reminiscent of Michael Ferland.