FLAMESTR

"[email protected]"

Calgary, AB • Canada • 55 Years Old • Male

OH HOW SAD WE LOOK

Even with the loss for the Flames tonight again in Columbus there will be no coaching or general manager change. Sorry if you were expecting it. I have been the ownership is not happy either, but they trust the Sutters. They trust that the rebuild will done right. I know the fans do not like the idea of this team dropping out of the playoff race, but I think its time to realize that.

I am not really upset with how the Flames played tonight in Columbus. In fact, after first 10 minutes they actually dominated the Jackets at times. I really liked the way the way Pardy has played tonight; he is getting better each game. To me, he and Sarich have played very well, and they are becoming a pillar of strength. The Flames were very good in the coverage of their own zone. The defence did not cost them the game tonight; it was the offence that let them down. They need to finish off their chances. They were just not able to finish.

Their defensive zone coverage tonight was solid. The Blue Jackets were not really given that many chances. The penalty kill was solid; an interesting move putting Iginla on the unit. Maybe the Flames are trying to give Iggy more chances to score, going for the short-handed opportunity. Maybe one of these times, it will help. The Flames really need help with the offensive zone coverage. Let’s hope the Flames draft a scorer this time. Hint to the scouts: enough with the defenceman; bring us a forward! They could have really used one tonight. Seriously, I have nothing to complain about with the defensive zone coverage tonight.

They showed a lot of push tonight, but just lacked the finish. Even Iginla had trouble finishing tonight. If we didn’t have Olli, we would be in trouble right now. Olli has really played well. Unfortunately, no one else could do what he did tonight: score. Guess what? You cannot win too many games with one goal. I also have to mention Ignila’s leadership. He is really trying to be the leader of this team, trying to get them over that last hurdle.

The forwards continue to work in this game. You have to admire the effort of the Flames. But they just do not have the talent anymore. But I admire team’s hustle. They never gave up.

They continued to work, and actually had the puck most of the game, but just could not beat Garon enough to win the game.

I love the physical game of Sarich; he has been steady tonight, along with the rest of the defence. But a loss is a loss. I feel for the fans, and it’s a three game losing streak so it does look bleak. I think it’s about time that the Flames to rebuild, and yes, Sutter needs to learn how to do this. After the losses to the Wild and the Blue Jackets, maybe it’s time to think about getting some young prospects.

I know it’s no fun to think about it, but I have to admit it is a necessity. We have some good players to build around; Jbo and Gio are two rocks for defense. The Flames have Bourque and Hagmen, to build the forwards around. I hate to admit it, but this team could really use some solid forward prospects. We have a bunch of role players that right now we have put into positions that are causing them to do things there just incapable of doing. After this loss in Columbus, firing 37 shots and having several chances and only getting one goal, you have to wonder if it’s time to restock the shelves and see what you can get. Let’s face facts: they are pretty empty.

That being said, there is a huge roadblock to trying to rebuild. That is, the No Movement Clauses. These are swear words for Calgary Flames. We have to ask the players where they want to go and hope and pray the teams who want them fit their needs.

This will all but ensure the Calgary Flames will look like bumbling fools, because they will never get what the players are worth. Teams know they have Sutter over the barrel, because his options are very limited. The other problem is the contracts; there are not too many teams who can take the contract numbers. I mean, Iginla and Jbo are very good players and I have no problem with their abilities. But the $6.6 million and $7 million contracts are not cheap, and the Flames may not be able to save much cap. Most teams are going to have to send some cap back.

Not only do we have huge contracts that are going to be hard to dump; the other obstacle is the max of contracts. The Flames cannot take any more signed players. That’s right, the Flames have 50 bodies under contract. The only way we can do a trade is body for body. This is the main reason Sutter was involved in the deal; we had to dump one of our youngsters for the White trade to go through. That is really going to make it hard to do a rebuild. It is really counterproductive. It is like we are stuck in quicksand, and we are not getting out any time soon.

This is the main reason Sutter needs to be the Vice-President. Jay needs to take over this team and simply start taking some bad trades so we can get rid of some really bad contracts. As for Brent, he has to change this system. I am sorry; we have no imagination in our offence. Dump and Chase is bad enough, but we have a bad dump and chase system, because are too slow. Why is a slow skating team doing a dump and chase system? We never get the puck!

There it is in a nutshell. We are in trouble, and I am not so sure we can dig ourselves out of it. From what I have been told, the Flames are working on it. At least we have that.