The Flames missed the playoffs by 2 points...the only meaningless games they had were against the Canucks who were an absolute disaster.

Impossible to blow all those games
- flashfire

Hmmm... how did FLAMES miss the playoffs by 2 points. They had 55 points

So do people think this is the roster we start the season with? If so where does Calgary finish?

So do people think this is the roster we start the season with? If so where does Calgary finish?
- DuranDuran

I think so Duran. Thet will start with this roster and see how things go. I don't think there is a big hockey trade out there available to be made. So making a trade for the sake of making a trade doesn't make sense. Maybe wait and see if there is a good hockey trade available during the season.

I think so Duran. Thet will start with this roster and see how things go. I don't think there is a big hockey trade out there available to be made. So making a trade for the sake of making a trade doesn't make sense. Maybe wait and see if there is a good hockey trade available during the season.
- hockey4hockey

Yup, let's see how the team performs and how Johnny's negotiations go.

Yup, let's see how the team performs and how Johnny's negotiations go.
- rmull905

IMO this team has some locker room issues. Between Sutter and “The New Truculence” TM, let’s hope some of these stars can pull their Richards out of their asses and show up to win every game.

Yup, let's see how the team performs and how Johnny's negotiations go.
- rmull905

IMO this team has some locker room issues. Between Sutter and “The New Truculence” TM, let’s hope some of these stars can pull their Richards out of their asses and show up to win every game.

Yup, let's see how the team performs and how Johnny's negotiations go.
- rmull905

IMO this team has some locker room issues. Between Sutter and “The New Truculence” TM, let’s hope some of these stars can pull their Richards out of their asses and show up to win every game.

IMO this team has some locker room issues. Between Sutter and “The New Truculence” TM, let’s hope some of these stars can pull their Richards out of their asses and show up to win every game.
- DuranDuran

IMO this team has had some locker room issues for at least a few years. And they persisted while #5 wore the C. So this year will be different no matter what. It wasn't realistic to expect someone like Ward - to deal with a problem like that particularly because of Giordano's seniority. But if they don't award the C this year - and I'll be astounded if they do - then Sutter will be able to move it around as he sees fit.
That will give them a chance to try different people, different styles and if one isn't a good fit then they can move on quickly without permanent damage. Seems to me they did pretty ok when Hartley was the coach. Personally, I think Sutter is at least as good as Hartley in getting players to play to their potential.
But then what do I know-I really thought they'd make the playoffs last year.

IMO this team has had some locker room issues for at least a few years. And they persisted while #5 wore the C. So this year will be different no matter what. It wasn't realistic to expect someone like Ward - to deal with a problem like that particularly because of Giordano's seniority. But if they don't award the C this year - and I'll be astounded if they do - then Sutter will be able to move it around as he sees fit.
That will give them a chance to try different people, different styles and if one isn't a good fit then they can move on quickly without permanent damage. Seems to me they did pretty ok when Hartley was the coach. Personally, I think Sutter is at least as good as Hartley in getting players to play to their potential.
But then what do I know-I really thought they'd make the playoffs last year.

- itwasin

I believe one of the major problems with this team is a lack of identity.

WIth Hartley, they were the comeback kids. Under Peters, they showed became one of the most potent offenses in the league. Then it went to poop.

Not sure if this was a Gio problem, a coaching problem, or a roster problem. But if they can sort it, and decide they want to win for Sutter, they will make the playoffs.

I believe one of the major problems with this team is a lack of identity.

WIth Hartley, they were the comeback kids. Under Peters, they showed became one of the most potent offenses in the league. Then it went to poop.

Not sure if this was a Gio problem, a coaching problem, or a roster problem. But if they can sort it, and decide they want to win for Sutter, they will make the playoffs.
- DuranDuran

Gio was a great player but this team won 1 playoff round with him as captain, and he was injured for that. Guys a class act and a talented player but I for one look forward to a different captain/ direction.

Gio was a great player but this team won 1 playoff round with him as captain, and he was injured for that. Guys a class act and a talented player but I for one look forward to a different captain/ direction.
- K-man25

Agreed. For sure they'll make the playoffs this year.

Gio was a great player but this team won 1 playoff round with him as captain, and he was injured for that. Guys a class act and a talented player but I for one look forward to a different captain/ direction.
- K-man25

I had my doubts about his captaincy in general. It was a massive departure from Iggy's style where he would set the tone and example for others to follow. Maybe it was just more prominent with Iggy, but I never got the sense that Gio lit the fire for this team, more that he played generally well and was a generally decent guy - barring the kneeing incidents

I'm old school that way though, grew up seeing guys like Messier, Stevens, Clark and Iggy who would strap the team on their backs, break some face when they had to in order to get their team going, but were all around excellent players. My personal feeling is that there is a divide in that room between the guys who are willing to go through a wall in order to win, and those that hope the wall will move so they can get by.

Ok, switching gears. Domingue is (officially) gone with him signing with the Pens. Obviously Markstrom plays (most). How do we see the back up working? Is it a rotation between Vladar, Werner and Wolf? I don't know but if Markstrom struggles, are we confident Vladar can fill in?

Ok, switching gears. Domingue is (officially) gone with him signing with the Pens. Obviously Markstrom plays (most). How do we see the back up working? Is it a rotation between Vladar, Werner and Wolf? I don't know but if Markstrom struggles, are we confident Vladar can fill in?
- geta02it

If Markstrom struggles, it doesn't really matter. If Markstrom isn't a top ten goalie this year, they'll be trading everyone they can and trying to get the first overall pick.

They have a path to being a very good team that could win the division, but it all hinges on Markstrom.

Ok, switching gears. Domingue is (officially) gone with him signing with the Pens. Obviously Markstrom plays (most). How do we see the back up working? Is it a rotation between Vladar, Werner and Wolf? I don't know but if Markstrom struggles, are we confident Vladar can fill in?
- geta02it

The Cap makes teams roll the dice & gamble in different ways. Some teams like the Canadiens have an outrageous amount of cap allocated toward goalie. Markstrom needs to be as good as his pay is expected & Vader is a bit of a gamble but to me a very good one. We're invested a 3rd round pick not all the development that Bruins have invested & he is ready to be a backup. His numbers in the AHL consistently confirm that. What more can the kid do. Its time for the Flames to invest in NHL games with him. Think of kids like Binnington & Murray, they rose to the NHL level. Darth has that chance this year to do the same as he practises with NHL players & gets probably 20 games this year. Wolf, Parsons & Werner will need to put in the time & performance Darth has already done at the AHL level. If things go real bad, Markstrom gets long term injured & Darth struggles, there are always teams willing to trade guys like Dubynyk & other experienced backups. But Darth gives us cap $$$ we can apply to other needs.

The Cap makes teams roll the dice & gamble in different ways. Some teams like the Canadiens have an outrageous amount of cap allocated toward goalie. Markstrom needs to be as good as his pay is expected & Vader is a bit of a gamble but to me a very good one. We're invested a 3rd round pick not all the development that Bruins have invested & he is ready to be a backup. His numbers in the AHL consistently confirm that. What more can the kid do. Its time for the Flames to invest in NHL games with him. Think of kids like Binnington & Murray, they rose to the NHL level. Darth has that chance this year to do the same as he practises with NHL players & gets probably 20 games this year. Wolf, Parsons & Werner will need to put in the time & performance Darth has already done at the AHL level. If things go real bad, Markstrom gets long term injured & Darth struggles, there are always teams willing to trade guys like Dubynyk & other experienced backups. But Darth gives us cap $$$ we can apply to other needs.
- Kevin R

Wolfy is still a couple of years away at least. Dominated in the W the last couple of seasons, but needs to play against men for a season or two and see how he handles things. We had similar high hopes for Parsons and Gillies and they struggled at higher levels, so I am all about having patience for Wolf.

Wolfy is still a couple of years away at least. Dominated in the W the last couple of seasons, but needs to play against men for a season or two and see how he handles things. We had similar high hopes for Parsons and Gillies and they struggled at higher levels, so I am all about having patience for Wolf.
- rmull905

You really cant lump in Gilles & Parsons on what a development curve & expectation is going to be for Wolf. Both Parsons & gillies went through significant development changing injuries/issues at a critical times of their development. That sucks that it happened to 2 of our young goalies that had such high expectations during the first years of their maiden voyages to the pro level. I call that plain bad luck but dont paint Wolf with that circumstance.

Ok, switching gears. Domingue is (officially) gone with him signing with the Pens. Obviously Markstrom plays (most). How do we see the back up working? Is it a rotation between Vladar, Werner and Wolf? I don't know but if Markstrom struggles, are we confident Vladar can fill in?
- geta02it

Sign DuranDevan Dubnyk!

You really cant lump in Gilles & Parsons on what a development curve & expectation is going to be for Wolf. Both Parsons & gillies went through significant development changing injuries/issues at a critical times of their development. That sucks that it happened to 2 of our young goalies that had such high expectations during the first years of their maiden voyages to the pro level. I call that plain bad luck but dont paint Wolf with that circumstance.
- Kevin R

I'm not painting Wolf with the same brush, but I would hesitate in a big way making any assumptions on a goalie that dominates in the WHL until they prove themselves against higher levels of competition.

Goalies that make the jump at a young age are very rare, and for every Hart/Knight there are 5-10 Pogge's/Irvings/Fucales out there. Hell, Binnington was a 2011 draft pick and arrived in 2019... Kipper was nothing more than a backup until the age of 28. There is no real standard timeline for goalie development. Most don't really amount to much until their mid 20s though.

I had my doubts about his captaincy in general. It was a massive departure from Iggy's style where he would set the tone and example for others to follow. Maybe it was just more prominent with Iggy, but I never got the sense that Gio lit the fire for this team, more that he played generally well and was a generally decent guy - barring the kneeing incidents

I'm old school that way though, grew up seeing guys like Messier, Stevens, Clark and Iggy who would strap the team on their backs, break some face when they had to in order to get their team going, but were all around excellent players. My personal feeling is that there is a divide in that room between the guys who are willing to go through a wall in order to win, and those that hope the wall will move so they can get by.
- rmull905

Agree Iggy spoiled us, ultimate warrior, leader. The only current Flame that might fill that role is Chucky, he's quite capable of it. Think it might settle him down a bit, he'd learn to pick his spots.
Anyone not willing to through the wall should be shipped out asap. Giving Tkachuk the c could change the makeup of the team in a good way.

Agree Iggy spoiled us, ultimate warrior, leader. The only current Flame that might fill that role is Chucky, he's quite capable of it. Think it might settle him down a bit, he'd learn to pick his spots.
Anyone not willing to through the wall should be shipped out asap. Giving Tkachuk the c could change the makeup of the team in a good way.
- K-man25

Iggy was special loved that guy. But the turtle?? Kassian handed him his ass and you expect that to be leadership??

Iggy was special loved that guy. But the turtle?? Kassian handed him his ass and you expect that to be leadership??
- LordHumungous

Iggy was special loved that guy. But the turtle?? Kassian handed him his ass and you expect that to be leadership??
- LordHumungous

Edmontons top line winger has scored 5 goals since Chucky messed with him, 5!!!!!!!
Wait til he goes after Brock, or Bo. Canucks have no one to counter with.

Glad Benning decided Joe Levy was a better option.

Edmontons top line winger has scored 5 goals since Chucky messed with him, 5!!!!!!!
Wait til he goes after Brock, or Bo. Canucks have no one to counter with.

Glad Benning decided Joe Levy was a better option.
- K-man25

Edmonton's 1st line right winger, Jesse P, scored 15 goals in 55 games last year. 1 less goal than Tkachuk, in 1 less game. Zack Kassian missed more than half the season while playing 4th line when healthy. But you tell yourself whatever you have to to sleep better at night.

Edmonton's 1st line right winger, Jesse P, scored 15 goals in 55 games last year. 1 less goal than Tkachuk, in 1 less game. Zack Kassian missed more than half the season while playing 4th line when healthy. But you tell yourself whatever you have to to sleep better at night.
- wreckage

Kassian tried calling himself a 1st line winger the night that Tkachuk blew him up... It's not an actual poke at JP