Guest Writer: Flames fall to veteran Canucks 4-2

You have a great day.

I know this is just preseason, what if Vlader is better than Markstrom ?

Hard to believe the Canucks had more veterans. Calgary usually scoops them all up in free agency.

this is just preseason.
- hockey4hockey

Thanks Trevor,
Flames came out slow in the first period, don't know what was said in the intermission but it was a different team.
I haven't noticed Pelletier at all so far. Actually that's not true, he came back defensively to steal a puck in the 3rd.
Duehr used his size all night, right shot winger. Great to see.
Phillips had a couple opportunities but wasn't strong enough on the puck. Can't see him anywhere but Stockton to start.
Ruzicka looked good as well. Didn't see Richardson play but Adams big enough to play in Sutters bottom six.
Would like to see Dube play more center but if he continues to show well there it will make getting rid of Backs easier.
I saw the Gawdin OEL hate out there as welll. Canuck commentators were mentioning it, they made OEL out like some tough guy. Good on Gawdin for engaging, should be an eye opener for anyone that's wants to make this team, Sutter will expect it.

Gonna be a long year in Calgary

Thanks Trevor.

Do people think that Dube can center the 3rd line? Seems like Pelletier needs more seasoning.

Gonna be a long year in Calgary
- OilyJay

You’re a good poster.

Thanks Trevor.

Do people think that Dube can center the 3rd line? Seems like Pelletier needs more seasoning.
- DuranDuran

I’d play him at center more before making that decision. Let’s hope we can replace Backlunds 5+ mil for 1/2 the price.
Flames badly need a younger stud defenseman. Don’t think Anderson or Valimaki are going to fit that role. Hanifin is a good 2nd-3rd but we really need a true #1 to build around. Fox would have filled that role had he signed. The 1st Tre gave up for Hamonic could have been Dobson. If he’s sending out one of his top 6 I hope there’s a fit coming back.

I’d play him at center more before making that decision. Let’s hope we can replace Backlunds 5+ mil for 1/2 the price.
Flames badly need a younger stud defenseman. Don’t think Anderson or Valimaki are going to fit that role. Hanifin is a good 2nd-3rd but we really need a true #1 to build around. Fox would have filled that role had he signed. The 1st Tre gave up for Hamonic could have been Dobson. If he’s sending out one of his top 6 I hope there’s a fit coming back.
- K-man25

Guess we need to see how the real games play out but I agree that backend needs an unquestioned top 4 that is good enough to force his way to the top 2. Forget about Eichel, if we do a deal with Monahan or Backlund + high end picks/prospects, we need an up & coming player on back end.

Guess we need to see how the real games play out but I agree that backend needs an unquestioned top 4 that is good enough to force his way to the top 2. Forget about Eichel, if we do a deal with Monahan or Backlund + high end picks/prospects, we need an up & coming player on back end.
- Kevin R

The Flames don't have any high-end prospects, and teams don't trade up-and-coming stud defencemen, especially not for Monahan or Backlund.

Dubé did well. I always had a doubt that we could trade Backlund, he is our best skater and a good 2-way player. We need more speed, not less. I can't imagine Gudbranson and Richardson going to play on a regular basis. We already have Lucic, Tkachuk and Monahan who are slow. Vladar is solid so far.

Gonna be a long year in Calgary
- OilyJay

365 days long. Thanks for the obvious, tips.

365 days long. Thanks for the obvious, tips.
- geta02it

So, who thinks the Sutterplan will drag this team out of mediocrity?

I am excited to watch this season. Worst case scenario it’s a tire fire with lots of 3-1 losses. If that happens the silver lining would be a proper rebuild.

The Flames don't have any high-end prospects, and teams don't trade up-and-coming stud defencemen, especially not for Monahan or Backlund.
- Squeaky

Wow didnt even mention names & you're a complete d!ckhead.
Im sure you know everything & have talked to GM's about what they would part with if they are needing a top 6 centre.

So, who thinks the Sutterplan will drag this team out of mediocrity?

I am excited to watch this season. Worst case scenario it’s a tire fire with lots of 3-1 losses. If that happens the silver lining would be a proper rebuild.
- DuranDuran

This might be some of the slowest hockey we've seen this team play in years, but maybe the most physical, so I'll be pumped to see the latter portion of that play out.

I think this is also the most pessimistic I've felt about their chances in quite a while and I think they are well outside the playoffs. The bottom 6 terrify me in terms of just the foot speed that we'll be throwing out there 20+ minutes a night and our Dmen will not exactly be fleet of foot in Guddy and Zadorov eat minutes of significance as well. I hope we find a way to make up for those minutes in the top 6, but it's going to be a slog on D that Sutter is going to spend a bunch of time game-planning around.

This might be some of the slowest hockey we've seen this team play in years, but maybe the most physical, so I'll be pumped to see the latter portion of that play out.

I think this is also the most pessimistic I've felt about their chances in quite a while and I think they are well outside the playoffs. The bottom 6 terrify me in terms of just the foot speed that we'll be throwing out there 20+ minutes a night and our Dmen will not exactly be fleet of foot in Guddy and Zadorov eat minutes of significance as well. I hope we find a way to make up for those minutes in the top 6, but it's going to be a slog on D that Sutter is going to spend a bunch of time game-planning around.
- rmull905

To me I see it this way. Someway, somehow, we just need to get in. How the playoff (game) bogs down into a grinding, heavy game is what I see this roster having success with. If JG can somehow get over his fear come playoff time and add to the offense, anything is possible.

I'm worried about the regular season. This lineup is not fleet of foot, outside a couple of players. Hopefully the Pacific is as sad as predicted and we find a way to get in.

I know this is just preseason, what if Vlader is better than Markstrom ?
- hockey4hockey

Then we start taking our shirts off for Vladersoff