Trevor Neufeld: A Rude Awakening Within a Grey Area

Thanks for blog Trevor, do you think with the majority of the Flames players being out to COVID protocol that they are just aren't 100% back to their fitness level.

Thanks for blog Trevor, do you think with the majority of the Flames players being out to COVID protocol that they are just aren't 100% back to their fitness level.
- FlamesFan1230

Seems likely. It’s hard to keep the offence rolling with so much time off. Now they have even more time off with their next game being on Thursday. Probably too much gravy around Christmas too.

Thanks for blog Trevor, do you think with the majority of the Flames players being out to COVID protocol that they are just aren't 100% back to their fitness level.
- FlamesFan1230

It could be fitness.but they played 5 games since coming back. the team got out played (tampa) for sure. For large segments of the games. I think it’s time to give some young guys from Stockton to push the veterans. Healthy competition is good.

Thanks Trevor
Has the NHL not cancelled all the home games?

Thanks Trevor
Has the NHL not cancelled all the home games?
- K-man25

Doesn’t look so. They might still postpone the Senators/Flames game, but haven’t yet.

Doesn’t look so. They might still postpone the Senators/Flames game, but haven’t yet.
- Trevor_Neufeld_

We’ll let’s hope they start playing some home games, or we’re going to have played all our road game and will be on a 30 game home stand.

We’ll let’s hope they start playing some home games, or we’re going to have played all our road game and will be on a 30 game home stand.
- K-man25

That wouldn’t be a bad thing would it?

That wouldn’t be a bad thing would it?
- TurdFergeson

If they have to do that stretch in 35 days, it's not great. All the teams needing to reschedule 10ish games are pretty much screwed for this year.

Doesn’t look so. They might still postpone the Senators/Flames game, but haven’t yet.
- Trevor_Neufeld_

So have you given up completely on writing about the knights?

Thanks for the blog Trevor,

I don’t know about sluggish play from the flames due to Covid / holidays as every team is in the same boat. It was a tough road trip for sure but I think it’s exposed some glaring weaknesses that were covered up this year by above average play (mangi shooting at a 30 something percent average, Markstrom playing lights out on pace for a 30 shutout season etc..) Sutters comments about depth and the lack of high skill scoring I think are more on point. With that in mind what do you think the flames do? Does tre do something before the deadline? At the deadline? Who’s available and who would you target?

Thanks for the blog Trevor,

I don’t know about sluggish play from the flames due to Covid / holidays as every team is in the same boat. It was a tough road trip for sure but I think it’s exposed some glaring weaknesses that were covered up this year by above average play (mangi shooting at a 30 something percent average, Markstrom playing lights out on pace for a 30 shutout season etc..) Sutters comments about depth and the lack of high skill scoring I think are more on point. With that in mind what do you think the flames do? Does tre do something before the deadline? At the deadline? Who’s available and who would you target?
- kresco

E Kane

So have you given up completely on writing about the knights?
- TurdFergeson

Wasn’t meeting the standard of quality I expect of myself for the Golden Knights stuff. Writing for two teams is just unrealistic if you plan to do it well and commit the time and attention that it requires. Should be a new writer for the Golden Knights pretty soon. Sorry, bud!

Wasn’t meeting the standard of quality I expect of myself. Should be a new writer for the Golden Knights pretty soon.
- Trevor_Neufeld_

Yeah the blogs kind of sucked…

E Kane
- TurdFergeson

Wouldn't be surprised if they could bring him in on a Deangelo type deal. He's the exact player the Flames need in their lineup. There's also a 99% chance he behaves himself for the few months he'd be in Calgary since he'll probably want a real contract again in the future.

Wouldn't be surprised if they could bring him in on a Deangelo type deal. He's the exact player the Flames need in their lineup. There's also a 99% chance he behaves himself for the few months he'd be in Calgary since he'll probably want a real contract again in the future.
- Squeaky

I agree his skill is what we need plus he plays a rugged game liked by the west teams. However I don’t see treliving taking a chance on him. Tre has been talking about character and his drafting style last 2-3 years has been passing on skill for “heart and soul” players.

I agree his skill is what we need plus he plays a rugged game liked by the west teams. However I don’t see treliving taking a chance on him. Tre has been talking about character and his drafting style last 2-3 years has been passing on skill for “heart and soul” players.
- kresco

Additionally, kane would be a UFA. Gaudreau is our 1LW. Kane could get better options say signing a league min contract to play with oilers on mcdavids wing shifting Hyman to 2LW. Kane would be given a golden opportunity to pad his stats playing there just in time to sign a shiny new contract with a team in the offseason as a UFA. What would draw him here to cgy?

Wasn’t meeting the standard of quality I expect of myself for the Golden Knights stuff. Writing for two teams is just unrealistic if you plan to do it well and commit the time and attention that it requires. Should be a new writer for the Golden Knights pretty soon. Sorry, bud!
- Trevor_Neufeld_

Glad you chose the Flames!

Additionally, kane would be a UFA. Gaudreau is our 1LW. Kane could get better options say signing a league min contract to play with oilers on mcdavids wing shifting Hyman to 2LW. Kane would be given a golden opportunity to pad his stats playing there just in time to sign a shiny new contract with a team in the offseason as a UFA. What would draw him here to cgy?
- kresco

I agree but what draws any player to Calgary?
He’d be a perfect 2nd line lw with Mang playing the right. But the Flames also need another top 6 center. All other options haven’t been able to carry the load( Monahan, Backlund, Dube) if team is going to do anything this year they need 2 top 6 forwards. That and an upgrade on the 3rd pairing, not convinced this couldn’t be MacKey, but if they never try him how do we know. He looked good at the end of last year and is playing well in Stockton.

Treliving can’t afford to not go all in this year if he hopes to talk Johnny and Chucky into long term deals. I’m sure Sutter has voiced his thoughts on what’s lacking.

Signing Lewis and Richardson giving up a 3rd for Pitlick have done nothing to the bottom 6. If we’re going to upgrade our bottom 6 it’s probably best to push the guys playing top 6 down to where they belong.
A bottom 6 of Backlund, Coleman Lucic, Dube,Monahan( if not traded for cap space), Ruzicka, Gawdin, has got to be a better option.
Just my thought, now get it done Tre, team needs a spark!

Additionally, kane would be a UFA. Gaudreau is our 1LW. Kane could get better options say signing a league min contract to play with oilers on mcdavids wing shifting Hyman to 2LW. Kane would be given a golden opportunity to pad his stats playing there just in time to sign a shiny new contract with a team in the offseason as a UFA. What would draw him here to cgy?
- kresco

Better sales pitch, better city, slightly more cash, maybe even sign him for next year too since it'll probably take more than a few months of good behaviour to get another real contract. I also doubt the Oilers are going to be bumping Hyman down yet with the commitment they've already made to him. Kane would be with Draisaitl, which also doesn't suck, but Treliving needs to figure out a way to get something done. Losing out on Eichel and Kane to division rivals and then trading for a Paul Byron type isn't gonna cut it.

I agree but what draws any player to Calgary?
He’d be a perfect 2nd line lw with Mang playing the right. But the Flames also need another top 6 center. All other options haven’t been able to carry the load( Monahan, Backlund, Dube) if team is going to do anything this year they need 2 top 6 forwards. That and an upgrade on the 3rd pairing, not convinced this couldn’t be MacKey, but if they never try him how do we know. He looked good at the end of last year and is playing well in Stockton.

Treliving can’t afford to not go all in this year if he hopes to talk Johnny and Chucky into long term deals. I’m sure Sutter has voiced his thoughts on what’s lacking.

Signing Lewis and Richardson giving up a 3rd for Pitlick have done nothing to the bottom 6. If we’re going to upgrade our bottom 6 it’s probably best to push the guys playing top 6 down to where they belong.
A bottom 6 of Backlund, Coleman Lucic, Dube,Monahan( if not traded for cap space), Ruzicka, Gawdin, has got to be a better option.
Just my thought, now get it done Tre, team needs a spark!
- K-man25

Sign Kane, trade for Giroux, win Cup, move to Houston.

The sad thing is, moving to Houston is probably the only realistic thing on that list.

I don't see a scenario where the Flames relocate before the dumpster fire over in Arizona does first.

Sign Kane, trade for Giroux, win Cup, move to Houston.

The sad thing is, moving to Houston is probably the only realistic thing on that list.
- Squeaky

I heard city of Calgary wants to revisit the deal.
So that may not even be realistic.

I don't see a scenario where the Flames relocate before the dumpster fire over in Arizona does first.
- novak14

If Arizona actually gets the new arena they’re after they’ll stay put.
Flames are likely gone. Just a matter of time.

I heard city of Calgary wants to revisit the deal.
So that may not even be realistic.
- K-man25

More realistic than the other three.

The city's bluff was called and now they're screwed. They're going to have to give the ownership group a much sweeter deal to get them back to the table.