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The Calgary Flames were…well…annihilated last night, to put it lightly, after going up 2-0 quickly in the first as they lost 8-2 to the Edmonton Oilers at the Saddledome.
Flames GM Jay Feaster promised better hockey with the deadline behind the Flames, but it all went to hell when the Flames gave up three power play goals in the 2nd period. Despite their lively 1st period, the Flames looked deflated and although we don’t need to win, they still need to play hockey. The roster movement seems to have had a very negative impact, even on players who produced significantly prior to the trades like Glencross, Stempniak, and Hudler.
The fire sale has left the Flames deserted but it has set them up to acquire some prospects and assets for next season, if they wish. Given their recent moves in addition to the notion that Kiprusoff may retire after this year, the Flames should have around $30M in cap space next year. Feaster has acknowledged that even though he may not have been able to address the team’s needs via trade, he will try and make some moves throughout the summer.
With respect to the draft, hopefully the Flames can pick up at least one solid blueliner in the first round, because their defense has been non-existent of late…especially now that the team is without Bouwmeester. With any luck newly acquired Mark Cundari will be able to develop in Calgary and add some depth..but he is a few years removed from the lineup himself.
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If last night’s game is any indication of next season, it may be Jay Feaster’s last with the club. Flames owner Murray Edwards has allegedly told Jay Feaster that his job is on the line if the Flames don’t make the playoffs next year. That’s right…he wants playoffs next year.
This is a ridiculous threat considering the Flames only started rebuilding a week ago when Jarome Iginla was traded to Pittsburg. Yes – the rebuild should have happened three years ago when Iginla and Kiprusoff had value, but the Flames problems can’t be completely Feaster’s doing. Murray Edwards has to sign off on all trades and create the pressure to make trades when needed. The rebuild has barely just begun; the Flames need to develop their youth and create a strong foundation before they make a playoff run.
If Murray believes they can simply trade away all their distinguished players and voila they are anew, he’s the problem in Calgary. This has been the Flames problem for quite some time… you can’t patch a hole and move onto make the playoffs. They Flames need to rebuild, fix the problem and become stronger, something which will take several seasons. Calgary has been in the business of quick fixes with aging vets and hasn’t been able to develop young prospects in years. With that being said, next year will not be any easy feat integrating the left over’s with the youth.
The Flames coaching may be in question too; I don’t have anything against Hartley, though under his guidance, Baertschi – who was their first good acquisition in a long time – hasn’t developed at a pace most were expectiong. While the young winger had injuries and the team was failing, I would have liked to see more out of him this year and it seems as though Hartley felt his chances were better at developing in Abbotsford. He could be right... I guess.
Additionally, Hartley seems to have a reluctance to work with Cervenka despite his obvious troubles. The forward had much potential with the team and showed promise throughout games playing with Jiri Hudler, but the coach sat him at times where I felt it was not warranted.
Though I like Hartley’s coaching style, and he didn’t exactly have a ton to work with, I sincerely hope he can get more out of his struggling and or developing players. There are certainly many challenges ahead for this team and organization, but setting the playoffs as a goal for next year is ill-advised.
Thanks for reading!
Calgary Flames Blogger • 
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