Follow Colin on Twitter!:
@ColinDJD
As I find myself scouring the internet for Flames related discussion and topics, I can’t help but notice that the majority of dialogue is concerned with just how bad the Flames will be this year. While it shouldn’t be to anyone’s surprise that most fans feel this way, I find it a little disheartening that fans can’t find positives to look forward to.
I suppose when considering the thought process of said fans, we should understand that this is arguably the first time in Flames history that the organization has dismantled their team and prepare to enter a season with limited veteran or NHL star presence. Despite having the likes of Iginla and Kiprusoff in their roster last year, many Flames fans feel as though neither had much impact throughout most games played anyways. With that being said, the consensus should therefore follow that the Flames could not possibly be any worse than they played last year, right? Well let's break it down.
I feel that given the roster the Flames have at hand, we shouldn’t expect too many big scoring games. Rather, given the type of systems and hockey coach Bob Hartley looks to instill, the Flames will be a defensive, hard skating team who finishes their checks. However, just recently Flames GM Jay Feaster acknowledged that he was not overly impressed with the physicality or size of players in certain games where a few of his lines were much smaller than those they were matched up against. This was not to say that the coaching staff were doing a bad job at line matching, rather that the majority of Flames players were just not very big or physical on average.
Since making the comment, the Flames have acquired a few new players via trade, and have also resigned others who they anticipate keeping around to protect their younger players. Below are said players which the Flames have added to their roster who should help out in the size and physicality department moving into next year.
TJ GALIARDI - 6'2, 195lbs
BEN HANOWSKI - 6'2, 198lbs
DAVID JONES - 6'2, 210lbs
BRIAN MCGRATTAN - 6'4, 235lbs
SHANE O'BRIEN - 6'3, 230lbs
Though Calgary may not be the most skilled team to play against next year, I wholeheartedly expect them to be a stronger and more physical team to play against than previous years displayed. In addition to a few new faces, the Flames will have some young players looking to display their talents to the world in addition to a few others looking to have breakout seasons. A rebuilding team with several young and new faces should be conducive to a season of hard work and a maybe a little nastiness.
All things considered, I do not expect the Flames to win too many games as a result of high scoring nights, but do expect to see some high intensity games where they find success by outskating their opposition and wearing them down. While they will likely not be the prettiest team to play against, with good coaching and teamwork, they could steal a few games from teams who take them too lightly and be fun to watch just the same.
**
For those who were keeping track of the
Cammalleri poll, the vast majority of readers (1158 of 1586, or 73%) felt that Cammalleri should be moved. Of those 1158 readers, most felt that Mike holds more value to this organization through trade than he does as a veteran presence to the team, despite my comments on needing insulation for young players.
Seems as though this season will filled with rumors with respect to the 31 year old winger as he fights for a new contract with(as most of you hope) a new team.
Thanks for reading!
Calgary Flames Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»