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1) Overall, the Calgary Flames have played very well of late but they've still had some issues – particularly on the power play.
They have scored just seven goals over the last 17 games on the man advantage and, at times, looked toothless.
While they do seem to be heading in the right direction – they've scored a power play marker in three straight games – I still think they could benefit from some changes.
The most obvious one, to me, is giving Dougie Hamilton a chance on PP1. He leads Flames blue liners in power play points per 60 over the last couple seasons, is their best offensive generator, and he would bring a much-needed right-handed shot to the top unit.
If it doesn't work, it doesn't work, but I don't see the harm in trying given how things have been going.
2) There are no gimmes in today's NHL – even the worst teams have a few high-end players capable of taking over a game on any given night – but I think the Flames' schedule lines up favorably for them to go on another good run coming out of the bye.
They get to play some bad teams – such as Buffalo and Edmonton – and they're catching the good teams they'll face at the right time.
Winnipeg will be without its best player in Mark Scheifele, Tampa Bay will be without its best defenseman in Victor Hedman, Chicago will be without its Vezina-caliber goaltender in Corey Crawford and the struggling LA Kings, who have dropped six of 10, are still missing Jake Muzzin.
Factor in that six of the next seven games will be played on home soil and it's not hard to picture the Flames staying hot and moving up the standings a little further. That'd be the hope, anyway, as they have a six-game road trip upcoming in February.
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On Jagr's impending exit
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Flames sign Glenn Gawdin to entry-level contract
Calgary Flames Blogger • 
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