The have to guard agaisnt building a losing culture like in edmonton

over under on the flames is 63 points in Vegas...go bet the over in cash in. People are seriously under rating the Flames
- flashfire

so cute. I remember feeling like this a couple years.

playing a hard solid 60 minute game is what you want to grind into the youngsters.

win lose or draw being in the game and improving with experience is what its all about.

flames wont be great, but that's not to say they wont play some decent hockey.

hell, look at Edmonton, they have stacks of first's..

playing a solid game is one thing, getting w's consistently is a whole other ball game.

nice write up Colin

It feels great as a fan to go into a season with zero expectations. The last few seasons, the flames really broke our hearts with the high expectations placed on the team and only to disintegrate. Im not saying we're going to the cup final, but the last time there was no expectations on this team..well u know what happened. I love Iginla and appreciate everything he did , but I really believe he was an elephant in the room. I hope and believe that with this new leadership group we have a chance to be , at the very most , a sleeper. Keep in mind we do play the eastern teams twice. Here's to a hard working season. Excellent blogs Colin. Keep it up

Joe colborne is ours for a 4th. I think for true first time in history, we beat Toronto in a trade

Joe colborne is ours for a 4th. I think for true first time in history, we beat Toronto in a trade
- June15_2011

Men. I dont think he's shown much. If he turns into an nhler its a bonus. Kinda like Knight. Fringe player IMO.

Men. I dont think he's shown much. If he turns into an nhler its a bonus. Kinda like Knight. Fringe player IMO.
- Iggysbff

Better trade than you give credit for. It wasn't less than a yr ago that Leafs fans wanted a first. Low risk high ceiling....and he was buried at tor. I like it. Better than getting liles.

Joe colborne is ours for a 4th. I think for true first time in history, we beat Toronto in a trade
- June15_2011

He's a good young player but annoying to watch a lot, likes to take the puck into the o-zone and then give it up.

Great read Colin, that got me pumped for the Flames. Go Flames Go

Better trade than you give credit for. It wasn't less than a yr ago that Leafs fans wanted a first. Low risk high ceiling....and he was buried at tor. I like it. Better than getting liles.
- FLflames34

Ya, all that Liles talk was worrying me, and wonder if this means Monahan is going to go back to 67s.

Joe colborne is ours for a 4th. I think for true first time in history, we beat Toronto in a trade
- June15_2011

Crazy. IMO Colbourne would not have been enough compensation to take Liles contract on, but for just a fourth and nothing else including a salary dump of some sort, that's a steal.

TOR must have something else brewin' because that isn't enough to help their cap issues.

Crazy. IMO Colbourne would not have been enough compensation to take Liles contract on, but for just a fourth and nothing else including a salary dump of some sort, that's a steal.

TOR must have something else brewin' because that isn't enough to help their cap issues.
- TandA4Flames

This one wasn't about cap issues I don't believe, it has more to do with him having to be put on waivers. Toronto moved him so they could at least get something for him, they had to have figured he'd get picked up on waivers.

so cute. I remember feeling like this a couple years.
- TheTaoOfSemenko

you guys thought you were gonna win the cup those years...do you realize how hard it is to be under 63 points...some years the last place team is above that

easy money, but I will keep it for myself no problem

Joe colborne is ours for a 4th. I think for true first time in history, we beat Toronto in a trade
- June15_2011

How do you guys feel about the Colburn trade ? Very low risk high reward if you ask me I just wonder where he fits in. Is he that much better then Reinhart who got sent down to the minors ? or are they expected to be the Heats 1-2 punch up the middle ?

Mcdavid and Benson are possibly prizes on a Hall+ level.
- TheTaoOfSemenko

I don't get what you are trying to say ? Taylor Hall was never considered a generational talent.

Teams will come out battered and bruised from beating the Flames 4-1.

This isn't a slag against the Flames, I think they'll be a very difficult team to play against with very little firepower, and get as many wins as a team can get from that style of play.

He's a good young player but annoying to watch a lot, likes to take the puck into the o-zone and then give it up.
- Conquest

Fixed that for you.

How do you guys feel about the Colburn trade ? Very low risk high reward if you ask me I just wonder where he fits in. Is he that much better then Reinhart who got sent down to the minors ? or are they expected to be the Heats 1-2 punch up the middle ?
- blizzzard

If Colborne is the Flames 2nd line center (surely you're not talking about him being #1), they're going to be in "rebuild mode" for a really really long time.

If Colborne is the Flames 2nd line center (surely you're not talking about him being #1), they're going to be in "rebuild mode" for a really really long time.
- gravyface

I said the Heats 1-2 punch not the Flames

I said the Heats 1-2 punch not the Flames
- blizzzard

Although it should be noted that eventually

McDavid-Monahan-Colborne-Reinhart could look great down the middle for the flames.

Although it should be noted that eventually

McDavid-Monahan-Colborne-Reinhart could look great down the middle for the flames.
- Morris

MacDavid is going to be the real deal. It wouldn't shock me one bit if he is the best prospect since Crosby.

MacDavid is going to be the real deal. It wouldn't shock me one bit if he is the best prospect since Crosby.
- blizzzard

That's what he's been touted as, except perhaps for Tavares.

Frankly I look forward to McDavid, Baertschi and Monahan Vs. Hall, Yakupov and Nuge for a decade. That could really spark the BoA up again.

That's what he's been touted as, except perhaps for Tavares.

Frankly I look forward to McDavid, Baertschi and Monahan Vs. Hall, Yakupov and Nuge for a decade. That could really spark the BoA up again.
- Morris

The kid seems to be unreal. I am pumped to be watching him play the Colts jan. 9th ! I also think the Perron trade you guys made was a great one ! to me it showed the win now notion instead of letting mps develope into whatever he is going to turn out to be and the Ference signing should go a long way as well !

Joe colborne is ours for a 4th. I think for true first time in history, we beat Toronto in a trade
- June15_2011

spoiled fat rich kid vs fourth round pick...

...give me the pick

for a fourth round it's a fair pickup. Joe colbourne is ok, he just needs more discipline, I watch a lot of leafs games as I live in ontario, he needs to be more aware offensively, and get used to NHL he can't carry the puck in as much as he used to in the AHL, if he dumped it more in the appropriate area, he would already be a much better player, and then it's down to regular development and positioning of the stick.

That's all he needs to be a decent player, he could pass for a 3rd(or 4th in a pinch) line center this year even if he can get that down. and potentially grow from there