The tank is on.
- Gerk

Nah bro. The Blackhawks have a terrible PK. Sure, Tkachuk is pretty good at drawing penalties..

We just want him to know what popcorn tastes like in every NHL stadium before he earns the Coach's trust.

Sure does suck that the coming draft is going to be a shallow one in terms of elite skill.

Nah bro. The Blackhawks have a terrible PK. Sure, Tkachuk is pretty good at drawing penalties..

We just want him to know what popcorn tastes like in every NHL stadium before he earns the Coach's trust.

Sure does suck that the coming draft is going to be a shallow one in terms of elite skill.
- fry

You guys have about 4 regular Dmen that need to eat popcorn too, cause there is no way the coach should be trusting them.

Nah bro. The Blackhawks have a terrible PK. Sure, Tkachuk is pretty good at drawing penalties..

We just want him to know what popcorn tastes like in every NHL stadium before he earns the Coach's trust.

Sure does suck that the coming draft is going to be a shallow one in terms of elite skill.
- fry

People say this a lot and then the year goes on and a lot of these kids start looking like awesome prospects. Maybe it will be poope but i'm going to reserve judgement on this.

Sorry Duran Duran.

I grew up in New Brunswick when I was young & the NHL only had 6 teams. I'm a Bruins fan 1st but like a bunch of teams. Really I'm a fantasy hockey pool fan & the NHL provides the means for me to enjoy my favorite hobby.

I work as a consultant in the Petroleum industry traveling extensively in Alberta & Texas & live on the west coast. I used to have season tickets to 4 teams, Vancouver for almost 30 years EDM, Cal; for almost 20 years & Dal for just over 10. I give them to clients primarily for business. I gave up my Canucks tickets this year, I haven't been able to give them away for 2 years, no 1 wants them even when the good teams are in town really. I used to scalp them for a nice profit with a scalper buddy when not giving to clients or using them myself.

I'm don't post here often as I really have to disagree with the comments posted by the blogger. I really like Cordell's insight & read him regularly & again really only comment when I strongly disagree as I get these brutal responses from people like you that really aren't that enjoyable nor really justify a response. Not very mature comments & slagging someone isn't exactly insightful & pretty immature. I would suggest trying to have a discussion that has some insight or facts to support your thoughts or arguments.

I'm not trolling, I like Calgary & wish they were better but I don't like the make up of this team & you have to choose someone to be bad when you lay wagers like I do. I rank all 30 teams by division, conference & the entire NHL. I lay wagers on a whole range of things like making the playoffs, rounds won, cup winners, etc. I lay wagers on the over unders for players points, etc.

To do so you need to make predictions. You may not like mine but I don't like Calgary to be a very good team this year. It's not that I don't wish they were, I do; more money for me in scalping tickets, but almost all teams have gotten better & as much as I love the Brouwer signing & what should be a stellar D something is just amiss. Calgary has a great young core coming, Monahan, Gaudreau, Bennett, Tkachuk a solid D but the overall depth is suspect & it just doesn't seem to be working perfectly based on the current make up which is odd as on paper it should.

Calgary did a very good job of suppressing shots last season but gave up a ton of goals, that leads to quality of opportunities, not all shots are created equal. Coaching changes always concern me as that means system changes & time for everyone to learn them. The Pacific division although not the strongest division in hockey has a ton of strong teams SJ, Anh, LA; historicly but I have them missing this year, Edm & I thought Arizona would contend for playoff spots this season. Edm has had a very favorable schedule to start but they have won the games. Arizona has just been brutal which surprises me & Vancouver has been stuip lucky. I have them dead last in the west.

I hope that helps. Not Trolling saying what I believe to be true. You may not agree & that's all good but no need to be rude & condescending. Hey I could very easily be wrong. Let's hope so. I didn't lay any wagers on Calgary regardless.
- striker777

No worries.

There has been an infestation of trolls coming in here with the Flames horrid start and apparently I loose my patience a little too easily.

There are a couple posters on here claiming to be Flames fans that are just trying to kick us all as we are down, I took you as one of those. My bad.

People say this a lot and then the year goes on and a lot of these kids start looking like awesome prospects. Maybe it will be poope but i'm going to reserve judgement on this.
- TandA4Flames

That's fair. I haven't seen most of the top 15 play. Mostly going off what MacKenzie's forecasting based on what scouts are telling him.

Reviewed highlights of the top 10 yesterday. Klim Kostin is ranked at 3 right now and he looks like he would go 15-20 last year. Garbage perimeter player.

Stumbled upon highlights of 2018 draft pick Joe Veleno. Holy poop that kid is gonna be good.

https://youtu.be/oZxYJsbH76g

Sorry Duran Duran.

I grew up in New Brunswick when I was young & the NHL only had 6 teams. I'm a Bruins fan 1st but like a bunch of teams. Really I'm a fantasy hockey pool fan & the NHL provides the means for me to enjoy my favorite hobby.

I work as a consultant in the Petroleum industry traveling extensively in Alberta & Texas & live on the west coast. I used to have season tickets to 4 teams, Vancouver for almost 30 years EDM, Cal; for almost 20 years & Dal for just over 10. I give them to clients primarily for business. I gave up my Canucks tickets this year, I haven't been able to give them away for 2 years, no 1 wants them even when the good teams are in town really. I used to scalp them for a nice profit with a scalper buddy when not giving to clients or using them myself.

I'm don't post here often as I really have to disagree with the comments posted by the blogger. I really like Cordell's insight & read him regularly & again really only comment when I strongly disagree as I get these brutal responses from people like you that really aren't that enjoyable nor really justify a response. Not very mature comments & slagging someone isn't exactly insightful & pretty immature. I would suggest trying to have a discussion that has some insight or facts to support your thoughts or arguments.

I'm not trolling, I like Calgary & wish they were better but I don't like the make up of this team & you have to choose someone to be bad when you lay wagers like I do. I rank all 30 teams by division, conference & the entire NHL. I lay wagers on a whole range of things like making the playoffs, rounds won, cup winners, etc. I lay wagers on the over unders for players points, etc.

To do so you need to make predictions. You may not like mine but I don't like Calgary to be a very good team this year. It's not that I don't wish they were, I do; more money for me in scalping tickets, but almost all teams have gotten better & as much as I love the Brouwer signing & what should be a stellar D something is just amiss. Calgary has a great young core coming, Monahan, Gaudreau, Bennett, Tkachuk a solid D but the overall depth is suspect & it just doesn't seem to be working perfectly based on the current make up which is odd as on paper it should.

Calgary did a very good job of suppressing shots last season but gave up a ton of goals, that leads to quality of opportunities, not all shots are created equal. Coaching changes always concern me as that means system changes & time for everyone to learn them. The Pacific division although not the strongest division in hockey has a ton of strong teams SJ, Anh, LA; historicly but I have them missing this year, Edm & I thought Arizona would contend for playoff spots this season. Edm has had a very favorable schedule to start but they have won the games. Arizona has just been brutal which surprises me & Vancouver has been stuip lucky. I have them dead last in the west.

I hope that helps. Not Trolling saying what I believe to be true. You may not agree & that's all good but no need to be rude & condescending. Hey I could very easily be wrong. Let's hope so. I didn't lay any wagers on Calgary regardless.
- striker777

So you think the Flames are bad, but you think their D is good, so you think it's surprising they are bad, but you picked them to finish 2nd last? Which is it? No wonder you didn't place any bets.

No worries.

There has been an infestation of trolls coming in here with the Flames horrid start and apparently I loose my patience a little too easily.

There are a couple posters on here claiming to be Flames fans that are just trying to kick us all as we are down, I took you as one of those. My bad.






- DuranDuran

You really wimped out man......

Really. What are you like 12 DuranDuran. Isn't this why were hear, to debate & discuss these things? Being a hockey fan & Flames season ticket holder I have a right to my opinion & don't have to resort to profanity to express my thoughts.

You better run along, the recess bell went. Don't forget your toys.
- striker777

I feel sorry for you, for wasting all that money on season tickets, you be better off going to the casino.

Calgary is off to a bad start, no doubt. But people should read the article to the link below

http://www.flamesfrom80feet.ca

I've said it before, we are still in rebuild mode and too many Flames fans have put far to high of expectations on this team right now. Sure, with the (perceived) improvement in goaltending quality this year, a high priced UFA acquisition our 1st 2 young stars going into their 1st high priced contracts, the expectations should be higher than the last couple of years, but we simply aren't cup contenders yet.

So many of you guys that are now in freak out mode used to talk as i did that the real year for higher expectations should be next year when we dump a lot of the poor contracts that were brought in as place-holders until the kids were ready to take control. 1 more year of experience for Monahan, Gaudreau, Bennett, Hamilton and even Tkachuk having more time to build strength, size and improve his skating all helps. Add to that the potential in our coaching as stated in the article noted above, and we will likely be just fine. Hell, we may still come back fast and hard this year. It's been 6 freaking games. Lets give Gully a few more games at least to see if this team starts to show some positive signs. If we don't improve soon enough to compete for a PO spot, another high pick really isn't the end of the world.

Should have got MAF when you had the chance instead of a backup like Elliott. Now its going to cost you Gudreau and Monahan to get him
- all-pgh

MAF is far too fragile to play in front of this group. No thanks.

You really wimped out man......


- The-O-G

Coming from a guy with a Beiber Avi that really stings!

Edit: He said he was a Bruins fan....didn't want to take the chances.

Calgary is off to a bad start, no doubt. But people should read the article to the link below

http://www.flamesfrom80feet.ca

I've said it before, we are still in rebuild mode and too many Flames fans have put far to high of expectations on this team right now. Sure, with the (perceived) improvement in goaltending quality this year, a high priced UFA acquisition our 1st 2 young stars going into their 1st high priced contracts, the expectations should be higher than the last couple of years, but we simply aren't cup contenders yet.

So many of you guys that are now in freak out mode used to talk as i did that the real year for higher expectations should be next year when we dump a lot of the poor contracts that were brought in as place-holders until the kids were ready to take control. 1 more year of experience for Monahan, Gaudreau, Bennett, Hamilton and even Tkachuk having more time to build strength, size and improve his skating all helps. Add to that the potential in our coaching as stated in the article noted above, and we will likely be just fine. Hell, we may still come back fast and hard this year. It's been 6 freaking games. Lets give Gully a few more games at least to see if this team starts to show some positive signs. If we don't improve soon enough to compete for a PO spot, another high pick really isn't the end of the world.
- TandA4Flames

A larger sample size will be needed, but is there really that much evidence we're moving forward? We look just as pourous as last year. Team defense still hanging out goalies to dry.

Our league worst PK has been replaced with a league worst PP. So there's that.

Replacing Wides with a defenseman that is actually worth 5 mill should be huge. Especially if we lose Joki to expansion.

Maybe we can turn a corner earlier than we did last year. That would be a good step. Here's hoping it's tonight. Hopefully next year we hit the ground running.

Calgary is off to a bad start, no doubt. But people should read the article to the link below

http://www.flamesfrom80feet.ca

I've said it before, we are still in rebuild mode and too many Flames fans have put far to high of expectations on this team right now. Sure, with the (perceived) improvement in goaltending quality this year, a high priced UFA acquisition our 1st 2 young stars going into their 1st high priced contracts, the expectations should be higher than the last couple of years, but we simply aren't cup contenders yet.

So many of you guys that are now in freak out mode used to talk as i did that the real year for higher expectations should be next year when we dump a lot of the poor contracts that were brought in as place-holders until the kids were ready to take control. 1 more year of experience for Monahan, Gaudreau, Bennett, Hamilton and even Tkachuk having more time to build strength, size and improve his skating all helps. Add to that the potential in our coaching as stated in the article noted above, and we will likely be just fine. Hell, we may still come back fast and hard this year. It's been 6 freaking games. Lets give Gully a few more games at least to see if this team starts to show some positive signs. If we don't improve soon enough to compete for a PO spot, another high pick really isn't the end of the world.
- TandA4Flames

At what point do you stop laying all the blame on the goalies & accept there is something far more fundamentally wrong with this team? Isn't Elliott supposed to be a great goalie?

I say it all the time. Take what you think is a great goalie & put him on a bad team & he won't beat the league average in SV% & if not really a great goalie; Elliott isn't, he had the luxury of playing behind 1 of the best D's & teams in the NHL, & it will be far worse.

Calgary is not a good team which considering their D doesn't make sense or add up properly but something is flawed in this player make up. I have them 2nd worst in the West to Vancouver.
- striker777

So according to you, Jake Allen should have a sparkling sv%?

Calgary is off to a bad start, no doubt. But people should read the article to the link below

http://www.flamesfrom80feet.ca

I've said it before, we are still in rebuild mode and too many Flames fans have put far to high of expectations on this team right now. Sure, with the (perceived) improvement in goaltending quality this year, a high priced UFA acquisition our 1st 2 young stars going into their 1st high priced contracts, the expectations should be higher than the last couple of years, but we simply aren't cup contenders yet.

So many of you guys that are now in freak out mode used to talk as i did that the real year for higher expectations should be next year when we dump a lot of the poor contracts that were brought in as place-holders until the kids were ready to take control. 1 more year of experience for Monahan, Gaudreau, Bennett, Hamilton and even Tkachuk having more time to build strength, size and improve his skating all helps. Add to that the potential in our coaching as stated in the article noted above, and we will likely be just fine. Hell, we may still come back fast and hard this year. It's been 6 freaking games. Lets give Gully a few more games at least to see if this team starts to show some positive signs. If we don't improve soon enough to compete for a PO spot, another high pick really isn't the end of the world.
- TandA4Flames

Some of us in Alberta are hurting from the economy. So maybe it's not surprising that we're impatient for some good news these days. For us hockey fans the last thing we expected was a repeat of last year. As you say, it's still early and a few Ws will be the good news we're hoping for.

Coming from a guy with a Beiber Avi that really stings!

Edit: He said he was a Bruins fan....didn't want to take the chances.


- DuranDuran

hahahaha touche!!!

Calgary is off to a bad start, no doubt. But people should read the article to the link below

http://www.flamesfrom80feet.ca

I've said it before, we are still in rebuild mode and too many Flames fans have put far to high of expectations on this team right now. Sure, with the (perceived) improvement in goaltending quality this year, a high priced UFA acquisition our 1st 2 young stars going into their 1st high priced contracts, the expectations should be higher than the last couple of years, but we simply aren't cup contenders yet.

So many of you guys that are now in freak out mode used to talk as i did that the real year for higher expectations should be next year when we dump a lot of the poor contracts that were brought in as place-holders until the kids were ready to take control. 1 more year of experience for Monahan, Gaudreau, Bennett, Hamilton and even Tkachuk having more time to build strength, size and improve his skating all helps. Add to that the potential in our coaching as stated in the article noted above, and we will likely be just fine. Hell, we may still come back fast and hard this year. It's been 6 freaking games. Lets give Gully a few more games at least to see if this team starts to show some positive signs. If we don't improve soon enough to compete for a PO spot, another high pick really isn't the end of the world.
- TandA4Flames

I agree with all of this but I think the frustration isn't that they are losing, but how they are losing. Honestly I can barely watch the games they are playing so poorly, and for me that's the hard part. I have season tickets and I'm not even excited to head to the rink they are playing so bad. I know it'll change, but it's hard to stay patient.

I don't know if I remember anyone coming in here claiming the Flames would be a contender this year. I thought they would be in the 8-12 range, so currently they aren't meeting my expectations, but nobody should really be surprised where they are in the standings.

A larger sample size will be needed, but is there really that much evidence we're moving forward? We look just as pourous as last year. Team defense still hanging out goalies to dry.

Our league worst PK has been replaced with a league worst PP. So there's that.

Replacing Wides with a defenseman that is actually worth 5 mill should be huge. Especially if we lose Joki to expansion.

Maybe we can turn a corner earlier than we did last year. That would be a good step. Here's hoping it's tonight. Hopefully next year we hit the ground running.
- fry

Ha, I didn't say we are moving forward. I was simply saying lets wait and see if we can start to see signs of moving forward. Change takes time, the chart shown on the article by Darren Haynes shows so many good examples of that. GG's systems seem a lot more complicated and reliant on the team moving in 5 man units. That will take time for ALL members on the team to perfect and become habit. Maybe they figure it out in time to challenge this year for a PO spot. Maybe they don't but start to build a strong base for next year.

Sorry Duran Duran.

I grew up in New Brunswick when I was young & the NHL only had 6 teams. I'm a Bruins fan 1st but like a bunch of teams. Really I'm a fantasy hockey pool fan & the NHL provides the means for me to enjoy my favorite hobby.

I work as a consultant in the Petroleum industry traveling extensively in Alberta & Texas & live on the west coast. I used to have season tickets to 4 teams, Vancouver for almost 30 years EDM, Cal; for almost 20 years & Dal for just over 10. I give them to clients primarily for business. I gave up my Canucks tickets this year, I haven't been able to give them away for 2 years, no 1 wants them even when the good teams are in town really. I used to scalp them for a nice profit with a scalper buddy when not giving to clients or using them myself.

I'm don't post here often as I really have to disagree with the comments posted by the blogger. I really like Cordell's insight & read him regularly & again really only comment when I strongly disagree as I get these brutal responses from people like you that really aren't that enjoyable nor really justify a response. Not very mature comments & slagging someone isn't exactly insightful & pretty immature. I would suggest trying to have a discussion that has some insight or facts to support your thoughts or arguments.

I'm not trolling, I like Calgary & wish they were better but I don't like the make up of this team & you have to choose someone to be bad when you lay wagers like I do. I rank all 30 teams by division, conference & the entire NHL. I lay wagers on a whole range of things like making the playoffs, rounds won, cup winners, etc. I lay wagers on the over unders for players points, etc.

To do so you need to make predictions. You may not like mine but I don't like Calgary to be a very good team this year. It's not that I don't wish they were, I do; more money for me in scalping tickets, but almost all teams have gotten better & as much as I love the Brouwer signing & what should be a stellar D something is just amiss. Calgary has a great young core coming, Monahan, Gaudreau, Bennett, Tkachuk a solid D but the overall depth is suspect & it just doesn't seem to be working perfectly based on the current make up which is odd as on paper it should.

Calgary did a very good job of suppressing shots last season but gave up a ton of goals, that leads to quality of opportunities, not all shots are created equal. Coaching changes always concern me as that means system changes & time for everyone to learn them. The Pacific division although not the strongest division in hockey has a ton of strong teams SJ, Anh, LA; historicly but I have them missing this year, Edm & I thought Arizona would contend for playoff spots this season. Edm has had a very favorable schedule to start but they have won the games. Arizona has just been brutal which surprises me & Vancouver has been stuip lucky. I have them dead last in the west.

I hope that helps. Not Trolling saying what I believe to be true. You may not agree & that's all good but no need to be rude & condescending. Hey I could very easily be wrong. Let's hope so. I didn't lay any wagers on Calgary regardless.
- striker777

the more I look at our line-up, the more realistic I've become that we aren't even that great on paper as I had thought
Maybe it's the underperformance by our "top 3" d, but our blue line looks super weak outside of the top 3, and the way they've been playing/skating, we went from thinking we had one of the best d-corps to literally looking like the worst blue-line in the NHL
Maybe it's the overconfidence we had in these new goalies being a huge upgrade
Maybe it's realizing we were counting on a PTO (Versteeg) and a kid (Tkachuk) to round out our top 6

alot of Maybes in why we thought we would be so much better than we actually are lol
who knows, maybe we turn this all around once they all adjust to the system, but currently I don't see any system, it looks like disorganized hockey and the passing has been brutal...the turnovers always lead to breakaways and odd man rushes
Let's start the tank!! FUture still looks bright especially with GIllies and the young d-men coming up. Our d-corps looks alot different once Smid, Engelland, WIdeman are off the books I think

Ha, I didn't say we are moving forward. I was simply saying lets wait and see if we can start to see signs of moving forward. Change takes time, the chart shown on the article by Darren Haynes shows so many good examples of that. GG's systems seem a lot more complicated and reliant on the team moving in 5 man units. That will take time for ALL members on the team to perfect and become habit. Maybe they figure it out in time to challenge this year for a PO spot. Maybe they don't but start to build a strong base for next year.
- TandA4Flames

Doesn't help our five man units are changing every game.

Just looked at the standings. We're so close to 30th.

Dear god, reading some of this is pathetic. I caught poop for stating i thought we weren't a playoff team. Yes, it blows we are losing and yes it blows even more how they are losing.
We are in a viscous cycle where our top players are taking too many chances and playing like they NEED to win the game on their own. Its no secret our D is weak after the top 3 and even those guys aren't playing to the expectation or their potential. It'll come.
Our forwards have no cohesion and are running around to try and create offense. It'll come. New systems, new coaches, new gameplans but old habits. It'll come.
Regardless of who is in front of him, Elliott is a decent tendie (and yes better than the options we had last year). No he's not Top 5 but he's serviceable and on a 1 year stint. If he plays the way he has, we have a serviceable back up in Johnson, also for one year. It'll come.

The season is two weeks not two months old. The expectation is we are supposed to be a better team that what we were and I believe we've made steps to confirm that. It may not show in wins but it will come.

If this is how we are come January, f'n rights, this is EXACTLY how the convo's should be but right now at least let the dust settle and lets figure out what we REALLY are.

Oh and OG please for the love of all things good, get rid of Beiber it creeps the (frank) out of me!!!!

In other news: Mason MacDonald can't handle ECHL level hockey.

http://www.eliteprospects.../player.php?player=194200

the more I look at our line-up, the more realistic I've become that we aren't even that great on paper as I had thought
Maybe it's the underperformance by our "top 3" d, but our blue line looks super weak outside of the top 3, and the way they've been playing/skating, we went from thinking we had one of the best d-corps to literally looking like the worst blue-line in the NHL
Maybe it's the overconfidence we had in these new goalies being a huge upgrade
Maybe it's realizing we were counting on a PTO (Versteeg) and a kid (Tkachuk) to round out our top 6

alot of Maybes in why we thought we would be so much better than we actually are lol
who knows, maybe we turn this all around once they all adjust to the system, but currently I don't see any system, it looks like disorganized hockey and the passing has been brutal...the turnovers always lead to breakaways and odd man rushes
Let's start the tank!! FUture still looks bright especially with GIllies and the young d-men coming up. Our d-corps looks alot different once Smid, Engelland, WIdeman are off the books I think
- cpltanto

Not that I actually want Calgary to get better but you should really be all in on Lindholm. Whatever it takes. He would be a huge addition. Any minute munching shut down type is exactly what Calgary needs on the back end right now.

But the forwards still would need to commit to a 200 foot game and the rest of the D would still need to pinch less.

Doesn't help our five man units are changing every game.

Just looked at the standings. We're so close to 30th.
- fry

I agree with that.

Not that I actually want Calgary to get better but you should really be all in on Lindholm. Whatever it takes. He would be a huge addition. Any minute munching shut down type is exactly what Calgary needs on the back end right now.

But the forwards still would need to commit to a 200 foot game and the rest of the D would still need to pinch less.
- Aerchon

Have you seen the rules for the expansion draft?