Colin Dambrauskas: Calgary Flames; They Won't be Pretty

Im just glad the Avs dont have to play against you guys so much, what was it a 9 or 10 game winning streak for the Flames against the Avs?

I felt like I was throwing my money down a toilet every time i went to the Dome to watch those games, the Heroine beers made the games easier though.

connor mcdavid...

is that the reason u guys dont want to grab any other players to improve the team? you want to finish dead last and aquire this kid?

seems like it to me! grabo is better than every forward on the team lol

Im just glad the Avs dont have to play against you guys so much, what was it a 9 or 10 game winning streak for the Flames against the Avs?

I felt like I was throwing my money down a toilet every time i went to the Dome to watch those games, the Heroine beers made the games easier though.
- DDM-Coga

thats wild!

If you think Flames won't be pretty take a look at the Buffalo prospects.

That is an ugly roster they got. I was looking at the last five full season so last year doesnt count and the fewest wins in the last 5 full season is 24 by the Lightning I am curious how much better or worse their roster looked compared to the Flames this year.

How many years away is Gaudreau? He's going to be a treat to watch.

connor mcdavid...

is that the reason u guys dont want to grab any other players to improve the team? you want to finish dead last and aquire this kid?

seems like it to me! grabo is better than every forward on the team lol
- big_dion

Worked for Pittsburgh in 1984.

That is an ugly roster they got. I was looking at the last five full season so last year doesnt count and the fewest wins in the last 5 full season is 24 by the Lightning I am curious how much better or worse their roster looked compared to the Flames this year.
- blizzzard

They could be a hard working pesky time to play against, the big question mark is in Net. If they get any sort of decent goaltending from MacDonald or Ramo, they will be respectable

They could be a hard working pesky time to play against, the big question mark is in Net. If they get any sort of decent goaltending from MacDonald or Ramo, they will be respectable
- DDM-Coga

No doubt I found it hard to believe a team could win so few games. Mike Smith was TB's goalie that year and he was the only goalie to have a save percentage over .900 and the only goalie to have a GAA under 3. He went 14-18-9 with a 2.62 GAA and a .916 SV%. Vinny and Marty where the only players to get mroe then 50 pts Marty had 80 and Vinny 67. It was a bad roster but there was still a lot more NHL talent on that team.

How many years away is Gaudreau? He's going to be a treat to watch.
- jmatchett383

at (least) one year...though likely two. Guy his size could need an extra year however to ensure he's physically ready to play with full grown NHLers.

*though he did say he might be ready to join after his college season is up, depending on how things go.

at (least) one year...though likely two. Guy his size could need an extra year however to ensure he's physically ready to play with full grown NHLers.
- Colin Dambrauskas

I would hope for 2, give the guy extra time to develop to ensure he is ready for the show. Unless he shows after a year (or even training camp) that he can handle it, you dont force him into the roster.

After such a reluctant decision to actually rebuild, last thing the team needs to do is force one of their best prospects in almost a decade into the NHL too fast and stunt his development.

How many years away is Gaudreau? He's going to be a treat to watch.
- jmatchett383

1

I would hope for 2, give the guy extra time to develop to ensure he is ready for the show. Unless he shows after a year (or even training camp) that he can handle it, you dont force him into the roster.

After such a reluctant decision to actually rebuild, last thing the team needs to do is force one of their best prospects in almost a decade into the NHL too fast and stunt his development.
- DDM-Coga

I fully agree...hes made it clear that he wants to be sure he is fully ready before joining as he doenst want to be a hinderance to the team, if you will. Hes showing good signs of professionalism at a young age which is always nice, too.

Colin Dambrauskas: Calgary Flames; They Won't be Pretty
- Colin Dambrauskas

Colin, what are Hanowski's chances of making this team? Something tells me he will be in ABB for the year (which i'm fine with)

Good article though; you are right, the Flames are the NHL's whipping boy this year. I don't expect a lot of W's but I think the Flames might actually surpass their expectations this year (because they are so low).

Kipper was awful last year, Iginla had a tough go, Gio was brutal. Last year went about as bad as you could imagine, and they still weren't the worst team in the league. I can't help but wonder if maybe this team is actually BETTER than last years? It wouldn't surprise me to be honest.

I've said it before and i'll say it again, all I want to see is some effort and intensity out there. This has been lacking for the last 2-3 years in this organization. I'm so used to this "veteran" team rolling out at giving it what seemed to be about 70% effort. Should be a breath of fresh air this season. CANT WAIT!

How many years away is Gaudreau? He's going to be a treat to watch.
- jmatchett383

Next year is possibly a big year for Calgary prospects. Gaudreau said this is his last year at college, then he'll turn pro. It'll be the same for Bill Arnold, who showed some crazy skill in prospect camps. Granlund and Wotherspoon should be challenging by then as well.

These next couples years are going to be fun to watch. It's not hard for me personally to see the upsides in Calgary.

I fully agree...hes made it clear that he wants to be sure he is fully ready before joining as he doest want to be a hinderance to the team, if you will. Hes showing good signs of professionalism at a young age which is always nice, too.
- Colin Dambrauskas

Kid has to probably already know he is the Crown Jewel in the organization, lots of pressure to be the real deal. Have to respect anyone who is that team conscious first alread.

I am still torn about MacKinnon already being slatted to makign the opening night roster. If the hype is real, he should make a seamless transition and put up some numbers. A year in junior and letting the Avs figure out the Stastny UFA and O'Reilly RFA contract decisions this summer would have been more ideal in my mind.

Colin, what are Hanowski's chances of making this team? Something tells me he will be in ABB for the year (which i'm fine with)

Good article though; you are right, the Flames are the NHL's whipping boy this year. I don't expect a lot of W's but I think the Flames might actually surpass their expectations this year (because they are so low).

Kipper was awful last year, Iginla had a tough go, Gio was brutal. Last year went about as bad as you could imagine, and they still weren't the worst team in the league. I can't help but wonder if maybe this team is actually BETTER than last years? It wouldn't surprise me to be honest.

I've said it before and i'll say it again, all I want to see is some effort and intensity out there. This has been lacking for the last 2-3 years in this organization. I'm so used to this "veteran" team rolling out at giving it what seemed to be about 70% effort. Should be a breath of fresh air this season. CANT WAIT!
- The-O-G

It was clear to see that Hartley thought he was super slow last year. I thought for sure he'd be a full time AHLer. To my surprise, he dropped like 20 pounds and looked darn right speedy in the prospect camps. I think he'll play mostly AHL next year but will wear the Flaming C for more than a handful of games.

Colin, what are Hanowski's chances of making this team? Something tells me he will be in ABB for the year (which i'm fine with)

Good article though; you are right, the Flames are the NHL's whipping boy this year. I don't expect a lot of W's but I think the Flames might actually surpass their expectations this year (because they are so low).

Kipper was awful last year, Iginla had a tough go, Gio was brutal. Last year went about as bad as you could imagine, and they still weren't the worst team in the league. I can't help but wonder if maybe this team is actually BETTER than last years? It wouldn't surprise me to be honest.

I've said it before and i'll say it again, all I want to see is some effort and intensity out there. This has been lacking for the last 2-3 years in this organization. I'm so used to this "veteran" team rolling out at giving it what seemed to be about 70% effort. Should be a breath of fresh air this season. CANT WAIT!
- The-O-G

It was clear to see that Hartley thought he was super slow last year. I thought for sure he'd be a full time AHLer. To my surprise, he dropped like 20 pounds and looked darn right speedy in the prospect camps. I think he'll play mostly AHL next year but will wear the Flaming C for more than a handful of games.
- j.henderson

Im willing to bet that Hanowski plays a good portion of the year with the Flames...this year is the perfect year to let as many prospects as you can play and see what you have.

I fully agree...hes made it clear that he wants to be sure he is fully ready before joining as he doenst want to be a hinderance to the team, if you will. Hes showing good signs of professionalism at a young age which is always nice, too.
- Colin Dambrauskas

Don't get surprised to see him up with the Flames after the BC season is over. I'm not as concerned, last years WJC had some monster dmen & good future power forwards that he played against & he faired well. Like Monahan, if he plays well, he'll get his chance to stick with the big club. Nothing wrong with that.

Another note in your blog is how fans are talking about how bad we a going to do next year, but you forgot to mention that most Flames fans are probably more excited about going into this year than any of the past 3 years. We all knew this team was never going to contend for a Cup with the old core we had. The stars were no longer stars, just players riding the their stardom into the sunset.

Don't get surprised to see him up with the Flames after the BC season is over. I'm not as concerned, last years WJC had some monster dmen & good future power forwards that he played against & he faired well. Like Monahan, if he plays well, he'll get his chance to stick with the big club. Nothing wrong with that.

Another note in your blog is how fans are talking about how bad we a going to do next year, but you forgot to mention that most Flames fans are probably more excited about going into this year than any of the past 3 years. We all knew this team was never going to contend for a Cup with the old core we had. The stars were no longer stars, just players riding the their stardom into the sunset.
- Kevin R

I agree with everything you just said!

The thing with Gaudreau is that he has ALWAYS been small. Guys like him learn how to play against guys who are bigger, stronger and tougher than them their whole lives. Granted the NHL is a different story, but with his skating ability he will be just fine when it comes to the pro game.

Don't get surprised to see him up with the Flames after the BC season is over. I'm not as concerned, last years WJC had some monster dmen & good future power forwards that he played against & he faired well. Like Monahan, if he plays well, he'll get his chance to stick with the big club. Nothing wrong with that.

Another note in your blog is how fans are talking about how bad we a going to do next year, but you forgot to mention that most Flames fans are probably more excited about going into this year than any of the past 3 years. We all knew this team was never going to contend for a Cup with the old core we had. The stars were no longer stars, just players riding the their stardom into the sunset.
- Kevin R

Thing is...you guys seem down to earth/realistic about expectations etc...but the more and more I wander from this site, the more I read crazy comments about this team. So...

I agree with everything you just said!

The thing with Gaudreau is that he has ALWAYS been small. Guys like him learn how to play against guys who are bigger, stronger and tougher than them their whole lives. Granted the NHL is a different story, but with his skating ability he will be just fine when it comes to the pro game.
- The-O-G

Any of you guys nervous that he'll pull an Erixon?

Any of you guys nervous that he'll pull an Erixon?
- whipper334