Todd Cordell: On expectations for the Flames, Hamonic, Lazar and more

In regards to Lazar, I love how you pretty much have drawn a conclusion on this young former first rounders career. You're basically saying that a change of scenery that's closer to home, having different linemates, different coach, different teammates and being completely healthy, is still not enough to warrant a marginal if any improvement this year. Have you even looked at the reasons to maybe why he hasn't performed well with Ottawa? Given the right opportunity with Calgary, he might just make a very viable top nine player. He needs to be given a proper chance and set up to succeed and I think Treliving sees that potential.

I've been saying all along that I think Lazar (a right handed skater) gets converted to the wing. 1 point in 32 games with Ottawa and 3 points in 4 games with Calgary says there was more to what was going on.
I'm not saying he turns into a star player, but I think the Flames made a good choice in acquiring him.

If you think lazar can be a viable top nine on your team then you are in serious trouble. Lazar isn't a case of underachieving or living up to potential being a 1st rounder he's just not a nhl caliber player in any capacity plain and simple. His success and play in juniors didn't translate to the nhl and it wasn't even close.

I look at the Curtis Lazar situation like a reclamation project. He was pushed into the league to early in his career similar to what we did with Sven Baertschi. I think the Flames are taking their time with him so he can regain his confidence. He is 22 years old coming off a bad injury and I believe he will be a steady NHL’r maybe not this year but soon enough. Sven is now 24 and his game is just starting to translate into the high expectations that flames fans had for him.

Flames will be interesting this year. Nothing would be sweeter than Calgary going further than Edmonton and Toronto.

If you think lazar can be a viable top nine on your team then you are in serious trouble. Lazar isn't a case of underachieving or living up to potential being a 1st rounder he's just not a nhl caliber player in any capacity plain and simple. His success and play in juniors didn't translate to the nhl and it wasn't even close.
- sensmelon

Ottawa thought enough of him to put him in their lineup for 180 games so there must be some talent there. Perhaps he just needs a change of scenery to get going. At 22, and having made the NHL as a 19 year old, to say he isn't NHL caliber is stupid.

Ottawa completely mishandled him, then expected him to perform on a line with the likes of Neil and Kelly, on top of that, he gets mono and still tries to play! I'm not expecting him to be on a top line, but Ottawa all but ruined this kid's chances at being a regular in the NHL. When a player asks for a trade, he clearly is not in a good place or environment. Calgary will take the time to utilize his strengths and talents

If you think lazar can be a viable top nine on your team then you are in serious trouble. Lazar isn't a case of underachieving or living up to potential being a 1st rounder he's just not a nhl caliber player in any capacity plain and simple. His success and play in juniors didn't translate to the nhl and it wasn't even close.
- sensmelon

The kid suffered through some injuries and illnesses last year. When he was healthy he struggled in playing well and thus the coaches and organization began to lose faith in him.
I think part of the reason we saw some positive impact from Lazar in those 4 games was because CGY showed a lot of faith and belief in him and eased him into the line up. He was never a really big scorer in jr but I think he could be a solid 3rd line option moving forward.

Flames will be interesting this year. Nothing would be sweeter than Calgary going further than Edmonton and Toronto.
- VANTEL

Nothing would be sweeter than us sweeping the flames again!!! Well, maybe a cup.

Have we traded for Duchene yet?

Have we traded for Duchene yet?
- Yeah...Baby

Why would we?

It's not our fault the Sens mishandled his development. It isn't Lazar's either. I liked the Lazar trade when we made it and I still like the Lazar trade now. Calgary is going to take their time with him and develop him properly. The kid is only 22 years old. Writing him off is as stupid as writing Bennett off. This is a classic case of all of the analytics guys trashing a player based purely on the stafs without factoring in the fact that he was injured and got mono. They also seem to ignore the fact that Lazar had 3 pts in 4 games for Calgary. Maybe, just maybe, all Lazar needed was a fresh start.

I'm not saying the guy is going to turn into a 1st liner, but to say he won't improve at all despite a fresh start and how much work he's apparently putting in is a little harsh. Lazar has the potential to be a solid player for us. Tre believed in that potential, and I do too.

Nothing would be sweeter than us sweeping the flames again!!! Well, maybe a cup.
- Ihatebrianburke

How about we look back at the last 20 games Flames and Oilers??? Now kindly GFY!

Nothing would be sweeter than us sweeping the flames again!!! Well, maybe a cup.
- Ihatebrianburke

Oilers are 1 mcDavid hit away from missing the playoffs. He'll get a lot more attention this year.

How about we look back at the last 20 games Flames and Oilers??? Now kindly GFY!
- Clyde334

How about we look at the only stat that matters in hockey if you really want to examine the past and that's cups 5-1.

Oilers are 1 mcDavid hit away from missing the playoffs. He'll get a lot more attention this year.
- K-man25

Really?? A lot more? I don't think he could possibly get any more. He's the best player in the world.

How about we look back at the last 20 games Flames and Oilers??? Now kindly GFY!
- Clyde334

And how

Where would there team be without winning McDavid? Probably with with Mathews

How about we look at the only stat that matters in hockey if you really want to examine the past and that's cups 5-1.
- Ihatebrianburke

So if cups matter so should finishing bottom of the league....... sooo kinda brings you down a bit. Followed by having the longest record of not being in playoffs of any Canadian team.

This message is brought to you buy the letters,

How about we look back at the last 20 games Flames and Oilers??? Now kindly GFY!
- Clyde334

Why look at the last 20? The games from 2,3 and 4 years ago don't matter became se 80% of the rosters have turned over. The closest thing we have to a head to head comparison is last season, where the Oilers kicked their asses. Does that mean it will happen againn? No. But by examination of the current rosters, any sane , objective hockey fan would say the Oilers should get 6 of a possible 8 points against the Flames.

Why look at the last 20? The games from 2,3 and 4 years ago don't matter became se 80% of the rosters have turned over. The closest thing we have to a head to head comparison is last season, where the Oilers kicked their asses. Does that mean it will happen againn? No. But by examination of the current rosters, any sane , objective hockey fan would say the Oilers should get 6 of a possible 8 points against the Flames.
- Larsson_fan

Avi bet on that? I got that Ru Paul one waiting for you!

And how

Where would there team be without winning McDavid? Probably with with Mathews
- DuranDuran

And the Flames would be a perpetual mediocre team. Oh wait, that's still the same.

So if cups matter so should finishing bottom of the league....... sooo kinda brings you down a bit. Followed by having the longest record of not being in playoffs of any Canadian team.

This message is brought to you buy the letters,







- DuranDuran

I would take every one of those crappy years again if it meant getting McJesus. I'm sure you would hate to have him on your team eh???

Why look at the last 20? The games from 2,3 and 4 years ago don't matter became se 80% of the rosters have turned over. The closest thing we have to a head to head comparison is last season, where the Oilers kicked their asses. Does that mean it will happen againn? No. But by examination of the current rosters, any sane , objective hockey fan would say the Oilers should get 6 of a possible 8 points against the Flames.
- Larsson_fan

I see your point. The fact that we won every season series for 16 straight years before last year isn't all that relevant.

Elliott and Wideman (frank)ed up all over the place against you guys. Smith and Hamonic replacing those two should adjust the objective fan's opinion a bit.

Re: Trevy: Lazar should be pinned to the 4th line and only see time on the 3rd if he's putting away Tkachuk and Bennett's garbage around the net on the RW. Just my opinion.

I would take every one of those crappy years again if it meant getting McJesus. I'm sure you would hate to have him on your team eh???
- Ihatebrianburke

I think we could probably slot him in somewhere. He might look good on the 3rd line....but no guarantees. He would have to earn it.