It’s been a bitter, demoralizing season so far for the Calgary Flames, their fans, and the media that reports on them.
For the Flames fans reading this, you don’t need that re-iterated. You’ve experienced the lows enough to tune out some nights.
Discussing this with a group of peers recently, the question came up: what was the game that broke you?
For me, it would either be 5-1 to the Blackhawks on January 26, although the 4-3 Blues comeback loss on January 10 is a close second.
Even some of the high points this season have resulted in bitter endings. The 6-5 win over Dallas where the Stars almost came back, the overtime loss to the Rangers twelve days ago — the fact of the matter is that you don’t finish 20% of your games by losing in extra time without building up a good bit of hope among those watching.
Tonight you should hope for a pretty good game. February 6 against the Rangers has been praised as one of the best games of the season — and it seems like there’s unfinished business there. Here’s one of Friedman’s 32 thoughts this week:
Lucic is still fuming about getting rocked by the now-traded Sammy Blais. The Flames and Blues don’t play each other again this year, but there will be plenty of punching bags out there. Jacob Trouba will likely serve as a magnet for trouble once again.
You’re not going to want to miss this one.
A few thoughts heading into the game tonight.
No Lindholm Elias Lindholm is reportedly expecting the birth of his first child in the next 48 hours. Cheers to that. The Flames will have to find a way without their best center tonight.
A Hard Place Derek Wills projects Michael Stone to be on the third pairing tonight despite Zadorov practicing with Dennis Gilbert.
That’s just such a head-scratcher. Stone hasn’t been playing his best hockey of late. On Thursday, the first Detroit goal went off him and in. The second Detroit goal was scored while he was in the penalty box. The February 9 game against Detroit had him getting ignored on the game-winner. Sundqvist and Zadina passed the puck through him twice prior to putting the puck past the stretched-out Daniel Vladar.
If Stone was in his mid 20’s? — There’s not a chance he plays tonight. Gilbert deserves the nod.
The Anti-Sutter Line Jonathan Huberdeau’s agent made a bit of a public gesture yesterday.
Huberdeau, Sutter and several players threw cold water on this and now we’re left thinking “OK. We’re not getting the whole truth right now.… The 29-year-old is surely as frustrated with the results as the rest of the team is, but is this something we examine at the end of the year and think “The writing was on the wall in February.…?
With that said, who would like to see this rolled out as a fourth line that takes offensive starts?
Huberdeau-Ruzicka-Phillips
Huberdeau’s line isn’t getting it done the way they need to. Nor is the fourth line producing positive results. Why not roll four attacking lines in the style the Avalanche did last year?
Kane to Vegas Patrick Kane listed the New York Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs as the teams he would accept a trade to. With the O’Reilly trade going down last night and the Tarasenko trade last week — those two options are out.
Queue Vegas general manager Kelly McCrimmon’s music.
The Golden Knights make an extravagant trade almost every season of their existence. Patrick’s hip is in poor shape — he would fit right in with the infirmary on skates known as the Vegas Golden Knights.
A Tired Opposition The Rangers went the distance against the Oilers last night. They turned a 4-1 deficit into a 5-4 shootout victory. The third period and overtime were an absolute death march. McDavid made that group skate.
Now they get to face a potential renaissance performance from Milan Lucic. Good god.
With that said, the Rangers have won seven in a row. Including the Flames on that streak. Panarin and Zibanejad are tearing it up.
Another Friedman Nugget This isn’t really news, but if Friedman is bringing up old rumours in his column, we may be approaching a development.
The Oilers/Rangers shootout went six rounds. The winner was scored by 2020 first overall pick Alexis Lafreniére, who made it look about as easy as taking out the garbage.
It says a lot that Gerard Gallant put five shooters out before Alexis. The organization is well aware of how talented he is. Alexis was healthy-scratched earlier in the season and currently plays left wing on the third line. His 27 points in 54 games are just alright.
He gets a bit of opportunity. He’s currently on the second power play unit and has (checks notes) one assist in 71:05 of ice time with the man advantage.
Sounds like he would fit right in on the Flames. The 21-year-old is an RFA this offseason and the Rangers have a big contract to work out with Filip Chytil, who is 23 and on pace for 30 goals this year.
You have to imagine a French Connection line of Lafreniére-Pelletier-Huberdeau would be a ton of fun to have around. You could make a case that he might cost around the value of what his offer sheet would require. Would you be willing to give up a lottery-protected first and a second this year for Lafreniére?
He would likely want a bit of a raise and assurances that he would play a more meaningful role.
Calgary Flames projected lineup Courtesy of Derek Wills. @Fan960Wills Dube-Lindholm/Ruzicka-Toffoli Pelletier-Kadri-Huberdeau Mangiapane-Backlund-Coleman Lucic-Lewis-Ritchie
Hanifin-Andersson Weegar-Tanev Zadorov-Stone
Markstrom Vladar
Rumblings The Flames got one more mention in Friedman’s column. Another doozy.
So we have some confirmed interest in MacKenzie Weegar from Ottawa. Sure, we need the support on the back end still, but keep this in mind when we get a look at the return Arizona gets for Jakob Chychrun. Look at that delicious pile of assets and think “We could have that too — and Kylington may be ready to take his minutes next season.…
Just a thought.
Game time is 8:07 pm MST. The broadcast is on Sportsnet and CITY in Canada. MSG Network in the States.
Trevor Neufeld
@Trevor_Neufeld
Stats courtesy of naturalstattrick.com, nhl.com, and capfriendly.com.