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It’s game day and the Calgary Flames will look to put an end to the New York Ranger’s five game winning streak, and start a winning streak of their own.
Having been able to hold a record of 6-4-0 over their last ten games played, the Flames’ record has only recently dropped to 5-5-0 after their latest loss to the Anaheim Ducks. That being said, sitting with a .500 record at the moment for a rebuilding team, in the Western Conference, is respectable.
How do teams around them compare? Well Buffalo is currently sitting with a 1-9-0 record, Edmonton a 4-5-1 record, Florida with 3-6-1, and the New York Islanders are sporting a record of 5-3-2. It’s one thing to be sitting near the bottom of the league during a rebuild hoping to receive a high draft selection, but it’s another to play a hard competitive game while doing so.
That being said, the remaining nine games for the Calgary Flames should be a little more challenging than their previous weeks have offered. After playing the Rangers tonight who are fighting to stay in a comfortable playoff spot, they will be challenged with the Senators who are likely hoping to make a final push, the Leafs who are desperate for a comeback, and the Lightning who also aspire to keep their position in the standings.
These games may actually be a little more difficult than playing a team like Anaheim have already secured a playoff spot, though I don’t expect them to be anything that the Flames’ hard work and consistency can’t handle.
Regarding the recent comments from Flames prospect Johnny Gaudreau’s mother, the 20 year old has finally spoken up about the media attention it received, but most importantly, his potential decision to join the Calgary organization.
For those who missed the comment from Johnny’s mother, she basically expressed how she would like for her son to finish his schooling at Boston College, and enjoy his final year as a senior. This would ultimately create some panic to the ears of Flames fans who were hoping to see the young College star sooner, rather than later. The constant comparison of Justin Shultz with Anaheim comes to mind for Calgary supporters, and it is certainly one they hope to avoid.
When asked about his mother’s comment, Gaudreau stated that "she's my mother and I know what she wants for me, but ultimately it's going to come down to my decision and she knows that and she is really supportive of that with me, as well." Johnny would further add the following, when asked about making a decision to stay at the College level, or “graduate… to the Pro ranks:
"Right now, I'm just worrying about BC. No real set decision yet of what I'm going to do. My mom is really concerned about my degree and me getting stronger and having a senior year and stuff like that. But, I mean, I don't know how much is left here. I've played here for three years and I've had a great three years here so far and I enjoy my time here.…"Senior year would be fun, but I'm not sure if I'll get better at hockey but I'd definitely get a lot stronger in the weight-room.…
"It's a decision that I need to make pretty soon."
So take whatever it is that you can from the above, but I continue to maintain that Gaudreau will make the decision to join the Flames organization and will pass on the opportunity to play another year with Boston College. If he really wants to take his career to the next level and get stronger on the ice, doing so with AHL/NHL coaches and trainers is the best opportunity for the young forward.
In other news, the Flames have signed Ryan Culkin to a three year, entry level deal with an AAV of $816,700 per season. The 20 year old defenseman has played 65 games in the QMJHL and has registered a respectable 50 points, good for 5th overall in the league for defensemen.
With respect to tonight’s lineups, there appears to be no shakeups, and they will likely ice the same roster which we saw against the Ducks.
Glencross - Stajan - Hudler Cammalleri - Backlund - Byron Agostino - Monahan - Colborne Westgarth - Bouma - McGrattan
Brodie - Giordano Russell - Butler Smid - Wotherspoon
Ramo
As always, thanks for reading!