The highly coveted first rounder’s rookie season was full of promise. Two goals shy of 20. More than 35 points despite limited ice time. He played with an edge and the upside was obvious. But the sequel was disappointing and he was labelled an enigma. His second professional season was a step backward and the…
When James Neal signed with the Calgary Flames this summer, mouths instantly watered in the city over the notion of the newcomer lining up with Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan to form a formidable top trio with plenty of playmaking and finish.
A few decades ago, a young Jarome Iginla was in a cab with one of his buddies, heading for a midnight skate at his hometown rink in St. Albert. The driver recognized something special about their dedication and reminisced about a former passenger who turned his own work ethic into a pretty nice NHL career….
You’re up, coach. Calgary Flames general manager Brad Treliving was a busy man over the first couple of days of free agency, signing two forwards who are locks for the opening day roster, another wildcard who has the potential be a difference-maker in the bottom six, and a bunch of depth players likely to make…
The real story may never be fully told. Those “things” Flames GM Brad Treliving said he’s going to keep internal rather than share in the aftermath of trading away one of the best offensive defencemen in the league on Saturday have been talked about ad nauseam for months already. A lack of interest in bonding…
In a perfect world, there would be no need for the Dougie Hamilton trade talk. But the Calgary Flames were far from perfect this season, and changing the coach was just the first shoe dropping. There is going to be serious effort made to pull off a significant move in the coming weeks, and the…
Calgary Flames general manager Brad Treliving wasted no time in turfing head coach Glen Gulutzan a little more than a week after the season ended in utter failure, and it was clear to everyone his haste in making moves was because he already had a replacement all but officially on board.
Now that a little time has passed since one of the most disappointing Flames regular seasons in recent memory came to a close, maybe people are ready to look at a few positives. As the internal autopsy continues amid the excitement of the first round of the playoffs, there are reasons to be optimistic about…
As far as fan favourites go, he’s hardly on the radar. In the Flames locker room, though, it would be hard to find another who comes close. And that’s arguably the biggest reason Matt Stajan, he of fourth line status and a contract constantly critiqued by so many outside the inner circle, is set to…
From a fan perspective, a spring without playoffs would be an atrocity. There’s no feeling more empty than watching the postseason without a real rooting interest. But for the Calgary Flames, missing out might be just what the team needs. It sounds counter-intuitive, given the fact that failure in the playoffs is so often linked…
In case there was still any debate as to who the Calgary Flames’ Most Valuable Player is this season, goaltender Mike Smith’s absence and the team’s performances over that span say it all. And Smith’s surprise appearance at practice on Tuesday ahead of the second of three games on the Flames’ critical late-season road trip…
Interpret the Calgary Flames’ deadline day moves with whichever lens you like. Optimists will look at the modest additions of winger Chris (Streaky) Stewart via waivers and Nick (not Drew) Shore for a courtesy seventh-round pick and deduce general manager Brad Treliving has confidence his group can get it done as assembled and needed nothing…
