Friedman: Flames may look to ‘shake something up’

The Calgary Flames may be looking to “shake something up,” according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. His comments came during Saturday’s Headlines segment where he speculated the team could be feeling impatient.

Friedman’s quote was fairly short and sweet, all things considering. He, nor Chris Johnston, offered any further insight into what a potential shake up could look like.

For one, I don’t see a coaching change being a decision that makes sense. Bill Peters is only in his second season and it’s not like the Flames are out of the playoff race by any sense of the term.

But in a Pacific Division that sees a separation of only six points between the last place L.A. Kings and a playoff spot, it’s going to be ever important that Calgary is bringing it every single night.

The not-so-great news is that there’s been a bit of a stall for the Flames with a 4-4-2 record in their last 10. But the good news is they’ve continued to be strong drivers of play offering a 52.07 CF% and an expected goals for rate of 50.63 per cent — good enough for sixth and 14th in the league, respectively.

Calgary has struggled, however, with their actual even-strength goals for rate of 47.31 per cent. It’s a far cry from the league-best 56.81 per cent rate they put up last year.

The Flames inability to produce offensively at even-strength is relevant this year, too. Last season Calgary saw a league-best 3.18 GF/60 rate, but it’s dropped considerably to a lowly 25th ranked 2.44 GF/60 this season.

It’s clear Calgary’s offensive struggles have been holding them back, so theoretically that’s a place the team could address in the trade market.

While there’s often rumours thrown around by insiders, Friedman is known to be one of, if not the most, credible hockey reporter in the game. When he says there’s smoke, there’s smoke.

Now, let’s see if Brad Treliving actually has something up his sleeves.

On Twitter: @zjlaing