Flames Streak About More Than Just Wins

[Akipa]

The flames are leaving their hottest trail all season, turning a lot of heads around the NHL. Furthermore, these wins have not come against NHL bottomdwellers by any means as Phoenix, Chicago, San Jose and Minnesota have been defeated during this run.

But for a young and rebuilding team this is about more than victories, it is seeing what is successful with the team and what can be built on in the future. This streak has been proof that Mark Giordano is an exceptional NHL defenceman. It has also shown the talents of several Flames forwards.

What has this fine form from the Flames indicated to you about their future and which players they should keep?

http://lastwordonsports.com/2014/02/04/flames-streak-is-about-more-than-just-wins/

Click to read more...

 

[MarkGio]

The article didn't reflect the Flames at all. They've been a hard working team all season, but the biggest struggles and account for losses were goaltending and injuries, among other details such as faceoffs and lack of impact forwards to make up for offensive struggles. Yes, Backlund has stepped up recently and most certainly Hudler has been quietly making an impact, but the biggest factor has been Giordano and Russel.

But credit belongs to Hartley. Even though guys like Stempniak, Stajan, GlenX have been thrown to the top players in the league so that guys like Monahan, Colborne and Backlund don't get overwhelmed, he still managed to get the most out of the vets putting them where they don't belong. We're finally seeing production out of the 4th line, which has been non-existent for years. We're seeing good things out of Brodie and Smid too.

I've had my criticism of Hartley just like anyone else, but he deserves a lot of credit. The Flames will at least have an identity during this rebuild as a hard working club, regardless if its not showing in the win column