What the funk is going on with this team!? One step forward and then 15 back!
This team just isnt built to be a strong possession team that plays with confidence. If Johnny is off his game, then there is no one to pick up the threat. Im starting to doubt Monahan also. The kid has great flashes but overall just doesnt have the strength with the puck. #1 Centers, on winning team, suck the puck up and control it... most often if not always creating some kind of chances. Money, definitely not there.
And what the hell is it with this team and getting out of their zone!? Granted Carolina had built a nice Trump wall on their blue line but man can we get a break. Most of the time the team tries a pass along the boards, only to fumble it and losing possession.
This team is scrambling and lacks confidence right now. A total repeat of last season and I doubt its going to get better anytime soon.
5 games in and the bandwagon gets lighter and lighter. Do things have to change .. Of course but it really isn't as bad as many here are touting.
1. The Flames have had one of the busiest schedules starting off. Really makes it difficult to fix things in a few practices as there is a steady stream of GameDay preperation.
2. Between Johnny and Sean there was 1 preseason game. Johnny is frustrated. Part is the contract frustration and the other is trying to learn Gully's system. Johnny is going to struggle in the first half while adapts like he always does.
3. The power play is horrendous because of #2. Gully needs to find some time to get the first unit's confidence up.
4. The secondary scorers need to do more to take the pressure off the first line.
Now for the good. Sean has way more mass and is allot stronger. His ability to stay on the puck will start paying dividends soon.
Hamilton, Jokipaka, Brodie, and England are for the most part doing well on the back end. Gio will get himself sorted soon so that leaves Wideman, Grossman to sit while Kulak gets some seasoning.
Chad has been very solid in the games he has played. Look for Gully to lean on him a bit here early in the season until Elliott gets his crap together.
With only 5 games payed there is no reason to cry the sky is falling.
Things I would like Gully to try
Put Johnny with Sam and Brouwer for a couple games.
Put Thachuk with Sean and Chaisson for those games.
Put Bennett on the first PP on the right side.
Keep focused on reducing the turn overs.
Gully's systems are providing better possession numbers and now is not the time to second guess. It is however the time to get Sean and Johnny sold on the new system and strategies. Once that happens the Flames will start winning allot.
