Well if different than last year is what we all wanted the Flames gave it to us. Thought they were a total mess defensively, which tbh isn't surprising considering Huska is a brand new minted NHL HC and going from man to man to zone is as bout as different as you can get. Lots of positives from this game however. Markstrom's game being the most obvious. That they actually won a game they didn't really deserve to being the 2nd. They deserved to win many of the games they lost last season, so maybe we see some cosmic payback this one. Also liked what I saw from the team's young players and several of the vets.
Great :
Marky - I know I'm a little on the island with this one but even after that last season and 2022 playoffs I still believe in this guy. We're paying him to be a solid #1 goalie and I think he's perfectly capable of that. He's a competitive guy who takes his job seriously, I'm ok with the occasional Connor floater going in if he can battle like he did in this one. I think Darryl really got in his head and that he's going to have a much better season. Doesn't need to be Vezina quality.
Ruzicka - A motivated and skating Adam Ruzicka I love. I don't think he ends the season on the 4th line if plays like that.
Zadorov - re-sign this dude. Anything up to 5 per would be lovely. I think he's found a home here.
Good :
Lindholm - excellent pass and nice GWG, such a solid player when he's focused. I vote re-sign Elias as well, would do 8.5 x 6 right now.
Mangiapane - looking back to his old self. Quick decisions, head in the game, pain in the ass to play against.
Coronato - good jump, maybe had a little tunnel vision on scoring a goal with his folks in the building. Believe that the Flames have a good player here
Weegar - threw some good hits, moved the puck effectively.
Not bad :
Andersson - great snipe, liked him on the powerplay, less stationary
Backlund - snarly game from Backs, took a couple penalties, had his nose in there. The C looks good on him
Coleman - good guy, tries hard, loves the game
4th line wingers were solid, Greer really has no hands tho
Dillon Dube - I like him. I dunno if I like 1st line like him.
Sure fine ok
Huberdeau & Kadri - they weren't bad or anything. Huberdeau made some plays. Just wanted to see more from the team's two highest paid players after the way last season went.
Tanev - looking kinda old. Would way rather him bring Solovyov along on a shutdown pairing with Chris than see him whacking it around with Oesterle.
Sharangovich - some good some not so good. Really had to be in the lane for the 2nd Jets goal.
Not good :
Hanifin - several bad giveaways. Just not up to his usual standard.
Oesterle - had a nice block to save a goal but didn't like him other than that. Another in a long line of cheap UFA defenseman the Flames bring in and say "Welp, it's your job to lose" And then they don't lose it. But I often question if they're actually good at it. Like they can do it, but are they doing it well? Not sure. I don't mind him but not for 60+ games plz
Feel like Snowy would have liked that one. Kelsie and the kids to drop the puck was a nice touch.
also congratulations Ryan Huska on his first NHL W