I know my last blog post spent its time criticizing the Flames for letting the Seattle Kraken take Giordano, and how it would have been better to keep in with the current state of the team. Treliving, despite the writing on the wall, seems to think this team is going to compete for the cup. Which is why I thought losing Gio was the foolish decision. Here’s the flip side of that coin, and while I’m not sure the Flames with be able to overcome the hole in the teams defense, it’s worth taking a look at.
You ready? Okay.
Losing Giordano could be the best thing for the Flames. Now, before you lose your minds, let me dive in a little as to why. As to why losing long time captain and best defenseman could work.
For a few years now Flames fans have been critiquing this teams core of players. I would say it’s been going on since their first round loss in the form a sweep against the Ducks in the 16-17 season. A loss that made it clear something about this core wasn’t going to get it done. A team that was expected to at least make the series interesting folded like a cheap table and that’s telling. There’s lots of reasons, one of them being the Flames long time GM hasn’t put together a strong supporting cast to the core, but has been unwilling to shake up said core. Losing Gio shakes up the core. The realty going forward is the Flames have a gap in the leadership group with the loss of Gio and there’s hungry players on the Flames roster looking to prove they can handle the loss of the captain.
Tkachuk had a rough year last year. He didn’t look himself part ways through the year, specifically after the Muzzin incident. He looked all wrong as if something had infiltrated his head, a sickness keeping him from being himself. For the first four seasons of his career he was revered as pest who could score. Much like Marchand or Wilson, he’s become public enemy number one of several fan bases, such as the Oilers, Kings and Leafs. Tkachuk has everything to prove. I think, more than anyone, he wants it and he wants to lead this team, his comments about underachieving and how unhappy he is with it, prove that.
Tanev not only became a staple on the back end last year, easily being the teams best Dman as well as one of the best in the league, but his leadership abilities became apparent. With the departure of Gio, Backlund is now the longest serving Flame on the roster. He’s been with this team for years and would be a perfect candidate for the team. Even the likes of Lindholm, Monahan and Gaudreau will be all over it.
The reality for the flames, is everyone will have to step up on the roster in order for them to compete. Unlike some past years, there’s not much expectation from fans. They have abandoned this team, watching the wolves tear them apart. No one expects this team to be a solid team, but Gio’s absence could raise this team up. This team is in real danger of being offed most nights. It is going to be REQUIRED to fight if they wish to stay alive throughout the season and into a long playoff run. If they can do that, than perhaps they can right the ship before what seems to most, as the inevitable crash.
There’s going to be some fight I think (I hope) from these players. This year is a year of things to prove for the Flames. It’s very much a do or die year, it in some way or another. If they underwhelm, it’s time for a rebuild or retool which would involve several of these players to be sent packing, and I don’t think that’s what they want.
Thanks for reading!
JamesDoesHockey 