If you consumed any National Hockey League preview content before the 2024-25 season began, you probably heard about how bad the Calgary Flames were expected to be. 40 games into the season… they’re not! Predicted by many to be near the NHL’s basement, they’re flirting with a playoff spot at mid-season. How have the Flames defied the predictions so far?
Ryan explores four key reasons why they’ve managed to be better than everyone expected them to be.
Resources you should check out:
-Colton Pankiw’s breakdown of Dan Vladar’s usage at Daily Hive: https://dailyhive.com/calgary/flames-vladar-more-tough-teams-wolf
-Daily Faceoff’s 2024-25 Flames season preview: https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2024-25-nhl-team-preview-calgary-flames
-The Athletic’s 2024-25 Flames season preview (paywall): https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5775594/2024/09/30/calgary-flames-2024-25-season-preview-playoff-chances-projected-points-roster-rankings/
To help out with the Los Angeles wildfires, here are a few organizations taking donations if you’re able:
-California Fire Foundation: https://cpf.salsalabs.org/disasterrelief/index.html
-Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation: https://supportlafd.kindful.com/?campaign=1040812
Find more from me at FlamesNation.ca (https://flamesnation.ca/)! And for all kinds of great Flames-related content, check out the FlamesNation YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@Flames_Nation!)
Buy my book about the history of the Calgary Flames franchise at the NHL Draft! “On The Clock: Behind the Scenes with the Calgary Flames at the NHL Draft” (https://www.amazon.ca/Clock-Calgary-Flames-Behind-Scenes/dp/1637274009/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8)
16 Comments
Loving your videos Pike! Always well spoken
Agree that goaltending and 5 on 5 is why Calgary is where it is. Interesting to think that if they fixed the power play, they'd be in a better playoff position. I think there are still trades to make that make sense for a rebuilding team, like moving andersson
The coaching and support staff don't get enough credit
Coaching and a quiet room!
I think one of the biggest reasons the Flames are where they are at this point is because they are is because of their newfound identity. For years we've had no identity. This year's we've been much harder to play against, especially at home. Teams weren't expecting this. Nobody was expecting this.
Great video Ryan! I agree with all your points (bang-on in fact, especially about Vladar!), but maybe I would add one or two more. Huska + Buy-In.
I think Huska has implemented a style of game and held players accountable to playing that style (which relates to my next point). I expected the Flames defensively this season to involve a long series of the "comedy of errors on ice show" most nights given both the sheer turnover om defence, as well as the age and relative inexperience of most of them. Instead, they have been almost every night. Breakdowns always happen, but defensively, this does not appear to be a bunch of chickens with their heads cut-off, at all. Bahl has been a revelation, and as you stated, Pachal has consistently been very good on that 3rd pair.
The other point I would make is culture. I think it has taken a combined effort from Conroy, Huska and the coaching staff as well as the vets on the team. I have only see this level of buy-in in just two seasons out of the past 10 – the 2014-15 season when that team just out-worked everyone on a nightly basis, and the 2nd year of Sutter's last tenure when that team really looked the part of a contender (until things fell apart in the 2nd round). This is only the third season where it looks like everyone is pulling together and trying to keep up the effort shift-to-shift. They seem to win a lot of 50/50 pucks, and are relentless on the forecheck and the backcheck. Whenever they let their foot off the gas, it seems things blow up in their faces, but to their credit, this team has been a joy to watch in terms of their compete. I would describe this team as a 'high compete' team that other teams dislike to play against. Not scary physical, but beating the Flames will take an honest effort from the opposing teams.
Great work Ryan! I always enjoy your insights!
Great job pike. DO MORE VIDS🤠✌️
Goodbye top 10 pick hello first round exit 😢
I wonder how many penalties each goalie had to deal with. I suspect they have been shorthanded more often with Vladar in net.
Excellent analysis Mr. Pike !
Nice one Pike! lol As you know on BB I called "We accidentally make the playoffs" on the 3rd game of the year! LOl. So I feel pretty good about my analytical abilities lol I hade the Dome guys try and eat my face for saying the exact same thing as YOU! lol Thank you thank you thank you for explaining Vladar to everyone. They won't listen to me! lol
Best time to trade Anderssen for Cozens straight up. Get below bottom 10 so Montreal doesn’t make us look like buffoons. Maybe Coleman with a draft pick for Byram.
Thanks Ryan, love your insight.
cant wait to lose our 1st rounder
Great upload Ryan. Keep them coming.😊
Dustin Wolf 😂