Despite a disappointing first-round playoff exit in April, the Calgary Flames seemed destined to enter the 2019-20 season with something to prove. The Flames enjoyed a phenomenal season in 2018-19, finishing atop the Western Conference with 50 wins and 107 points. In fact, only one other team posted 50 wins last season. The powerhouse Tampa Bay Lightning (62).
Normally, the notion that Calgary and Tampa are only separated by a single point at the quarter-mark would be considered exceptional. This season, however, the two clubs are separated by only a single point - for 21st and 22nd overall. Due to what can only be described as an underachieving first quarter, the Flames have called a players-only meeting following the team's sixth straight loss on Thursday.
Flames captain Mark Giordano was very open when asked what was discussed on Friday's meeting.
“Just a lot of honesty between guys,” Giordano said. “We all love each other in here, but at the end of the day, sometimes you have to be honest with the guys you're closest to, and it's a good thing. So, I think we'll get together here again tonight at the team meal and hash it out, and hopefully we can get some real positives from hearing guys speak, and go from there.”
Johnny Gaudreau was a little more tongue-in-cheek than his captain. He did, however, comment following the team's loss to the defending Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues on Thursday night.
“Not fun. Obviously, it's a bit difficult to go through. Yeah, it just sucks. We've got to be better, we've got to work hard, be smarter with the puck. And we didn't do that tonight, up and down the lineup. So, it's frustrating.”
The Flames have dug themselves a bit of a hole in the early going and it's going to take every member of the organization to help dig their way out. With 57 games remaining for the club, there is still ample time to do so.
Source: Sportsnet
