Calgary Flames Send Roman Horak To Abbotsford Heat

"“We’re a team that’s fighting to get into a playoff spot, and you cannot have a second period like we had. We played the whole period in our zone. It was disappointing.”—Flames Coach Brent Sutter."

This was Brent Sutter’s comments after the disappointing shut out the Calgary Flames had in the San Jose Shark’s game.  As someone who had hoped to see the Flames go on the All Star Break with a win, a nice send off for the week off, I understand Brent Sutter’s frustrations.  However, I don’t see what Sutter expects from this team.

I feel like I’m repeating myself at this point, but as I pointed out months ago, Roman Horak is someone the Flames need to have up on their bench.  I know what you’re all saying, he’s young.  He needs time to develop.  I get this, but if you’ve a coach who’s gunning for a playoff berth, the current roster isn’t going to cut it.

Look at the run down:

• You have a goalie who’s past his prime

• Your backup is on the IR

• Your top scorer is expected to perform as well as he did ten years ago

• The guy in third for points is currently on the IR

• You trade dead weight for slightly smaller dead weight

• And last but certainly not least, you have Jay Bouwmeester on the payroll and is currently classified as “hot” by TSN.ca

Do you see the problem here?  There is no way this team can pull together a playoff berth, let alone succeed with it. The team right now is solid, they are (mostly) good player, but players key players have aged, become injured, or haven’t lived up to their expectations.  Meaning that, Sutter needs to come to a decision, whether he wants a playoff berth or he wants the young players to develop properly.  Berth means holding on to Horak.  Development means continuing with Horak’s reassignment to the Abbotsford Heat.

Personally me?  I’d develop the kids a bit more.  In three years the team will be awesome if they let the kids work on their game before playing for the Flames.

Go Flames Go!