Calgary Flames Daily: In a contention-ready season, they crumbled

After their latest loss, the Calgary Flames find their playoff hopes very slim. And unfortunately, they had no other option but to do well this year.

After the Calgary Flames loss to the Arizona Coyotes last night and an LA Kings win, the Flames are now six points out of a playoff spot. With just eight games left for them, they basically have to win every single game. And even then that might not be enough.

Guys, I’m sad.

This was supposed to be their year. They traded away their draft picks because they were ready for Cup Contention. Now, without making the playoffs, they won’t have a draft pick until the third round.

The biggest thing so far is the Flames inability to overcome adversity. They needed to do just that and they couldn’t pull through.

Via Sportsnet:

“It’s basically the fear of failure,” said the team’s second-year coach of his club’s penchant for pulling up lame.“When adversity hits you have to be at your best, you have to be at your strongest.”

After all the trades the Flames and giving up some assets, it was supposed to be their year. Unfortunately, GM Brad Treliving also thought the Flames were going to go far this year and didn’t lottery-protect that first round pick he traded away for Travis Hamonic.

They also didn’t bring in anything on trade deadline day where fans were somewhat hoping they might. With the injury to Kris Versteeg, they needed a right-handed shot. And now, the Calgary Flames are feeling the effects without Matthew Tkachuk, who’s been injured for the last four games.

This was a depressing Flames Daily. Sorry everyone.

Some links surrounding the Flames

Why the Flames’ once-promising season went off the rails (Sportsnet).

Smith’s return to Arizona spoiled in Flames loss to Coyotes (Calgary Sun).

Francis: Flames playoff chase now a futile endeavour (Calgary Sun).

Flames fail to gain ground in wild-card race with loss to Coyotes (CBC Sports).

Some links surrounding hockey and the NHL

Which NHL mascot would you want with you in a bar fight? (FanSided).

NHL GMs split on goalie interference (The Star).

Four things we learned in NHL: Luongo joins elite company (Sportsnet).

Identifying the NHL’s most unpredictable teams (TSN).

Next: Takeaways from loss to Coyotes - Bye bye playoffs

That’s all in today’s Flames Daily!