Post-Covid hangover can take some of the blame for Flames downturn

The Calgary Flames have fallen off the boil since returning to the ice after a Covid-19 shutdown that impacted a large percentage of the lineup. 

It would be too simplistic, an unjustifiable copout, to scapegoat Covid-19 entirely for the Flames recent poor play. But it’s not farfetched to attribute some aspects of Calgary’s slump to potential residual Covid-related causes.

NHL players are not robots, though their swollen salaries make them more valuable than our E.T., R2-D2 or other robot chums. Just a month ago the Flames were ravaged by Covid-19, more severely impacted than any other NHL team this season.

The outbreak of all outbreaks saw, as of Dec. 15, positive cases in 16 players, three coaches and eight support staffers. That’s 27 total positive cases, all of which occurring faster than the time it takes to line up for a $30 beer at the Dome. Ok, that’s a slight exaggeration. A beer at the Dome is but a pinch of that, running you a-still-gouging $10. It’s worth it, though. Have a couple of those bad boys and the Flames current slump might not seem so worrisome.

The Flames are by no means the only NHL club stricken by Covid-19, particularly Omicron, but they were inarguably the hardest hit. Which takes an incalculable physical and mental toll on the directly impacted players, even those only indirectly impacted.

Of course every single Flames player is at least double vaccinated. And they are NHL players, so, while technically not classified as robots, they’re all young, incredibly fit human specimens. In theory, and from what research dictates, that is precisely the demographic least impacted by Covid-19.

However, everyone reacts differently to the sometimes-devastating virus. Of the 16 positives effecting Flames players, no serious cases were reported. But that’s not to say people didn’t get sick.

What with my disciplined whisky-drinking routine, I consider myself relatively fit. I am also comparatively young, though I was born in the same epic year that Nintendo was released, so maybe I’m not so youthful anymore. Daunting reality check aside, Covid knocked me completely on my arse for a week.

And lingering residuals persist, like a relentless dry cough, shortness of breath and the inability, at times, to recollect consequential things. What am I writing about again?

So one can only assume a few Flames players are experiencing similar persisting symptoms. Darryl Sutter was speaking recently about the lack of emotion in his side’s recent performances. Depleted motivation, drained inspiration and a devoid of emotive connectedness, at least in the short term, can all be attributed to a Covid-related hangover.

And then there’s the psychological impact the virus can have on one’s family, friends and loved ones. We’d be remiss not to take this into consideration when looking at what’s been missing from the Flames’ recent subpar, comparatively emotionless performances, exclusive of Milan Lucic’s beast-like contribution against Ottawa.

And that’s without delving into the ramifications linked to stepping away from the ice for 10 days. Rust develops and confidence can seep like the inordinate amount of profuse sweat expelled on the first day back on the ice. Cohesion and chemistry can also sever. Even NHLers start to second guess themselves, if only fleetingly.

It’s not easy, after dealing with the abundance of implications the virus is associated with, to jump back to work with the same vigour, passion and devotion to the cause. But it will come, with time.

I’m definitely giving the Flames the benefit of the doubt here. Until programmed robots comprise the bulk of the Flames squad, it’s incumbent upon us to do so.