Calgary Flames Fans: Where’s the Good News in This Start?

Well, Calgary Flames fans, I’m going to try something a little different today. Instead of spending another 500 words telling you how badly things are going, I’m going to look for something worth holding on to. It’s not easy.

The Flames are 0-4-0; they’ve been outscored 23-6, and Thursday night’s 7-3 loss to the Colorado Avalanche was another reminder of how much work this team has ahead of it. Four games into the season, Calgary is the only NHL team without a point. Ironically, they were overwhelmed by Calgary-born Cale Makar. That’s a rough way to begin the final season at the Scotiabank Saddledome.

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What Can Flames Fans Pull from the Season’s Poor Start?

But let’s take a breath. The Flames knew this would be a difficult season. The question is whether they can find a few things to build on while they work through it. I think there are two worth mentioning.

First, At Least the Offence Showed Some Life

Six goals in four games isn’t going to get anybody excited. However, Calgary scored three times against Colorado, with Adam Klapka, Mikael Backlund, and Kevin Bahl finding the net. Three goals don’t make a 7-3 loss a moral victory. But I do like seeing different players contribute. Backlund is a veteran who knows what it takes to compete in this league, and getting offence from a defenceman like Bahl is another little bonus.

The Flames need more players to contribute. They can’t depend on one line or a couple of individuals to do all the work. If they can start getting goals from different parts of the lineup, that’s at least something to build on. Now they have to find a way to turn those moments into competitive hockey.

Second, The Goaltending Has Room to Rebound

This one comes with a big asterisk. Devin Cooley and Dustin Wolf have struggled early, and nobody can pretend otherwise. When a team allows 23 goals in four games, the goaltenders will be part of the conversation. But I’m not ready to believe that’s all they can offer. I actually believe the goalie situation in Calgary is one of the team’s strengths.

Wolf and Cooley have shown they can make saves at this level. Four games don’t erase that. Calgary needs better defensive play in front of them, too, because asking a goaltender to survive a steady stream of dangerous chances is a pretty difficult way to make a living.

If the goaltending settles down and the team tightens up defensively, the games could become a little more manageable. That’s not a prediction. It’s a chance.

What Should Flames Fans Watch For?

Forget the standings for a moment. Watch for improvement. Can Calgary keep games closer? Can more players contribute offensively? Can the young players earn bigger roles? Those are reasonable things to look for in a rebuilding season.

The Flames have a long way to go, and a bad start doesn’t mean there’s nothing worth watching. Sometimes, you have to look for the little things before the bigger things arrive. Let’s see whether Calgary can give us a few more reasons to be optimistic.

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