Five Ways To Fix The Fizzling Flames

The Calgary Flames are about as up-and-down as Kyle McWellwood’s career with the Canucks. So I decided to make a list of five things the team could do to improve and avoid finishing in eighth place in the Western Conference once again this season.

5. Darryl Sutter Back Behind the Bench

It has become quite apparent that nobody is suited for coaching this team besides Sutter. The Flames have responded to Keenan about as well as they did for Playfair.

So what gives?

Maybe Keenan needs to put the "iron" back in his name? I mean is it just me, or does this guy seem to smile behind the bench more than the hot blonde girl that always sits in section 109? You know the one that the camera always pans on sitting behind the players with an awestruck look on her face.

4.  Get a Second Line

I don't think I have ever seen a team go without second line scoring as long as the Flames have and actually succeed.

You have to go back to the early ‘90s to find a Calgary squad with a good second line.

After Iginla and Bertuzzi, no forward has over four goals—making it easy for the opposition to shut them down, and on some nights making it harder to watch then reruns of Full House.

3. Find a Back-up that can Challenge Kiprusoff

Ever since Roman Turek departed, Mikka has been in a steady decline. He came around at the end of last season when the team picked up Curtis Joseph, so why not try it again.

The fact is Kiprusoff is way too comfortable knowing he is going to get his 75 games—even though he has a save percentage under .900 and a goals against over 3.00.

Where the heck is Roman Turek anyhow?

2. Somebody Teach Todd Bertuzzi to Back Check

Bertuzzi has been great when he is on the offense, and it's been fun to watch. But jeesh, his play away from the puck is about as good as listening to Celine Dion bust out a version of Rod Stewarts "Do You Think I'm Sexy.'

Big Bert is a team worst -9 on the year.

Sure he will out-score Owen Nolan, but it all equals out if he is -40 at the end of the season.

1. Step up the Conditioning

The Flames seem to run out of gas come the third period, and good young teams are taking advantage—maybe break out a Richard Simmons "Sweating to the Oldies" tape?

Whatever it is, the team looks old and sluggish on nights they even win, and that isn't going to get them out of the first round of the playoffs...or in for that matter.