A year ago, the Calgary Flames lost Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk in free agency and the trade market, and while they got a solid return for the latter, it exposed a major problem in Calgary.
An unfortunate truth
Right now, the Flames find themselves lacking behind their biggest rival in the Edmonton Oilers, who have two of the best players in the NHL, and it might be getting worse.
The Flames head into 2023-24 with six players (Hanifin, Lindholm, Zadorov, Kylington, Tanev and Backlund) all on contract years, and according to Mackenzie Weegar, this highlights a huge problem facing the Flames.
Who wants to play in Calgary?
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Both Weegar and Jonathan Huberdeau, along with Nazem Kadri signalled their intent to play in Calgary a season ago, but according to Weegar, that's becoming an over-arching issue for the organization.
There's lots of rumors of guys not wanting to be here or guys staying. To be honest, I kind of keep my head out of it and my nose out of it. I just want guys that want to be here.
For me, the turnover, it doesn't really affect me. All that matters is the guys that want to be here and guys that want to win here in Calgary, and if you don't want to be a part of it, unfortunately, you have to move on even if they're great friends and great guys. For me, you want to win, and I think we want to win now. It starts with Craig and Husk at the helm.
For me, the turnover, it doesn't really affect me. All that matters is the guys that want to be here and guys that want to win here in Calgary, and if you don't want to be a part of it, unfortunately, you have to move on even if they're great friends and great guys. For me, you want to win, and I think we want to win now. It starts with Craig and Husk at the helm.
There's players out there that would love a shot in Calgary, as the future appears to be somewhat bright with the Flames, but until they can move off those UFA's that don't want to represent the C of Red, things won't be able to turn around for Calgary.
As Read on TheScore - Weegar: Flames need players who 'want to be here'
| POLL | ||
21 AOUT | 36 ANSWERS Mackenzie Weegar Reveals the Real Challenges of Playing in Calgary Can Weegar and the Flames make a playoff push in 2023-24? | ||
| Yes | 19 | 52.8 % |
| No | 17 | 47.2 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
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