Calgary Flames: A Decade of Despair

For the past decade, the Calgary Flames have been stuck in a cycle of mediocrity, failing to make the playoffs more often than not. Their last playoff appearance was in 2019, and they haven't won a Stanley Cup since 1989. What's gone wrong?

Lack of Star Power

One of the biggest problems for the Flames has been their lack of star power. They haven't had a truly elite player since Jarome Iginla left in 2013. Their current leading scorer, Johnny Gaudreau, is a very good player, but he's not a superstar. The Flames need to find a way to attract or develop a true difference-maker.

Poor Goaltending

Another major issue for the Flames has been their goaltending. They have had a revolving door in net, with no one able to establish themselves as a reliable starter. Mike Smith has been a disappointment since signing a big contract in 2021, and Jacob Markstrom has been inconsistent. The Flames need to find a way to stabilize their goaltending situation.

Bad Coaching

The Flames have also had a lot of turnover behind the bench. They have had four different head coaches in the past 10 years, and none of them have been able to turn the team around. Geoff Ward was fired in 2021 after just one season, and Darryl Sutter was brought in to replace him. Sutter has a lot of experience, but he hasn't been able to get the Flames to the playoffs yet.

Bad Luck

The Flames have also had their share of bad luck. They have been injured a lot, and they have also lost some key players to free agency. In 2019, they lost Dougie Hamilton to the Carolina Hurricanes, and in 2020, they lost T.J. Brodie to the Toronto Maple Leafs. These are two of their best defensemen, and their loss has been a big blow.

What's Next?

The Flames are at a crossroads. They have a lot of talented players, but they need to find a way to put it all together. They need to find a way to get better goaltending, and they need to find a way to stay healthy. They also need to find a way to get more consistent coaching. If they can do all of those things, they have the potential to be a playoff team. But if they can't, they could be in for another decade of despair.

Call to Action

If you're a Flames fan, don't give up. The team is going through a tough time, but there is always hope. Keep supporting the team, and keep believing. One day, the Flames will be back on top.