Plethora of Pressure
Too much pressure. That sums up the problems of the Calgary Flames.
It’s not that they lack scoring depth. It’s not that they lack a number one centerman to play with Jarome Iginla. It’s not that they rely too much on Miikka Kiprusoff.
Calgary, from head-to-toe, is under intense pressure from the media, from the fans, from themselves, from everyone. The early pressure has focused mostly on newcomer Alex Tanguay, who was apparently supposed to turn last year’s third lowest scoring team (the worst two were the Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues, who finished 28th and 30th overall) into an offensive powerhouse. Pressure!
The pressure has also been focused on Iginla, despite having 9 points (5 goals 4 assists) in 9 games. In fact, Iginla generally starts off very slow, picking his pace up more and more as the season progresses. If that trend continues, Iginla could have a career year. But when the team ain’t winning, the captain can expect to face pressure no matter how well he’s doing.
The pressure has especially been focused on new headcoach Jim Playfair, who walks into really unfair circumstances. Is there anyone out there who would want to follow up a Suter? Even worse than his predecessor (and still boss) is the expectations he faces. With his team “expected” to compete for the Conference title, not to mention the Stanley Cup, what can Playfair do but disappoint?
Calgary will improve. They’re too stingy and too deep on the blueline for anything else to happen. And Kipper has proven himself to be the steadying influence every team wishes it could have between the pipes. But the team will improve faster if the expectations weren’t so high. The division, the conference, the league that Calgary plays in is tough! Very tough! And they are quite simply not a powerhouse. I still wouldn’t want to face them in the playoffs.
And that may be the best thing anyone can say about any team in the NHL these days.