What a glorious time to be alive here in the C of Red. Hockey is back, expectations were tapered, and then immediately and dramatically exceeded. It truly is a wonderful vibe here in beautiful Calgary, AB.
After what was the most devastating imaginable lead-up to the NHL season, with the heartbreaking loss of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, the Flames entered the season with some emotional weight, as well as some expectations of what was sure to be a disappointing year in the standings. With the loss of numerous key pieces, and a laundry list of electric young talent looking to crack the opening night roster, the outlook for the future was much brighter than the outlook for right now.
My God, were we ever wrong.
Now, every year the Flames get a little hot to start the year, and I immediately get on the keys here at TMS talking about how the Cup Parade down the Red Mile is going to be the best thing of the year. I told myself after this week came to its end that I wasn’t going to do that.
The biggest lies are the ones we tell ourselves.
We are, say it with me, SO. BACK. Huberdeau has 5 points through 4, finally looking like someone who isn’t actively stealing from the organization we hold so dear. Raz looks like a man possessed, possibly looking for his shot at the Dustin Byfuglien transition to power foward (see below). The youngsters look hungry, we have an absolutely electric story in Costco Kirkland, and Dustin Wolf has finally been granted the time between the pipes that we have been waiting for after watching him impress with the Wranglers.
To this point, the Flames have done it all. They have overcome a deep deficit at the hands of the Canucks, they’ve stolen Chapter 1 of the 2024-25 Battle of Alberta, and they’ve shown out and won what SHOULD be winnable games. Are they going 82-0? Maybe. But, probably no, they aren’t. However at the time I write this, they stand as the only undefeated team in the NHL.
While there’s still a ton of hockey left to play, putting yourself 4 games over .500 to kick off the young season is a very good precedent to set. When the other shoe drops, the squad will have a taste of winning tough, hard-fought battles, and hopefully the bouncing back after a loss will always come quickly. More importantly, if the roster can continue to perform at an even comparable level to what we’ve seen thus far, the Flames are going to make anyone they see work for it, which is all we can ask for.
In the span of Week 1, I personally went from “That pick is only good if we finish bottom 10”, to “I don’t know what the hell is happening but I fuckin’ like it”.
Now, simply because we can, let’s take a look at some of the more memorable moments of the first week, aside from Raz undressing the entire Oilers lineup as seen earlier.
Obviously we cannot begin talking about hockey until we address the absolutely incredible tributes we have seen to Johnny Hockey across the league. Starting in Columbus, where his absence is obviously going to be noted on a second to second basis. Hanging a #13 banner in the rafters, presenting a beautiful tribute to Johnny and Matthew, beginning the night with an open LW, placing the puck in Johnny’s spot once more for 13 seconds, and seeing long time close friend and former Flame Sean Monahan pot one and point to Johnny’s number hanging proudly above the ice, the Blue Jackets did an unreal job from top to bottom. I’m going to be posting the full videos from both Columbus and Calgary, because they’re more than worth the watch if you haven’t had the chance yet.
Onto Calgary, who also paid an emotional tribute to Gaudreau, highlighting some of his more storied goals with spotlights on the ice, playing his personal goal song, and seeing the C of Red blow the roof off for Johnny one more time.
Seeing the unbelievable legacy that Johnny left in two different places is such a powerful statement to what this sport can bring to us.
Now to move onto some other things worth a look this week.
Drafted ten years ago by Nashville, Justin “Costco” Kirkland played 7 games in his first 8 years in the league. On the way to the arena to lace up for his 8th, he was involved in a horrific car accident, leaving him with serious head trauma, facial fractures, and a new lease on life. His appearance on the Calgary roster represents his 3rd call up to NHL action, where this year we saw him score his first career goal, pick up an assist to match, as well as showcasing a gritty game, seeing him absolutely soak shots in clutch moments. (Fun Fact: The last two players to score their first career goal after 10 years in the league are Tristan Jarry and Linus Ullmark). He has truly been a joy to watch, albeit with the expectation that upcoming roster moves and injury recoveries may end with some disappointing changes in scenery for some of the bottom 6, although that change is scenery is just a move down the hallway.
Dustin Wolf has seen himself on the full-time roster as well, after absolutely shredding the AHL with the hometown Wranglers. Picking up a Goaltender of the Year and matching AHL MVP award in 2023, he has moved on up to the show and has performed exactly as we’ve hoped to see. Carrying a .944 SV% and a GAA of 2.02, Wolf has found himself in the W column twice, alongside tandem-mate Dan Vladar. With experience under his belt now that does not include “Let’s get the kids some PT” at the end of last years disappointing campaign, Wolf seems primed and ready to establish himself further as the goaltender of the Flames’ future.
I’m just gonna come out and say it, until I am proven wrong, I’m standing firmly atop the mountain shouting that the Flames are going all the way. Is it possible I suffer tragic injuries amid my fall from said mountain? Yes. Is it also possible that the Hockey Gods see fit to bless us with a little but of unexpected joy after a brutal last year and an emotional offseason? Also yes. The possibilities are endless and until I see which one I get, I’m leaning on the side of positivity, probably at my own peril, but to hell with it. We’re a wagon, we’re gonna stay a wagon, and if I’m wrong, who cares, I’m wrong.
We. Are. So. Back.
The Morning Skate 