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“Pump the brakes.”
It’s an inexpensive request from Nazem Kadri, actually.
The Calgary Flames are rebuilding. Expectations are low for the approaching season. The group’s been dealing away veterans and getting youthful for over a 12 months, actually.
And that’s led to inevitable questions on whether or not the group’s remaining veterans is likely to be open to strikes elsewhere that will put them nearer to contending for a Stanley Cup.
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That may be comprehensible, wouldn’t it? An NHL profession is just so lengthy. Go for the Cup when you’ve bought the prospect.
Besides … there’s one drawback with that assumption with regards to the six veterans — MacKenzie Weegar, Nazem Kadri, Jonathan Huberdeau, Rasmus Andersson, Mikael Backlund and Blake Coleman — who we’re speaking about right here.
Not a single one among them has given any indication that they need out. Actually, they’ve all reiterated that Calgary is the place they need to be.
“I really like the town, love the group,” Kadri stated on Thursday morning at WinSport, the place the Flames are holding the primary two days of their 2024-25 coaching camp. “I really feel prefer it’s tremendous early to be asking these sorts of questions, so I’m going to ask you guys to pump the brakes just a little bit. Allow us to go play and we’re going to attempt to rally round one another and shock some folks.”
Once more, completely affordable.
The fellows within the Flames locker room imagine they’re a greater group than persons are giving them credit score for. Expectations be damned, the Flames suppose they’ll get off to a scorching begin and carry that momentum ahead.
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There are some who would say that’s wishful pondering and perhaps it’s, however what’s the choice? Accepting defeat earlier than the primary puck has even been dropped?
That’s not how skilled athletes are conditioned and that type of loser mentality has no place in an NHL dressing room.
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One query for each participant at Calgary Flames coaching camp: Half 4
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One query for each participant at Calgary Flames coaching camp: Half 3
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One query for each participant at Calgary Flames coaching camp: Half 1
However the Flames actually do imagine they’re higher than folks anticipate them to be. Talking with the media on Thursday, they doubled down on eager to be part of what the group is constructing.
Requested why he wished to be in Calgary and enjoying for the Flames, Weegar didn’t even pause for a second earlier than giving a prolonged reply.“There’s a couple of completely different causes,” Weegar stated. “They need me right here, I really feel the love from the followers and my teammates and the group which makes me need to reciprocate that proper again to them.
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“I’m snug right here, I reside in a terrific group, nice neighbours, I reside a easy way of life right here and get handled very effectively by everyone round right here, however in the end I’ve perception that this group can flip it round and turn into a playoff group and a Stanley Cup group, and that’s why I need to keep right here probably the most.”
The Flames veterans dutifully answered the questions they have been requested about being in Calgary and why they wished to remain. They’re understandably hoping that reporters will transfer on as coaching camp progresses and the common season will get nearer and the main focus begins to show to truly profitable and shedding video games.
And it’s clear that the Flames need them and wish them to be part of what they’re constructing on the Saddledome – not the brand new rink subsequent door, the brand new period.
Younger gamers must study from skilled, established veterans. They’re an essential a part of the constructing course of, and it’s value noting, too, that the Flames signed Jake Bean, Anthony Mantha, Jarred Tinordi and Ryan Lomberg in free-agency. That’s really made it tougher for rising prospects like Jakob Pelletier and Matthew Coronato to crack the roster popping out of camp this 12 months. Not all the things has been about getting youthful.
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However it’s these six veterans who will lay the inspiration for what comes subsequent. They aren’t asking to be moved, and the Flames aren’t buying them, both.
“I don’t actually know why that narrative continues to be there, that’s most likely extra you guys than us,” stated Flames head coach Ryan Huska. “They’re all essential gamers to our group, they’re those setting the usual and when you’ve gotten them pushing the best method it’s straightforward for the younger guys to comply with swimsuit, or you might say it’s exhausting for them to not comply with as a result of then they’ll get pushed apart in the event that they’re not doing issues the way in which they have to be achieved.”
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