The Calgary Flames have had a disappointing season thus far from their standpoint.  They have suffered injuries, inconsistent and underachieving play, and a lack of production from their prospects.  They are 14th in the conference, 8 points out a playoff spot.  

Offense: C-

Jarome Iginla leads the team with 42 points in 47 games, well below a point per game pace.  Free agent acquisition Alex Tanguay is second on the team with 33 points, and is having himeself a nice bounce back season after only managing 37 points in Tampa Bay last year.  However, it ends there, as Brendan Morrison had a good start to the season, but is on a slump right now.  Perhaps the only positive the Flames have is the play from blue liner Mark Giordano.  He is on pace to score 37 points this season, a career high.

Players to watch: Jarome Iginla, Rene Bourque, Olli Jokinen

Defense: C

Jay Bouwmeester has not developed into the defenceman they thought he would be when they acquired him,  but is providing the Flames with over 26 minutes played per night, and has a respectable +5 rating.  Corey Sarich and Robyn Regehr are the only other defencemen to have plus ratings.  Although defenceman Mark Giordano is having himself a nice offensive season, he sits at a -11 rating, worst among defenceman after putting up a +17 rating last season.  The Flames gave up on Ian White, a large part of the much criticized Dion Phaneuf trade last season, sending White to Carolina as part of a package deal in return for Anton Babchuk.  Babchuk is playing well as a Flame, and has a good hard shot from the point on the power play.  

Players to watch: Mark Giordano, Robyn Regehr, Jay Bouwmeester

Goaltending: C

It's always good news for any hockey team when your backup goalie has better numbers than your starter, right? Well, Henrik Karlsson has a better goals against average, and a better save percentage than the extremely inconsistent Miikka Kiprusoff.  Kipper has been highly criticized by his own organization for his shaky play as of late and coach Brent Sutter has been quoted saying he has lost faith in him right now.  However, as anyone that has followed Kiprusoff knows, he can be a game changer, and is quite capable of bouncing back at anytime.

Players to watch: Miikka Kiprusoff, Henrik Karlsson

Overall team grade: C

Jordon Judge

HockeyGods