from Eric Francis of the Calgary Sun,

... ever since Christmas, the Flames, with a nod to NFL coach Dennis Green, “are what we thought they were.”

It’s no knock on the current cast of characters caught in the state of flux the Flames will likely find themselves over the next two or three years. There’s just not enough talent in there to mount a serious threat unless a perfect storm of exemplary effort, execution and fortuitous bounces combine to shock an opponent.

It’s only happened 15 times the first 44 games, and you can bet the farm it’ll happen plenty less over the balance of the schedule, as Brian Burke — or whoever is running this ship — starts piecing off assets of any value for young prospects and/or draft picks.

Gone before March 5 are bound to be a bevy of pending unrestricted free agents sent packing, such as Michael Cammalleri, Matt Stajan, Lee Stempniak and Chris Butler — and maybe even Dennis Wideman if the Flames can find someone who will take his costly contract off their hands.

The aforementioned five are a combined minus-83, and every day they remain Flames, their stock takes another hit on the open market.

Tough to figure out exactly who the kids on the club are expected to learn from at times like these when a malaise has set in for players, coaches and the poor fans who are so disheartened they don’t even boo this beleaguered bunch anymore.

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