The Calgary Flames are in a familiar position: at the bottom of the table, having allowed the most goals in the NHL.
It's been 14 games, and with only five wins to show for them, president Brian Burke is running out of patience. Especially after a 1-3 road trip.
Burke explained what's dogging his team Monday on Sportsnet960 The Fan, and, after bringing up turnovers and special teams (Calgary ranks 28th on the power play and 29th on the penalty kill), he went in on Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan - two players who recently signed massive extensions.
"Our top players aren't getting it done," Burke said. "I'm not one for calling players out or naming names, but our top guys are not playing up to their level - it's that simple."
Gaudreau has two goals and six assists in 14 games, and while his eight points are second on the team, he's a team-worst minus-11. Monahan's got four goals and one assist in 14 games, and checks in at minus-10.
Brian Elliott's struggled in goal, too, with an .887 save percentage in nine games, but Burke refuses to blame his goalies, who are battling in the crease but getting no help.
He made a point of saying that what ails the Flames isn't a lack of effort. He's been around the block, and knows the mental hurdles that come with big-money extensions for young players.
"We believe in these guys," Burke said. But he's tired of the excuses.
