Calgary Flames' defensive problems have grown worse following significant trades prior to the NHL trade deadline, such as Chris Tanev and Noah Hanifin having left.

Image credits: social media

Even with strong goaltending performances, the Flames have struggled to contain opposing teams' offensive efforts.

[{"selector":"#anim-295a4d55-c15d-48e7-a06d-698d45385738 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0de0f518-ca6d-4cd4-9b32-e14e9d46653b","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1a435c16-42aa-47c8-a4b7-3bec1837349a","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ac9ee3f8-54b3-4b77-848e-b6b33293ef4a","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f8e58574-f532-42f6-9500-a6e81a30001d","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Image credits: social media

A recent 6-2 loss against the Colorado Avalanche highlights their defensive flaws.

[{"selector":"#anim-dcc9031b-c0b6-4dc3-901f-628755d3f45b [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.240844612732676%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8369f5fc-f6c1-40d3-86d3-56d04fa93b0d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b99b03ba-b82d-4a8e-a64a-693974fb1356","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-60807a36-63fb-4977-9a34-42b4ba02a173","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8a7e68e3-2bfa-4ee8-b124-ff7952a60088","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Image credits: social media

Newcomers Daniil Miromanov and Nikita Okhotiuk offer hope of defensive improvement but require time to integrate.

[{"selector":"#anim-2cafda8f-91c2-4b46-9bd2-4fe62e81a7b2 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6eac8207-6729-43f1-9706-56e16a99319f","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-690b97de-d4c9-4bc5-8b51-6ab06cd3970a","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-29720fb9-6aee-4ecf-bfef-7880d5d6a4eb","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9e28b67e-607e-461e-9401-6e1af8abd9ec","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Image credits: social media

Established players such as Rasmus Andersson and Oliver Kylington have struggled defensively, adding further strain.

[{"selector":"#anim-c8c91ff2-9872-41ee-b9c6-94fe4d4535f7 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-34.179687404002955%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7414ab21-0d5a-49b2-b976-e67eb0341d0d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(68.46361%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fec324c6-5524-4d16-af23-e4e1efb31527","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d1cab302-d159-4e29-bd4a-b95e7db8cb74","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6699cd2f-6c42-484b-b204-cc03aa2c299b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c738d2af-2650-47c1-b953-a4c4fca56fb1","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Image credits: social media

The Flames' resilience was clear when they took an early lead against the Avalanche.

[{"selector":"#anim-8b2a06dc-1183-4c17-90d7-ce65502708a5 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-930d4f54-a657-470a-b1c7-4c18b7683626","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(69.74220%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-516e66fe-e915-459e-96c9-3f324777fbe7","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e2532457-af18-49c0-a1ec-400eb66dda0c","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-dfd16668-e230-49b9-b3da-e8fa947f0a37","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(115.38461%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4bcf4cab-a935-41e2-a52f-40c22789d265","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d3a43817-bcd0-45a2-b0ad-205d637a3356","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] Image credits: social media

Unfortunately, they couldn't sustain it and now face another losing streak as key defensive assets are traded away for other teams.

[{"selector":"#anim-95537799-3fb7-4aa8-a57a-e3cd74e7dfec [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-28.90624987200394%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4fd76f68-b32b-4ca0-87b4-d392cf43c2b5","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(69.61853%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-066d302c-0c8d-437e-a385-16044f71bcb6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-df5463c0-a30a-4741-9954-0d3b504def89","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5bb22ace-656f-4bd7-9f11-233682e8b8ff","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-121.99313%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b2474667-d270-431a-9f6d-fe8890825dd2","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e999f694-2738-4e5c-9bea-b67402b25d31","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] Image credits: social media

Although they experienced short-term setbacks, the Calgary Flames' commitment to recruiting young talent and draft picks shows an overall long-term plan for success.

[{"selector":"#anim-b23a5ee9-8e70-4502-910b-27bda2617f7e [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-34.17795556901708%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ee0f4719-5ff5-4d32-9203-2154604fae1d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(69.14750%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ecb16a28-8a1f-411a-a9c9-c9aae0106876","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-70d9008a-0f2d-4fff-b804-a49877295a39","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fc57d70b-2166-4b05-ab89-37a244993e8d","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cb84fd0a-a546-44e1-9ff5-da05eaadba8e","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Image credits: social media

At this transitional phase in their history, the Flames must prioritize strengthening defensive strength.

[{"selector":"#anim-ea89215b-bd59-4043-bab8-5daa97c9e47b [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1c764fbd-1aca-4df5-89d4-6a8ba1de9d81","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(69.28375%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4c33cebb-0bbe-4dd1-a611-12f699aa600f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d2d68205-92b3-4f4a-8b36-a90394c34c94","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4d5f21d2-3b88-4c9f-9646-70a87b61a67f","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-120.47782%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-124d6e34-d70e-4fc0-abe2-6c3e363ebf6d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-42d09bf8-c8e9-4515-9d2f-a9de60824736","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] Image credits: social media

While at the same time keeping team morale strong and unifying the entire squad.

[{"selector":"#anim-c713a208-da96-4fa4-a3ef-9380a4783104 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-34.179687404002955%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2b9c1a81-ad02-414b-8bf8-ece357255cb6","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(69.01218%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e511a038-af1f-4545-ada7-3999cb24472e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c12bf5c7-71eb-436f-b335-7c6899e83909","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6abedded-97b9-4795-96ac-aef456743bf8","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-120.48611%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fc48cbd5-0dd9-4900-93e4-512c400896fc","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-066003fd-ddf7-4566-a06b-90dff0dc4982","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] Image credits: social media