Dennis Wideman with 8 points in 11 games, 25:06 of ice time (most on the team), and he's provided something on the back end of our powerplay that we haven't had in years; a calm consistency. When he has the puck I know he is going to move it efficiently and make a good decision with it. I've been so impressed with this signing; a perfect fit for this team and he is truly a #1 offensive d-man, which allows Bouwmeester to fit more comfortably into the #2/shutdown spot. On the defensive side of the puck, him and Brodie can do a better job of keeping shots to the outside and cutting down on those in-front-of-the-net scoring chances. A
TJ Brodie is a +6 in some decent defensive minutes on that 2nd pairing with Wideman, and he's adequately doing exactly what is asked of him. Not flashy, but steady and solid which is exactly what you want in a young d-man. He's shown he belongs at the NHL level and will be here for years to come. B+
Jay Bouwmeester has been doing pretty much exactly what's expected of him. 6 points in 11 games puts him on a better pace than his Florida days. He's jumping in the play more and definitely looks more comfortable on the offensive side of the puck than he did under Sutter. He isn't being asked to be that #1 quarterback guy on the powerplay which I think is huge, and he can play more minutes ES and on the PK. The PK has been atrocious so far this year, so I think Bouwmeester can do better than what he's currently doing. B-
Cory Sarich has been fine in his heavily sheltered minutes. He's a big body and the Flames lack that against other teams big centres. The Nystrom/Fiddler/whoever line ate us alive last night because of their size and toughness. You need a players like Sarich/Jackman/Jones who can battle down low and punish those guys or they will just walk all over us. Do I wish he was the Sarich of 5 years ago? Sure. As a $2 million #5 d-man, he's been alright. B-
Derek Smith has quietly been pretty solid as a 6/7 d-man. No points on the board but he's doing well in his sheltered minutes. No way he should be in the pressbox over Butler. C+
Giordano looks out of place playing on a pairing with Bouwmeester. He looks uncomfortable and lost. I think he is used to anchoring his own pairing, not being 2nd fiddle to a much better defenceman. He's always on the ice against the other teams best players so that's part of the -4 he's sporting. Him and Bouwmeester have done an OK job on the defensive side of the puck, except on the penalty kill where they have been piss poor. C
Chris Butler I just can't figure out. Sometimes the guy looks great and sometimes he is just god awful. I have no idea how he managed to stay on our #1 pairing with Bouwmeester ALL YEAR last year under Sutter; I think that is one of Brent's biggest failings as a coach. Anyway, he's played sheltered minutes and still been our worst defenceman by far. D
|