Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post

Savvy27 · 04-21-2013, 01:06 PM

- What are the strengths of the team right now? Offensive D
Skilled top 9 F
LW

- What are the obvious weaknesses?
Defensive D
Goaltending (going forward)
First line F
Size F + D
Grit
Faceoffs
RW

- Do you draft for a position player or for the best available player?
BPA (though if it is close I would prefer a C)

- Do you fill the weaknesses of the team via existing AHL/drafted players or by signing new free agents?
For size and grit in the bottom six, I want to see Reinhart and Bouma on the team next season.

- Which free agents, if any, should be targeted?
I have some interest in Nathan Horton as we are so weak on RW and he has size and skill. I was reading up on him on Bruins fan sites and he has taken a big step back in his physical game since the concussion. He missed nearly a full season so it is possible that he can bounce back but that is a red flag. I would offer him an overpayment in exchange for a shorter contract (2 years).

Regehr: I would inquire to see if he can be brought back to play a shutdown/pk role. He is post-apex and has lost a step but the pickings are slim and our team needs to toughen up on the back-end big time.

Scuderi: I've been watching him when LA is on and he is a very solid D who has won cups in PIT and LA. Not a top pair guy, but he can add leadership and competent defensive play to a team that gives up way too many prime scoring chances.

Khudobin: I think he could be the next Craig Anderson. He needs an opportunity to run with it.

- Where should we be with regards to the salary cap next year?
Keep at least $8 million open

- How long do we anticipate the rebuilding process taking based on our existing assets? Do we aim for a 2 year, 3 year, 5 year plan?
Ideally we can have a competitive team in 2014-15 and be on the right track to building a contender from there. That is really hard to project though.
It may very well take longer.

- Is our coaching as good as it needs to be?
Watching the Flames kill penalties like idiots and also give away 3 or 4 unbelievable scoring chances every game had me thinking that Hartley should be fired or, at the very least, his assistant should be replaced with a guy who understands NHL defensive systems. However, since the trade deadline, the team has really tightened up and I wonder if their system requires committed back-pressure that they just weren't getting with all of those veterans.

I'm willing to give Hartley another year, especially given that he didn't get a training camp this time around.

- Do you see any existing Flames that can be traded for an asset or two?
Tanguay: I think that he can slot into a top 6 role on many teams. He says all the right things in interviews about committing himself to working hard shift in, shift out and being a leader for the young guys, but he hasn't put that together.

Stempniak: I probably wouldn't trade him as he plays well with young guys and we have no right wingers, but I think he could get something in a trade.

Glencross/Giordano: could get something but I would keep them.

04-21-2013, 01:06 PM	#5
Savvy27 #1 Goaltender Join Date: Sep 2002 Exp:	- What are the strengths of the team right now? Offensive D Skilled top 9 F LW - What are the obvious weaknesses? Defensive D Goaltending (going forward) First line F Size F + D Grit Faceoffs RW - Do you draft for a position player or for the best available player? BPA (though if it is close I would prefer a C) - Do you fill the weaknesses of the team via existing AHL/drafted players or by signing new free agents? For size and grit in the bottom six, I want to see Reinhart and Bouma on the team next season. - Which free agents, if any, should be targeted? I have some interest in Nathan Horton as we are so weak on RW and he has size and skill. I was reading up on him on Bruins fan sites and he has taken a big step back in his physical game since the concussion. He missed nearly a full season so it is possible that he can bounce back but that is a red flag. I would offer him an overpayment in exchange for a shorter contract (2 years). Regehr: I would inquire to see if he can be brought back to play a shutdown/pk role. He is post-apex and has lost a step but the pickings are slim and our team needs to toughen up on the back-end big time. Scuderi: I've been watching him when LA is on and he is a very solid D who has won cups in PIT and LA. Not a top pair guy, but he can add leadership and competent defensive play to a team that gives up way too many prime scoring chances. Khudobin: I think he could be the next Craig Anderson. He needs an opportunity to run with it. - Where should we be with regards to the salary cap next year? Keep at least $8 million open - How long do we anticipate the rebuilding process taking based on our existing assets? Do we aim for a 2 year, 3 year, 5 year plan? Ideally we can have a competitive team in 2014-15 and be on the right track to building a contender from there. That is really hard to project though. It may very well take longer. - Is our coaching as good as it needs to be? Watching the Flames kill penalties like idiots and also give away 3 or 4 unbelievable scoring chances every game had me thinking that Hartley should be fired or, at the very least, his assistant should be replaced with a guy who understands NHL defensive systems. However, since the trade deadline, the team has really tightened up and I wonder if their system requires committed back-pressure that they just weren't getting with all of those veterans. I'm willing to give Hartley another year, especially given that he didn't get a training camp this time around. - Do you see any existing Flames that can be traded for an asset or two? Tanguay: I think that he can slot into a top 6 role on many teams. He says all the right things in interviews about committing himself to working hard shift in, shift out and being a leader for the young guys, but he hasn't put that together. Stempniak: I probably wouldn't trade him as he plays well with young guys and we have no right wingers, but I think he could get something in a trade. Glencross/Giordano: could get something but I would keep them. Last edited by Savvy27; 04-21-2013 at 01:25 PM.