Quote:
Originally Posted by Strange Brew
Surprised there aren’t hundreds of people thanking this post. This team still has a talent gap IMO. Mostly up front but the so called offensive defensemen after Gio and Hamilton don’t score at all.
A different coach might help for sure. But it runs deeper than that.
That’s why I roll my eyes at suggestion of trading Gaudreau. I can’t imagine a return that would improve the team unless it’s another tear down.
|
Because, like so many other posts, it is far too one-dimensional and dismissive.
Yes, the Flames need more talent.
But a very significant reason for their lack of goal scoring was their style of play. It killed creativity. It killed speed. It almost eliminated the D from the offence (Flames D should be top 10, if not top 5 in points, but were 22nd as of a week or two ago), players weren't utilized properly, Backlund and Frolik and many others had incredibly low shooting percentages.
The list goes on. They are not the most offensively talented team in the league, no question. But simply stating that they don't have enough talent, and that is the bottom line, really misses the mark and ignores some serious issues IMO.
Dismissing the systems/coaching issues because Johnny had a career year is oblivious to what is actually going on. The fact is that Gaudreau is still young and improving. And last year was a tough year for him with the new contract and no camp. So him having a career year is no surprise - in fact I would have bet on it. But that doesn't mean that his year was maximized. With a better PP and a better style of play, who is to say he couldn't have had 10 or 15
more points?
Same is true for Monahan and Hamilton. So to me, the 'career year' argument is completely off the mark. IMO, almost every player, to a man, had less production this year than they should have. That can even be said for Johnny.