Quote:
Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache
I find it interesting how generally sour people are on guys like Brodie and Frolik.
The idea or narrative that there are any number of people ready to take their places doesn’t compute for me at this point.
Gio was a 38 point guy last year (and Hamilton’s 44 gave the top pair 82)
This year, Gio, playing mainly with Brodie, could end up being a 80 point guy himself (!), not to mention the 40 or so additional points Brodie should put up.
Frolik came in from Winnipeg off of 2 seasons where he was .5 ppg and played a complete game. The 3M line was the toast of the town and people loved him when he had 44 points in 82, and was +13.
This year, he has spent time up and down the lineup, scratched, and his agent had to note that a good asset was being wasted. Guess what he is doing in the ice? 0.5 PPG, +18. He is on par total production wise with Ryan, Bennett, and Janko, but it is while playing 3/4 of the games. He is the 6th most productive forward, and gets no PP time
I acknowledge that some people take the position that they are both UFAs after next year, salaries and roles need to be evaluated, and some younger players will need to grow.
But the sentiment towards these guys, and the implication that they are not very solid value for money now? Thanks for nothing to two guys who have been steady reliable and productive guys.
Man, Gulutzan did a number on more than just the team last year.
I am glad Tre is the GM and not the people on CP that complain about these guys.
I’d love to see them back next year.
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I don't necessarily think people have soured on Brodie but think its a case of asset management.
We have 7 good assets on defense that can all play in the NHL as well as having Stone signed who probably has very little value. Out of the valuable 7 Brodie and Hamonic are UFA's at the end of next season.
Even if we keep all 7 and re-sign everyone you still only have 6 regular spots on defense so that means you are sitting a player that shouldn't be sitting when a) they are good enough to be in any teams top 6 b) they need to play in order to keep developing (Hanifin, Valimaki, Andersson, Kylington).
We have been fairly lucky with injuries on defense the last couple years, which may be a product of Smith's puck handling, but regardless I think we have 8 guys that should play each and every night. One is Stone so we don't worry about him too much but the others all need to play regularly.
Now you need to choose 1 out of the 7 who is deemed extendable based upon a number of considerations. Logic would dictate Gio and Hanifin are going to be longtime Flames and Valimaki and Andersson are a big part of the future.
For me Hamonic provides too many intangibles to deem him expendable (RHed, gritty, defensive, has size, hits) therefore its between Brodie and Kylington.
Kylington is alot like Brodie when he was young in that they both skate extremely well, are known for their offensive abilities and have had defensive shortcomings coming out of the draft.
I know Brodie has rejuvenated his career this season but I pick the younger asset who has the potential to get better and has a cheap contract over Brodie who is approaching 30, will demand $5mill AAV and has mixed results when playing away from elite dman Gio.
We could use Kylington's low cap hit and the space created by offloading Brodie to upgrade in the top 6 forwards and in net.
It just makes sense does it not?
In regards to Frolik his agent publicly calling out the coach soured alot of us on him especially when he has been trending down in regards to offensive contributions on the 2nd line. He isn't a top 6 forward and we have guys in Dube who could take his roster spot.
In short I actually think ppl have sweetened their opinions of Brodie compared to last year but our depth and expiring contract situation requires us to make a choice on the backend. Frolik we have soured on because he put himself before the team and got his agent to make headlines over his situation. I know this was a last resort because he likely tried everything else before this tactic but I still didn't like it. He was always a player I deemed expendable anyways.