Long form take on the playoffs and the team:
Up front: The top line struggled, that's clear enough. The question for me is whether the current players can learn from it and improve what needs to be improved or whether fundamentally they are regular season performers due to style. To me, Monahan and Gaudreau lacked intensity and a willingness to push through playoff checking. Johnny in particular lacked the intensity I've seen from him in the past - Monahan has always been a less aggressive player, less driven on emotion. So again, is this what they are forever, or can they take another step? To some degree I wonder if the off ice stuff plays a part and if so, can that change? The top line also has to show the ability to go against the opponent top line. It's too hard to constantly match a checking line against guys like Mackinnon, McDavid, etc. given the minutes those guys play nowadays.
The Flames depth, supposedly a strength, wasn't there either. Tkachuk should have been a playoff performer, but he wasn't - injured by Zadorov? I think Treliving has to be willing to part with a couple guys though, and I think he will do it. Frolik can be replaced. I like Backlund a lot, but perhaps he's not the shutdown guy he once was. The third line needs an overhaul. Jankowski is just not suited to playoff hockey. Bennett is (in fact he actually benefits from the looser penalty standards). Neal was bad, but I continue to think they don't use him as best they can. He seemed to be behind the net a lot this series, trying to pass out front - the opposite of where he should be. Like Brouwer, I see what Treliving was trying to accomplish in getting Neal. But he needs to aim younger and quicker. The fourth line was just fine, sop there's that.
Defence: I think not much needs to change other than Brodie might be sacrificed to improve the forward ranks. Valimaki and Andersson were revelations to me - I never expected such poise out of either one. Hanifin is only 22. Hamonic is fine, as long as he can be healthy given his style of play. I'd try and move Stone, and keep Fantenberg around for depth. Kylington will have a real shot at making the team though.
Goaltending: As much as Smith did to repair his image, I wouldn't re-sign him. Not even for a single year. Rittich should be given a chance to start, and let's see if one of the others can take a step.
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