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

Calgary4LIfe · 10-12-2020, 11:50 AM

I disagree with the expectations that this team needs a career year.

If everyone just hits the median point between the last two seasons' worth of production, then this team should be comfortably in the playoffs.

I think the Flames are done for the most part. They need to get Mangiapane signed soon, and Treliving needs to add some cheap depth right now. A 4th line of Rinaldo - Ryan - Robinson is a bit of a downgrade from Jankowski and Reider, no matter how much you like or dislike those players.

Flames' AHL depth for the season (for forwards) is probably limited to (and probably in order) Gawdin, Phillips and Ruzicka. I don't think anyone is pushing out Rinaldo there, but hopefully. I think Treliving needs to sign 2 AHL depth players with NHL experience at least, just to make sure a rash of injuries doesn't suddenly see a bottom two lines of:
Rinaldo - Ryan - Robinson
Ruzicka - Gawdin - Phillips

On defence I think he needs to add another NHL-experienced defender like a Prout even. Mackey and Yelesin are there, but that's 2 or 3 games of NHL experience between them. Tanev does have a reputation for getting hurt in practically every season (including last season where he got hurt on the last game before the shutdown), and injuries happen anyway.

I think with a tandem of Markstrom and Rittich, there will be less pucks in the net. Even looking at Rittich alone, having him not play as often (and having to play through injury last season) will probably be good for him. He will still play regularly though, as he will have to with a condensed schedule. I think his numbers will improve. Defence is younger and more inexperienced, but Calgary has been rolling one of the best defences in the league for a few seasons now with poor results. I am ok with this change, especially since I think the bottom 4 are young and all have upside.

Maybe Treliving has a trade in the works, I don't know. We will see.

What I think is critical is that Ward comes in with a better system. That top line needs to play more on the rush. Don't tell me that "You can't score goals in the playoffs off the rush" - I don't know why this keeps getting repeated, but goals off the rush ALWAYS happen in the playoffs. Yes, things get tighter and more physical, and you get a large amount of 'ugly goals' that go in because players are more willing to attack the net, but you see plenty of goals scored on the rush and a large number of breakaway chances.

I think Ward has the benefit of having been an assistant on this team for a while, then having first-hand head coaching experiencing of this team for a while, but this is his first opportunity to figure out a better system for the team as constructed. That's his job. That top line can't chip and chase effectively or create off the cycle much. Gaudreau was 'super' when he takes the puck in with OPTIONS and finds trailers. Make that adjustment to the top line. Ideally, I think this team could have used a 'Ferland type' if that's the system that they want that top line to play - someone who is quick on the forecheck, great along the boards, has some skill to his game and has a nice shot. Ferland may not have been a 1st liner, but he was effective enough to help keep that line dangerous. The RW'ers on that line moving down a line would have been good too. That's not going to happen (and no, I like Robinson myself, but he shouldn't be on the top line).

I am fine with how the team is. Re-sign Mangiapane, and figure out how much cap you have. The Flames may have to dump Ryan to make enough room to sign depth players - but hopefully not. Barring some trade that Treliving has up his sleeve, or if something interesting presents itself, this is pretty close to the opening night roster, and I am ok with that.

You need the established players to have a 'bounce-back' season and hit the median point of the last 2 seasons - that's not a huge ask. Even somewhere below that is acceptable. You also need the young players to take another step - Mangiapane, Bennett and Dube. That's not a huge ask - that's not expecting them to be 50 point players, just take another step and improve a bit.

I am ok with this. I think they can be comfortably in a playoff spot, especially now with superior goaltending rather than 'I hope it will be average!'.

10-12-2020, 11:50 AM	#2291
Calgary4LIfe Franchise Player Join Date: Jun 2010 Exp:	I disagree with the expectations that this team needs a career year. If everyone just hits the median point between the last two seasons' worth of production, then this team should be comfortably in the playoffs. I think the Flames are done for the most part. They need to get Mangiapane signed soon, and Treliving needs to add some cheap depth right now. A 4th line of Rinaldo - Ryan - Robinson is a bit of a downgrade from Jankowski and Reider, no matter how much you like or dislike those players. Flames' AHL depth for the season (for forwards) is probably limited to (and probably in order) Gawdin, Phillips and Ruzicka. I don't think anyone is pushing out Rinaldo there, but hopefully. I think Treliving needs to sign 2 AHL depth players with NHL experience at least, just to make sure a rash of injuries doesn't suddenly see a bottom two lines of: Rinaldo - Ryan - Robinson Ruzicka - Gawdin - Phillips On defence I think he needs to add another NHL-experienced defender like a Prout even. Mackey and Yelesin are there, but that's 2 or 3 games of NHL experience between them. Tanev does have a reputation for getting hurt in practically every season (including last season where he got hurt on the last game before the shutdown), and injuries happen anyway. I think with a tandem of Markstrom and Rittich, there will be less pucks in the net. Even looking at Rittich alone, having him not play as often (and having to play through injury last season) will probably be good for him. He will still play regularly though, as he will have to with a condensed schedule. I think his numbers will improve. Defence is younger and more inexperienced, but Calgary has been rolling one of the best defences in the league for a few seasons now with poor results. I am ok with this change, especially since I think the bottom 4 are young and all have upside. Maybe Treliving has a trade in the works, I don't know. We will see. What I think is critical is that Ward comes in with a better system. That top line needs to play more on the rush. Don't tell me that "You can't score goals in the playoffs off the rush" - I don't know why this keeps getting repeated, but goals off the rush ALWAYS happen in the playoffs. Yes, things get tighter and more physical, and you get a large amount of 'ugly goals' that go in because players are more willing to attack the net, but you see plenty of goals scored on the rush and a large number of breakaway chances. I think Ward has the benefit of having been an assistant on this team for a while, then having first-hand head coaching experiencing of this team for a while, but this is his first opportunity to figure out a better system for the team as constructed. That's his job. That top line can't chip and chase effectively or create off the cycle much. Gaudreau was 'super' when he takes the puck in with OPTIONS and finds trailers. Make that adjustment to the top line. Ideally, I think this team could have used a 'Ferland type' if that's the system that they want that top line to play - someone who is quick on the forecheck, great along the boards, has some skill to his game and has a nice shot. Ferland may not have been a 1st liner, but he was effective enough to help keep that line dangerous. The RW'ers on that line moving down a line would have been good too. That's not going to happen (and no, I like Robinson myself, but he shouldn't be on the top line). I am fine with how the team is. Re-sign Mangiapane, and figure out how much cap you have. The Flames may have to dump Ryan to make enough room to sign depth players - but hopefully not. Barring some trade that Treliving has up his sleeve, or if something interesting presents itself, this is pretty close to the opening night roster, and I am ok with that. You need the established players to have a 'bounce-back' season and hit the median point of the last 2 seasons - that's not a huge ask. Even somewhere below that is acceptable. You also need the young players to take another step - Mangiapane, Bennett and Dube. That's not a huge ask - that's not expecting them to be 50 point players, just take another step and improve a bit. I am ok with this. I think they can be comfortably in a playoff spot, especially now with superior goaltending rather than 'I hope it will be average!'.