Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - [Signing] Flames sign Josh Leivo (1yr, $875k)

Enoch Root · 10-25-2020, 11:01 AM

I really like the Nordstrom singing because the Flames not only needed depth, they got a guy that plays hard, has speed, and is a good PKer. All things they needed. So... good.

Then the Simon signing... a guy that plays the right side, plays along the boards, and can play up the lineup. A very good addition. And the two together really solidify the bottom half of the lineup. At league minimum. Excellent.

But Leivo, that is a whole different matter. He isn't a bottom 6 guy, he is a middle 6er. He fills out the roster at a whole different level. And again, near league minimum for cost. Just crazy good.

I like to look at the roster in tiers - players can be top 6, middle 6, bottom 6, and replacement. And of course, some straddle those lines, or are able to slide up or down. This is what I felt the forward group looked like, before the signings:

Top 6: Gaudreau, Monahan, Tkachuk, Lindholm
Middle 6: Backlund, Mangiapane, Bennett, Dube
Bottom 6: Ryan, Lucic
Replacement: Rinaldo, Phillips, Robinson

If any of the replacement guys are filling out your lineup, then it is not real strong. But adding the first two signings solidified the bottom of the order:

Top 6: Gaudreau, Monahan, Tkachuk, Lindholm
Middle 6: Backlund, Mangiapane, Bennett, Dube
Bottom 6: Ryan, Lucic, Nordstrom, Simon
Replacement: Rinaldo, Phillips, Robinson

Now players are more 'where they should be', and you've got 12 guys above replacement level.

But then things really change with Leivo, because he pushes other guys down:

Top 6: Gaudreau, Monahan, Tkachuk, Lindholm
Middle 6: Backlund, Mangiapane, Leivo, Bennett, Dube
Bottom 6: Ryan, Lucic, Nordstrom, Simon
Replacement: Rinaldo, Phillips, Robinson

Now you've got 9 guys who are top 6 or middle 6 players. And Ryan, Lucic and Simon can all slide up if needed. Now you've got real depth.

I know that people want to see changes at the top - and who knows, we still might see them. But even if we don't, this team is much improved. There is WAY more depth to the lineup now, which will take some pressure off the top line. It will also allow Ward to mix things up if he desires. The Flames can now roll 4 lines relentlessly.

Add a significant upgrade between the pipes, and I am excite!

10-25-2020, 11:01 AM	#130
Enoch Root Franchise Player Join Date: May 2012 Exp:	I really like the Nordstrom singing because the Flames not only needed depth, they got a guy that plays hard, has speed, and is a good PKer. All things they needed. So... good. Then the Simon signing... a guy that plays the right side, plays along the boards, and can play up the lineup. A very good addition. And the two together really solidify the bottom half of the lineup. At league minimum. Excellent. But Leivo, that is a whole different matter. He isn't a bottom 6 guy, he is a middle 6er. He fills out the roster at a whole different level. And again, near league minimum for cost. Just crazy good. I like to look at the roster in tiers - players can be top 6, middle 6, bottom 6, and replacement. And of course, some straddle those lines, or are able to slide up or down. This is what I felt the forward group looked like, before the signings: Top 6: Gaudreau, Monahan, Tkachuk, Lindholm Middle 6: Backlund, Mangiapane, Bennett, Dube Bottom 6: Ryan, Lucic Replacement: Rinaldo, Phillips, Robinson If any of the replacement guys are filling out your lineup, then it is not real strong. But adding the first two signings solidified the bottom of the order: Top 6: Gaudreau, Monahan, Tkachuk, Lindholm Middle 6: Backlund, Mangiapane, Bennett, Dube Bottom 6: Ryan, Lucic, Nordstrom, Simon Replacement: Rinaldo, Phillips, Robinson Now players are more 'where they should be', and you've got 12 guys above replacement level. But then things really change with Leivo, because he pushes other guys down: Top 6: Gaudreau, Monahan, Tkachuk, Lindholm Middle 6: Backlund, Mangiapane, Leivo, Bennett, Dube Bottom 6: Ryan, Lucic, Nordstrom, Simon Replacement: Rinaldo, Phillips, Robinson Now you've got 9 guys who are top 6 or middle 6 players. And Ryan, Lucic and Simon can all slide up if needed. Now you've got real depth. I know that people want to see changes at the top - and who knows, we still might see them. But even if we don't, this team is much improved. There is WAY more depth to the lineup now, which will take some pressure off the top line. It will also allow Ward to mix things up if he desires. The Flames can now roll 4 lines relentlessly. Add a significant upgrade between the pipes, and I am excite!