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Calgary4LIfe · 03-06-2021, 02:04 PM

Josh Leivo's career high is 10 goals and 19 points. That came with a career high 49 games played. He has been unlucky in getting injured in his career, but he has also found himself to be a frequent healthy scratch.

You have to irrationally hate him not to see the puck skills he has, and the goal he scored the other night (his first of the season) was definitely a high-skill shot. However, his stats, production, defensive acumen, and ability to sustain any type of offensive pressure tell me that he is himself just a tweener. He is also 27 years old as well.

I have no doubt that replacing Leivo with Phillips is a relatively safe move. I don't see Leivo making any fantastic defensive plays that the Flames would miss if the switch was made. I think he started off terribly, but he has looked much better for the last 10 games - but was only finally rewarded, in a blowout game against a team that was playing terrible defence. It was a great shot, but I think part of the problem with Leivo is that it takes him too long to get a great shot off.

I would replace Leivo with Phillips and not bat an eye about it. Gaudreau - Monahan - Phillips might be a fun line to watch. As has been posted, Phillips has done better than Yamamoto in their respective years and levels.

Aside from that, I have also felt that teams should be rewarding prospects with cups of coffee during the season, as I think it both helps to reward their solid play, providing more incentive for the other players on the farm, and is a good way to slowly acclimate them into the NHL.

The only single negative I can think of is that there is an expansion draft coming up. Yes, it is great to have so many 'good problems' when it comes to that, but wouldn't it suck to answer Seattle's question if this little guy is NHL-capable? That's a consideration at any rate.

As for Sutter and his 'Sutter-type' of player, sure, Phillips isn't a big player, but how important is that? I rank these attributes in order from most important to least important from my personal viewpoint about what Sutter likes and doesn't like in players:

1) Willingness to compete (sounds like Phillips meets this criteria)
2) Skilled - of course Sutter values this. I think Phillips qualifies. LoL

3) "Coachable" - have no idea if Phillips meets this or not.
4) Size - Hey, size is always going to be important.
5) Speed - definitely qualifies here.

Phillips sure sounds like the only knock against him is size. Does Sutter prefer if you are 6'5" and 230lbs, full of the other attributes as well? Of course he does, as does every other single coach in the history of the NHL without exception.

Can this 4'6" player (exaggerating here - haven't looked up his height, but guessing he was 5'7" or something) be a 'Sutter player'? Absolutely. If he is willing to bust his butt every shift, not cheat on the ice for offence, commit to the structure and game-plan that Sutter lays out, and help the Flames win, then Sutter will love him.

Sutter has traded for diminutive players in the past - one that springs to mind is Bryan Cameron who never played for the Flames, but Sutter acquired him as a GM to fill-out the Abbotsford Heat back in the day, with the thought that this kid might end up being an NHL'er. Nigel Dawes was acquired by Sutter as well (5'8", though stocky).

Phillips just needs to continue doing what he is doing - producing and supporting the Heat winning games. Everyone in the organization will notice. Darryl and Maclean (I assume he is still the Heat's coach) will probably have numerous conversations over the course of the season. Treliving has to keep an eye on that team, as does Pascal (I believe it is still him anyway). If Phillips continues doing well, he will bust down whatever door is in his way and get a shot, and it will be up to him if he ends up making it or not. There are other ways to be 'tough to play against' - and one of those ways is just to be hard on pucks, hard on the forecheck, hard on the backcheck - the rest of it will happen for him as he is unquestionably skilled enough.

As long as he competes hard and helps the Flames win over someone else, Sutter will love him, all 3'9" of him.

03-06-2021, 02:04 PM	#413
Calgary4LIfe Franchise Player Join Date: Jun 2010 Exp:	Josh Leivo's career high is 10 goals and 19 points. That came with a career high 49 games played. He has been unlucky in getting injured in his career, but he has also found himself to be a frequent healthy scratch. You have to irrationally hate him not to see the puck skills he has, and the goal he scored the other night (his first of the season) was definitely a high-skill shot. However, his stats, production, defensive acumen, and ability to sustain any type of offensive pressure tell me that he is himself just a tweener. He is also 27 years old as well. I have no doubt that replacing Leivo with Phillips is a relatively safe move. I don't see Leivo making any fantastic defensive plays that the Flames would miss if the switch was made. I think he started off terribly, but he has looked much better for the last 10 games - but was only finally rewarded, in a blowout game against a team that was playing terrible defence. It was a great shot, but I think part of the problem with Leivo is that it takes him too long to get a great shot off. I would replace Leivo with Phillips and not bat an eye about it. Gaudreau - Monahan - Phillips might be a fun line to watch. As has been posted, Phillips has done better than Yamamoto in their respective years and levels. Aside from that, I have also felt that teams should be rewarding prospects with cups of coffee during the season, as I think it both helps to reward their solid play, providing more incentive for the other players on the farm, and is a good way to slowly acclimate them into the NHL. The only single negative I can think of is that there is an expansion draft coming up. Yes, it is great to have so many 'good problems' when it comes to that, but wouldn't it suck to answer Seattle's question if this little guy is NHL-capable? That's a consideration at any rate. As for Sutter and his 'Sutter-type' of player, sure, Phillips isn't a big player, but how important is that? I rank these attributes in order from most important to least important from my personal viewpoint about what Sutter likes and doesn't like in players: 1) Willingness to compete (sounds like Phillips meets this criteria) 2) Skilled - of course Sutter values this. I think Phillips qualifies. LoL 3) "Coachable" - have no idea if Phillips meets this or not. 4) Size - Hey, size is always going to be important. 5) Speed - definitely qualifies here. Phillips sure sounds like the only knock against him is size. Does Sutter prefer if you are 6'5" and 230lbs, full of the other attributes as well? Of course he does, as does every other single coach in the history of the NHL without exception. Can this 4'6" player (exaggerating here - haven't looked up his height, but guessing he was 5'7" or something) be a 'Sutter player'? Absolutely. If he is willing to bust his butt every shift, not cheat on the ice for offence, commit to the structure and game-plan that Sutter lays out, and help the Flames win, then Sutter will love him. Sutter has traded for diminutive players in the past - one that springs to mind is Bryan Cameron who never played for the Flames, but Sutter acquired him as a GM to fill-out the Abbotsford Heat back in the day, with the thought that this kid might end up being an NHL'er. Nigel Dawes was acquired by Sutter as well (5'8", though stocky). Phillips just needs to continue doing what he is doing - producing and supporting the Heat winning games. Everyone in the organization will notice. Darryl and Maclean (I assume he is still the Heat's coach) will probably have numerous conversations over the course of the season. Treliving has to keep an eye on that team, as does Pascal (I believe it is still him anyway). If Phillips continues doing well, he will bust down whatever door is in his way and get a shot, and it will be up to him if he ends up making it or not. There are other ways to be 'tough to play against' - and one of those ways is just to be hard on pucks, hard on the forecheck, hard on the backcheck - the rest of it will happen for him as he is unquestionably skilled enough. As long as he competes hard and helps the Flames win over someone else, Sutter will love him, all 3'9" of him.