[Game Takes] Kings 4 Flames 3 (OT)

[Bingo]

http://www.calgarypuck.com/2016/04/g...5-flames-4-ot/

[Ulrith]

Might want to update the title. Was 5-4 not 4-3

[killer_carlson]

Is Engellend considered a bottom pairing guy?

960 had him as a star tonight or hardest working Flame. Not sure where he fits on your analysis of needing more from the bottom pairing. Has he elevated out of bottom pairing?

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Yeah I don't really agree with that assessment. We need a couple 2nd line wingers more than we need to upgrade our bottom pairing or bottom six forwards.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Yeah I don't really agree with that assessment. We need a couple 2nd line wingers more than we need to upgrade our bottom pairing or bottom six forwards.

And coaching more than that.

1. Goalie
2. Coaching
3. Two more Top 6 forwards

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Don't think coaching is an issue at this point.

[Vulcan]

We're 12th in GF and 30th in GA. Getting a couple of top six wingers wouldn't hurt but stats say we have another problem. A goalie of course but team defence needs to be looked at as well.

I think these last few games are a bit of a trial for some players. Do they have a future with the Flames next season and also what spot on the hierarchy do they fit. I'd say Ortio, Nakladal, Grant and Shinkaruk are probably on the bubble. Probably include Bolig and Jooris as well.

Others wanting top six ice time would include Backlund, Colborne, Ferland, Bennett, Frolik and maybe Bouma. Engelland has been looking okay with Giordano as well.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Team defense will look completely different in front of an actual NHL starter that they have confidence in.

What's our goals against look like if you take out Hiller and Backstrom's games?

[heep223]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

And coaching more than that.

1. Goalie
2. Coaching
3. Two more Top 6 forwards

I've said this before but in the cap era I think it's completely unrealistic to have 6 actual top 6 forwards. If you look at how most teams are built these days they have pairs of top 9 forwards that play together and they rotate other guys through when they find chemistry. You just can't pay 6 actual top 6 forwards in today's era.

So the Flames have:

Gaudreau/Monahan
Bennett/2016 Draft Pick
Backlund/Frolik

Ie. you have Ferland, Colborne, Shinkaruk, Bouma, Jooris rotating up and through this lineup until chemistry is found for a while. You hope that some prospects like Poirier, Jankowski can step up and become top 9 NHLers.

With the addition of this year's pick, assuming he can step in and play top 6 next season (which is a big assumption) but at least for the following season, actually the top 9 is looking really good with where things stand. Maybe you try to add 1 top six forward but I think it's completely unrealistic to say that this team needs 2 more top 6 forwards to complete the group. That would create possibly the best forward group in the NHL and especially with how much cap the Flames have committed on the blueline is just unrealistic.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by heep223

I've said this before but in the cap era I think it's completely unrealistic to have 6 actual top 6 forwards. If you look at how most teams are built these days they have pairs of top 9 forwards that play together and they rotate other guys through when they find chemistry. You just can't pay 6 actual top 6 forwards in today's era.

So the Flames have:

Gaudreau/Monahan
Bennett/2016 Draft Pick
Backlund/Frolik

Ie. you have Ferland, Colborne, Shinkaruk, Bouma, Jooris rotating up and through this lineup until chemistry is found for a while. You hope that some prospects like Poirier, Jankowski can step up and become top 9 NHLers.

With the addition of this year's pick, assuming he can step in and play top 6 next season (which is a big assumption) but at least for the following season, actually the top 9 is looking really good with where things stand. Maybe you try to add 1 top six forward but I think it's completely unrealistic to say that this team needs 2 more top 6 forwards to complete the group. That would create possibly the best forward group in the NHL and especially with how much cap the Flames have committed on the blueline is just unrealistic.

This is pretty much where I was going.

With three very good centers, you need three good wingers and after that you see the upgrade I was getting at.

The six you name (with a top pick winger) sets that core, and then it's upgrading or getting a step from the likes of Ferland, Shinkaruk etc.

Colborne is making that case now.

I think the steps from Nakladal (resign) and Jokipakka are well on the way as well.

So to is Ortio as the backup.

[Itse]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

We're 12th in GF and 30th in GA. Getting a couple of top six wingers wouldn't hurt but stats say we have another problem. A goalie of course but team defence needs to be looked at as well.

In modern hockey, quality forwards have a big impact on team defense and puck possession. Or to put it another way: if the forwards keep the puck on the other end more than it's in your own end, defending is way easier.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by heep223

I've said this before but in the cap era I think it's completely unrealistic to have 6 actual top 6 forwards. If you look at how most teams are built these days they have pairs of top 9 forwards that play together and they rotate other guys through when they find chemistry. You just can't pay 6 actual top 6 forwards in today's era.

So the Flames have:

Gaudreau/Monahan
Bennett/2016 Draft Pick
Backlund/Frolik

Ie. you have Ferland, Colborne, Shinkaruk, Bouma, Jooris rotating up and through this lineup until chemistry is found for a while. You hope that some prospects like Poirier, Jankowski can step up and become top 9 NHLers.

With the addition of this year's pick, assuming he can step in and play top 6 next season (which is a big assumption) but at least for the following season, actually the top 9 is looking really good with where things stand. Maybe you try to add 1 top six forward but I think it's completely unrealistic to say that this team needs 2 more top 6 forwards to complete the group. That would create possibly the best forward group in the NHL and especially with how much cap the Flames have committed on the blueline is just unrealistic.

I agree completely with this. I see it to be entirely possible that two of Ferland, Shinkaruk and Colborne can play top 6 with the skilled pairings already there (assuming a top-level winger in the draft).

If the guy they draft isn't NHL ready yet, I suppose they will need to either make do with all three guys or get a stopgap.

[calgarywinning]

Concerned about addressing the goaltender issue with the short term pickings. Hopefully a longer term approach to fixing this, so we have a longer term solution and a viable playoff capable net minder.