THW opinion on the 2013-2014 Flames

[Iceman57]

A pretty straight forward article with nothing earth shattering offered but the author is fair and does seem to know what he's talking about, its an alright read so i thought i would share.


http://thehockeywriters.com/rebuildi...epare-2013-14/

[kyuss275]

Nothing that we don't already know, but i laughed at the:

Top line forwards--None

Top paring D--- None

Starting goalie--- None.


Not saying he is wrong because i think the same. It just looked funny on paper.

[Iceman57]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

Nothing that we don't already know, but i laughed at the:

Top line forwards--None

Top paring D--- None

Starting goalie--- None.


Not saying he is wrong because i think the same. It just looked funny on paper.

For sure it was a little humorous seeing that and honestly the main reason i decided to post the article here, lol.

[the_only_turek_fan]

This team will be better than people suspect.

I like the changes that have been made.

[Vulcan]

Yeah, pretty good article. It sure beats someone from Toronto repeating cliches about the Flames.

[sun]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

Nothing that we don't already know, but i laughed at the:

Top line forwards--None

Top paring D--- None

Starting goalie--- None.


Not saying he is wrong because i think the same. It just looked funny on paper.

lol, a bit depressing to see it laid out like that.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

Nothing that we don't already know, but i laughed at the:

Top line forwards--None

Top paring D--- None

Starting goalie--- None.


Not saying he is wrong because i think the same. It just looked funny on paper.

It looks good in a spit in your face way but I'd argue that Cammallari is a top line forward even if he doesn't play on the top line and I expect Brodie to be a top pairing defenceman this season. The biggest problem is Brodie doesn't have a complementing partner.

As for our goalies, I have no argument.

[BACKCHECK!!!]

Cammy is a first liner.

Brodie will likely be a legit first pairing guy, may even already be, but I don't mind leaving him off the list because he hasn't really proved it yet.

[Anduril]

Originally Posted by BACKCHECK!!!

Cammy is a first liner.

Brodie will likely be a legit first pairing guy, may even already be, but I don't mind leaving him off the list because he hasn't really proved it yet.

Will have to keep the bolded in mind. He's only had 1 really good season.
I would say Cammy is a borderline 1st line player. More often than not he would be better described as a top 2nd line scorer.

Surprised that Hudler isn't considered as a 2nd line player.

[BACKCHECK!!!]

Originally Posted by Anduril

Surprised that Hudler isn't considered as a 2nd line player.

Well, Hudler has spent most of his 2nd line minutes in Detroit.

And that doesn't mean much, because they'll give 2nd line minutes just about ANY player with a Hart Trophy or an Art Ross.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by Iceman57

but the author is fair and does seem to know what he's talking about

saw that, went to the site to see the author's name ... and smiled

[Freeway]

Went back and forth about Cammalleri as a first-liner, but he's not that much further ahead of Glencross/Stempniak/Stajan/Backlund, so I left him as a second-liner.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Freeway

Went back and forth about Cammalleri as a first-liner, but he's not that much further ahead of Glencross/Stempniak/Stajan/Backlund, so I left him as a second-liner.

Come on, you just wanted this to look good.

Top line forwards--None

Top paring D--- None

Starting goalie--- None.

and it does, good writing.

[SeanCharles]

Originally Posted by the_only_turek_fan

This team will be better than people suspect.

I like the changes that have been made.

I agree. This team isnt that much worse than the one we started with last season. The only real loss is Bouwmeester.

Think about it, Iggy is 35 and his production is on the decline. He is also more of a 2nd liner at his age. We have plenty of 2nd liners and players who can play top 6 minutes: Hudler, Backlund, Baertschi, Glencross, Stempniak, Cammalleri, Stajan, Jones. Throw in Galiardi, Knight and we have 10 players who can fill top 9 mintues.

Not to mention Monahan and Guardreau who can probably play in the NHL right now, and both might make an appearance this season.

True we do lack a top line, but I dont agree Cammalleri wouldnt be on most teams top line. He has top line talent he just needs support.

Throw in Baertschi who should replace Tanguays production, and should become a top line player at some point. Trading old players lets a guy like him get the ice time to at least try. Hes on the upswing, unlike Tanguay and Iggy (two of my fav players).

This team has alot of new faces, alot of opportunity, a bit more youth, speed and size.

Kipper retiring is a blessing after how hot and cold he has been the last few years, with the breaking point last year.

Iggy and Tanguay don't really make this team better. They hold the team back by playing minutes younger players should be playing.

They are past their primes and are best served augmenting a team not leading it, like they were here..

Kipper made us seem like a bad team last year. If goaltending improves the only real concern I have with the Flames is rounding out our top 4 dman.

Russell may surprise..

This team isnt as bad, so long as goaltending improves, as everyone thinks...

[Northendzone]

So the situation is grim, and the odds are against us......sounds like we got em right where we want em......see you boys in the playoffs.......

[Parallex]

I kind of disagree about the line...

"the team’s very lean on NHL experience"

... I mean they're not the old guys that they were before but there's still a fair amount of guys with significant NHL experience that I wouldn't characterize it as "lean". I mean on left wing you have Sven and then the Next least experienced guy is TJ Galiardi with 4 year experience, on right wing I would say that there is no one I would project to make the team out of camp that lacks NHL experience, half the starting 6 on defense will be Wideman, Gio, and O'Brien (no lack of experience there). So basically the only area's the team actually has a lack of NHL experience will be center (where there is experience but it is lean) and goal (which has basically none).

It's one of the reasons I think the team will be more competitive then most give them credit for (they'll still stink but they'll be a draft 5th or 6th level of stink instead of draft 1st or 2nd level of stink). With four experienced guys on expiring contracts (and thus trade bait at the deadline) I expect 2014/2015 to be the year that we'll have an awful snot-nosed team of lean experience (Just in time for McDavid).

[timbit]

Originally Posted by Freeway

Went back and forth about Cammalleri as a first-liner, but he's not that much further ahead of Glencross/Stempniak/Stajan/Backlund, so I left him as a second-liner.

Well written article. Good job, sir.

[Stupid]

The only part I disagreed with was Hudler as a third liner, I think he's better suited on the second personally. Easily has the skillset to thrive there - whereas his size would make him less suited on the third.

Otherwise, good job and thanks for a good read.

[polak]

If Giordano can return to form I'd consider him a top pairing guy.

[timbit]

Originally Posted by polak

If Giordano can return to form I'd consider him a top pairing guy.

Unfortunately, IMO, Giordano never was and never will be a top pairing D on a contender....as well as the Flames.