Troy Brouwer compares Flames to pre-Cup Blackhawks

[Scrambler]

From NHL.com

Calgary forward sees similarities between new team, three-time champions.

Calgary Flames forward Troy Brouwer said his new team is similar to a former team that did great things.

"It reminds me of the really early years in Chicago," Brouwer told the Calgary Sun on Tuesday, referring to his time with the Chicago Blackhawks from 2006-11. "… The young bodies on [the Flames], the young kids, the way they play the game … with [Brian] Elliott in net, I feel we have an unbelievable goalie, with him and [Chad] Johnson. Our [defensemen] are absolutely phenomenal. We just have to make sure they have confidence to move the puck. The previous coaches have kind of hindered them a little bit.

"Then our forward group, young, lots of energy, lots of speed, lots of skill. It's going to be a fun group to play with.".....

Full article:
https://www.nhl.com/news/brouwer-com...ks/c-282019888

[Cali Panthers Fan]

I too see the comparisons, and I think CP has been looking at the Blackhawks model for a long time as the closest comparison for this franchise. Now all we need is our Marian Hossa UFA signing to take us over the top.

[CroFlames]

Nice. So we're guaranteed three Cups now.

[hockey.modern]

wrong thread

[CalgaryFan1988]

My favorite part, "the previous coaches have hindered them (defenceman) a little bit)".

[bubbsy]

Curious what he meant about giving the d confidence to move puck but the previous coaches hindering them...

[bigrangy]

^yeah if the previous coaches hindered the puck-moving abilities of the defense, this year will be insane.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

I too see the comparisons, and I think CP has been looking at the Blackhawks model for a long time as the closest comparison for this franchise. Now all we need is our Marian Hossa UFA signing to take us over the top.

Unfortunately instead of Hossa we have the equivalent cap space tied up into two lesser wingers. Our main hope on the wings the emergence of youth (Tkachuk/Jankowski/Dube/Poirier/Eatbread). If we had cap space, we could be looking at targetting Palat in a capcrunch, or Toffoli.

Originally Posted by bubbsy

Curious what he meant about giving the d confidence to move puck but the previous coaches hindering them...

Too many "safe" giveaways along the side wall, too few risks down the middle which is where strong breakouts most often start even if those giveaqays look ugly at times.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

I too see the comparisons, and I think CP has been looking at the Blackhawks model for a long time as the closest comparison for this franchise. Now all we need is our Marian Hossa UFA signing to take us over the top.

Once the 14 million tied up between Engelland, Smid, Wideman, and Stajan gets allocated to legit talent worthy of those dollars, then the Flames will be in a better spot. If Stajan does not perform well this season, I think he will be dealt with in the same manner as Mason Raymond.

The Flames only expiring contracts that are going to get a decent raise is Jokipakka and Bennett. Kevin will be going up from less than a mil to maybe 1.5 if he has a good year. Bennett's cap hit is already 3.2 million and unless he has a 60+ point season, I don't see his cap hit exceeding 5. Between the two, the money saved from moving on from Engelland should cover them both.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

The Flames only expiring contracts that are going to get a decent raise is Jokipakka and Bennett.

Elliott

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Elliott

Not guaranteed that either of the goalies will be back. With the expansion draft, Vegas is likely going to take multiple goalies. Calgary will still be in a position to get the best option available to them, either through trade or UFA. After how last season went with the goalies, I trust nothing.

Gillies should be the backup next year, which is a cheap contract. If they spend in the neighbourhood of 5 mil on the starter (Elliott or other) that's also only 1.5 more total than they already are for both.

[Jacks]

Love the enthusiasm but I'd rather not compare this team to the most dominant team of the last decade until we actually accomplish something.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Jacks

Love the enthusiasm but I'd rather not compare this team to the most dominant team of the last decade until we actually accomplish something.

The young Blackhawks didn't accomplish anything either...until they did. The build of the two teams is similar, that's all we're discussing here.

[Jacks]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

The young Blackhawks didn't accomplish anything either...until they did. The build of the two teams is similar, that's all we're discussing here.

Go ahead and discuss it, I gave my opinion.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Jacks

Go ahead and discuss it, I gave my opinion.

Well, Brouwer isn't comparing them to the team who is the most dominant of the last decade. He compared them to the team that hadn't won anything yet.

Seems fair.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Jacks

Go ahead and discuss it, I gave my opinion.

Yes, your opinion was that it wasn't worth discussing. Since people already are discussing it, that's kind of a moot point.

[savemedrzaius]

So if Lucic said this Oilers team reminded him of the early 1981-83 Oilers group you guys wouldn't rag on him?

Because he is comparing them to the team before they had won all the cups?

[getbak]

Originally Posted by savemedrzaius

So if Lucic said this Oilers team reminded him of the early 1981-83 Oilers group you guys wouldn't rag on him?

Because he is comparing them to the team before they had won all the cups?

Well, Lucic wasn't born until 1988 and would have never seen the early-80s Oilers. On the other hand, Brouwer was actually on the Blackhawks teams in question.

[FunkMasterFlame]

Originally Posted by savemedrzaius

So if Lucic said this Oilers team reminded him of the early 1981-83 Oilers group you guys wouldn't rag on him?

Because he is comparing them to the team before they had won all the cups?

I don't remember Lucic playing for the 81-83 Oilers.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by savemedrzaius

So if Lucic said this Oilers team reminded him of the early 1981-83 Oilers group you guys wouldn't rag on him?

Because he is comparing them to the team before they had won all the cups?

Here's the difference.

Brouwer played on the Blackhawks. Lucic did not play on the 1981-83 Oilers. Now if Lucic wants to compare the Oilers to the Bruins, that's a totally different story and I would love to hear who compares to whom.

Though unlike the 2011 Bruins, the Oilers don't have a Chara, Horton, Thomas, or Bergeron. But we can look at the rest of the rough comparables

McDavid = Krejci
Lucic = Lucic
Larsson = Seidenberg
Klefbom = Boychuk
Russell* = Ference
Puljujarvi = Seguin
Nugent-Hopkins = Marchand

And see that, hey, if you take away the four most important players on the Bruins, they're pretty similar!!! Four pieces, three of which are franchise players, away!!!!

*assuming he signs