Flames Right-handed shot depth

[Jables16]

With all the hoopla surrounding Team Canada defense selections and the priority placed on having an even balance of 4 left and 4 right handed defensemen I can't help but look at the Flames and feel this is an issue that needs to be addressed. I don't mean just on defense either.

In total the Flames have five forwards who shoot right:

- Blair Jones
- David Jones
- Lee Stempniak
- Brian McGrattan
- Kevin Westgarth

and ONE defenseman:

- Dennis Wideman

Of the forwards Blair Jones is up and down from Abby, Stempniak is likely gone in a couple weeks, and McGrattan and Westgarth play on the fourth line.

How we only have one right-handed shot on defense is honestly baffling. I think when Wideman was hurt the impact on the powerplay was noticeable with guys having to corral the puck and adjust rather than moving it around quickly and crisply.

I'm hoping this is something Burke and his successor address with the coming transactions.

[The Original FFIV]

Originally Posted by Jables16

With all the hoopla surrounding Team Canada defense selections and the priority placed on having an even balance of 4 left and 4 right handed defensemen I can't help but look at the Flames and feel this is an issue that needs to be addressed. I don't mean just on defense either.

In total the Flames have five forwards who shoot right:

- Blair Jones
- David Jones
- Lee Stempniak
- Brian McGrattan
- Kevin Westgarth

and ONE defenseman:

- Dennis Wideman

Of the forwards Blair Jones is up and down from Abby, Stempniak is likely gone in a couple weeks, and McGrattan and Westgarth play on the fourth line.

How we only have one right-handed shot on defense is honestly baffling. I think when Wideman was hurt the impact on the powerplay was noticeable with guys having to corral the puck and adjust rather than moving it around quickly and crisply.

I'm hoping this is something Burke and his successor address with the coming transactions.

Look at Philly and their rhd on defence. Believe it is only Luke Schenn. Nice to have rhd but not essential for success, as Philly is in a playoff spot.

Considering our circumstances, rhd is the least of our concerns.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by Jables16

I'm hoping this is something Burke and his successor address with the coming transactions.

Probably addressed like so...

Aaron Ekblad
Birthyear:1996-02-07Birthplace:Belle River, ON, CANAge:17Nation:Canada Position:DShoots:RHeight:193 cm / 6'4"Weight:98 kg / 216 lbs

[Vinny01]

Knight is a right hand shot as well he should be on the big club this year or next

[Flames Fan, Ph.D.]

Originally Posted by The Original FFIV

Look at Philly and their rhd on defence. Believe it is only Luke Schenn. Nice to have rhd but not essential for success, as Philly is in a playoff spot.

Considering our circumstances, rhd is the least of our concerns.

I've noted before that at least on defense, the lack of right handers does appear to impact puck movement up the ice as well as hurting the efficiency of our clearing attempts.

Agree that it's not an absolute necessity that we have an equal amount, but it's nice to not always be digging the puck out of the boards with your backhand.

[Francis's Hairpiece]

John Ramage is a righty, is he not?

[ForeverFlameFan]

Assuming we get Ekblad, I think it'd still be great if we picked up another right handed shooter in a trade or the UFA. If Stemp leaves (being traded), we don't really have anybody on offense with a good right handed shot.

[troutman]

The team will be completely different in 3-4 years, so you can't worry about who shoots right and left.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

This has been an issue for at least the last 2 years and is extremely pronounced during a rebuild where we struggle to even ice an NHL calibre team. I often wondered why Feaster and co. continually picked up left wingers or left handed players. Left wing is often the position a lot of teams have trouble finding high end talent for, so I guess I understand why you want a couple good players at those spots, but we also had Tanguay recently so it was pure overkill.

I've always thought that the handedness for a defenseman means very little in their own zone, but I guess it does matter a little when playing the point in the offensive zone or moving the puck up the ice. I still would like a lot more natural right wingers who can actually score to even out the lineup a little.

[saillias]

Ekblad and Reinhart shoot right. Draft one of em. If we can't, fold the franchise I guess.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

I've always thought that the handedness for a defenseman means very little in their own zone, but I guess it does matter a little when playing the point in the offensive zone or moving the puck up the ice. I still would like a lot more natural right wingers who can actually score to even out the lineup a little.

It actually means the most in the defensive zone because any guy who shoots left and plays RD will either have to clear the puck on his backhand along the boards (which is harder than chopping it out forehand) or dig the puck out and then skate with it. The latter is why guys like Bouwmeester and Brodie are good at playing their off side, they can grab the puck along the boards, spin away and skate it up or make a pass.

The fact you can have two opposing shots on the power play is a nice bonus but hockey often starts in your own zone and the ability to get the puck out or onto offense is key in this league.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

It actually means the most in the defensive zone because any guy who shoots left and plays RD will either have to clear the puck on his backhand along the boards (which is harder than chopping it out forehand) or dig the puck out and then skate with it. The latter is why guys like Bouwmeester and Brodie are good at playing their off side, they can grab the puck along the boards, spin away and skate it up or make a pass.

The fact you can have two opposing shots on the power play is a nice bonus but hockey often starts in your own zone and the ability to get the puck out or onto offense is key in this league.

Well put. Thanks for the insight.

[SeanCharles]

I agree we need more RH depth.

Stempniak and Wideman will likely be traded in the near future and McGrattan, Westgarth and the Jones' are at the lower end of the roster..

We do need to address this but I'm sure we will draft a high end RH guy this draft and we have some guys in the pipeline.

I'm sure Burke will target RH shooters in trades.