Flames Report Card
Since the season has wrapped up, I thought I might give out my "Calgary Flames Report Cards" for this season. I will include every player who has suited up this year, excluding the people who are no longer with the Flames or Heat.
Hudler - B+
Started off the year really strong but cooled off towards the end. Still had a fairly good season and had a good work ethic. Seemed to play well with the kids and seemed to enjoy it.
Giordano - A+
At the beginning of the year, I wanted Glencross to be the captain, but I am so glad they went with Gio. He had an absolutely dynamite year and was an excellent leader. I thought he got robbed when he was left off team Canada. No way Hamhuis is better than him. Had he not been injured, he would have my vote for being a Norris candidate. Excellent season.
Cammalleri - B+
Can't complain too much about him, although I wish his hot streak happened before the deadline and not after. He's been a professional about the situation here and has embraced our culture despite being more than likely on his way out. I wish him all the best next year with his new team.
Backlund - A-
I was ready to trade this guy in November, but he sure turned it around. He's finally playing like the guy we thought he would be a year or two ago. Seemed to take on a real leadership role this year and deserved that 'A' on his jersey when Gelncross and Cammy were out.
Monahan - A+
This one is self-explanatory. Kid may not be the most skilled, but he has the leadership qualities of Yzerman, Sackic, Iginla, etc. and I would take him over a goof like Taylor Hall any day. Added some much needed hope and excitement to the team.
Stajan - A+
I think the reason I'm giving him an A+ has more to do with the courage, leadership, and resiliency he showed this year. What happened to him was terrible but he will come out of it a better person. I can't believe he came back after that.
Brodie - A
Has developed into a very promising young defenseman who compliments Gio very well. His skating ability is awesome and I see nowhere he can go but up.
Russell - B+
An absolute steal and has been a shot-blocking machine. One of the most pleasant surprises this year.
Colborne - B
Night and day from when he first came here to where he is now. I've seen huge improvement in his game and he plays well with Monahan. I'd like to see him put on some muscle in the offseason and use his size a bit more next year. He has all the tools to become a very effective player.
Glencross - C
Given his injuries this year, I chose to give him the benefit of the doubt with this one. His effort has been questioned at times, but I'll say that it may have been injury related... For now...
Wideman - C-
Another guy who unfortunately dealt with some injuries. I don't mind him when he's healthy, but he seems to be either really good or really bad. Still worth keeping around in my opinion.
Byron - B+
I think he's earned himself a full-time spot on the team if he can keep this up next year. Little guy who plays like a big guy. Not afraid to go into the corners. Really like how he's come along this year.
D. Jones - F
Maybe his contract impacts this grade, I dunno, but he was lowsy this year. I know he's been injured, but he was lowsy when he wasn't.
Galiardi - D
We've seen flashes of brilliance from him this year, but just that, flashes. I don't know if he's been bad, or just disappointing. Maybe a bit of both.
Butler - C
I hated this guy but he's slowly getting better. He's a much better 6th defenseman than he was playing top minutes with Bouwmeester.
Bouma - A-
Warrior. These are the kinds of guys you win with. Seems like a good guy in the room and will do whatever it takes to win. 2 seasons ago I had written him off as another Greg Nemisz. Glad I was wrong.
Baertschi - C-
Personally I think he should have been in the AHL last year as opposed to this year, but what can you do. I didn't think he was terrible when he was up here, but next year could be make or break for him.
McGrattan - A-
Might not be the best, but you can always count on a solid effort from Big Ern. He cares for his teammates and seems to be the glue that holds this group together. How do you NOT like him?
Westgarth - B-
Not a bad 4th liner but I still don't see why he was necessary to add. Heart and soul guy. He does make our 4th line the scariest in the NHL though.
Smid - B+
For someone who came here from Mulletville, I'm actually quite impressed with him. He was one of the few guys on the Oil with heart and they traded him to us... Never change Edmonton...
Wotherspoon - B
Liked what I saw in his short stint here. Too bad he got hurt, because he was playing well. Met him at cowboys once when we were both a few pops deep. Super good guy with a promising future.
Granlund - B-
Another exciting prospect. Still to early to tell if he will pan out or not, but he showed some promise here.
Billins - D+
Just doesn't seem to be NHL quality to me. Not a bad guy to fill in the 6th spot when someone goes down, but I just don't see it.
O'Brien - D
Thought he got a bit of a hard time on here when he was up here. He wasn't the greatest player but he did seem like a really good guy who had heart. I wish him all the best and hope he can find a job in the NHL again, just not here.
Agostino - C
Just average. Showed some good signs but nothing that made me feel like he was the real deal.
Reinhart - C
Same as Agostino, although I feel he's got a bit more upside to his game than Agostino does.
Breen - C-
Big body that has potential but I think Abbotsford is the best place for him right now.
Hanowski - C
Saw improvement from last year but nothing that made me think "wow"!
B. Jones - C+
Sort of in the same position as Billins, except I can see him becoming a full-time NHLer one day. As for now, he's not a bad call-up to replace an injured forward.
Knight - B
I was quite impressed when he was called up for that short stint. Might be in tough to make the team next season with our current Centre depth, but I see him in the NHL some day.
Street - C
Another Abbotsford injury filler...
Smith - C
Shows flashes every once in a while but I think he may be nearing the end. If he's not a full-time NHLer soon, he may never be.
Cundari - C+
I see the offensive upside in his game but I think his size makes it hard for him to be effective game in and game out in the NHL. If he can put on some muscle he may challenge for a spot but as of right now he's not ready.
Van Brabant - C+
Not a bad 4th line guy, and still young, but it's too early to tell what his future is here. I didn't have too many problems with his game from what I saw of him.
Arnold - C
Hard to judge off of one game, but he seemed to fit in. Had one glorious chance on a 2on1 with Gio.
Gaudreau - B-
I know it's only one game, but he was a joy to watch. Very crafty out there and it's been a long time since we've had someone with skill like his on the Flames. I think he'll be on the Flames full-time next year. His size didn't seem to hinder his abilities as much as I had expected.
Ramo - A-
Had a really shakey start to the season but was lights out in the 2nd half. For a goalie to be over .500 on this team is extremely impressive. I don't like making Kipper comparisons, because Kipper was a legend, but I can see the potential. Won the starting job and made Berra expendable.
MacDonald -C+
He's a really good back-up in my opinion but with Ortio on his was up I don't see the need for him. He had a few really good games this year and a few really bad ones. I like him as a person, but it's the end of the road for him here.
Ortio - B+
I think we have a really solid goalie here if Ramo flops. I liked what I saw and it's too bad he had to go back to Abbotsford so soon. I will be shocked if he isn't here full-time next year.
I'll give the team an overall grade of a B+. This has been the most fun I've had watching the Flames for a long time. Plenty of bright spots and it seems like we have a bright future. This team has made not only myself, but the entire city proud. We finally have an identity and I can not wait for next year. Best 27th place season in NHL history.
.....And that's how I've spent the last hour of my life on a Sunday night/Monday morning.
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