Bob McKenzie on the Flames

[sureLoss]

Transcript from TSN 1050

http://www.nicholsonhockey.com/worth...amic-of-flames

“You know what? Full credit to what they’ve done here.

“The thing I think that’s kinda jumping out at me here that makes them a little bit different than in the past, is that they are more skilled now. The addition of Johnny Gaudreau has made a huge difference here.

“It’s funny how it works out because a couple of weeks ago he looked like he was ticketed for the minors. He had that healthy scratch and there was all sorts of stuff written in Calgary: ‘Okay, it’s pretty clear Johnny Hockey has to go play in Glens Falls and he’s too small and he’s not ready and he’s not good without the puck’ and everything else.

“Ever since then, he’s been on an unbelievable tear, and so have the Flames. He just changes the dynamic of a hockey team that’s not loaded with gifted offensive players.

“And in fairness, Sean Monahan got off to a bit of a slow start. He’s really picked it up and he’s another guy – he’s an elite player. He’s going to be an elite player of this game and you saw it last year as a rookie and he’s getting better and better all the time.

“So suddenly, the Calgary Flames, whose knock on them is they don’t have enough elite-level, high-end skill players to go with what Bob Hartley has been preaching in terms of real structured game, everybody is buying in to how to play without the puck, playing a hard game, be that hard team to play against – but it’s funny. You’ve got Monahan on the ice, you’ve got a guy who can really make plays.

“And the same thing is true when you’ve got Giordano and Brodie on the ice. They’ve been marvelous. That’s been the best pair of defensemen in the National Hockey League this season. Bar none right now. And Brodie is tremendously skilled. That’s helping to elevate the skill level of the team.

“So when you say, ‘Are they for real? Are they going to make the playoffs?’ I think it’s still way too early to tell. There’s a lot of racetrack here to run. But boy oh boy, you’ve got to be impressed with how hard they’ve worked, and now, how timely it is that guys like Gaudreau, Brodie, Giordano, and Monahan are stepping up in certain situations and creating offence where they maybe weren’t going to get that in the past.”

[Cali Panthers Fan]

If McKenzie says it I consider it gospel. Very few understand the game of hockey better than him.

[FlameZilla]

Can't wait to see what Sam Bennett adds to this team. He's the perfect Bob Hartley player...

[jg13]

We're only getting better and it's happening faster than anyone thought.

[Travis Munroe]

Love seeing credible analysts giving praise. Best of all, its only going to get better and if the flames stay the course, we might not be far off from speaking about a dynasty.

[Dion]

Nice to see that hockey writers are starting to see what we have as a team. It's been awhile since the Flames were recognised for the talent they had.

[To Be Quite Honest]

I'm not used to all of this positive attention. I'm not sure if I like it. It's kind of more fun to play under the radar than be a team everyone wants to shoot down.

[Ozy_Flame]

.... What did he say about Edmonton? Please tell me he had something to say about Edmonton.

[Cole436]

Originally Posted by Realtor 1

Love seeing credible analysts giving praise. Best of all, its only going to get better and if the flames stay the course, we might not be far off from speaking about a dynasty.

Ok let's calm down here.
Let's make the playoffs first, and win at least one Stanley Cup before discussing the "D" word.

[_Q_]

But but... Fenwick and even strength shot attempts and and... Umm PDO.... McKenzie doesn't discuss that. Clearly he's out to lunch.

[Travis Munroe]

Side note: SureLoss, have you built some program to send you updates or are your retired and browse Calgary Flames topics all day? I am always taken back how quickly you get to everything and find topics/news that is informative and thread worthy.

[RyZ]

Originally Posted by Realtor 1

Love seeing credible analysts giving praise. Best of all, its only going to get better and if the flames stay the course, we might not be far off from speaking about a dynasty.

Whoa there. Lets not get on the crazy train just yet.

[fatso]

one of the take-aways for me is that it is not simply about giving young players a chance. It's about giving them a chance after they've been put into a position to succeed when given the chance. That includes ensuring they've received enough - and the right kind of - 'training'. Good stuff.

[Travis Munroe]

Originally Posted by Cole436

Ok let's calm down here.
Let's make the playoffs first, and win at least one Stanley Cup before discussing the "D" word.

DYNASTY

And I say that seriously. Not this year, not next but with our pieces, we don't look much different than the hawks or pens once they got started.

Our lineup on paper in 4 years from now could literally have 5 players selected to the all star game (assuming no limit to players per team)

[1991 Canadian]

It is nice the media is noticing this team is not just about hard work. Don't get me wrong, this a team that can grind out wins by outworking their opponents. But I'm tired of people calling them unskilled, particularly when we are compared to our northern neighbours.

Giordano, Monahan, Hiller, Gaudreau, Brodie, Russell, Hudler, Backlund are all very skilled hockey players. It seems the media has finally stopped selling them short.

[To Be Quite Honest]

Originally Posted by Realtor 1

DYNASTY

And I say that seriously. Not this year, not next but with our pieces, we don't look much different than the hawks or pens once they got started.

Our lineup on paper in 4 years from now could literally have 5 players selected to the all star game (assuming no limit to players per team)

You're sounding like an Oiler Fan.

[Cole436]

Originally Posted by Realtor 1

DYNASTY

And I say that seriously. Not this year, not next but with our pieces, we don't look much different than the hawks or pens once they got started.

Our lineup on paper in 4 years from now could literally have 5 players selected to the all star game (assuming no limit to players per team)

Edmonton fans could have said the same thing four years ago. Maybe let's hold off and see how it all plays out before making those type of claims.

[drewtastic]

Originally Posted by Realtor 1

Love seeing credible analysts giving praise. Best of all, its only going to get better and if the flames stay the course, we might not be far off from speaking about a dynasty.

Originally Posted by Cole436

Ok let's calm down here.
Let's make the playoffs first, and win at least one Stanley Cup before discussing the "D" word.

Originally Posted by RyZ

Whoa there. Lets not get on the crazy train just yet.

Ha ha! Exactly.

Appreciate the enthusiasm, Realtor 1, but let's not go into full-Oiler mode...

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Realtor 1

Love seeing credible analysts giving praise. Best of all, its only going to get better and if the flames stay the course, we might not be far off from speaking about a dynasty.

Lets please not turn into Oilers fans and count a million eggs before they hatch.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by Realtor 1

DYNASTY

And I say that seriously. Not this year, not next but with our pieces, we don't look much different than the hawks or pens once they got started.

Our lineup on paper in 4 years from now could literally have 5 players selected to the all star game (assuming no limit to players per team)

The problem is every single team in the league to say their team COULD have 5 players selected to the All-Star game if said players all play to top end projections.

Way, way to early to be making these kind of statements, far too much "data" needed to be filled in an verified over time at this point for that statement to look anything but one coming from a crazy fanatic wearing their homer glasses.