[CP Story] Built for a Run?

[Bingo]

http://www.calgarypuck.com/2017/03/b...post-deadline/

Comments apreciated

[TheScorpion]

Great article. I think Stone is better than Quincey, though.

[GreenLantern]

It scares me that this team is one injury away from Wideman being back in the lineup.. but I guess we just hope for the best. As long as we don't get 'Brennan Evans deep' this spring we should be competitive.

[Street Pharmacist]

Whether the Stone thing was coincidence or pure genius, it can't be understated how good it works out.

The Flames were at least a #4 (and #5) away from a competent/good D core. With the expansion draft upcoming and the limit on protecting only 3 defensemen, it seemed inevitable they would lose their #4 if they got one. I figured they'd wait until next year. Turns out that if you find a #4 with an expiring contract and a good chance to re-sign, you've bypassed the expansion draft. Brilliant

Good points on Lazar, and in a horrible assessor of potential, but I think a 2nd was a waste on Lazar

[Sample00]

Nice article, Bingo. Can't disagree with the thought process. Thanks for the write up.


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[8sPOT]

Great article.

This line sums it up for me: "The team has rebuilt their defense core, eliminating the biggest weakness on the team."

It seems to be night and day with Wideman out of the lineup and not playing with Brodie. I think our defense is now slotted where they should be.

As for Lazar, a 2nd round pick in what is being called a weak draft for a 22 year old kid, decent size, right hand shot, and great character is a good deal in my eyes.

Ferland has been great on the top line but we don't know if he can maintain what he's doing. If not, then Lazar is another option down the road.

[belsarius]

My gut reaction with Lazar was too much, but after looking at the trade for 20 minutes it made a lot more sense to me. In a year where Burke called a 2nd more like a third and the Flames will hopefully have that pick in the bottom half of the round reduces it even more. I get the idea that the pick might turn into a great player, but chances are really small, and if BT sees something in Lazar than now was the time to buy.

As secretive as Burke can be I find BT very upfront with his vision and wasn't a fan of the "does this move Bennett to the wing" question yesterday. They've said all along Bennett is progressing how they want him, focusing on the defensive side of the puck, and a project isn't going to replace the progress he's made. What Lazar does bring though is more versatility. Having a winger who can play center and take faceoffs is worth a lot. Not only for a thrown out draw but you have to think random players are going to be injured and having a guy to fill multiple roles is essential.

I'm disappointed Wideman is still a Flame, I was hoping they had a deal in place to get rid of him for anything. But the fact that after 60 games they have figured out that Wideman and Jokipakka weren't the solution and that Chaisson is really a bottom 9 player.

Solid moves that gives up very little body wise, shores up needs and uses picks for players that help now and can be future parts instead of rentals gives BT a A- for this deadline in my book. Dealing with Wideman would have given the full marks, but you can't deal without a partner.

[OmegaV4]

Great read, Bingo. Really hope all the rumors are not true about Tre not coming back next year. He's done great work with this team.

[bax]

I like this team. Amazing what Gulutzan has done since the rough start. 29-16-3 since that game in Minnesota where Johnny broke his finger. Good for 7th best in the league. It isn't luck either. During that time the team has top 10 special teams and strong possession metrics.

That's like, what? A 105 point pace for an entire season?

Treliving has done a fantastic job

[Finger Cookin]

I'm not as down on Lazar as I am on our own late round selections from 2013. Not sure what kind of immediate impact he will have this season, but I like the move with an eye to the future.

Is the team built for a run? In the sense that any team is under the thinking of "anything can happen in the playoffs", why not the Flames? Good top six, steadier defence, proven goaltending that has found its way. This run of late shows what the team is capable of when things are clicking. If you peak for the playoffs, there's possibility at least. Calli it rose colored glasses if you like, I believe in this group until they play the final game of the season. Whenever that may be.

[Brewmaster]

Interesting to look back on pre-deadline tweets suggesting Lazar would go for a 1st rounder. I view the situation similarly to the Flames moving out Baertschi in 2015 for a 2nd. Vancouver likely got the better player in that deal but Sven needed a change of scenery and faced potential waiver exposure the following year.

Teams have had some real successes picking up these type players - young first round picks that came into the NHL early then stumbled and looked for a change of scenery. Examples that come to mind are Turris, Baertschi, Niederreiter, and Drouin. Now all those guys were higher draft picks than Lazar, but they have all turned into solid players after stumbling out of the gate. Worth the risk of a mid 2nd round pick in my opinion.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Great article. I think Stone is better than Quincey, though.

As do I

I just thought Stone would have more of a bidding war and a third wouldn't get it done

they paid the price I imagined, but for a better player

[Leeman4Gilmour]

Thank you.

I did everything you said (Google people) after the trade, but didn't check out the Ottawa perspective. Appreciate that point of view and certainly adds to overall perspective.

As always, great work.

[Tron_fdc]

Very, very interested in this team suddenly. They are playing exactly how I thought they should be at the start of the season. This isn't a team relying on a lot of puck luck, or playing over their heads like what we saw few years ago. They're a strong team in almost every area, and their stats show it.

If this team is actually who we are, look out. Your biggest nightmare in the playoffs is a team with a hot goalie, and 4 strong lines. We seem to be developing that at just the right time.

[Flash Walken]

As someone who was hugely pessimistic about this year being basically a holding pattern for the Flames, key contributors on the roster have really come through for the team. What can you say about Backlund that hasn't already been said? Guy is playing out his mind right now.

With STone in the lineup over Wideman, I feel like the Flames are really poised to at least go down fighting in a first round playoff series if not win one or two along the way.

If Ferland can keep hot and if another player like Gaudreau of Bennett or Monahan can get hot in their own right, the Flames could do some real damage this year in the post season.

[nik-]

I wish I could be all in on this resurgence, but the hot December followed by a return of the tire fire has me pessimistic that this isn't another cycle.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by bax

I like this team. Amazing what Gulutzan has done since the rough start. 29-16-3 since that game in Minnesota where Johnny broke his finger. Good for 7th best in the league. It isn't luck either. During that time the team has top 10 special teams and strong possession metrics.

Treliving has done a fantastic job

Good point.

The Flames have been the 7th best team in hockey since that date, a span that includes a good bulk of the season (almost 60%)

Standings since Nov 14th

Minnesota
Washington
Columbus
San Jose
Pittsburgh
Chicago
Calgary

Edmonton is 11th.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by nik-

I wish I could be all in on this resurgence, but the hot December followed by a return of the tire fire has me pessimistic that this isn't another cycle.

I think it IS a cycle, I just also think the timing could be right for the upswing.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by bax

I like this team. Amazing what Gulutzan has done since the rough start. 29-16-3 since that game in Minnesota where Johnny broke his finger. Good for 7th best in the league. It isn't luck either. During that time the team has top 10 special teams and strong possession metrics.

Treliving has done a fantastic job

Didn't realize it was that good

[jaikorven]

Very nice read Bingo. Thank you as always.

I personally like the Lazar pickup. I have liked Lazar's game ever since I watched him Captain that WJC team that won. I believe he is a step up on, at the very least, one of the RW we have playing, so in my mind, we are improved going on the final run.

Stone is just gravy and I think just needed more recovery time, but people were hung up on the stat lines only.