[CP Story] Deep Sixed by the Bottom Six?

[Bingo]

Deep Sixed by the Bottom Six?

Calgary's scoring woes go deeper than the bottom half of the forward group.

Will they return to their average shooting percentage?

Will Mike Smith still be the man once they do?

[bucksmasher]

IMO part of the problem is the locked up vets clogging the bottom. The old slow stagans don't bring the energy that Hathaway and other young players that showed well in camp can. We've seen what an injection of youth and hunger to play 100% every night can do in the past. It usually only happens when an injury forces the situation. This idea isn't original, many posters feel similar frustrations with the same old lines being rolled. As almost a counter argument to bottom 6 depth, I feel like Bennett should be moved up tothe top line for a few games. If he can play the right wing on that line it would be a way harder to handle trio that would require more focus for the opposition to control. Therefore taking some pressure off the bottom 6 scoring if they ain't gonna go with youth.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by bucksmasher

IMO part of the problem is the locked up vets clogging the bottom. The old slow stagans don't bring the energy that Hathaway and other young players that showed well in camp can. We've seen what an injection of youth and hunger to play 100% every night can do in the past. It usually only happens when an injury forces the situation. This idea isn't original, many posters feel similar frustrations with the same old lines being rolled. As almost a counter argument to bottom 6 depth, I feel like Bennett should be moved up tothe top line for a few games. If he can play the right wing on that line it would be a way harder to handle trio that would require more focus for the opposition to control. Therefore taking some pressure off the bottom 6 scoring if they ain't gonna go with youth.

But the young guys didn't have good camps, all but Jankowski whiffed.

[442scotty]

Bring up Mangiapane and Hathaway and let Jankowski play with them for a few games. They have great chemistry and would surely be better than Glass and Hamilton. Then cut Stajan lose as well

[Brick]

Good article.

Time for a shakeup.

[EVERLAST]

In time Glen will have to do something.....I'm sure Brad has a finger on the pulse of this team and will do whatever is necessary if we are truly in win now mode.
It's troubling knowing what we have developing in Stockton but not yet ready. I guess we'll have to continue being patient even while we can't score.
I still don't understand why we just don't shoot more and get more bodies in front of the oppositions goalies.

We just don't seem desperate enough. Certain players need to be in those dirty areas more like Ferland, Bennett, Brower as they are a helluva lot more successful when they consistently do this.

[TSXCman]

Originally Posted by bucksmasher

IMO part of the problem is the locked up vets clogging the bottom. The old slow stagans don't bring the energy that Hathaway and other young players that showed well in camp can. We've seen what an injection of youth and hunger to play 100% every night can do in the past. It usually only happens when an injury forces the situation. This idea isn't original, many posters feel similar frustrations with the same old lines being rolled. As almost a counter argument to bottom 6 depth, I feel like Bennett should be moved up tothe top line for a few games. If he can play the right wing on that line it would be a way harder to handle trio that would require more focus for the opposition to control. Therefore taking some pressure off the bottom 6 scoring if they ain't gonna go with youth.

Who you callin a stagan...

[Mike F]

I'd like to know how many high quality scoring chances they're generating, and how that ranks compared to other teams.

My unsubstantiated impression is that, for all of the possession the can generate at times, it's not translating to a lot of dangerous chances. That could account for the low shooting%

[DazzlinDino]

Originally Posted by EVERLAST

In time Glen will have to do something.....I'm sure Brad has a finger on the pulse of this team and will do whatever is necessary if we are truly in win now mode.
It's troubling knowing what we have developing in Stockton but not yet ready. I guess we'll have to continue being patient even while we can't score.
I still don't understand why we just don't shoot more and get more bodies in front of the oppositions goalies.

We just don't seem desperate enough. Certain players need to be in those dirty areas more like Ferland, Bennett, Brower as they are a helluva lot more successful when they consistently do this.

I imagine if BT brought in some new players "younger" faster, GG would be forced to use other players in key situations. Top 3 lines look good but 4th line needs some treads! Can't keep a nice truck moving forward if the back tires are spinning.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Mike F

I'd like to know how many high quality scoring chances they're generating, and how that ranks compared to other teams.

My unsubstantiated impression is that, for all of the possession the can generate at times, it's not translating to a lot of dangerous chances. That could account for the low shooting%

Good thought.

They're ranked 14th in high danger shot attempt splits

[Bingo]

Anyway my point wasn't Tanner Glass and Freddie Hamilton had to go ... it was the fact that the top six aren't exactly lighting it up. Sure the bottom six is brutal, but they're not leading the way.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Anyway my point wasn't Tanner Glass and Freddie Hamilton had to go ... it was the fact that the top six aren't exactly lighting it up. Sure the bottom six is brutal, but they're not leading the way.

Part of the problem with the top six not lighting it up is there isn't even a warm body to play with Monahan and Gaudreau. They are basically getting it done completely by themselves.

Imagine that line with James Neal or TJ Oshie or basically anyone at all besides a 45 year old man and a rotating rogues gallery of guys who've never cracked 40 points.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Part of the problem with the top six not lighting it up is there isn't even a warm body to play with Monahan and Gaudreau. They are basically getting it done completely by themselves.

Imagine that line with James Neal or TJ Oshie or basically anyone at all besides a 45 year old man and a rotating rogues gallery of guys who've never cracked 40 points.

I would like to see Bennett get a shot there. A real shot, like 20 games.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I would like to see Bennett get a shot there. A real shot, like 20 games.

Always earned, never given?

He's been a black hole this year.

Ultimately I'd like to see him get a shot with the top line as well, but first he has to demonstrate that he'd even be a marginal upgrade on Ferland or Brouwer or Jagr or Versteeg.

As negative as some posters seem to think I am about Ferland he's easily earned more of an opportunity with the top line than Bennett has.

At least with Ferland there you know he's not going to burn you too badly.

If anyone deserves time with Monahan and Gaudreau it's Tkachuk, and I think if you want to get Bennett going your best bet is having him ride shotgun to Backlund.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Always earned, never given?...

So, I don’t have a stake in this, and I have no problem with seeing Bennett on the top line. But we really need to stop forwarding this mantra as though it actually means something to the team. This was Jay Feaster’s MO, but as far as I can tell it has not been uttered by anyone of significance in the organization since Bob Hartley’s second season.

I have long maintained that we as outside observers do not have a nuanced enough of an understanding of how the programme functioned when it was actually a team slogan. It no longer is, so it cannot any longer be forwarded as an explanation for what the team has done or should do. In this instance it is fair to expect that Bennett should not be offered first line opportunities on the balance of his performance this season. But, there are other reasons he potentially belongs on the top line, and since “always earned, never given” clearly does not factor in to the decision, people should really stop forwarding it as a reason for what the team is or should be doing. Clearly there is a hell of a lot more to making such decisions.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

So, I don’t have a stake in this, and I have no problem with seeing Bennett on the top line. But we really need to stop forwarding this mantra as though it actually means something to the team. This was Jay Feaster’s MO, but as far as I can tell it has not been uttered by anyone of significance in the organization since Bob Hartley’s second season.

I have long maintained that we as outside observers do not have a nuanced enough of an understanding of how the programme functioned when it was actually a team slogan. It no longer is, so it cannot any longer be forwarded as an explanation for what the team has done or should do. In this instance it is fair to expect that Bennett should not be offered first line opportunities on the balance of his performance this season. But, there are other reasons he potentially belongs on the top line, and since “always earned, never given” clearly does not factor in to the decision, people should really stop forwarding it as a reason for what the team is or should be doing. Clearly there is a hell of a lot more to making such decisions.

Agreed, I don't think the mantra matters.

Some posters use it all the time to illustrate a point. I'm saying, if that's your perspective then there's no way Bennett belongs anywhere near Gaudreau and Monahan.

If you think Bennett deserves a shot with them I hope I never read that poster say "always earned never given" again.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Agreed, I don't think the mantra matters.

Some posters use it all the time to illustrate a point. I'm saying, if that's your perspective then there's no way Bennett belongs anywhere near Gaudreau and Monahan.

If you think Bennett deserves a shot with them I hope I never read that poster say "always earned never given" again.

First of all, I never use that mantra, though I often attack other posters for using it - as I will do now towards you....

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Always earned, never given?

He's been a black hole this year.

Ultimately I'd like to see him get a shot with the top line as well, but first he has to demonstrate that he'd even be a marginal upgrade on Ferland or Brouwer or Jagr or Versteeg.

As negative as some posters seem to think I am about Ferland he's easily earned more of an opportunity with the top line than Bennett has.

At least with Ferland there you know he's not going to burn you too badly.

If anyone deserves time with Monahan and Gaudreau it's Tkachuk, and I think if you want to get Bennett going your best bet is having him ride shotgun to Backlund.

Of all the ridiculous arguments that get thrown around here, this might be the most pathetic. First of all, it can mean a lot of things: working hard in practice would constitute "always earned" would it not?

There has never been a lack of effort from Bennett. And he is a highly skilled player that has currently lost all confidence. The best thing for the team is to have all players playing at their best. Getting Bennett going would be a huge boost to the team. And the simple fact of the matter is that he has more talent than pretty much everyone not named Gaudreau.

The idea is to get the most out of your players and have success. Not to blindly follow the (one-dimensionally interpreted) bleatings of a phrase once uttered by a member of the prior regime.

Honestly, I think you're better than that.

[tsquared1967]

"Always earned, never given."

Famous words for those defending GG and Tre. Chaisson earned a spot on the top line last year. Jankowski earned his demotion to the AHL. Brouwer earned the "A" on his jersey.

GG and Tre are afraid of losing games so they have so many veterans who are old and slow in trying to win games. They are also afraid to admit when they are wrong by not dumping the veterans. Let the losing continue. If the Flames lose games I would rather see them losing games with the youngster... they will learn from the experience.

[ricardodw]

The most offensively talent RH player on the Flames is Dougie Hamilton. They have 4 defensemen that shown to top-4 ability over extended periods.

Put Hamilton on the RW with Gaudreau and Monahan for 10-15 games and the Flames will have a real #1 line and the bottom 6 looks better playing against the other teams 3 pairing defense.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by tsquared1967

"Always earned, never given."

Famous words for those defending GG and Tre...

I don’t believe this is remotely true. The only instances in which I see the mantra thrown around is in snide criticism of the current hockey ops. dept. It is used as a means to demonstrate that the Flames are hypocritical by NOT operating in this self same manner, even though the current admin. has laid no claim to the old MO. This is precisely why I wish people would stop talking about it.