Puck Drop Preview: 2018-19 Calgary Flames

[Commandant]

Welcome to Puck Drop Preview 2018-19, where Last Word On Hockey gives you a detailed look at each team from around the NHL leading to the start of this hockey season and offers our insight and analysis. Make sure to stick around until the end of the series, where we’ll offer our full predictions for the standings in each division, and eventually our 2018-19 Stanley Cup pick. You can check out all our articles on our Puck Drop Page. Today the series continues with the 2018-19 Calgary Flames.

https://lastwordonhockey.com/2018/08...algary-flames/

[FBI]

Good write up thanks. Forgot to mention Rittich though who is likely the backup this year.

[Huntingwhale]

Good write up. Love the optimism. I don't agree with Hanafin and Hamonic being a 1st pairing on other teams though. They are unknown at this point, and IMO Hamonic didn't have as good of a season as the author wrote. He's due for a bounce back though, but they have a lot to prove before they can be labelled as 1B.

Anaheim also might be aging up front, but they hardly show signs of a decline. A decline I've been eagerly awaiting for 5+ years now. They have a fantastic very young D corps, an elite goaltender, and a #1C who plays like he's a superhero. That is always a recipe for success. They have also won 5 of the last 6 division titles, and were runner up last season. Until proven otherwise, they are absolutely the favorite to take the division yet again. I would love nothing more then to see them finally waddle in mediocrity. But they always find a way to win.

Flames are due for a big season. They haven't hit 100+ points since 2006. After 12 long years, I think they are finally due for a big season.

[Red Slinger]

Good article.

The coaching change should also be noted. The biggest issue last year was scoring goals especially on the PP. The added depth and new coaching should help alleviate some of the scoring issues.

I agree that goaltending is the biggest question mark.

[DeluxeMoustache]

The fourth line could obviously see some changes but right now it looks like it will be filled by newcomers Austin Czarnik and Derek Ryan, as well as workhorse Curtis Lazar

Lazar played less than 10 minutes per game. I don’t think that word means what you think it means.

[dissentowner]

For the record I don't think Lazar is anything but the extra forward. Lots of pressbox.

[blender]

Feel good write up for sure, but several inaccuracies have been highlighted by previous posters. I agree that the Flames should be a playoff team, but the margins are just so thin in today's NHL.

Is it just me or is the Pacific one of the tightest divisions to call. Possibly the weakest in the league (toss up with the Atlantic IMO), but it looks very competitive internally.

Can't wait for some hockey!

[blender]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

For the record I don't think Lazar is anything but the extra forward. Lots of pressbox.

Cant argue based on last season's results, but at the same time I feel that a lot can change under a new coach and linemates. I'm not relegating anyone to the pressbox yet.

[Flashpoint]

Change of coach is a HUGE reason you could look to the Flames to improve.

Goaltending is the biggest suspect and concern if they flop.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Flashpoint

Change of coach is a HUGE reason you could look to the Flames to improve.

Goaltending is the biggest suspect and concern if they flop.

Peters doesn’t bring a stellar resume to think he will be far better than Gulutzan though. I am keeping an open mind and am optimistic about the team but I’m not sold on Peters especially when AV was available.

[CliffFletcher]

Why is everyone penciling in Neal on the top line? Peters has pretty much said he'd like to see Lindholm there, and having a two-way winger who can skate makes more sense in that role than another sniper.

The way I see it, effective lines these days typically have three roles: Passer, shooter, utility.

Gaudreau (passer) - Monahan (shooter) - Lindholm (utility)
Tkachuk (passer) - Backlund (utility) - Neal (shooter)

[Samonadreau]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Why is everyone penciling in Neal on the top line? Peters has pretty much said he'd like to see Lindholm there, and having a two-way winger who can skate makes more sense in that role than another sniper.

The way I see it, effective lines these days typically have three roles: Passer, shooter, utility.

Gaudreau (passer) - Monahan (shooter) - Lindholm (utility)
Tkachuk (passer) - Backlund (utility) - Neal (shooter)

Agreed, this is how ive had the top 6 pencilled in for a while.

The other thing i like here is Neal's grit on that second line. I think he and Tkachuk would have good chemistry as well.

[the-rasta-masta]

I absolutely felt Lazar was atrocious in the first half of the year, and couldn't understand how he was getting playing time and not send down to the AHL. But I had to give him credit for the second half of the year, he was playing much better and seemed to have settled in to a role. I can see him being effective, and valuable in that role if he continues forward playing how he did down the stretch.