The Calgary Flames at Christmas: a Collection of Thoughts

[TheScorpion]

A Rare Position Atop the Mountain

Thirty years after their last championship, the Calgary Flames are in the midst of an all-too-rare type of season. Featuring new faces throughout the lineup and on the coaching staff, the Flames have as many or more points as every team in the league not based out of Tampa Bay. Indeed, their close proximity to the Lightning in the standings cultivates tantalizing images of a chance for justice against their one-time foes in the Stanley Cup Final.

Sitting in such a prestigious spot is a rarity for what was so long "Jarome Iginla's team." A notoriously slow starter himself, Iginla led the Flames to countless disappointing Octobers and Novembers during his captaincy, with the team forced to heat up in the new year to have a hope of making the playoffs. For a while, this sort of worked. After 2009, it definitely did not, as the Flames missed the playoffs every year past that point until two years after Iginla's underwhelming trade in 2013.

However, once in a while during Iginla's tenure, the team did something different. Wilier fans than I will remember the Flames' white-hot start to the 2001-02 season—Iginla's breakout year—which saw Greg Gilbert's squad burst out to a 13-2-2-2 record by mid-November. Like Bill Peters, Gilbert was in his first full season behind the Flames' bench (Gilbert had finished off the last month of 2000-01 after the firing of Don Hay) and it seemed initially that he had acclimatized well to his new club. However, almost exactly one year later, Gilbert was on the outs after a disastrous start to 2002-03 which saw a messy and very public feud with Iginla's best-ever centre, Marc Savard, and his resultant trade to the Atlanta Thrashers for Ruslan "Who?" Zainullin.

Flash-forward eight years. Much like what preceded this season, the Flames' summer of 2009 saw a massive personnel shift resulting in a great deal of excitement surrounding the team. Yet another new coach was hired, in former Devils boss and one-time Dion Phaneuf mentor Brent Sutter; management swung a deal with Florida for the rights to star offensive defenseman Jay Bouwmeester, giving the Flames the "best defense on paper in hockey" for the first of many times in the last decade; and, thanks to the return of previous trade deadline acquisition Olli Jokinen, then-GM Darryl Sutter had seemingly assembled a team he proclaimed to be full of 20-goal scorers. Even better yet, the Flames shot out to a 25-12-5 record by early January. However, by the end of the year, only Iginla and Rene Bourque had scored a score for the Flames, while coach Brent's prodigal son had been shipped out to Toronto for a collection of Brian Burke's interns (only one of whom eventually found a useful job).

The 2018-19 Calgary Flames share a lot in common with their 2001-02 and 2009-10 counterparts. They have a brand new coach in Bill Peters. Their leading scorer, just like in 2001, is a winger in his mid-twenties. Their defense, once again, looks like one of the best in the league on paper. And they've rocketed up in the standings.

That's where the similarities end. The 2009-10 Calgary Flames notoriously finished dead-last in the league in scoring, barely potting 200 goals. This year's squad already has 122 and it isn't even January. They're fast, they're fun, and they have incredible depth. However, while this team, much like, say, the successful 2015 Hartley team, seems to have a good work ethic, unlike those teams, that dedication coexists alongside good habits.

The 2018 edition of the Calgary Flames has excellent puck-control metrics and, after a slippery start to the season, has developed the ability to lock down a game. No more is this team's success predicated on leading the league in blocked shots or 3-on-3 overtime. While they are still excellent at pulling third-period comebacks out of nowhere, they are doing so because of their relentless skill and puck-control, and none of their wins have been undeserved.

In separating this team from their superficial 2010 and 2002 counterparts, I've identified a number of areas of strength that really put them above and beyond their ghosts of the past.

A Depth of Eliteness

The Calgary Flames' depth was beleaguered by many last season. One of Brad Treliving's top priorities coming into this past summer was to strengthen his team up front and provide it with the personnel to create a balanced attack. In 2017-18, Calgary boasted an effective first line in Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan, and Micheal Ferland, with the '3M Line' of Matthew Tkachuk, Mikael Backlund, and Michael Frolik remaining steady behind them. After that... chaos, with Troy Brouwer, Sam Bennett, Mark Jankowski, Kris Versteeg (when healthy), Jaromir Jagr (again, when healthy), Chris Stewart, Nick Shore, Garnet Hathaway, Curtis Lazar, Matt Stajan, and even Tanner Glass all chipping in here and there. This season, all but three of those players (Bennett, Jankowski, and Hathaway) have been stricken from the Flames.

Despite this, the Flames' scoring list remains as disparate as ever... but that is not to say that effective changes did not happen. Last season, the Flames had two elite producers in Gaudreau and Monahan, a definite first-liner in Tkachuk, a couple complementary offensive pieces in Ferland and Backlund, and then... not a whole lot. This year, the Flames have doubled their eliteness. Instead of just two top-tier producers, the Flames have four. The acquisition of Elias Lindholm (more on him later) completely changed the offensive dynamic of the Flames' first line and powerplay unit, giving the Flames another legitimate offensive threat who actually has the capability to produce away from Gaudreau and Monahan. Secondly, Matthew Tkachuk has taken yet another step this season, turning from a 45-point pest with good net-front instincts to a player who can completely take over a game without much fanfare. Seriously, he had four assists against Philadelphia last week—did anyone notice?

The top teams in the NHL possess balanced attacks, and their idea of adding "depth" does not mean adding actual depth players. It means adding more game-breakers. Tkachuk's development and the acquisition of Lindholm gave the Flames more elite depth, and now, instead of having two big guns to reliably produce offense, they have four. Expect more seven-goal outings with this group.

Dialed-in: Mark Giordano's Resurgence

Dougie Hamilton is a nice piece, but he and Mark Giordano seemed to have difficulty fully meshing during their two full seasons as a pairing here in Calgary. Reunited with his long-time mate in T.J. Brodie, Giordano has once again become the Flames' undisputed MVP during their surge up the league's standings. On track for one of the greatest offensive seasons ever by a 35+ defenseman, the Flames' captain finally achieved a septuagenarian golfer's dream and scored his age against the St. Louis Blues yesterday, recording two points to put himself up to 35 on the year. He is one of five Flames to have recorded 30 or more points this season; no other team has three.

Giordano has been a very, very good defenseman for years. Many fans will remember his standout 2014-15 year which saw him firmly entrenched in the Norris Trophy race before a devastating bicep injury against New Jersey in February cost him the rest of his season. Ultimately, Giordano finished sixth in Norris voting that year and has largely sunk back below the surface of the PHWA's collective conscience in years since. Despite consistently fantastic defensive results, Giordano hasn't finished higher than eighth in voting since then, and notably polled below Dougie Hamilton in Norris balloting last season. A pre-season NHL.com ranking placed Hamilton as the 18th-best defenseman in hockey, while omitting Giordano from its top-25 entirely.

This season will likely be different, although it may be difficult for Giordano to beat the hype of Toronto's Morgan Rielly. Giordano leads the NHL in plus/minus with a +21, as useless as that statistic is, but his excellence is backed up by numerous more reputable figures as well. Giordano boasts a 61.36 GF% (goals-for percentage) at even strength, meaning that Calgary scores (on average) more than six goals out of every ten that are scored while Giordano is on the ice. Hamilton's struggles away from Giordano in Carolina have been well-documented, with his hallmark offensive prowess having been eradicated completely under Rod Brind'Amour's tutelage; meanwhile, T.J. Brodie has surged back into the favour of the Flames' fanbase after being paired back with Giordano. It is clear that the Flames' captain has a uniquely positive effect on those that he plays with, and that should garner him a great deal of Norris consideration.

A New Powerplay Dynamic

Who has the best shot on the Calgary Flames?

Sean Monahan's wrister has to be considered. It's hard, it's accurate, and based on his production, it's effective. So, too, does Mark Giordano's one-timer from the point, which rises... and rises... and rises past almost every goaltender he utilizes it against. However, this year, a new contender has emerged. Elias Lindholm boasts an incredibly unique asset: his quick release. It has earned the praise of Sportsnet analyst Kelly Hrudey, and it is fantastic.

For years, the Flames have been trying to find the right spark for their first powerplay unit. For the better part of a season, Kris Versteeg seemed to work on the right flank, leading the team to a 10th-best finish in the PP% column in 2016-17. The powerplay was good, but not great, and then Versteeg got hurt. Mark Jankowski was summoned to replace him. It didn't really work. Dougie Hamilton was next, but it didn't really seem to work until after the Flames had all but been eliminated. Not helping things was then-coach Dave Cameron's repeated insistence upon slotting in overpaid veteran character player Troy Brouwer on the man-advantage.

Enter Geoff Ward. The Flames' new powerplay mind has crafted an automatic first powerplay unit that is scoring at will. And even for a team that changed so much over the summer, the powerplay is just remarkably different. Gone is T.J. Brodie, and in his place is Giordano with his cannon from the point. Gaudreau and Monahan remain in their old spots, but replacing Brouwer and Versteeg/Hamilton is one new face and one old. Matthew Tkachuk has proven to be an ideal presence down low and in front of the net, wowing with his knack for deflections à la Joe Nieuwendyk. Meanwhile, Lindholm occupies the right flank spot, and based upon his early results, it's his to keep. Lindholm has been a firecracker on the powerplay this season, chalking up countless key points from his position. They try to do the same thing every time: Giordano, down to Gaudreau on the left side... a saucer pass quickly over to Lindholm, who puts a quick, accurate, and blazingly-fast wrister on net that either beats the goalie or pops out for one of Tkachuk or Monahan to bury. It has been a phenomenal sight, and a testament to the depth of elite talent that the Flames have the privilege to possess.

Whipping Boys with Silver Linings

To tell a fanbase to not criticize certain players would be a bit like King Canute telling the sea to go back. It is, frankly, inevitable, even when the team is doing so well. Are some of the Flames' whipping boys (WBs) being criticized for rightful reasons? Oh yes. But, with one large exception, they all offer Flames fans reason for hope and do not really stand in this team's way. While, in the past, the Flames' whipping boys have been largely deleterious to the team's overall production, either through a wholesale lack of offensive production (Troy Brouwer), poor skating ability (David Jones and Dennis Wideman), or poor possession metrics (Brouwer, Jones, Wideman, and basically every other whipping boy ever), the current "worst" Flames all have redeeming qualities.

WB I: The Mike Smith Question

No player on the Calgary Flames has been derided more than Mike Smith, whose play has certainly cost the team more than just a couple of points. There was, of course, the demoralizing loss to Montreal in mid-November, which saw the team blow a 2-1 lead in the third period thanks to two absolutely unforgivable goals against. There was the nearly-calamitous Flyers game, in which Smith conceded quite possibly the worst goal of his entire career to fourth-liner Dale Weise, giving then-Flyers coach Dave Hakstol one of the last multi-goal leads of his entire tenure. And, of course, there was the 9-1 embarrassment against Pittsburgh. Nothing more has to be said about that.

Smith is a veteran. He has been around the block many, many times before. His .888 save percentage is the definition of "uninspiring," but it definitely could be worse. Some may say that the Flames have won in spite of his play, and this is perhaps true, but Smith is still doing something that many struggling goaltenders for this team have failed to do in the past: he's winning games. Smith, for all of his warts, has an 11-7-1 record on the season, and he's definitely been improving as of late, Flyers game aside. He's recorded a couple of shutouts, and he's getting positive competition from upstart David Rittich. While Bill Peters has been perhaps a bit too over-reliant on his start-of-season starter, after Rittich started both games of this past weekend's back-to-back, there's reason to believe that Peters may be ready to really transition the crease duties. Smith is still a capable backup in this league who can win a team games, and this team certainly has the offensive firepower to overcome his warts. And if he devolves completely, an upgrade is only one phone call and likely one cheap draft pick away.

WB II: What is Derek Ryan?

Derek Ryan is not a #2C, and he didn't really work well in that role during Mikael Backlund's absence. However, at his $3.1 million salary, he should not be expected to be a legitimate top-six option. No longer would Adrian Aucoin be run out of Chicago for making $4 million a year, because the salary cap is no longer $49 million. As of next year, it will likely be $83 million, rendering the mean salary on a 23-man roster at $3.6 million (in a vacuum, that is).

At $3.1 million, Derek Ryan would fall solidly below that average. Is he a below-average player? He most certainly is not. While some have derided his offensive instincts, Ryan is still producing the most out of any of his fellow Flames UFA signings, on pace for a respectable 10 goals and 27 points. Was Ryan really brought in to be a point-scorer, though? To an extent, yes, considering that he tallied 38 points last year. That figure isn't out of the question this year, either; however, Ryan clearly provides most of his value on his own half of the ice. He continues to lead the team in suppressing high-danger chances against and also paces the team in preventing overall chances. While he's probably a worse option than Mark Jankowski on the powerplay, he's definitely not the worst player on the second powerplay unit (more on that later) and to say that every offensive play dies on his stick is unsubstantiated. Ryan leads all members of PP2 in powerplay points.

WB III: The Continuing Question of Sam Bennett

Sam Bennett is a befuddling player. He's quite inconsistent, alternating between memorable games such as his wrecking-ball effort in the Colorado game last month and invisible showings where his name seldom escapes Rick Ball's lips. With 10 points in 33 games, he's on pace for yet another 25-ish point season, and while he doesn't really hurt the Flames, is he really helping them, either?

Bennett's defensive numbers are unremarkable and they're probably elevated even then by playing with Mikael Backlund. He's improved at faceoffs, yes, but is he a good option at centre? Not on a Flames team full of pivots. He was out with an injury against St. Louis and it didn't really seem to matter that much. Perhaps that's a testament to the Flames' impressive depth overall, but with his draft pedigree, Bennett should not be akin to an interchangeable body up front. He should be scoring, and scoring lots.

Or should he? Perhaps it seems like a tepid argument by now, but Bennett is still just 22. Micheal Ferland was 26 by the time that he established himself as a reliable NHL glue guy. At this point, while it seems as though he may never live up to his draft potential, there is still a lot of runway left for Benny's jet. It just depends on what airport he wants to fly to. Bennett's skillset lacks a killer attribute, but I think that if he really put significant work into his shot, there could be the potential for him to turn into a Tom Wilson-like 40/45-point power forward... hopefully without the annual 20-game suspension.

WB IV: Finally... James Neal, or "The One Large Exception"

James Neal is notoriously very particular about his hockey sticks. In 2017, he said that he had been using the same Easton stick for nine years, and judging by his consistent, workman-like scoring, it worked. Neal has scored at least 20 goals in every year of his NHL career, and when the Calgary Flames signed him on July 2, it seemed as though they had finally found the perfect complement for Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan.

Obviously, that hasn't worked out. As noted, Elias Lindholm has taken the reins on that first line and run with them, already tying his career-high in goals with 17. Meanwhile, Neal is sitting at 7 points on the season, with just 3 of them being goals—the last one of which came almost two whole months ago.

Perhaps an accessory to Neal's regression is the demise of Easton, forcing him to change brands. However, it looks like Neal may have also tried to switch handedness. He has had immense difficulty even receiving passes, completely flubbing two successive Mikael Backlund one-time passes in the slot against St. Louis yesterday. Where Elias Lindholm's release looks fluid and fast, Neal's looks strange, like he's trying to shove the puck forward. It's all very jarring.

However, Neal's problems don't all come from his stick. He commonly seems behind the play, making weird moves especially in the offensive and netural zones that don't seem to coincide with the flow of the players around him. He makes strange turns away from the puck and struggles with even getting open, frequently backing himself into tight coverage. On the second powerplay unit, he submits easily to misdirectional routes by the defensive team, completely negating his net-front presence and removing his screen.

It's all very strange, considering that the vast majority of his teammates have found great success under Bill Peters' system. But Neal just isn't getting great chances. He is seldom found on favourable odd-man rushes. I don't think I've seen a two-on-one involving Neal for well over a month. And for a player making $5.75 million for four more years following this one, that's very concerning. A reputably streaky player, there is reason to believe that Neal could get up to a 20-goal pace again, but until he can actually score a powerplay goal for this team, that all just seems like conjecture.

I don't think Mike Smith, Derek Ryan, or Sam Bennett will spell the end of this team. Smith has been poor in outings, yes, but the team is still winning with him in net, and as an expiring contract, he's easily replaceable. Ryan is not paid nearly as much compared to the cap as it may seem, and his defensive results are really quite good, powerplay usage aside. Bennett is inconsistent, but I think that if he really works on his shot, he can become a tenacious and consistent power forward like Micheal Ferland or a less-dirty Tom Wilson. However, with James Neal... I really just don't know what to say.

The Final Question: Can They Keep it Up?

I really think they can. This edition of the Calgary Flames is fast, fun, and exciting. Unlike previous surprising Flames teams, the "cores" of which featured players including Derek Morris, Dean McAmmond, Jay Bouwmeester, and Curtis Glencross, this squad has a balanced lineup with few players really playing out of their respective elements. No more is the top-six populated with the likes of Mason Raymond or Brendan Morrison... this team is for real.

Until they lose a couple in a row in a few days/weeks/months and we're all calling for Treliving's head again. Either way, happy holidays, everyone, and enjoy the Flames' terrific start amidst the celebrations in which you partake.

[Strange Brew]

Good to see you back Scorp. I enjoyed reading that. Nicely done.

[Enoch Root]

Back with a vengeance!

Oh, and yes, the Flames are good.

[AC]

I didn't see one Quine mention.

Disappointed!

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by AC

I didn't see one Quine mention.

Disappointed!

Oh, he gets his own thread.

[spuzzum]

https://www.google.ca/amp/s/www.cbc.ca/amp/1.279661

13-2-2-2. Are we getting ahead of ourselves? Using words like eliteness frightens me. We're before Christmas.

[Textcritic]

I approve of this.

Good to see you back, Scorp.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by spuzzum

https://www.google.ca/amp/s/www.cbc.ca/amp/1.279661

13-2-2-2. Are we getting ahead of ourselves? Using words like eliteness frightens me. We're before Christmas.

What do you remember of that season?

I remember a goalie playing out of his mind on the advent of signing a lucrative new extension, and the rest of a marginally talented team struggling to keep their heads above water most nights.

The 2018–19 Flames are NOTHING like the AHL Calgary Flames of 2001–02.

[TheScorpion]

spuzzum - You are aware I mentioned that exact 13-2-2-2 record in there and then renounced any possible similarity on the back of this team's considerably-better depth and top-end personnel?

[SmoggyFlamesFan]

Scorp, you should apply to be a flames writer for the athletic. This is some excellent quality content. Thank you for your write up.

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by SmoggyFlamesFan

Scorp, you should apply to be a flames writer for the athletic. This is some excellent quality content. Thank you for your write up.

Thanks, although I'm just trying to get through university. Haynes, Cruickshank, Wilson, and Duhatschek all do excellent jobs and their work is at an incredible level of refinement that I'll be lucky to reach. Can't deny that it'd be fun, but they're the pros for a reason.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Could have sworn I banned you

[Traditional_Ale]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Could have sworn I banned you

After an article like that I think he should be forgiven.


Scorp: Well written! Are you in journalism? Loved the use of "deleterious" and "runway for Benny's jet."

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by Traditional_Ale

After an article like that I think he should be forgiven.


Scorp: Well written! Are you in journalism? Loved the use of "deleterious" and "runway for Benny's jet."

Hah, yeah, I'm in journalism school. I really enjoy it. I requested a month-long sabbatical to prep for my final essays and exams.

Also, hah, thanks. I love throwing in a little colour.

[Vinny01]

Good read

[8sPOT]

That was a great write up. The part about Neal's handedness was hilarious, and you described precisely what he's looked like on the ice so far this season.

[ASP#26525]

Welcome back, Scorp! Nicely done, must have taken you some time! I hope your exams and everything went well.

Enjoy your much deserved holiday, and GFG!

[calgarybornnraised]

It's going to be really cool for us CPers to tell people we knew "TheScorpion" when he was a gungho start 20 different threads teenager.

Look where he is now!

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by calgarybornnraised

It's going to be really cool for us CPers to tell people we knew "TheScorpion" when he was a gungho start 20 different threads teenager.

Look where he is now!

...Still a gungho teenager posting on a message board?

[Manhattanboy]

Very well done. A-