[Signing] Flames sign Zadorov to 1 year deal worth $3.75 mil

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Sandman

There are problems with our healthcare system, but I would much rather do it this way. In the US, either you're rich or you're screwed.

Over 90 percent of Americans have health insurance. That's not just the rich.

We still take care of the sick, the poor, and the old.

I'm on permanent disability because I couldn't get treatment for a neck injury. I couldn't get treatment because I was sick and I was poor and couldn't afford an ambulance. Pull the other one, it's got bells on.

This is just one of the reasons that we here in Canada are generally happier, and more content, and every survey you can find lists Canada as one of the top-five best countries in the world to live.

You mean those surveys that are consistently designed to make the U.S. look bad? I've seen how the factors are weighted. They make sure to give per capita income and opportunity a low rating so European countries will come out ahead. Call it a consolation prize for the ego.

They shoot each other in the streets because they have a miserable existence, constantly teetering on the edge. OK I'm done.

The only Americans shooting each other on the streets are in the ghettos. They do that in Canada too. If you believe the average American lives like gangsters in Compton or Camden, you need to actually go there and meet some real Americans.

[dino7c]

Darryl Sutter said today the first thing he noticed last year is how much time the Dmen spent on their asses in the flames crease and how much Markstrom got pushed around. And then he said that is what he told management was the biggest issue that needed to be addressed in the offseason.

He made the comment when asked about Zadorov and Gudbranson before todays game, funny how some fans mocked Tre for these signings

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Darryl Sutter said today the first thing he noticed last year is how much time the Dmen spent on their asses in the flames crease and how much Markstrom got pushed around. And then he said that is what he told management was the biggest issue that needed to be addressed in the offseason.

He made the comment when asked about Zadorov and Gudbranson before todays game, funny how some fans mocked Tre for these signings

Yeah I remember being happy about Zadorov but annoyed at the Gudbranson signing. Thought we were good with one but not both, but damn, them together have just been punishing to the opposition. Something advanced stats don't track either, just how hard someone is to play against

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Darryl Sutter said today the first thing he noticed last year is how much time the Dmen spent on their asses in the flames crease and how much Markstrom got pushed around. And then he said that is what he told management was the biggest issue that needed to be addressed in the offseason.

He made the comment when asked about Zadorov and Gudbranson before todays game, funny how some fans mocked Tre for these signings

Some posters were iffy on Zadorov but it was the Gudbranson signing that fans didn't like and for good reason as he was a disaster defensively the past few seasons. It still has to be noted that both of these defensemen are amongst the most sheltered in the league.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Some posters were iffy on Zadorov but it was the Gudbranson signing that fans didn't like and for good reason as he was a disaster defensively the past few seasons. It still has to be noted that both of these defensemen are amongst the most sheltered in the league.

Yeah, the top four has subbed out Giordano for Kylington. Not sure how much that has helped protect Markstrom.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Yeah, the top four has subbed out Giordano for Kylington. Not sure how much that has helped protect Markstrom.

Kylington makes more mistakes but has more recovery ability than present day Gio. It’s a wash at the very least, and maybe an improvement. Gio plays a meaner game, but Kylington is just getting better and better.

As far as sheltering, I see the bottom pairing against good players a lot, and they hold their own. They must certainly cause the opposition to have some eco d thoughts about heading to the net.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Kylington makes more mistakes but has more recovery ability than present day Gio. It’s a wash at the very least, and maybe an improvement. Gio plays a meaner game, but Kylington is just getting better and better.

As far as sheltering, I see the bottom pairing against good players a lot, and they hold their own. They must certainly cause the opposition to have some eco d thoughts about heading to the net.

That's going to happen at times especially on the road but the Athletic recently published an article showing what defense pairings faced the best competition and both Zadorov and Gudbranson were on the top 25 list of sheltered defensemen in the NHL. Credit Sutter for knowing what they can and can't do and putting them in situations where they can succeed more than not. I think they have exceeded expectations this season but both will be inline for raises and I just don't think this team can afford to do that nor are they players that make sense to keep long term.

[gvitaly]

I just got a break, and I was wondering if you guys have a preference as to what section to do next? If I just go chronologically I'd do the cars section next.
1) Cars, dealership deals, speeding tickets, getting pulled over etc.
2) Going to the Olympics, Info China didn't provide, precautions, and player calls with the league.
3) MacKinnon conversation after the previous interview(this one is rather short though)

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by gvitaly

I just got a break, and I was wondering if you guys have a preference as to what section to do next? If I just go chronologically I'd do the cars section next.
1) Cars, dealership deals, speeding tickets, getting pulled over etc.
2) Going to the Olympics, Info China didn't provide, precautions, and player calls with the league.
3) MacKinnon conversation after the previous interview(this one is rather short though)

Anything you like, gvitaly. Just grateful for your posts.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by gvitaly

I just got a break, and I was wondering if you guys have a preference as to what section to do next? If I just go chronologically I'd do the cars section next.
1) Cars, dealership deals, speeding tickets, getting pulled over etc.
2) Going to the Olympics, Info China didn't provide, precautions, and player calls with the league.
3) MacKinnon conversation after the previous interview(this one is rather short though)

Had a look at the data and they're clearly sheltered.

Also noticed though that it seems to be a trait of top ten teams to have a solid top four that does the heavy lifting, and then a third pair that gets sheltered.

A lot of the poor teams just roll them against all competition.

Both are rules not a formula.

But Toronto, Florida and the Rangers had very similar splits ... Vegas, Colorado, St. Louis and Tampa shelter one guy not two.

[Classic_Sniper]

As good as Zadorov has been this season and there have been flashes of excellence, his 5 on 5 GF to GA ratio isn’t anything to write home about. 26 for vs 23 against as a 3rd pairing defenseman. Very meh especially if you compare to Kylington’s 45 to 23.

I do still think his value will be fully on display in the playoffs though where players of his ilk can be more effective.

[dino7c]

Markstrom rarely get run this season and when he does the opponent gets pounded. I'm going to go with Darryl's assessment that it was a big issue that has been corrected. The 3rd pair is a big part of it.

Also remember Ras straight up punching a Oiler in the face game one for hacking the goalie, it was obviously addressed.

[CroFlames]

The US healthcare system is miles better than Canada's if you have high-end insurance, which NHLers evidently do.

If you are middle class, Canada's is miles better. And Zads even says so. As a rich individual, he admits he prefers the US system which makes tons of sense.


One thing that stood out to me (which was a true statement) was that he understands WHY Canada is so strict with their Covid protocols. It's to protect the healthcare system. It would quickly become overrun with restrictions, whereas in the US, rich people will continue to get taken care of. He's a smart individual.

[CSharp]

I really don't care much about the social life of a hockey player since they're just people outside of hockey. The contributions Z has made on the ice for the Flames is pretty nice this season. I just hope Tre can sign him and Gudbransson this offseason before they hit the free agency market.

As for the comments he made about the taxes and healthcare - it's pretty much exact. Anyone making over $50K-$60K, it's a 44% tax (really sucks). Then there's the corporate tax which is like around 15%-16% for the Province of Alberta. Not sure if NHL players claim it through their own corporation or not. The Alberta Health - it wasn't always for free either until the Federal government made Alberta come in line with all the other provinces for the Canadian Healthcare system so that healthcare is free for all. However, stuff like Dental and Ambulances are not free. I've used the ambulances for my self and my wife twice and it's expensive but it's amazing. It costs $375 per call! I think we all take the free healthcare system for granted but fail to realize how overburden the emergency becomes, especially when people go in for stupid things like the flu or other non-emergency symptoms. This is where the US healthcare privatization beats Canada in the healthcare service. I have no doubt that a two-tier or multi-tier system would work in conjunction with the free base healthcare system. It's just that most people think that it should be totally free and that there is absolutely no costs within the system. In reality, it costs everyone lots of money through taxes.

[yourbestfriend]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

That's going to happen at times especially on the road but the Athletic recently published an article showing what defense pairings faced the best competition and both Zadorov and Gudbranson were on the top 25 list of sheltered defensemen in the NHL. Credit Sutter for knowing what they can and can't do and putting them in situations where they can succeed more than not. I think they have exceeded expectations this season but both will be inline for raises and I just don't think this team can afford to do that nor are they players that make sense to keep long term.

We have the 3rd ranked PK in the league and I'd argue that Gudbranson is a large part of that. He might be sheltered at 5v5, but he's definitely proving his worth on the PK. As you stated, all credit to the coaching staff in identifying where players can excel and putting them in positions to succeed.

In terms of resigning, I see Zadorov as good as gone, we can't afford him anyways. Gudbranson I can see staying. He's found a nice spot under Sutter, is playing a lot and doing quite well to boot. He's a bit older, so there's a possibility he'd take term over money.

[CSharp]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

The US healthcare system is miles better than Canada's if you have high-end insurance, which NHLers evidently do.

If you are middle class, Canada's is miles better. And Zads even says so. As a rich individual, he admits he prefers the US system which makes tons of sense.


One thing that stood out to me (which was a true statement) was that he understands WHY Canada is so strict with their Covid protocols. It's to protect the healthcare system. It would quickly become overrun with restrictions, whereas in the US, rich people will continue to get taken care of. He's a smart individual.

I wouldn't say it's miles better in Canada for middle class. It's definitely great for people with lower income for sure. For middle class who get Blue Cross health insurance as part of their company healthcare plan - it's not free. They're still paying out of their pockets every paycheck to get that premium. As a contractor, I have no such premium since Blue Cross is a joke because you really have to pay several thousand dollars a year for several years before you actually get real benefits out of that insurance. So, I actually pay out of my pocket for medications and whatever dental or physio I need (which isn't all that much per year since I'm pretty healthy - knock on wood). However, if you're a low income earner and your Blue Cross is not covered or covers the minimum - holy crap, the medications, physio, and other expenses add up! With the US and their privatized system - if it can be somewhat implemented here in Canada or in Alberta, it can alleviate the shortages and overburdening of the system. As well, the tiered system would at least pay for part of the free system. Nothing pays for itself, especially in the healthcare system.

[SeanCharles]

Originally Posted by yourbestfriend

We have the 3rd ranked PK in the league and I'd argue that Gudbranson is a large part of that. He might be sheltered at 5v5, but he's definitely proving his worth on the PK. As you stated, all credit to the coaching staff in identifying where players can excel and putting them in positions to succeed.

In terms of resigning, I see Zadorov as good as gone, we can't afford him anyways. Gudbranson I can see staying. He's found a nice spot under Sutter, is playing a lot and doing quite well to boot. He's a bit older, so there's a possibility he'd take term over money.

Yea let Zadorov walk and re-sign Gudbranson.

Valimaki and Mackey can fight it out for the 3rd pair LD spot.

[Vinny01]

Gudbransen was a guy who was barely holding onto his NHL career. Personally I think there is a good chance he stays with the Flames for a very team friendly deal to prolong his career. Sutter is the coach that believes in him and he was absolutely signed at the request of Darryl.

Zadorov is 3 years younger and is likely looking for the term and money that make the most sense to him. I do not see him staying with the flames next year to have a $3-4M Dman on the third pair. If he gets the chance to make a difference in the playoffs I can see him getting paid in the summer but it won’t be from Calgary

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

The US healthcare system is miles better than Canada's if you have high-end insurance, which NHLers evidently do.

If you are middle class, Canada's is miles better. And Zads even says so. As a rich individual, he admits he prefers the US system which makes tons of sense.


One thing that stood out to me (which was a true statement) was that he understands WHY Canada is so strict with their Covid protocols. It's to protect the healthcare system. It would quickly become overrun with restrictions, whereas in the US, rich people will continue to get taken care of. He's a smart individual.

That just isn't true. As long as you have a good health insurance plan (and most middle class people do), the US system is much better. Waiting times are shorter, and you are treated like a customer instead of an inconvenience.

I don't want to turn this into a big political debate - in Canada, we choose a system that protects everyone. Awesome. In the US, they have a pay-to-play system, and they pay A LOT, but they get good service for that money (assuming they can play).

Is what it is, but let's not pretend it's something else.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

That just isn't true. As long as you have a good health insurance plan (and most middle class people do), the US system is much better. Waiting times are shorter, and you are treated like a customer instead of an inconvenience.

I don't want to turn this into a big political debate - in Canada, we choose a system that protects everyone. Awesome. In the US, they have a pay-to-play system, and they pay A LOT, but they get good service for that money (assuming they can play).

Is what it is, but let's not pretend it's something else.

Disagree you are better off in the middle class in America, I have used both systems while with the same company while living here and the US.

The deductibles and other costs added up pretty quick even on good insurance plans and they ate a pretty significant portion of the paycheque. On paper our hourly workers have insurance but in reality they atill avoid the doctor cause of the co-pay.


I loved the US healthcare system because I was on insurance that made the costs the same as I would pay in Canada but it cost my company a ton of money that I wouldn't have been able to afford.