What do you think of Alex Chiasson?

[saillias]

He's basically the new David Jones on this team (which is fine)

I liked that he threw down in defense of Bennett the other night. He couldn't fight worth a damn but I think it was a timely fight. The game had been getting out of hand but it cooled down after that. Thank u Alex for sacrificing your face

[IgiTang]

Let's combat a bad joke with being dicks and equally or even worse jokes...

Some of you guys need to grow up...

As for Chiasson, he's been exactly as advertised and as of late, even better.

He was meant to be a bottom 6 guy who could skate and be physical. He was put into a tough spot with trying to play with Johnny and Monny when they were having their own struggles. I think the fact that Chiasson didn't do those two any favours by going offside and not being able to contribute offensively has left a sour taste in people's mouths.

Although his IQ has never been high, he has been able to see the ice well and get to the open spot and win races to pucks with his speed.

What he has been doing really well with Bennett and JG is he has been able to use his speed to the outside to win the dump in and or puck race, something that was severely lacking at the beginning of the season while playing with Johnny and Monny.

So Chiasson has created something very important, the opportunity to back defence off the line by the S having to respect the potential dump in from that line. Also, Bennett has benefitted by being back at Center and being able to use his lateral movement rather than having to be the puck retrieval guy if they have to dump.

I have always liked Chiasson's game, because Johnny and Monny weee struggling, some blamed Alex for that. Which is wrong.

I would be ok with another 1-2 year deal around 2mil max at the end of the season, but it's too early to be re-signing anyone.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

Originally Posted by saillias

He's basically the new David Jones on this team (which is fine)

I liked that he threw down in defense of Bennett the other night. He couldn't fight worth a damn but I think it was a timely fight. The game had been getting out of hand but it cooled down after that. Thank u Alex for sacrificing your face

At least David Jones was a warranted whipping boy. There were very few stretches where Jones earned his 4mil salary. Not to mention he was on IR for what felt like half his time here.

Chiasson would need to fall off a cliff to make his contract look bad.

[Street Pharmacist]

Chiasson is not a first line of second line player. Unfortunately in the depth chart, there he is

[getoverit]

get over the points thing, even Semenko got points, you play with good players its inevitable............im not the biggest Chaisson fan, could we upgrade, yep. having said that atleast he is not playing on the top lines like early in the season, seems to be fitting in where he is at, hope he makes the most of it. but I think its an upgradeable position. now we are getting value, good on him

[saillias]

Originally Posted by Bandwagon In Flames

At least David Jones was a warranted whipping boy. There were very few stretches where Jones earned his 4mil salary. Not to mention he was on IR for what felt like half his time here.

Chiasson would need to fall off a cliff to make his contract look bad.

I wasn't even thinking about the contract tbh, just what the players role and capabilities are. Jones should have been making 6 figures for sure

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by IgiTang

Let's combat a bad joke with being dicks and equally or even worse jokes...

Some of you guys need to grow up...

As for Chiasson, he's been exactly as advertised and as of late, even better.

He was meant to be a bottom 6 guy who could skate and be physical. He was put into a tough spot with trying to play with Johnny and Monny when they were having their own struggles. I think the fact that Chiasson didn't do those two any favours by going offside and not being able to contribute offensively has left a sour taste in people's mouths.

Although his IQ has never been high, he has been able to see the ice well and get to the open spot and win races to pucks with his speed.

What he has been doing really well with Bennett and JG is he has been able to use his speed to the outside to win the dump in and or puck race, something that was severely lacking at the beginning of the season while playing with Johnny and Monny.

So Chiasson has created something very important, the opportunity to back defence off the line by the S having to respect the potential dump in from that line. Also, Bennett has benefitted by being back at Center and being able to use his lateral movement rather than having to be the puck retrieval guy if they have to dump.

I have always liked Chiasson's game, because Johnny and Monny weee struggling, some blamed Alex for that. Which is wrong.

I would be ok with another 1-2 year deal around 2mil max at the end of the season, but it's too early to be re-signing anyone.

I actually think he has really good IQ, but he is just not that skilled. I have seen him compliment a lot of the skilled players with skilled plays, but when he does it they aren't 'skilled', they are just 'smart'. Hard to explain. It is like he is a terrible playmaker, but he knows to make that pass and knows exactly where to go after. The puck gets to its' intended recipient, but kind of looks 'ugly' getting there.

At any rate, I thought Chiasson was the only guy on the top line doing any positives for about 5 or so games until it trailed off. He has been decent since slotting down the lineup a bit more, and now he is looking really effective alongside Bennett.

I also agree with Huntingwhale completely - he doesn't go offside any more often than any one else. I think because someone pointed it out, you notice it more. Look at how often some of the other players do it. It will surprise you that he doesn't stand out in that regard.

It is like all the Wideman hate that is still going on. Wideman has been pretty solid for a while now, but people can't seem to bring themselves to acknowledge it, and it is probably because they just focus on his mistakes so much more, even if they happen less than probably most defencemen. They even blame Wideman for Brodie's poor play having to 'drag crappy Wideman around' when Brodie has been making too many blunders all on his own thus far, whether if it was with Engelland, Giordano or Wideman.

I really thought Chiasson was a very solid prospect when in Dallas, and can see why he was the centerpiece of the return for Spezza. He attacks the net really well, he goes to the right areas, and he can play with skilled players or grinders. I really believe it is his size and mobility coupled with a very good IQ, and just 'average' hands.

[CSharp]

Chiasson is a big body 2nd line right winger the Flames desperately needed. He's also got some speed and not afraid to get into the corners. Good pickup by BT.

[CsInMyBlood]

Chaisson has been pretty good. Certainly better than his 800k and the cost of Sieloff.

Better than Joe Colborne at 2.5 or 3 mil.

Better than Mason Raymond at 3.15 mil.

Better than Brando Bollig at 1.25 mil.

But I think the real question here is how much does it cost to change a David Jones jersey into a Alex Chiasson?

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Chiasson is not a first line of second line player. Unfortunately in the depth chart, there he is

How many teams have 6 bonafide top six players? It rarely if ever happens. Look at Crosby's wingers over the last 6 years. Even teams like Chicago with insane depth slide in guys like Panik into their top 6. Let's say by some miracle you do end up with 6 top six forwards, what are the odds they all stay healthy for the entire season?

Chiasson is doing exactly what he needs to. He's a crash and bang winger playing with 2 guys with greater skill.

[N-E-B]

Seems to have found some nice chemistry with Bennett and Gaudreau. Also loved his fight the other night even though he knew he'd probably get pummelled. As long as he's not being matched up against other teams too lines I don't have an issue with him.

Also some of you guys need to stop getting so triggered by Scorpion. Yeah, sometimes he's cheesy, but who cares? It's really not that big of a deal. Just a bad joke. Move on.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Bandwagon In Flames

At least David Jones was a warranted whipping boy. There were very few stretches where Jones earned his 4mil salary. Not to mention he was on IR for what felt like half his time here.

Chiasson would need to fall off a cliff to make his contract look bad.

Chiasson plays like you wanted players like Jones, Colborne, and Bollig to play. We brought those guys in to provide size and make our smaller forwards harder to play against. For some reason none of Jones, Colborne, or Bollig ever consistently did that. Colborne was probably the most frustrating. He at times did do this, like in the Anaheim playoff series. It was like he was consciously just not doing it to piss people off.

Chiasson on the other hand just keeps it simple. Forchecks, drives the net, willing to fight, bangs in rebounds, etc...

[Firebot]

Originally Posted by blankall

Chiasson plays like you wanted players like Jones, Colborne, and Bollig to play. We brought those guys in to provide size and make our smaller forwards harder to play against. For some reason none of Jones, Colborne, or Bollig ever consistently did that. Colborne was probably the most frustrating. He at times did do this, like in the Anaheim playoff series. It was like he was consciously just not doing it to piss people off.

Chiasson on the other hand just keeps it simple. Forchecks, drives the net, willing to fight, bangs in rebounds, etc...

Speaking of Colborne, after that hat trick game where everyone starting saying how Treleving was stupid for not signing him, he has 3 goals (all in 1 game) and 1 assist in 22 games.

2.5 million dollars for 4 points versus 800K for 11 points. It turns out, yet again, that Treleving was right in not signing Colborne with his inflated stats last year.

[Poe969]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Chiasson is not a first line of second line player. Unfortunately in the depth chart, there he is

I completely disagree. He has shown chemistry on a line with Johnny and Bennett so he belongs on whatever line thaworkst is. He may not have the skill set as most second line players but you don't need 3 high end skill players on your top lines to be successful. Having 2 good players and a complimentary player is working just fine.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Chiasson is not a first line of second line player. Unfortunately in the depth chart, there he is

No he isn't. Flames don't have a top 6 right wing, despite committing some significant resources to the position in the off season.
Chiasson at 800k is a bargain, and so far as good or better than any other option, both by counting stats and fancy ones.

[northcrunk]

I've given Chaisson a lot of grief early in the season. He seems to be playing a style now (past 3 games) that makes him effective. If he keeps it up he will have a good season. As long as he is using his body out there he will be effective.

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Chiasson is not a first line of second line player. Unfortunately in the depth chart, there he is

I think we need to do away with arbitrary definitions of players as "first-line" or "second-line" players. Alex Chiasson isn't a terrifically talented player, nor is he the best player, skill-wise, to ever suit up next to Monahan or Gaudreau.

However, history tells us that the best fit on that top line leads to wins, not cramming all of your best players in that unit.

Ever since he was placed on the Monahan line, Chiasson has proven himself to be a good fit there. He's produced well, scoring seven points in the last seven games, and has appeared to be a more effective player than usually seen from the David Jones/Joe Colborne-types who have populated that right side in years' past.

We've seen many players suit up next to Monahan and Gaudreau over the past few years, and regardless of whether they were likable players in general, many of them haven't been very effective. We saw it a lot last year. I don't have exact statistics on this matter, but I'd bet that the three players who most frequently played in the RW slot on the "first line" last year were Jiri Hudler (until he was traded), David Jones (see Hudler), and Joe Colborne.

Hudler lost a step last year, and that seems to have carried over into this season. He became a lot slower, and didn't fit on that top line. Jones was overpaid, a poor skater, very inconsistent, didn't use his big body enough, and wasn't a fit on that top line. Colborne was decent at best, but he was riding crazy percentages last year and he's sunk like a stone in Colorado now.

Those three guys weren't very effective on the "top line" last year -- there was no chemistry. But if you look back to the previous season (2014-15, when the Flames went to the second round), there was a much different story. Most notably, two lines were effective at different times in that season, creating chemistry which, in turn, led to wins.

The first was that Monahan - Gaudreau - Hudler tandem. This was pre-injury/whatever Hudler, and he was a fantastic veteran presence on that top line. Everybody produced well, and there was loads of chemistry to be found. It just so happened that those were the three most skilled forwards on the team. However, the three most skilled forwards on the team today are Gaudreau, Monahan, and Bennett. They haven't been lined up together much this season, and when they have been, there hasn't been significant success. The best players needn't be forced to play together -- chemistry is necessary for success.

The other line that really clicked in 2014-15 was the Ferland - Stajan - Jones line. That line was essentially the Flames' "1st line" throughout the playoffs. They weren't the best players on the team, but they had loads of chemistry and a really balanced attack.

That's where Chiasson fits in. He provides chemistry on that "1st line", even if he isn't a "1st line" player, per se. However, I think we need to stop thinking of lines by number, where the numbers increasingly represent lesser quality of the line, and instead as four equal units. Putting all of your lesser-skilled players on one line may be the textbook definition of a "4th line", but rarely does it lead to offensive or defensive success. We also need to stop thinking of players as "1st line players" or "3rd line players" -- we need to instead think of them as players who fit in with other players well, creating chemistry.

That was a really long rant, but I feel like it had to be said.

TL;DR: we need to stop thinking of "1st lines" and "2nd lines", and instead think of four units with players who all work together effectively. While Chiasson isn't a "1st-liner" skill-wise, he fits in with other players who are, and that creates an effective unit.

[NuclearFart]

How anyone can say he hasn't exceeded expectations is beyond me - he's paid 800k/year and was acquired for a career AHLer - what did you think he was going to be?

As long as he plays to his physical strengths having a simple north-south game driving to the net & crashing bodies, he's been an effective complimentary player to the top 6.

He's best viewed as a shrewd replacement to Colborne at 1/3 the cost.

[dino7c]

Better than Colborne and a fraction of the price...thats how you GM in a cap world

[the2bears]

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

Or you can stop trying to make jokes with all your thread titles and stop trying so hard to be clever.

You knew someone was going to ask what the "Steve" meant and you got what you wanted, a chance to post an image of a former Flame who has the same last name that no one cares about.

What is wrong that you get so worked up about a thread title?