[Signing] Matthew Phillips to Capitals 1yr 1 way $775K - Page 24 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

edslunch · 10-04-2023, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lanny_McDonald

There's the rub. Phillips has to play with top line talent to be effective but then needs sheltered minutes. It's why he is a unicorn (more of a leprechaun) and hasn't got a chance.

i think you're missing my point. Plenty of guys play sheltered minutes in the NHL without hurting their team. I'm talking about a hypothetical special teams specialist who plays sheltered minutes 5on5 but prime minutes on PP and in OT.

Anyway, I'm not arguing for him or saying he's the one that got away, just speculating about a role he and others could thrive in.

FlamesAddiction · 10-04-2023, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Textcritic

"During the season"? How often do non-roster AHL callups sign contract extensions mid season? This is not even that common for established NHL vets.

Sent from my moto g stylus 5G (2022) using Tapatalk

By non-AHL callup, you can also say a player that is considered inconsequential. The point being, if management thought he was a player that was likely to impact the future success of the club, they would have made more of an effort to keep him.

And players (AHL and established vets) get signed to extensions all the time during the season. Like it happens a lot actually.

This is from last year alone.

https://www.capfriendly.com/signings...12022-04192023

Some of those ELCs or free agent signings, but a lot of them are contract extensions as well.

SuperMatt18 · 10-04-2023, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

By non-AHL callup, you can also say a player that is considered inconsequential. The point being, if management thought he was a player that was likely to impact the future success of the club, they would have made more of an effort to keep him.

And players (AHL and established vets) get signed to extensions all the time during the season. Like it happens a lot actually.

This is from last year alone.

https://www.capfriendly.com/signings...12022-04192023

Some of those ELCs or free agent signings, but a lot of them are contract extensions as well.

I wouldn't be surprised if they had discussions - but if you're Phillips why the hell are you re-signing at that time. Both sides have to agree.

You're leading the AHL in scoring and you've gotten 18 minutes over two games in the NHL - he wasn't going to sign in Calgary mid-season even if it was offered.

Lanny_McDonald · 10-04-2023, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

I wouldn't be surprised if they had discussions - but if you're Phillips why the hell are you re-signing at that time. Both sides have to agree.

You're leading the AHL in scoring and you've gotten 18 minutes over two games in the NHL - he wasn't going to sign in Calgary mid-season even if it was offered.

There was no incentive for Phillips to sign at all. He could wait until July 1st and become an UFA and pick the contract that provided the greatest opportunity. He did and he not only got a pay day but he also got it with a team where he has an advocate. Perfect situation for him.

D as in David · 10-04-2023, 02:36 PM

Technically speaking, he was sheltered. He barely got any ice time.

Bingo · 10-04-2023, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D as in David

Technically speaking, he was sheltered. He barely got any ice time.

If you have two players ...

1. Matthew Phillips

Plays 12.5 minutes and sees weak opposition for 3.8 of those minutes

2. Radim Zahorna

Plays 61.7 minutes and see weak opposition for 38.1 of those minutes

I know which one I would say is sheltered.

But as I've said ... it's 12.5 minutes. Hardly a sample size to base anything. Just can't say he was sheltered in what he had for ice time.

SeanCharles · 10-04-2023, 03:50 PM

Can we just let this one go?

He isn't going to be the next St. Louis or anything. He may become a regular middle-six NHLer but I don't see much more than that.

I'm happy he is seeing success in Washington but am ready to move on and get excited about guys like Coronato instead.

Hack&Lube · 10-04-2023, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Has he not been noticeable at 5v5 or has the puck just not gone in?

In this pre-season with Washington he's 60% xGF and has been on the ice for 22 shots for, 14 shots against. 2 GF and 3 GA but that's more due to a .786 save percentage with him on the ice so far.

Even in his 12 regular season minutes in Calgary last season he was 55.8% xGF and didn't look out place in that limited time.

I still don't think it's been proven he can't be effective at 5v5 in the NHL - there is not nearly enough of a sample size to know one way or another yet.

From the pre-season I thought he was noticeable 5 on 5 (but maybe I noticed him since it was easy to spot the smallest player on the ice). In Washington vs Boston he was always in a scoring position and wide open for a great rebound if he went in his direction from the plays I watched. Good hockey IQ.

Finger Cookin · 10-04-2023, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edslunch

The Flames lost, what, 17 or 18 OT games? Phillips (or some other OT specialist) could have single-handedly won them enough of those to comfortably make the playoffs. I can't think of examples of such player usage, but with the tightness of the league and emphasis on special teams play i wonder if that's something we might see in the future.

I dunno, good as he is I think even he might struggle to get the puck or keep it out of his net when it's 3-on-1 in OT and he has no goalkeeper.

FBI · 10-04-2023, 10:58 PM

In his 2 games last year he also hit the post. Imagine if that went in, Sutter would have been forced to give him a bit more chance and then who knows what might have happened.

dissentowner · 10-05-2023, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FBI

In his 2 games last year he also hit the post. Imagine if that went in, Sutter would have been forced to give him a bit more chance and then who knows what might have happened.

You can't force Sutter to do anything. I don't think that would have changed a thing.

FBI · 10-05-2023, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissentowner

You can't force Sutter to do anything. I don't think that would have changed a thing.

There would have been more pressure though.. "So Sutter, Philips scored a nice goal in his 2nd NHL game, how come you have him benched since then?"

topfiverecords · 10-05-2023, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FBI

There would have been more pressure though.. "So Sutter, Philips scored a nice goal in his 2nd NHL game, how come you have him benched since then?"

"Phillips? Uh...(checks sheet) what's his number?"

TheIronMaiden · 10-05-2023, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeanCharles

Can we just let this one go?

He isn't going to be the next St. Louis or anything. He may become a regular middle-six NHLer but I don't see much more than that.

I'm happy he is seeing success in Washington but am ready to move on and get excited about guys like Coronato instead.

Speak for yourself. I am looking forward to beating this dead horse until the year he retires.

The Cobra · 10-05-2023, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lanny_McDonald

There was no incentive for Phillips to sign at all. He could wait until July 1st and become an UFA and pick the contract that provided the greatest opportunity. He did and he not only got a pay day but he also got it with a team where he has an advocate. Perfect situation for him.

Exactly. It was clear that Calgary didn't value Philips enough to give him a legitimate chance. Calgary would be his last choice, if the financial terms were equal.

GranteedEV · 10-05-2023, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Not noticeable 5-on-5.

This is a statement that can be made about 90% of bonafide NHLers tbh. Noticability is not a criteria for effectiveness.

Hack&Lube · 10-05-2023, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeanCharles

Can we just let this one go?

He isn't going to be the next St. Louis or anything. He may become a regular middle-six NHLer but I don't see much more than that.

I'm happy he is seeing success in Washington but am ready to move on and get excited about guys like Coronato instead.

I'm not following him to live in regret or stay being pissed off at Sutter. It's because he's a small player, hometown Calgary player, and I would like to see him succeed.

Geeoff · 10-06-2023, 12:20 PM

I hope Phillips makes the team and carves out an NHL career.. I'd be happy for him!

Vinny01 · 10-06-2023, 12:26 PM

Seeing the way camp went I think there was definitely a spot for Philips where Ruzicka is currently slotted. I get why he wanted a change and I am happy for him but I think it would have been great had he given Conny and Co a shot

Textcritic · 10-06-2023, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Seeing the way camp went I think there was definitely a spot for Philips where Ruzicka is currently slotted. I get why he wanted a change and I am happy for him but I think it would have been great had he given Conny and Co a shot

Maybe, but I think that slot was originally reserved for Pelletier heading into camp. Things were reshuffled with his injury.