Gary Lawless on the 7 Canadian teams

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Next year I think the Flames make a push for a playoff spot. Maybe they fall short, but I'm confident they take a step in the right direction.

The season after is where things get interesting, as most of the dead weight is off the roster, and Bennett will be starting his 3rd full NHL season.

Gaudreau - Monahan - ????????
????????? - Bennett - ????????
Colborne - Backlund - Frolik
L Bouma - M Stajan - ????????

Giordano - Hamilton
Jokipakka - Brodie
????????? - ????????

???????
Ortio


Will be interesting to see who BT fills the blanks in with over the next two off seasons and one regular season.

Several spots will likely be filled internally, starting hopefully with the upcoming 2016 1st round draft pick.

I see similar holes but do not see Jokkipakka as a top 4 Dman yet. Like that 3rd line and hope Stajan is gone in favor of Grant

[CSharp]

Everyone's putting a lot of onus on the Flames the lack of goaltending this season. Sure, Hiller's done for good when this season ends. However, I don't believe bringing in a #1 goalie will make the team that much better. Everyone sort of forgets how terrible the defense was at the beginning of the season, especially when they had to start without Brodie. Anyway, when Treliving gets "his [#1] man" in net again, if the Flames still run around in their own zone by the Pacific Division teams and don't make the playoffs again, then what? There are far bigger holes to fill other than the #1 goaltending position.

[habernac]

Originally Posted by CSharp

Everyone's putting a lot of onus on the Flames the lack of goaltending this season. Sure, Hiller's done for good when this season ends. However, I don't believe bringing in a #1 goalie will make the team that much better. Everyone sort of forgets how terrible the defense was at the beginning of the season, especially when they had to start without Brodie. Anyway, when Treliving gets "his [#1] man" in net again, if the Flames still run around in their own zone by the Pacific Division teams and don't make the playoffs again, then what? There are far bigger holes to fill other than the #1 goaltending position.

A lot of it is mental. The Habs play an entirely different game when Price is behind them.

[Finger Cookin]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Next year I think the Flames make a push for a playoff spot. Maybe they fall short, but I'm confident they take a step in the right direction.

The season after is where things get interesting, as most of the dead weight is off the roster, and Bennett will be starting his 3rd full NHL season.

Gaudreau - Monahan - ????????
????????? - Bennett - ????????
Colborne - Backlund - Frolik
L Bouma - M Stajan - ????????

Giordano - Hamilton
Jokipakka - Brodie
????????? - ????????

???????
Ortio


Will be interesting to see who BT fills the blanks in with over the next two off seasons and one regular season.

Several spots will likely be filled internally, starting hopefully with the upcoming 2016 1st round draft pick.

I like ??????? frickin' ???????. Most versatile guy on the team.

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by CSharp

Everyone's putting a lot of onus on the Flames the lack of goaltending this season. Sure, Hiller's done for good when this season ends. However, I don't believe bringing in a #1 goalie will make the team that much better. Everyone sort of forgets how terrible the defense was at the beginning of the season, especially when they had to start without Brodie. Anyway, when Treliving gets "his [#1] man" in net again, if the Flames still run around in their own zone by the Pacific Division teams and don't make the playoffs again, then what? There are far bigger holes to fill other than the #1 goaltending position.

Can't buy this.

Look at this: http://www.sportingcharts.com/nhl/st...rcentage/2015/

See the bottom of that list. The team that .010 below everyone else. That's Calgary. The difference between Calgary and 29th (Columbus) is the same as 29th and 16th.

[JJ1532]

Originally Posted by CSharp

Everyone's putting a lot of onus on the Flames the lack of goaltending this season. Sure, Hiller's done for good when this season ends. However, I don't believe bringing in a #1 goalie will make the team that much better. Everyone sort of forgets how terrible the defense was at the beginning of the season, especially when they had to start without Brodie. Anyway, when Treliving gets "his [#1] man" in net again, if the Flames still run around in their own zone by the Pacific Division teams and don't make the playoffs again, then what? There are far bigger holes to fill other than the #1 goaltending position.

Such as? I don't disagree that there are other issues to fix(PP, PK, top 6 forwards, rounding out the top 4 on defence), but goaltending is the biggest issue to fix.

If we bring in a known commodity in net next season, a guy who has a long standing reputation for being a solid goalie and still struggle, then we know there are other issues that need fixing. But for now, we need to address the situation in net and see how the chips fall next season. We'll always struggle to get past the Kings and Ducks, but behind them, our division is pretty open. The Sharks have an ageing core centred around 2 players they've been trying to get rid of for the last 2 years. Watch them go into melt down when they get knocked out by the Ducks/Kings in round 1 of the play offs. Plus their management gave up a first to get an average NHL goalie. Arizona are still ways off being a play off team and as for Vancouver and Edmonton, we know they are no good.

Add a top draw player in the draft come June, maybe draft another goalie in the 2nd round. Trade for another one or sign one in free agency, don't care. But as long as we have a competent goalie for next season, I'd like to see how we do. Address one problem at a time.

[dino7c]

Saying goal tending is the biggest issue certainly doesn't mean its the only issue

[djsFlames]

He has some fair points. We have a really good core that will come into its own in the next year or two. We just need a better supporting cast (less "fat" on the roster so to say) and someone capable in net and suddenly you've got a competitive team. Realistically though, most of the ideal changes will come after next season when the rest of the not so good contracts come off the books.

I'm not seeing a legitimate top line RW as a 'need' at this point. Plenty of teams don't have a full top line caliber 1st line. Mony and Gaudreau will be able to produce regardless. But a legitimate top 6 winger would be extremely helpful.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

LOL@anyone who doesn't think goaltending is the biggest area of need. Like its so obvious you make yourself look like a completely uninformed fan if you claim otherwise. As others have pointed out defence men will play better in front of a goalie they deeply trust. You'd have to have a pretty short memory or be a new Flames fan if you've already forgotten how many warts Kiprusoff hid. These posters claiming goaltending hasn't been a problem have really outted themselves as clueless. Montreal's dominance with Price and their lack of ability without him again proves that goaltending is the most important position in hockey. Everybody should already know that.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by CSharp

Everyone's putting a lot of onus on the Flames the lack of goaltending this season. Sure, Hiller's done for good when this season ends. However, I don't believe bringing in a #1 goalie will make the team that much better. Everyone sort of forgets how terrible the defense was at the beginning of the season, especially when they had to start without Brodie. Anyway, when Treliving gets "his [#1] man" in net again, if the Flames still run around in their own zone by the Pacific Division teams and don't make the playoffs again, then what? There are far bigger holes to fill other than the #1 goaltending position.

Well, you just said Brodie was out. Then you factor in the adjustment period that we all saw with Hamilton. So you take 2 of your top 4 defencemen out of the equation and, yeah, the defence struggles. However, I believe that Brodie is back and playing well. Hamilton has come along extremely well since Christmas. Pretty sure that problem has fixed itself.

A little more depth would be nice so that when injuries do happen the Flames have guys that can eat minutes effectively over a short period of time. But to intimate that the blueline is an issue for Calgary moving forward is a head scratcher to me. The Flames are in an envious position regarding their blueline.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Disagree somewhat with the article.

Fixing the goaltending situation will only push the Flames back up to 'tweener level'. It is without question the single biggest glaring hole, and thus will be the single biggest reason why the Flames bump up in the standings, but I don't think it will make the Flames into a bona fide playoff team. Just a tweener that will be fighting to get in until the last set of games (well, unless the Flames happen to find another Mikka Kiprusoff anyways).

Holes:

#1 RW'er. Look at Gaudreau's home/away point differential. That line is too easy to match up against right now. You need another legitimate scoring threat with size to help dig the pucks out of the corners (hello Ferland and Colborne), but also pot some goals with relative consistency (goodbye Ferland and Colborne - at least for the upcoming season anyways). Fix that issue, and suddenly that line is much more dynamic and difficult to shut-down. Gaudreau did much better away when Hudler was consistently playing well on the RW.

Second-line RW. Now, this is (to me) not Frolik's line. Flames need someone to generate offence with Bennett. Maybe this is where Ferland/Colborne/someone else from the farm fit in. Perhaps it is the new pick from this upcoming draft if he is ready to play as high up as the 2nd line. Much easier to fix than the top line anyways.

The 3rd line is perfect - Colborne - Backlund - Frolik. This is about as good as any 3rd line can get - no problem there. Good at shutting down AND generating offence. This is (in my opinion) a championship (or near championship caliber) line.

4th line shouldn't be an issue either. Bouma - Stajan/Grant - Bollig/Call-up. That is fine. Bouma should never be playing higher than the 4th line. Yes, he did well last year, but to me he is simply a really good 4th line guy who increases his value by also being a solid PK'er.

Ferland (in case anyone is asking) should hopefully be playing with Bennett. If not, he goes to the 4th line in Bollig's spot.

What the Flames need is a bit more time. That is why I think the 2017-18 season as more likely to become a bona fide playoff team approaching the realm of 'contender'.

1) Goalie
2) Time for their forward prospects to take a step and start contributing - one/two of Jankowski (who I think could be the answer to the top line more than anything else on the roster, as he can pass and shoot well, has the size to help line match, and can also fill-in on the draw when Monahan gets waived - that is the type of complimentary player that I feel is ideal - though I wish it was someone who did that AND was more physical).
3) Flames need this year's draft pick to fill a hole - normally I would never think drafting for need, but this draft I think you can legitimately draft for need AND BPA all at once, since there are some high picks that can address both).

As for the system - the one thing I would like to see more of is the forwards swinging back lower to support the defenders. Hartley trusts Brodie/Giordano and to a lesser extent, Hamilton for being able to skate up with the puck or make that long stretch pass - best way to defeat the neutral zone traps at least - but I think the defence can use a bit more support.

I think the Flames have all the pieces in the organization already other than a top line RW'er for long term, or at least the 2nd line RW'er to pair-up with Bennett (and of course, the Goalie - but that is beating the dead tree that sprouted from the spot where the dead horse was beaten to a pulp).

What the Flames need most of all is another season's worth of time. They need a couple of prospects to step up. They need one of Jankowski/Shinkaruk/Poirier to fill a top 6 wing spot. They need Colborne, Bennett, Ferland and the younger D to just take another step forward and mature. They need this draft pick to count and play in the top 6 quickly (which as a winger, is an easier thing to ask than a center).

Tweener next year, playoffs the year after.

[Dan403]

Originally Posted by CSharp

Everyone's putting a lot of onus on the Flames the lack of goaltending this season. Sure, Hiller's done for good when this season ends. However, I don't believe bringing in a #1 goalie will make the team that much better. Everyone sort of forgets how terrible the defense was at the beginning of the season, especially when they had to start without Brodie. Anyway, when Treliving gets "his [#1] man" in net again, if the Flames still run around in their own zone by the Pacific Division teams and don't make the playoffs again, then what? There are far bigger holes to fill other than the #1 goaltending position.

Agree to disagree.

Brodie was gone. Gio back from major injury. Hamilton adjusting to a new team.

None of those things should repeat next year. Getting a goalie IS the #1 task.

[Dan02]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

Can't buy this.

Look at this: http://www.sportingcharts.com/nhl/st...rcentage/2015/

See the bottom of that list. The team that .010 below everyone else. That's Calgary. The difference between Calgary and 29th (Columbus) is the same as 29th and 16th.

It's pretty crazy, give Calgary a average goaltending performance this year, .912 instead of .892 and our goals against drop by 45, suddenly our -33 goal differential turns into +12 and instead of near the bottom of the conference we're in the thick of the wild card race with Nashville and Minnesota.

Right now the Flames are a rebuilding team on their way up who with average goaltending would be a average team. Unfortunately, goaltending is arguably the most important position yet hardest to predict.

[djsFlames]

Gillies can't develop fast enough.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by CSharp

Everyone's putting a lot of onus on the Flames the lack of goaltending this season. Sure, Hiller's done for good when this season ends. However, I don't believe bringing in a #1 goalie will make the team that much better. Everyone sort of forgets how terrible the defense was at the beginning of the season, especially when they had to start without Brodie. Anyway, when Treliving gets "his [#1] man" in net again, if the Flames still run around in their own zone by the Pacific Division teams and don't make the playoffs again, then what? There are far bigger holes to fill other than the #1 goaltending position.

I get what you are saying, but the thing about the defensive issues is that the biggest ones were one-time events: Brodie being injured, Hamilton adjusting to his new team, and Giordano coming back from a major injury. Barring an unfortunate incident, none of these issues should repeat, which would make the top half of our defence far stronger to begin next season than it was this.

Add in a decent starting goaltender, and you eliminate the lion's share of our issue. We'd still be a developing team, of course, but we would very much be in the picture.


Incidentally, I find it hilarious that the Flames, very obviously a one-line offence, are 11th in the league in goals while the Oilers and all their talent are mired at the bottom. Just imagine if we pull out a top-six winger?

[DJones]

Edit; Way late haha

[Weitz]

It will be interesting to see if an improved save % will directly relate to more wins next season.

[timbit]

Would be quite an anomaly if it didn't relate to more wins.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Weitz

It will be interesting to see if an improved save % will directly relate to more wins next season.

Edmonton has 25% more wins despite their shooting percentage staying completely flat because of an improved save percentage.

[Weitz]

Sorry I meant higher in the standings. Like you I looked at Edmonton and saw they have a 0.012 higher save percentage but are still in 30th.