QOTD: Who has been your most pleasant surprise this season? - Page 3 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Fighting Banana Slug · 02-12-2015, 09:52 AM

Jooris, because I didn't think he had any hope of making the NHL this year. Bouma might have been a second choice, as he has really improved offensively. The rest I could kinda see happen (although not all at the same time). It has been a really great year, no matter how it finishes.

Itse · 02-12-2015, 09:55 AM

I went with Gaudreau, but could have easily gone with Brodie too. The way he's elevated his game is amazing.

Monahans development did not surprise in the least.

Have to also mention Colbourne just because he's not on the list. He's becoming really valuable.

And yeah, so many great options.

La Flames Fan · 02-12-2015, 10:02 AM

Wideman hands down. The ability to get pucks to the net, and a better defensive game from a grizzled old veteran is something I did NOT see coming.

Just look at the difference from that healthy scratch.

The others are great, but not surprising.

calgarybornnraised · 02-12-2015, 10:08 AM

Voted for Jooris because I never thought he would excel so well in the NHL. I would like to give some love for Hudler too,being such a good role model for the kid's and quietly producing at a career high.

flames_fan_down_under · 02-12-2015, 10:14 AM

T.J. Brodie for me. He continues to get better and better and is becoming one of the top defensemen in the NHL which to me is a more than pleasant surprise.

Freddy · 02-12-2015, 10:16 AM

The biggest impact on the team this year has to be the addition of Gaudreau, his puck skills and clairvoyant IQ has given the Flames an elite offensive threat that opposition teams have to plan for.
Bouma is my own favourite pleasant surprise as a fan, he's a working class hero.

Red Ice Player · 02-12-2015, 10:20 AM

To me, it's TJ Brodie turning into the second coming of Scott Niedermayer. And we have him locked up for the next five seasons on what looks like a bargain contract. To me, his potential as he enters his prime is off the charts great.

heep223 · 02-12-2015, 10:22 AM

I voted Gaudreau.

But easily could have been Monahan. The guy has been a beast this year and is only getting better and better. I thought he might experience a setback and the famous sophomore slump. The injury to Backlund that forced Monahan into a top C / shut down role has done wonders to his development.

Street Pharmacist · 02-12-2015, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Ice Player

To me, it's TJ Brodie turning into the second coming of Scott Niedermayer. And we have him locked up for the next five seasons on what looks like a bargain contract. To me, his potential as he enters his prime is off the charts great.

While I don't disagree about him having all more potential, let's give him a full year as a first pairing defenseman before we call him the second coming if a first ballot hall of famer...

Fan in Exile · 02-12-2015, 10:38 AM

It may well be that many of the players up there have had a bigger impact but I don't think anyone can dispute that the biggest surprise has been Jooris. I don't think anything else is surprising. What's surprising is that all of those things have happened in the same season...so maybe the most pleasant surprise is how well Hartley has coached this team.

FireFly · 02-12-2015, 10:38 AM

I voted for other.

Hartley has been my most pleasant surprise this year. His patience, confidence, his willingness to use all his tools to get the results he wants (benching Gaudreau for example)...

The players are the pieces in his orchestra and he's conducting it beautifully.

CalgaryFan1988 · 02-12-2015, 10:45 AM

Gaudreau for me.

I thought he'd come out of College and have a hard time adjusting, I also thought his size would be an issue.

I actually thought he'd be in the AHL for most of the season.

troutman · 02-12-2015, 10:46 AM

Johnny has exceeded all my expectations.

I knew Jooris had an excellent camp, and could play on this team.

gvitaly · 02-12-2015, 11:00 AM

I went with other, because Ortio in his 5 games here changed the entire season around! I had quite a few question marks regarding Ortio, especially regarding his leg strength and his ability to hold the post. It is a very small sample size, but he was absolutely on fire in his little stint here. All I can say is I want to see more of him in a Flames uniform.

Jooris and Bouma are also very pleasant surprises, but they are 'just' bottom six guys for now.

Monahan, Gaudreau, Giordano, and Brodie are all exceeding expectations, but it doesn't surprise me. The fact that they are all doing it at the same time... does.

Dentoman · 02-12-2015, 11:02 AM

I went with other because I read the question wrong

Read "what" instead of "who".

King Theo · 02-12-2015, 11:06 AM

I have to go with Monahan getting better, its great to have a young player like him really stepping up.
Second place to Wideman and Jooris, this time last year we would have traded them both for a 2nd or 3rd pick.

The rest of the players have all taken a step forward, but nothing really crazy.

OzSome · 02-12-2015, 11:32 AM

I picked OTHER because there is no option for the whole team. A lot of people here in CP and the media were saying this is the season for the Flames to be at the bottom fighting the Oilers and other for the McDavid sweepstakes. Also, who have thought Josh Jooris will be in the NHL right now and starting? I've seen him play here in Calgary last season as a call-up and he didn't show much to warrant another call up. I also saw him playing for the Heat and he looks like he's going to be a career minor leaguer. Mikael Backlund, Lance Bouma, Mark Giordano, Dennis Wideman, Jonas Hiller and Johnny Gaudreau.

Backlund. The expectation on this guy a few years was so high but he struggled with his play and ill-timing injuries. Some people here and even the media were saying he should be traded somewhere as there is no room for him. This season he's been our designated shutdown player who can also play offensively. The whole line Bouma-Backlund-Jones are capable of playing two-way hockey.

Lance Bouma. I am not surprised of his defensive plays, kamikaze, robust plays. I am not also surprised with his blocking ability. The surprising part for me is his offensive output especially lately.

Mark Giordano. Whoever says they know Giordano will be the leading scorer in points for NHL defensemen at this point is lying. Maybe I will believe you if you say he might be leading the +/- stats. Not surprised of his leadership this season because he proved that last season. Also not surprised of defensive plays. Another surprise for me his overall plays and being the talk of the media as a Norris Trophy candidate at this point. Deservingly so. He's been awesome.

Dennis Wideman. He's been the subject of trade talks here in CP a lot. I know Wideman is an offensive-minded defenseman and I wouldn't be surprised if he is on the top 10 in scoring for defensemen in the NHL. What surprised me is his goal production and his big turnaround after struggling on his play coming back from the injuries last season. Reuniting with Kris Russell was the big reason he is back on his form I think.

Jonas Hiller. I wasn't too thrilled when Treliving signed his as a free agent in the off-season. I was not really impressed the way he played before Calgary. I also thought he'll be just Ramo's backup all season. Well surprise!! Hiller has been good this season. Yes he's got some bad games but most of the time he's been playing well. He even took over the starting goaltending in this season. He wasn't complaining when Ramo played some consecutive games early this season and he seems to be getting along with Ramo and even Ortio.

Johnny Gaudreau. I know he will be in Calgary this season but he won't play the full season and he won't be playing on the top lines much this season. I was even expecting him as a healthy scratch in some games. Well Johnny Hockey proved that he belong in the NHL. He's even in a race for the Rookie of the Year this season. Him and Hudler just work well together and now Monahan is starting to click on the Twin Midget Magic.

So yeah.. i have to admit I wouldn't even think they'll have success against the California teams and never could imagine they'll be in a tight race for the playoff spot. Before the season I was hoping they will be in the playoff and that might happen.

transplant99 · 02-12-2015, 11:38 AM

Hard to pick 1.....but went with wideman...just never saw it coming after last year

EldrickOnIce · 02-12-2015, 11:40 AM

Monahan, easily. Absolutely outstanding sophomore campaign, after a good (and sometimes not so good) rookie season.

Jooris is nice, but time will tell.

The rest, to ALL be at that level, is why the Flames are where they are today - but it's not unexpected from any of them, individually.

dammage79 · 02-12-2015, 11:46 AM

Bah, So many to choose from! Should be an all of the above option.

Wideman balancing out this year is huge, Hudler is a lynch pin, Monahan isn't slowing down Gaudreau is a revelation.

Then there's the support staff (tough to call them that but it is what they are) of Jooris, Bouma, Wolf, Byron (just pot a couple more goals for pete's sake) , they've all been great at points throughout the season.

Gio/Brodie/Russell need no explanation.

In the end I had to Choose Hiller proving he's not washed up.
He came in a cemented a solid foundation the team can rely on. Ramo and Ortio deserves props here too but I think Hiller really locked down the goaltending so that Ramo and Ortio weren't over used. And then he took the bull by the horns after the ASG and hasn't looked back.