David Schlemko - The real reason we've weathered the storm without Gio?

[GranteedEV]

A lot of attention has been brought to how much our Russell/Wideman pairing has stepped up in Gio's absence.

Even more has been brought to Engelland magically becoming an acceptable NHLer.

But maybe the addition of Schlemko has been the most effective one?

Some things to consider:

Shlemko is +7 since joining the Flames.

While his sample size is smaller, he leads the team in 5vs5 FF% @ 50.1 and 5vs5 CF% @ 49.7

He and Diaz have been getting easy zone starts, but they're actually holding the puck in the offensive zone unlike Wideman and Engelland, who pretty much always end up back in the defensive zone.

He's had a few gaffs in the defensive zone (though the biggest one was moreso Diaz' fault for a terrible turnover), but he's also had some big takeaways along the boards. The PK the other game where Engelland was in the box, was where Schlemko really caught my attention... maybe this guy's actually a pretty good defenseman?

No real conclusions I can make, but just from the "eye test" it seems the Schlemko-Diaz pairing has quietly negated the sheer badness of Engelland/Smid from the first half of the season, which used to negate the greatness of Gio/Brodie. So basically we're not a worse team than we were at the start of the year, even if we're not as good as we should be with Gio.

[YogiBerra]

I hope we re-sign him next year and trade Smid; he is a good bottom pairing defenseman with a decent partner. Have Schlemko, Engelland, and Wotherspoon rotating on the bottom will be better than the disaster for the first half of the year.

[alan21]

For an acquisition fee of zero, he has done a great job.

[Yrebmi]

I hope that's not the only reason since we cannot use him during playoffs. ...
or do I have that wrong?

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by YogiBerra

I hope we re-sign him next year and trade Smid; he is a good bottom pairing defenseman with a decent partner. Have Schlemko, Engelland, and Wotherspoon rotating on the bottom will be better than the disaster for the first half of the year.

I think we will see Smid retire at the end of the season.

[wireframe]

What's changed? Schlemko was waived by two non-playoff teams this year, including the freakin' Arizona Coyotes. Now he is a fixture on the Calgary Flames.

Did he get better? Did other coaches misuse him? Did other teams undervalue him? I agree he has been great for the Flames, but I am cautiously optimistic after two worse teams dropped him. Convince me.

[greyshep]

Originally Posted by Yrebmi

I hope that's not the only reason since we cannot use him during playoffs. ...
or do I have that wrong?

You have that wrong. You are thinking about the situation that could have been with Douglas Murray. Schlemko was acquired prior to the trade deadline.

[YogiBerra]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

I think we will see Smid retire at the end of the season.

Unfortunately that might happen although he is more likely to stay on injured reserve so he can get his money. That neck injury from his time in Edmonton sounded serious and not something that you can just play through without long lasting effects. Smid is a warrior so if he can i think he will attempt a comeback but who knows how long he will last. At this point players like Smid and Engelland don't fit our system too well anyways. Schlemko has some puck skills and we need to be able to move the puck quickly otherwise we get trapped in our zone.

[GioforPM]

He's a decent puck mover (which is to be expected from anyone who has the skill and confidence with the puck to pull off that SO goal). Positionally sound as well. A much better fit with Diaz IMO.

[ForeverFlameFan]

We're doing well because Russell stepped up to the plate as our #1 defenseman. Wideman should get some good credit too for continuing his strong play.

Schlemko was a nice addition to the bottom pairing, but that's not the reason why we are doing well with Gio.

[Anduril]

He's been the kind of bottom pairing guy this team needed instead of Engelland/Smid. That being said, the amazing play by Wideman, Russell and Brodie on top of Engelland holding his own is the reason why we're in the hunt.

[ThaBrink]

Personally, I think he's outperformed Smid. I think Smid was good at what he did. Albeit a shutdown defenseman, but I don't think he fits that well with our team. Our team excels at breakout passes from defenseman to lead into getting good rush opportunities.

As long as him and Diaz can keep it up, we're all set imo.

[jaginla]

Well if we get in by a point, we can thank him for that SO in Boston.

[DJones]

I certainly don't dread seeing the bottom line on the ice anymore like I used too

[OzSome]

Russell, Wideman and Brodie stepping up to challenges plus Engelland's capability of playing more minutes and not make as much mistakes are the reason that the Flames haven't really missed the beat after losing Giordano. Maybe Schlemko made Diaz to play much better is more appropriate.

[puckedoff]

I do recall him coming up big and winning battles with Benn in the Dallas game. Also, great beard.

[debil]

Things like this happen... especially small sample size and he may fall down to earth long-term ... momentum can make any player looking good. flames play kind of specific zone coverage and then quick breakout setup benefiting playmaking good skating dmen which is i believe his case. Good backchecking helps any defender as well.

[Lil Pedro]

Schlemko- Wotherspoon- Engelland would make a great 5 thru 7 for this team moving forward. Not sure how many teams would have an appetite for Smid, would definitely have to eat some salary or bury him in the minors

[Daradon]

He's done a great job, no question. But it really is a matter of everyone just being a tiny bit better, especially the defensemen. Many hands make a light load.

Love this team!

[Timbo]

The way I see it is Shlemko is one bad turnover from having a thread on CP asking for his head on a platter. I however will not be one of these posters.

IMO he is working out and seems to have picked up his game, hopefully he continues to trend upwards.