10-01-2015, 02:18 PM
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#1
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Some kinda newsbreaker!
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Learning Phaneufs skating style
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USA Today: Ranking the top 5 defences in the NHL
Kevin Allen and Jimmy Hascup rank the top 5
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports...ames/73153438/
Kevin Allen:
1. Predators
2. Rangers
3. Blackhawks
4. Flames
5. Blues
Jimmy Hascup
1. Predators
2. Sharks
3. Rangers
4. Wild
5. Flames
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10-01-2015, 02:19 PM
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#2
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First Line Centre
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sherwood Park, AB
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Looks pretty fair to me, I expect us to an easy top 3 by the end of the year or next year. And for the next 5!
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10-01-2015, 02:25 PM
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#3
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Franchise Player
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Income Tax Central
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I think Predators, Blackhawks and Rangers go without saying, but Minnesota and San Jose?
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10-01-2015, 02:25 PM
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#4
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First Line Centre
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San Jose is the only questionable one that I see.
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10-01-2015, 02:28 PM
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#5
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First Line Centre
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: TEXAS!!
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DJones
San Jose is the only questionable one that I see.
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They're obviously expecting big things out of Paul Martin.
I think he's been on the downslope of his career for a long time. He probably peaked back when he was finance minister.
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10-01-2015, 02:29 PM
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#6
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Franchise Player
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Austria, NOT Australia
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Shea Weber
Roman Josi
Seth Jones
Ryan Ellis
Barret Jackman
Mattias Ekholm
Cap Hit: $20.6m
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Mark Giordano
T.J. Brodie
Dougie Hamilton
Kris Russell
Dennis Wideman
Deryk Engelland
Cap Hit: $25.2m
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Ryan McDonagh
Marc Staal
Dan Girardi
Keith Yandle
Kevin Klein
Dan Boyle
Cap Hit: $25.9m
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Duncan Keith
Brent Seabrook
Niklas Hjalmarsson
Trevor Daley
Michal Rozsival
Trevor van Riemsdyk
Cap Hit: $20.5m
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Ryan Suter
Jonas Brodin
Marco Scandella
Jared Spurgeon
Mathew Dumba
Christian Folin
Cap Hit: $20.7m
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Alex Pietrangelo
Kevin Shattenkirk
Jay Bouwmeester
Carl Gunnarsson
Robert Bortuzzo
Andre Benoit
Cap Hit: $20.8m
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Brent Burns
Marc-Edouard Vlasic
Paul Martin
Brenden Dillon
Mirco Mueller
Justin Braun
Cap Hit: $23.2m
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10-01-2015, 02:32 PM
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#7
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Franchise Player
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It wasn't the addition of Mark Cundari?
I think I'd put us 4th for now behind Rangers, Hawks, Preds.
Last edited by Hackey; 10-01-2015 at 02:34 PM.
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10-01-2015, 02:42 PM
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#8
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Franchise Player
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I like our blueline more than I like Chicago's this year
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10-01-2015, 02:44 PM
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#9
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First Line Centre
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: So Long, Bannatyne
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I think Hascup's Flames summary is pretty fair. I agree that Wideman's defensive zone coverage leaves something to be desired, and I think Russell's shot-blocking will have to continue in order for that pairing to have success again this year.
It'd be a nice luxury, for example, to play a Wideman in a #5 role, but in a #1/2 on the powerplay. This would allow the team to focus on his offensive abilities, while also replacing some lost minutes from being demoted out of the top 4.
Nevertheless, while our bottom depth may lack somewhat, it's still a pretty decent bottom three. And throw the young emerging guys (and AHL depth) into the mix, and there's a healthy competition that should keep guys honest if their game drops-off.
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10-01-2015, 02:48 PM
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#10
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First Line Centre
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Section 120
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I think it's an unarguable top 4.
Rangers, Predators, Flames, and Blackhawks.
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10-01-2015, 03:01 PM
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#11
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One of the Nine
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Space Sector 2814
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I get nervous talking about having such a stacked D, the last time we had this conversation ti involved Regehr, Phaneuf and Bouwmeester... *cringe*
That being said the Flames can absolutely hang with Chicago, but I think the Rangers and Nashville have them beat if we go from 1-6.
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10-01-2015, 03:08 PM
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#12
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#1 Goaltender
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Calgary
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Today I learned that USA Today writes articles on the NHL.
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10-01-2015, 03:12 PM
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#13
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Franchise Player
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"The Flames' depth is lacking; Wideman is gifted offensively but struggles in his own zone. Russell is fine on a bottom pair, but Engelland should be an extra. The hope is that Hamilton's addition helps cover up for some shortcomings."
can't say I agree with this...Russell is hugely under rated IMO
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10-01-2015, 03:46 PM
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#14
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Franchise Player
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Edmonton,AB
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really surprised edmonton wasn't at the top of that list because you know mcdavid .....
Last edited by Robo; 10-01-2015 at 03:52 PM.
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10-01-2015, 03:53 PM
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#15
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First Line Centre
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dino7c
"The Flames' depth is lacking; Wideman is gifted offensively but struggles in his own zone. Russell is fine on a bottom pair, but Engelland should be an extra. The hope is that Hamilton's addition helps cover up for some shortcomings."
can't say I agree with this...Russell is hugely under rated IMO
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Russell suffers because of the fancy stats. He is a solid 2nd pairing defenceman. it would be a luxury for him to be on the bottom pair IMO. But when you break down minutes, he may end up 5th on the depth chart
The way I see the flames defence when fit (in terms of minutes)
Giordano, Hamilton, Brodie = 24
Wideman = 20
Russell = 18
Engelland/Smid/??? =10
Just means whoever is officially partnered with Engelland/Smid/??? plays extra minutes with other guys and is used on all special teams.
Personally, I rank the flames 3rd - I put them ahead of the Hawks
Predators
Rangers
Flames
Blackhawks
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San Jose
Minnesota
St. Louis
San Jose has a decent top 4, depending on how Martin fits in. But they are not at the level of those top 4 teams.
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10-01-2015, 03:53 PM
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#16
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Resident Videologist
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Calgary
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BACKCHECK!!!
They're obviously expecting big things out of Paul Martin.
I think he's been on the downslope of his career for a long time. He probably peaked back when he was finance minister.
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10-01-2015, 03:55 PM
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#17
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Franchise Player
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Quote:
Originally Posted by killer_carlson
I like our blueline more than I like Chicago's this year
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Ya they are pretty close. I think we definitely have the better depth but I think their top 3 is stronger. Kind of a toss up of whic is better overall. Hopefully Brodie and Hamilton can take steps forward this year and Flames are the obvious choice.
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10-01-2015, 04:04 PM
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#18
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Franchise Player
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Pretty fair analysis IMO. If you look at the cap hit of the top 7 D (including Smid) we likely have the most expensive D in the league, even before Gio's deal cuts in. So BT needs to figure out how to swap out our higher paid bottom pairing guys for quality up front or in net.
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10-01-2015, 04:10 PM
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#19
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Fearmongerer
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Wondering when # became hashtag and not a number sign.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by _Q_
Today I learned that USA Today writes articles on the NHL.
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Their NHL coverage has been tremendous for a long time.
Kevin Allen is, without question, one of the best writers in the game.
As for the article, there are some really good groups in the league but I fail to see how SJ is among the better ones.
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10-01-2015, 04:10 PM
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#20
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Franchise Player
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Calgary
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BACKCHECK!!!
They're obviously expecting big things out of Paul Martin.
I think he's been on the downslope of his career for a long time. He probably peaked back when he was finance minister.
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They should sign this kid to an ELC, he might be able to replace him.
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