The Brodie thread...

[Dr. Doom]

Trying not to be "doom" and gloom about this Flames squad as a whole...

And certainly there's a lot one could gripe about, a lot of players not playing up to potential right now. But for me I'm using one particular guy as an indicator right now and it happens to be probably my favorite player over the past couple of seasons at least.

How in heck has Brodie regressed as much as this? 2 points in 15 games, a -11 already... like what exactly is going on that he's this bad all of a sudden? I watched him rather directly last night and he just looks lost out there. Confidence is gone to control the puck and move it up ice, he's standing around with guys wide open... what gives!

I don't want to jump on the coaching bandwagon but at the same time it stinks.

And people can suggest he hasn't been playing with Giordano this season, but Giordano has been almost equally as unimpressive. You can't tell me they both need each other to play their game.

Thoughts?

[Psytic]

It's a scary thought that if Gio retires or starts to drop off that Brodie might not be able to carry the bag without him. They seem to have a symbiotic relationship. I thought Brodie would become our natural number one d over time hopefully this is just blip in the learning curve.

[Strange Brew]

It is concerning that we have several players that seem to "need" a certain player on the ice with them to be successful.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

I have always had issues with Brodie's ability to take players at the front of the net, but he's always been good reading the play, having an active stick to break up passes, and be crafty in the corners to take the puck away from attackers and move it out. He's also always been able to use his skating ability to recover from any mistakes.

All of those good things I just mentioned are not there at all this year, and he's been even worse with the net front defense. I have no idea what's wrong, but his IQ is just not there. It seems to be mental, but what is causing it, I have no clue.

But this is where we need the coaches to get in touch with the player, figure out the problem, and get a solution presented to them ASAP. Gulutzan is supposed to be a player's coach in that he knows what each individual needs to be successful, but I have yet to see any evidence of that skill set.

Gonna be a long year unless Glen figures out how to get through to his players.

[dirk diggler]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

It is concerning that we have several players that seem to "need" a certain player on the ice with them to be successful.

that goes back to the iginla days as well, always looking for someone to play with iggy to make him better, shouldnt he make the lesser players look better

[Ashartus]

The one thing I noticed about Brodie this year is he seems to be losing a lot more races to the puck than in the past.

I think he's shown in the past that he can play without Giordano, so I'm not sure what the issue is.

[Classic_Sniper]

TJ Brodie had a phenomenal game last night. That was vintage TJ. If he and Gio can continue to play like that. There won't be too many worries from me.

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

I have always had issues with Brodie's ability to take players at the front of the net, but he's always been good reading the play, having an active stick to break up passes, and be crafty in the corners to take the puck away from attackers and move it out. He's also always been able to use his skating ability to recover from any mistakes.

All of those good things I just mentioned are not there at all this year, and he's been even worse with the net front defense. I have no idea what's wrong, but his IQ is just not there. It seems to be mental, but what is causing it, I have no clue.

But this is where we need the coaches to get in touch with the player, figure out the problem, and get a solution presented to them ASAP. Gulutzan is supposed to be a player's coach in that he knows what each individual needs to be successful, but I have yet to see any evidence of that skill set.

Gonna be a long year unless Glen figures out how to get through to his players.

It might require some mental toughness when the best player on the Flames over the last 2 years.... (minimum top-2 with Gaudreau) becomes the 5th highest paid player.... basically tied 5-7 in salary rank.

If he was the 5-7 best player on any team they should be expecting to have home ice advantage in April.

I think great hockey analyst Cyndi Lauper said it best ---Money changes everything

[Dr. Doom]

Originally Posted by Classic_Sniper

TJ Brodie had a phenomenal game last night. That was vintage TJ. If he and Gio can continue to play like that. There won't be too many worries from me.

Sorry what was vintage about -1 (losing his assignment on at least one of the goals), and 0 points/0 shots? That and how was he phenomenal?

[Par]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

It is concerning that we have several players that seem to "need" a certain player on the ice with them to be successful.

Trade those players away while you can.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Dr. Doom

Trying not to be "doom" and gloom about this Flames squad as a whole...

And certainly there's a lot one could gripe about, a lot of players not playing up to potential right now. But for me I'm using one particular guy as an indicator right now and it happens to be probably my favorite player over the past couple of seasons at least.

How in heck has Brodie regressed as much as this? 2 points in 15 games, a -11 already... like what exactly is going on that he's this bad all of a sudden? I watched him rather directly last night and he just looks lost out there. Confidence is gone to control the puck and move it up ice, he's standing around with guys wide open... what gives!

I don't want to jump on the coaching bandwagon but at the same time it stinks.

And people can suggest he hasn't been playing with Giordano this season, but Giordano has been almost equally as unimpressive. You can't tell me they both need each other to play their game.

Thoughts?

Just to clarify the +/-...

The Flames have given up 6 empty net goals this year already. From those 6 goals,

Gaudreau, Monahan, Brouwer and Giordano are all -6
Brodie is -5
and Backlund is -4

I think that needs to be considered when discussing their +/-

[Enoch Root]

There is no question that Brodie has struggled so far this year. I think moving him to the left side has contributed to that, but we can't blame that for everything.

He is playing with less confidence for sure, and is frustrated, as are most of the Flames. One instance comes to mind last night: I believe it was in the 3rd period and Brodie did his usual spin around to elude a defender, then started up ice. Last year he probably would have continued into the offensive zone but this time, he decided to pass it instead. He then sent a pass to absolutely no one - literally 20 feet from anyone in a red jersey - and then lifted his head in a frustrated sigh to the hockey gods. Story of his season.

Personally, I am not at all worried long term. Every player has slumps. Every player has bad seasons. Sometimes that's how it goes and we have to be patient.

The worst thing the Flames can do is panic and make changes for change's sake.

[Classic_Sniper]

Originally Posted by Dr. Doom

Sorry what was vintage about -1 (losing his assignment on at least one of the goals), and 0 points/0 shots? That and how was he phenomenal?

He was skating like he has in past last night. Making good reads, playing more patient and creating better breakouts. Even Kelly Hrudey felt strongly enough to say that he was having a great game yesterday.

That -1 was once again a result of another empty goal which he's been apart of way too much this season. Although yesterdays empty netter was just pure luck on Roussel's part. Regardless, I thought he had a great game and if he and Gio continue to play this well, then I have no problems with him. People may instead want to look at the biggest problem on the back end which has been the atrocious play of Dougie Hamilton, he was on the ice for 3 goals yesterday and is now a -7 in the last 3 games.

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Just to clarify the +/-...

The Flames have given up 6 empty net goals this year already. From those 6 goals,

Gaudreau, Monahan, Brouwer and Giordano are all -6
Brodie is -5
and Backlund is -4

I think that needs to be considered when discussing their +/-

Interesting that Brodie and Gio are both considered a better all in offensive threat than Hamilton when the chips are down. even Backlund is ahead of our Big offense only d-man.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

Interesting that Brodie and Gio are both considered a better all in offensive threat than Hamilton when the chips are down. even Backlund is ahead of our Big offense only d-man.

How on earth do you make that post be about Hamilton?

[nik-]

Brodie has excelled without Giordano in the past, so it's not that.

Something is definitely very wrong this year though.

[Poe969]

Brodie is good but I think he's really been over rated around here for a while. I guess if Gio isn't playing well then Brodie won't be fore sure but I didn't think he'd look this bad.

[MisterJoji]

There's no way all our top players just forgot how to hockey over the summer. I think Brodie will still look like a #1 defenseman with proper head coach.

[redforever]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

I have always had issues with Brodie's ability to take players at the front of the net, but he's always been good reading the play, having an active stick to break up passes, and be crafty in the corners to take the puck away from attackers and move it out. He's also always been able to use his skating ability to recover from any mistakes.

All of those good things I just mentioned are not there at all this year, and he's been even worse with the net front defense. I have no idea what's wrong, but his IQ is just not there. It seems to be mental, but what is causing it, I have no clue.

But this is where we need the coaches to get in touch with the player, figure out the problem, and get a solution presented to them ASAP. Gulutzan is supposed to be a player's coach in that he knows what each individual needs to be successful, but I have yet to see any evidence of that skill set.

Gonna be a long year unless Glen figures out how to get through to his players.

Screwing around with players by having them play their wrong side will do that their mental psyche. Not only are they then trying to learn a new system but they are trying to learn it playing from from their wrong side.

Why would GG even think Brodie would play better on his other side? Brodie showed improvement every year until this year. I don't think that is coincidence.

[dying4acup]

Don't forget Brodie played on the left side, paired with Engelland down the stretch in 2015, and in the playoffs. He didn't look horrible.

Agree this is mental.