[News] Flames name Geoff Ward and Ryan Huska as assistant coaches

[Freeway]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Finally caught up on reading, and I'm actually starting to think they got it right. I liked Peters from the start, but they basically got another head coach as an associate with a particular skillset that they need (powerplay and adjustments).

I liked Gulutzan, I wonder if he's better suited for the associate role going forward, so I think Edmonton likely made a good hire there, but I'm glad that Calgary didn't end up missing the dance in bringing in assistants.

I was certainly underwhelmed like everyone when Cameron was the veteran choice.

It also helps that Peters has a rep as a hard-ass, Huska has a rep as a player's coach, and Ward's somewhere in the middle.

[DazzlinDino]

GG chose Cameron, however this time around it seems BT has been more involved in the assistant/ associate hires. This is important because it appears that BT recognizes some specific areas that needed to be addressed from the old regime.

These hires seem to fit the needs of the team going forward. I wouldn't be surprised if both hires were recommended by specific players. Not saying they have much influence but their input could have correlated with BT's take from interviews and his desire to address specific needs within the team going forward.

I feel much better about this group with BT looking at the teams that made the playoffs, the style of play the mix needed to make it work.

Vegas ability to get a bunch of players unknown to each other working together in a short time is an eye opener. The Flames really never seemed to get on the same page out of the gate because of complications grasping and executing the system.

I also liked Peters mention of how 1-4 lines should be modernized to better compete with other teams on the road. This would explain why the Flames struggled; We just didn't have the right mix and enough skill through the line up to compete on the road so the team was hampered during match ups. Maybe we BT did get it right this time. Looking forward to seeing how the team responds to these changes.

[Moneyhands23]

Originally Posted by DazzlinDino

GG chose Cameron, however this time around it seems BT has been more involved in the assistant/ associate hires. This is important because it appears that BT recognizes some specific areas that needed to be addressed from the old regime.

These hires seem to fit the needs of the team going forward. I wouldn't be surprised if both hires were recommended by specific players. Not saying they have much influence but their input could have correlated with BT's take from interviews and his desire to address specific needs within the team going forward.

I feel much better about this group with BT looking at the teams that made the playoffs, the style of play the mix needed to make it work.

Vegas ability to get a bunch of players unknown to each other working together in a short time is an eye opener. The Flames really never seemed to get on the same page out of the gate because of complications grasping and executing the system.

I also liked Peters mention of how 1-4 lines should be modernized to better compete with other teams on the road. This would explain why the Flames struggled; We just didn't have the right mix and enough skill through the line up to compete on the road so the team was hampered during match ups. Maybe we BT did get it right this time. Looking forward to seeing how the team responds to these changes.

Funny thing is the team was decent on the road and stunk up the Dome...

[DazzlinDino]

Originally Posted by Moneyhands23

Funny thing is the team was decent on the road and stunk up the Dome...

I know, I know I am not the expert so I am counting on these guys to figure this stuff out!

[Samonadreau]

I will stay cautiously optimistic. Emphasis on the cautious.

[Poe969]

I'm guessing one or two of valimaki, Anderson and kylington make the team and Husks gets one of them nominated for the Calder

[Reggie Dunlop]

Originally Posted by Poe969

I'm guessing one or two of valimaki, Anderson and kylington make the team and Husks gets one of them nominated for the Calder

Valimaki almost certainly spends a season in Stockton. Not to say he's a potential call-up if there's a string of injuries, but a full season learning the pro game in the "A" is a reasonable scenario.

Andersson is going to be given every opportunity to win a spot. It's his to lose.

Having two Rooks on the blueline, even in third pairing roles, isn't likely in The Show.

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

Valimaki almost certainly spends a season in Stockton.

Not so sure about that.

He looked very good in camp last season... and is 6'2 205lbs.

By all accounts he's going to be given every opportunity to steal a spot, and I think he and Dube have a good shot and surprising and making the team out of camp. They both made a case last year.

Not that it would be a bad thing if he has to spend time in the A, but I think he might step in and make noise right away.

[Nelson]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

Not so sure about that.

He looked very good in camp last season... and is 6'2 205lbs.

By all accounts he's going to be given every opportunity to steal a spot, and I think he and Dube have a good shot and surprising and making the team out of camp. They both made a case last year.

Not that it would be a bad thing if he has to spend time in the A, but I think he might step in and make noise right away.

The LW battle and the LD battles are going to be something else in camp if thing stay the same. Kulak, Kylington, Valimaki for 3 LD and Dube will have to fight with Mangiapane if both stay at LW unless they move a LW to the right side.

One dark horse I’m going to be watching in camp will be Phillips. He should start in the AHL and if he makes the team right out of camp then the Flames have not addressed the forward issue, but I think Phillips is going to be a player.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Nelson

One dark horse I’m going to be watching in camp will be Phillips. He should start in the AHL and if he makes the team right out of camp then the Flames have not addressed the forward issue, but I think Phillips is going to be a player.

If Phillips came into camp looking like he could have a season similar to what Alex DeBrincat had last year, you would still send him down to the AHL?

[handgroen]

Originally Posted by Badgers Nose

I'm super happy with the disdain. For once I feel part of the community here. For every Gallant there are tons of bargain basement hires that have shat the bed.

This team is shooting for average. Nothing about what they are doing says building a contender. BT plugs one hole and open others.

I'm not too concerned about the assistants. They won't make or break the next two-three seasons the way Peters might.

They can't live up to the reasonable expectations of being a consistent playoff team and an emerging contender.

They are always an injury away from disaster.

I'm looking forward to the next rebuild. That was way more fun than the last two years.

#### on this post all you want, most of you know it's true.

i think that there are just different types of fans or supporters. i know that i lost my mind and had the forum turn on me when i said frolik not potting an empty netter was directly the cause of smith getting injured. just really couldn't get over that one...

anyways badgers nose is a good guy, who sold me really nice electronics in the buy sell forum. (would recommend) and maybe he is just fed up or maybe is a fan who isn't always rose coloured glasses about everything.
i am a rose coloured glasses guy, and it kind of sucks when things fall apart.

a couple predictions from a rose coloured fan:

Hamilton leads league in points by a defence man.
Monahan scores 40 goals.
Brodie rights the ship.

not only do i hope those things will happen i really believe that they will. the monahan one i would bet on. some fans really believe that monahan won't score 30 next year, just different outlooks i guess.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Nelson

The LW battle and the LD battles are going to be something else in camp if thing stay the same. Kulak, Kylington, Valimaki for 3 LD and Dube will have to fight with Mangiapane if both stay at LW unless they move a LW to the right side.

One dark horse I’m going to be watching in camp will be Phillips. He should start in the AHL and if he makes the team right out of camp then the Flames have not addressed the forward issue, but I think Phillips is going to be a player.

Phillips is an interesting prospect for sure.

Prospect #1
5'7" - 145lbs
WHL 3 years / 215 games
Points per game - 1.31
Goals per game - 0.63

Prospect #2
5'8" - 155lbs
WHL - 4 years / 230 games
Points per game - 1.27
Goals per game - 0.46

One of these prospects is Matthew Phillips. The other is a much more highly touted prospect who was taken late in the first round of the 2017 draft. The highly touted prospect is only 6 months younger than Phillips.

[Bongsong]

Originally Posted by Nelson

The LW battle and the LD battles are going to be something else in camp if thing stay the same. Kulak, Kylington, Valimaki for 3 LD and Dube will have to fight with Mangiapane if both stay at LW unless they move a LW to the right side.

One dark horse I’m going to be watching in camp will be Phillips. He should start in the AHL and if he makes the team right out of camp then the Flames have not addressed the forward issue, but I think Phillips is going to be a player.

My dark horse is Wotherspoon, I think Huska really likes him and he has stewed long enough I think he gets his chance

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Bongsong

My dark horse is Wotherspoon, I think Huska really likes him and he has stewed long enough I think he gets his chance

Is he still around? You have got to be kidding me.

I assumed he left.

[Moneyhands23]

Originally Posted by Bongsong

My dark horse is Wotherspoon, I think Huska really likes him and he has stewed long enough I think he gets his chance

That's definatly an interesting thought. I wonder if he wants to re-sign here knowing he possibly has Huska giving him an opportunity.

[topfiverecords]

Wotherspoon is UFA. I don't see him getting another deal here.

[Freddy]

I don’t think Mangiapane is too much of a dark horse, but he’s paid his dues in the A (like Huska) and his chemistry with Jankowski will help Peters ice a fast, balanced, 4 line team.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by DazzlinDino

GG chose Cameron, however this time around it seems BT has been more involved in the assistant/ associate hires. This is important because it appears that BT recognizes some specific areas that needed to be addressed from the old regime.

I hope you're right.

I hope that it was Gulutzan that picked Cameron but I'm not as sure. The quotes suggest that but I think Treliving spent time at that 2016 Worlds with the man and then all of a sudden he was on the staff.

Might have been a force by Treliving that sunk his head coach choice in the end.

Either way the staff now is certainly all Treliving ...

Peters ... who he had at the worlds but couldn't bring on board in 2016
Ward ... a short list from his last hiring
Huska ... who Treliving brought into the organization

Good sign either way.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Nelson

The LW battle and the LD battles are going to be something else in camp if thing stay the same. Kulak, Kylington, Valimaki for 3 LD and Dube will have to fight with Mangiapane if both stay at LW unless they move a LW to the right side.

One dark horse I’m going to be watching in camp will be Phillips. He should start in the AHL and if he makes the team right out of camp then the Flames have not addressed the forward issue, but I think Phillips is going to be a player.

Will see ...

Gaudreau clearly adjusted no problem..
Mangiapane made the transition very smoothly.

Phillips was a ghost at last year's camp though.

[Nelson]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Will see ...

Gaudreau clearly adjusted no problem..
Mangiapane made the transition very smoothly.

Phillips was a ghost at last year's camp though.

Fair enough. I didn’t know that. Maybe I have a bad darkhorse pick, but I just like Phillips skill a lot. It would probably be better for him to develop for a season or two in Stockton anyways.