Practice Notes - January 31, 2020

[Fan in Exile]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Even with Rittich and Talbot, I find myself cringing every time one of them (most frequently Rittich) attempts to fake out or move the puck past forecheckers when in the trapezoid. Either just leave it for your defenseman, or find the quickest, most low risk outlet out.

I agree about Rittich. I think to some degree that's a residual effect of all the lauding of Smith's abilities. Rittich was encouraged to play the puck more, and also felt pressure to step up that part of his game as Smith continued to get starts despite stinking. It just leads to a lot of gaffes with questionable benefit. Honestly though, even though he had some decent stretches including the playoffs last year, Smith is a guy I don't miss in the least.

[Geeoff]

Honestly, the trapezoid really limits the affect a playmaking goalie can have on the game. (which was obviously the point of the trapezoid)

It's just too easy for the goalie to get themselves in trouble because they can only stand in one spot

[Monahammer]

When should I expect to see the movie on Sportsnet about Valimaki's road to recovery??

[JJolg]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

When should I expect to see the movie on Sportsnet about Valimaki's road to recovery??

Next year! on TSN!

[sempuki]

With as much time as Valimaki has missed, and given his age and position, he's probably better off spending a good long stint in AHL. I'm convinced not rushing Andersson and Kylington is a reason they're both where they are. And Mangiapane. I think Dube should spend a whole season in AHL tbh. Hell I think Bennett was rushed, and it would do him some good to get some swagger back down there, but that'd never happen.

[Dragomir]

Happy to hear about Valimaki, he is still our top prospect and without him our cupboards are really bare. I hope he succeeds Gio in 2 years!

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

When should I expect to see the movie on Sportsnet about Valimaki's road to recovery??

Right after the upcoming documentary on how McDavid heroically avoided being killed by Mark "Dirtiest Player in the NHL" Giordano.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Last season convinced me that a goalie's puck-play abilities are not especially useful to them he team. Not only did Smith's puck-handling cost the Flames on occasions, but I believe it also had an unintended effect on how the defense played in their own zone. With the expectation that the goalie was going to catch dump ins and move the puck up quickly, I think there is an instinctive response to slow down and to turn up-ice sooner. This really looked to me to be a problem in the playoffs, when Colorado amped up their forecheck to disrupt the Flames's defensive zone play rather effectively.

Even with Rittich and Talbot, I find myself cringing every time one of them (most frequently Rittich) attempts to fake out or move the puck past forecheckers when in the trapezoid. Either just leave it for your defenseman, or find the quickest, most low risk outlet out.

I've said before, the most effective part of Smith's puck handling was his ability to prevent dump-ins and ring-arounds, thus stopping a heavy forecheck and maintaining puck control. His long passes, while visially impressive, were not good enough to hit a guy in motion, so they actually interrupted the pace.

[Two Fivenagame]

Dp those lines suggest Jankowski is sitting again? Yikes if true.

[FBI]

Originally Posted by Two Fivenagame

Dp those lines suggest Jankowski is sitting again? Yikes if true.

yeah rough reward for scoring back to back

[FlamesAreOne]

@RyanNPike

My understanding is if Valimaki plays any games this season, regular or playoffs, NHL or AHL, he'll get credit for a season of service towards expansion. If no games, he will be exempt. #Flames

[FBI]

Originally Posted by FlamesAreOne

@RyanNPike

My understanding is if Valimaki plays any games this season, regular or playoffs, NHL or AHL, he'll get credit for a season of service towards expansion. If no games, he will be exempt. #Flames

paging getbak and sureloss to confirm

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by Fan in Exile

Watching Smith play the Flames and almost giving away two goals, does anyone still buy how valuable it is to have him back there handling the puck? That was the most overblown hype job for a goalie I've ever heard, and there were scores of analysts and posters here pushing it all last season.



So much happier with BSD and Talbot backing him up.

I have said it many times.

The two most exciting plays in hockey.

One, when the goalie plays the puck.

And two, what happens next.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[mrdonkey]

Originally Posted by FlamesAreOne

@RyanNPike

My understanding is if Valimaki plays any games this season, regular or playoffs, NHL or AHL, he'll get credit for a season of service towards expansion. If no games, he will be exempt. #Flames

This really needs to be clarified by an official source, because the implications of getting this one wrong could be huge.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by mrdonkey

This really needs to be clarified by an official source, because the implications of getting this one wrong could be huge.

I am not sure it would matter one way or the other. If Valimaki is healthy and ready to play this season he will, regardless of whether or not there are expansion implications.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I am not sure it would matter one way or the other. If Valimaki is healthy and ready to play this season he will, regardless of whether or not there are expansion implications.

I think it does matter. Why would you burn a year when you don't have to. It isn't like we really need his contributiions this year. Him playing is the difference between losing one of him, Kylington, Hanifin, or Andersson to Seattle. If he doesn't play you risk none of them.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

I think it does matter. Why would you burn a year when you don't have to. It isn't like we really need his contributiions this year. Him playing is the difference between losing one of him, Kylington, Hanifin, or Andersson to Seattle. If he doesn't play you risk none of them.

The expansion draft is still over a year away, and like it or not the GM is obligated to ice the best team he can now. There is every reason to believe that when healthy Valimaki is one of the Flames's top-six defensemen, and with the Flames in the thick of a tightly contested playoff race I don't see management or coaches choosing to leave him out of games.

There is also the player to consider in this as well. If Valimaki is dispatched to the AHL to play for no reason other than to save the team from expansion protection that can't at all sit well with the player, who would be losing not only the chance to play NHL games , but also NHL money. How many players do you think would put up with that sort of cap circumvention at the expense of his development and career?

[slash&burn]

I understand that they need to ice the best team possible but it doesn't seem like there would be any reason to bring Valimaki into the line-up at this point this season unless the coaching/management believes he will be better than Kylington or Hanafin for the stretch run.



I get that many posters would jump to replace one or the other with Valimaki but this next month is when the team needs to start playing their best hockey and I don't think bringing in any player that hasn't played in the AHL or NHL up to this point is going to be a better option.



Of course injuries could change things but if Ryan Pike is right, I would think Tre would use any options at his disposal to keep his young assests.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

The expansion draft is still over a year away, and like it or not the GM is obligated to ice the best team he can now. There is every reason to believe that when healthy Valimaki is one of the Flames's top-six defensemen, and with the Flames in the thick of a tightly contested playoff race I don't see management or coaches choosing to leave him out of games.

There is also the player to consider in this as well. If Valimaki is dispatched to the AHL to play for no reason other than to save the team from expansion protection that can't at all sit well with the player, who would be losing not only the chance to play NHL games , but also NHL money. How many players do you think would put up with that sort of cap circumvention at the expense of his development and career?

I am sure Valimaki will understand if the team says they are being extra cautious with his return. There is zero reason to rush him back from a major injury and a very positive reason to just let him rehab it and stay out of games.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

I am sure Valimaki will understand if the team says they are being extra cautious with his return. There is zero reason to rush him back from a major injury and a very positive reason to just let him rehab it and stay out of games.

I am not talking about rushing Valimaki into the lineup. I’m talking about the feasibility that he will be ready and able to play games in late March, and would provide an upgrade in the Flames top-six. I’m talking about the possibility that he slides in at the Trade Deadline if Treliving chooses to move one of his pending UFA defensemen. I’m talking about him being the most viable injury replacement down the stretch and into the playoffs. Under these circumstances Valimaki IS going to play NHL games this year.