Remember when I said earlier in the summer that the Flames plug up all their bottom roles and then rookies can’t really make it? This is exactly what I was talking about. Waste. The cap space is more valuable.
The Following 8 Users Say Thank You to Mr.Coffee For This Useful Post:
Remember when I said earlier in the summer that the Flames plug up all their bottom roles and then rookies can’t really make it? This is exactly what I was talking about. Waste. The cap space is more valuable.
Don't forget that he's also horrible at moving the puck, and horrible at playing actual defence.
Listening to Nault and Steinberg from earlier in the day...poor Valimaki. The Flames are going to screw him up hard. When he gets into the line-up it's likely that he's going to have to play with Gudbranson which will sink him.
Last edited by ComixZone; 09-10-2021 at 10:10 PM.
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to ComixZone For This Useful Post:
Remember when I said earlier in the summer that the Flames plug up all their bottom roles and then rookies can’t really make it? This is exactly what I was talking about. Waste. The cap space is more valuable.
Don’t worry, if this team goes south I think there will be a ton of rookies next year everywhere throughout the line up.
Sutter has a way of utilizing his D-men right, and making them look good. Look at how good guys like Phaneuf, Commodore, and Montador looked under him. I'm not a fan of how much was spent in this transaction, but Sutter knows what he's doing, and this is his team. One of the weaknesses of this team the last few years has been size and toughness, and at least THAT has been addressed. Sutter is the equalizer here-having him here from the start of the year will be huge for us, let's see what he can do with this group.
Not a popular opinion, I know, but I don't mind having EG on this team if Darryl is coaching.
Last edited by Sandman; 09-10-2021 at 10:40 PM.
The Following 18 Users Say Thank You to Sandman For This Useful Post:
Don't forget that he's also horrible at moving the puck, and horrible at playing actual defence.
Listening to Nault and Steinberg from earlier in the day...poor Valimaki. The Flames are going to screw him up hard. When he gets into the line-up it's likely that he's going to have to play with Gudbranson which will sink him.
Whatever.
Valimaki is either going to sink or swim. I watched him play lots of NHL games last season and he was lacking. No one was blocking him except himself.
Such a tired narrative
This idea that the NHL is some kind of development league where young players need to be given opportunity is total fantasy.
It is the best league in the world and every team wants to win. If you are good enough you will play.
Last edited by blender; 09-10-2021 at 10:55 PM.
The Following 8 Users Say Thank You to blender For This Useful Post:
The Gudbrandson signing is a head scratcher. That said, I think overall there might be better team defence this year, with Coleman, Pitlick and Lewis up front.
The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to GioforPM For This Useful Post:
I can't get on board with the narrative that the rookies will get a chance if they outplay the veterans because of moves like this. Gudbranson is below replacement level. He is not a good defenseman. Players better than him are available on waivers all the time.
I can't get on board with the narrative that the rookies will get a chance if they outplay the veterans because of moves like this. Gudbranson is below replacement level. He is not a good defenseman. Players better than him are available on waivers all the time.
The thing is, as fans we love it when a rookie flashes and makes a great play, but it isn't about making great plays every game or two. It is about being reliable and NOT making mistakes that cost the team games.
Terms like replacement level are borne of analytics, but they don't mean #### to an NHL coach who is trying to win games.
The Following 10 Users Say Thank You to blender For This Useful Post:
This team shouldn't be easy to play against, that's for sure. Hopefully they win lots, but if they don't hopefully they at least take their pound of flesh I guess.
If they do make the playoffs, they might be a nightmare to play against if/when the refs put the whistles away.
The Following 7 Users Say Thank You to Roof-Daddy For This Useful Post:
This team shouldn't be easy to play against, that's for sure. Hopefully they win lots, but if they don't hopefully they at least take their pound of flesh I guess.
If they do make the playoffs, they might be a nightmare to play against if/when the refs put the whistles away.
There should be lots for Staples and co. to cry about when hits from Tkachuk are the least of the butter-soft Oilers' worries lining up against these Flames.
I foresee a lot of drama in the BoA. Sutter will seek to get under Edmonton's skin, without quesiton. And he won't give a #### what their cheerleading squad have to say about it.
The Following 6 Users Say Thank You to djsFlames For This Useful Post:
This team shouldn't be easy to play against, that's for sure. Hopefully they win lots, but if they don't hopefully they at least take their pound of flesh I guess.
If they do make the playoffs, they might be a nightmare to play against if/when the refs put the whistles away.
I think teams will flat out bail in some games against the Flames this season...work hard and take a beating on a Tuesday in January? no thanks we will mail it in and get ready for the run and gun in Edmonton
__________________
GFG
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to dino7c For This Useful Post:
Sutter has a style and a system, and now he has the kind of players he needs and wants to carry it out. Team defense will be much better, we'll be much harder to play against, and we'll be getting a healthy Markstrom. Nobody will want to meet us in the alley, and the playoffs have become a lot heavier-we might just benefit from getting bigger and meaner.
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Sandman For This Useful Post:
Its tough when you drink the koolaid but the reality is that not one post in the whole thread is enthusiastic. Anytime you spend over 1.5M even if you bury the contract cap is being eaten up relatively. For a player no one has wanted in the last 4 years I'm shocked pedigree and previous salaries are enough to warrant the current salary. I'd have been fine if they gave him a show me contract closer to 1.2-1.5M but this is a signing that just doesn't make sense.
I can't get on board with the narrative that the rookies will get a chance if they outplay the veterans because of moves like this. Gudbranson is below replacement level. He is not a good defenseman. Players better than him are available on waivers all the time.
But it's true, and it happens every season. Either at camp, or more likely as a call up. Last season it was Valimaki. Dube was the season before. Before that was both Mangiapane and Andersson. Etc.
At least one Flames rookie will graduate this season. My money is on Mackey. But Kylington, Phillips, Gawdin, Ruzika, and a couple of others are in the running as well.
