[Game Takes] Flames 6 Panthers 2

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Bingo

You won't get much argument on this attempt ... Calgary goaltending hasn't been great.

The site I use for goaltenders (moneypuck) has it closer though.

Markstrom is 47 allowed vs 47.1 expected for +0.1
Vladar is 18 allowed vs 18.8 expected for +0.8

That's less than one goal of "help" all season between both goaltenders, which I highlighted yesterday in the pregame topic.

Also interesting ...

Markstrom down a man?
8 allowed vs 12.47 expected +4.5

Markstrom five on five?
31 allowed vs 28.82 expected -2.2

Markstrom other? (not short handed or five on five)
6 allowed 4.36 expected -1.6

You are loyal to the numbers you post, and I respect that. But seriously, do those numbers jive, at all, with what you have watched so far this year? There is no case to be made that the goaltending has been fine. It's been a problem.

However, it HAS been fine - even good - for the last few games. So hopefully we have righted that ship.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Markstrom's career record against Montreal is decent. The Caps are up after that and his stats are bad. And he wasn't great last weekend against them. if you want to get Markstrom back in there, tomorrow is the time. Give the Caps to Vladar. IMO.

That is how I would play it too, and continue with a rotation for now.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by DoubleK

Would you add Wideman to the list? I get they traded for his rights, but he was pretty solid until the incident with the linesman, especially in 2014-15.

I think Wideman was a good signing in that he largely delivered on his value.
Engelland would be another one that ended up being OK.

But that's the issue. Even reaching "OK" for UFAs seems rare

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Bingo

I've always wondered how you would do if you just refused to sign any player past the age of 33.

Full stop.

Lose your own players if they don't take shorter terms.
Walk away if UFAs won't take lesser term.

You'd get a lot of rejection but have way more cap space flexibility.

Totally agree. Requires a ruthless approach to asset management that includes placing more value on cap space than there is right now.
Right now it feels like GMs can resist the allure of a "free player" because it only costs cap space.
But the consequence of that is far less flexibility going forward that hinders you ability to build a true contender.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

You are loyal to the numbers you post, and I respect that. But seriously, do those numbers jive, at all, with what you have watched so far this year? There is no case to be made that the goaltending has been fine. It's been a problem.

However, it HAS been fine - even good - for the last few games. So hopefully we have righted that ship.

I see the Flames as having an elite goaltender that should have an advantage over starting the average goaltender on all but what? 12 dates all season?

So the fact that they are literally not helping at all is a problem.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Bingo

I always had Hudler and Frolik on the good lists as well.

For sure but interesting that both guys finished very poorly in their last season. Hamrlik was a productive NHLer well after he left. You could never sign a player of his quality on a two year deal anymore.