[News] Flames recall Phillips

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by Lanny_McDonald

It's interesting that the Flames called up their two highest profile pending UFAs from the farm. I've seen some commentary that this is a callup for the future, but unless both sign extensions, it's a showcase for every other team in the league as well. May not be much of a futures callup and really is focused on getting the bottom of the lineup going. I think the futures players the Flames are waiting on are Zary, Pelleter, Corronato, Kuznetsov, Poirier, and Wolf. Would be nice for one of Zahorna or Phillips to step up, be a player and force the hand of the team to give them another contract.

Phillips is RFA and Zohorna hasn’t been called up.

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

Phillips is RFA and Zohorna hasn’t been called up.

Naw, Phillips is a pending Group 6 UFA.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1601077729944023040

I'd expect to see Zohorna up in short order, as well.

[Yikes]

Originally Posted by CF84

You got a chuckle out of me...but I felt pretty old at the same time.

I got it too...sad but true

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Naw, Phillips is a pending Group 6 UFA.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1601077729944023040

So... Phillips is an RFA

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Huberdeau - Lindholm - Toffoli have zero 5v5 goals together in the last three games actually (and their larger sample is hardly impressive offensively, though they're not necessarily hurting us defensively). And they have an underwhelming xGF% of 50.94 in those three games, along with a goal against the only goal event for that trio. They did score an empty-netter, but.. it was an empty netter.

Mangiapane - Kadri - Dube have fared better offensively, with 2 goals and 1 goal against, but still have an underwhelming xGF% of 49.91 in those games. Their larger sample is concerning as they have 49.27% xGF% over 185:00 minutes together, despite being the runaway line that gets the softest usage in the top nine in terms of defensive zone faceoffs.

The only forward combo that genuinely seems to be clicking 5v5 over that three game win streak is Ruzicka-Backlund, accounting for 5 goals for and 1 goal against, and an xGF% of 73.39. Mangiapane scored one of those goals with them, and Coleman has been in on the rest. This duo is carrying us 5v5.

Not to take away from powerplay goals and empty-netters, but I don't think the top nine is above reproach based on either the three game win streak or the larger sample of the season. I would have to imagine Sutter is aware of this.

Am I concerned about Phillips on the fourth line? No.

Are two of the top three lines on the team still really struggling? Yes.

Oh I know ... believe me.

But not sure it's fair to say one line isn't producing but has good numbers, and the other line producing with weak numbers and call them both struggling.

It's one or the other isn't it?

You either go with underlying numbers and suggest the 2nd line has continue to fight it, or go with actual results and say the top line isn't getting it done.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Naw, Phillips is a pending Group 6 UFA.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1601077729944023040

I'd expect to see Zohorna up in short order, as well.

Fun fact, 2004 was the only time the Flames have played more than 22 games in the playoffs, when they played 26.

Both the 1986 and 1989 runs were only 22 games long. The 1981 run to the final four was 16 games. Last season's 12 games was the 5th longest playoff run in Flames' history.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

they could have just kept him in camp since he was the most lethal looking top 9 option they had then too

well done Flames

[Bingo]

Glad to see his game count rise over 1.

Having one NHL game on your resume and it was a throw away game for a team missing the playoffs in front of zero fans is pretty annoying for the guy.

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Glad to see his game count rise over 1.

Having one NHL game on your resume and it was a throw away game for a team missing the playoffs in front of zero fans is pretty annoying for the guy.

And honestly, it's going to be huge for him in future contract negotiations (with the Flames or other teams), too — you look at a guy like Nic Meloche, who was able to get a one-way deal in FA in no small part because of his NHL experience plus AHL track record.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Naw, Phillips is a pending Group 6 UFA.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1601077729944023040

I'd expect to see Zohorna up in short order, as well.

Ok. Good to know. Capfriendly should probably differentiate.

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

Ok. Good to know. Capfriendly should probably differentiate.

They're sometimes late to the game on it but I think they haven't updated it because it's still technically possible for him to remain an RFA.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Oh I know ... believe me.

But not sure it's fair to say one line isn't producing but has good numbers, and the other line producing with weak numbers and call them both struggling.

It's one or the other isn't it?

You either go with underlying numbers and suggest the 2nd line has continue to fight it, or go with actual results and say the top line isn't getting it done.

They're different but real problems, though.

51% xGF sounds alright... it's not good when both your ostensible Selke and Art Ross candidates are on it. Their larger sample is good in the underlying numbers at 58.05% xGF, but that lack of production is exactly what needs to be addressed for that line. It'd be great for a line that does not have a 90+ point forward, but the expectations are different for Huberdeau.

And the larger sample of Mangiapane-Kadri-Dube indicates a line that won't magically turn it around. I actually don't want Phillips on that line either, because it'd largely be the same issue of three guys playing the same style of game with the same weaknesses.

This three game win streak is largely unrelated to those two lines, not because of them. The powerplay has been strong. The Backlund-Ruzicka duo has been dominant. Those are the player combos you wanna keep together. The other areas should not be brushed aside because of a three game win streak.

[saillias]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

And honestly, it's going to be huge for him in future contract negotiations (with the Flames or other teams), too — you look at a guy like Nic Meloche, who was able to get a one-way deal in FA in no small part because of his NHL experience plus AHL track record.

I still don't really get why Meloche was leap frogged by Gilbert and De Simone. At the end of preseason he gave that interview where he said it's nice to make the team and was reassigned about 1 hour later

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by saillias

I still don't really get why Meloche was leap frogged by Gilbert and De Simone. At the end of preseason he gave that interview where he said it's nice to make the team and was reassigned about 1 hour later

Meloche is a RD, with Kylington out we've needed a LD as Stone is a RD and Weegar is already a right shot playing the left side.

[Funkhouser]

GM needs to offer him a 8 year x $1M deal today, expires before the game starts.
Then we reap the rewards!!! (or bury him forever...Darryl's choice)

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

They're different but real problems, though.

51% xGF sounds alright... it's not good when both your ostensible Selke and Art Ross candidates are on it. Their larger sample is good in the underlying numbers at 58.05% xGF, but that lack of production is exactly what needs to be addressed for that line. It'd be great for a line that does not have a 90+ point forward, but the expectations are different for Huberdeau.

And the larger sample of Mangiapane-Kadri-Dube indicates a line that won't magically turn it around. I actually don't want Phillips on that line either, because it'd largely be the same issue of three guys playing the same style of game with the same weaknesses.

This three game win streak is largely unrelated to those two lines, not because of them. The powerplay has been strong. The Backlund-Ruzicka duo has been dominant. Those are the player combos you wanna keep together. The other areas should not be brushed aside because of a three game win streak.

Top line is 58.6% on the season though (beyond the three game sample size), which is good for 20th in the league for trios with 100+ minutes.

If the Kadri line isn't going to improve (as you say), then there is at least equal support to suggest the top line is due.

Once again you can't have it both ways.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by Funkhouser

GM needs to offer him a 8 year x $1M deal today, expires before the game starts.
Then we reap the rewards!!! (or bury him forever...Darryl's choice)

he's a Calgary native

I think as long as Darryl demonstrates that he will be fair to Phillips with where and how much he is used then there will be a good shot at extending him

but firstly it will depend on him showing he can be a player at this level

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Top line is 58.6% on the season though (beyond the three game sample size), which is good for 20th in the league for trios with 100+ minutes.

If the Kadri line isn't going to improve (as you say), then there is at least equal support to suggest the top line is due.

Once again you can't have it both ways.

The top line is due for some correction. However you expect top lines to outproduce their xG, that's what makes them a top line and not a second line. High end finishing.

[bigrangy]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Top line is 58.6% on the season though (beyond the three game sample size), which is good for 20th in the league for trios with 100+ minutes.

If the Kadri line isn't going to improve (as you say), then there is at least equal support to suggest the top line is due.

Once again you can't have it both ways.

Top line is 58.6% but mostly that’s on the back of their defensive prowess.

If their line was a player, with 2.55 xgf/60 and 1.84 xga/60, they’d have the 14th best xga in the league (which is 100% excellent any way you look at it), but 341st (out of 646) in terms of xgf.

They’re definitely helping the team win but I also definitely selfishly want Huberdeau to rack up some points!

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Lewis is a good player and it gives Phillips an opportunity to get acclimated to NHL game speed, something he has almost no experience with.

Mangiapane, Dube, and Ruzicka all spent time on the 4th line and all 3 are (arguably in Ruzicka’s case) everyday NHLers now. Relax.

Not that I disagree with your assessment but it funny that Ruzicka is nearly a PPG player on a team that has problems scoring and we all think he's a few bad games away from the press box.

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

they could have just kept him in camp since he was the most lethal looking top 9 option they had then too

well done Flames

Its not like the guys not going to sign a contract the second you show him one. He hasn't made a ton of money playing hockey. He'll sign if the Flames offer him something reasonable if he performs.