Markstrom breaks finger - week to week; Wolf recalled.

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Only one back to back in the next 5 games.

I would imagine it's not all Vladar anyway, but Wolf likely gets at least 1 of the next 5

That would be very disappointing. Wolf was supposed to be getting NHL games this year and 1 start at this juncture is nowhere close to progressing him along. To treat Vladar as the defacto starter in this situation would be a serious kick in the berries to your heir apparent, if you ask me.

There's little to no reason that while Markstrom is out, Vladar and Wolf shouldn't be in a time share, each getting 3 starts in the next 6. Maybe you stray slightly if one is playing lights out. This is a real chance to see where Wolf is at in the NHL level and it should not be wasted by feeding your mediocre backup starts.

[GreenLantern2814]

[Calgary4LIfe]

Sucks to lose Markstrom - I would argue he was playing well, and I thought he was playing well enough to start drawing some interest on the trade market too.



On the positive side, not only do the Flames get to see Wolf in some games which we as fans all want to see as well, but the Flames can figure out what Vladar really is. Knowing that you are going to have the bulk of the workload - especially in a fairly long run of games versus really good teams - is a lot more pressure than being the backup. Hopefully he does well with it. Lots of goalies look great as backups, and then they falter - Rittich I think was a great example. Hopefully Vladar rises to the occasion.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

Sucks to lose Markstrom - I would argue he was playing well, and I thought he was playing well enough to start drawing some interest on the trade market too.



On the positive side, not only do the Flames get to see Wolf in some games which we as fans all want to see as well, but the Flames can figure out what Vladar really is. Knowing that you are going to have the bulk of the workload - especially in a fairly long run of games versus really good teams - is a lot more pressure than being the backup. Hopefully he does well with it. Lots of goalies look great as backups, and then they falter - Rittich I think was a great example. Hopefully Vladar rises to the occasion.

Honestly? I really hope that Vladar and Wolf take the opportunity and just split the games evenly. 1A/1B and adjust as each of them maybe develops a hot-streak or starts to falter.

Just rock the hot-hand and lets roll!

[FlamesAddiction]

It's hard to think of an MVP to be honest. Does there really have to be one?

I guess I would pick Kadri for the reason that I think he has been instrumental to the early success of Zary and Pospisil. I do think he is the piece that makes it work.

Markstrom is still such a mixed bag. He has held the team in games, but some of those games were closer than they should have been because he is still usually good for at least one weak goal every game.

[gvitaly]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Except in most of the recent wins, while he's been exciting to watch, he hasn't scored.

Who was more important in their previous OT win? Zary who made a couple cool plays that didn't pan out or, say, Huberdeau who had 2 points (including in OT) and should havehad more but for a call back and a Coleman leg.

Are we going to do it as a game by game comparison, or through the whole season? Zary had a bigger impact on games IMO. I can bring up the game against MTL for example.

Originally Posted by Bingo

I'm sure you're not applying that a direct causal relationship. I like Zary as much as anyone, but it's not Zary plays and Flames better as a vaccuum.

And I'm good with other choices.

I see Weegar, Kadri and Markstrom as my finalists.

I'm not applying it as a direct relationship, as much as using it to prove a point. Zary energized the team. Zary helped Kadri turn his game around. Had the season started in NOV I would argue that Kadri is the MVP, but his month of Oct, was absolutely dreadful.

Here are the numbers from the first stars(NHL.com) after the heritage classic:
Kadri 1 x 1st star, 1 x 2nd star, 2 x 3rd star
Sharangovich 1, 1 , 1
Zary 0, 2, 0
Lindholm 1, 0, 1
Hanifin, Coleman, Backlund, Markstrom, Vladar = 1 x 1st star.
Pospisil, Huberdaeu = 1 x 2nd star

* I don't treat those numbers as a definitive proof of anything, just more information regarding who were the difference makers each game. For me it has been the Kadri line on most nights.

I don't mind the argument that we're winning by committee, and don't have an MVP, but Zary had the biggest impact on energizing the team on most nights IMO.

[dino7c]

Flames "stars" do seem to be earned more than other teams

unlike in Edmonton where they give McDavid 2nd star in an 8-1 loss where he is -7 but scored on a break away while cherry picking

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

It's hard to think of an MVP to be honest. Does there really have to be one?

I guess I would pick Kadri for the reason that I think he has been instrumental to the early success of Zary and Pospisil. I do think he is the piece that makes it work.

Markstrom is still such a mixed bag. He has held the team in games, but some of those games were closer than they should have been because he is still usually good for at least one weak goal every game.

When a team is 10-11-3 it's more a question of what players have been good enough and which ones have struggled. I know the media has pushed the Markstrom MVP narrative because they like him and everyone loves to see a player rebound after a disastrous season. I consider it a soft rebound as he's been really good and at times really ordinary while still having an issue with soft goals. Some players have taken turns having good weeks and Zary has added a bit of flash but in too small of a sample size. If I had to pick I would go with Backlund (Markstrom close second) because his line seems to be the most consistent and given all the locker room stuff his leadership has been good enough to keep the team playing competitively.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

That would be very disappointing.

It shouldn't be.

Wolf was supposed to be getting NHL games this year and 1 start at this juncture is nowhere close to progressing him along.

Anyone who was expecting for Wolf to start more than occasionally while there are still three goalies rotating on-and-off the roster was setting themselves up for disappointment. Yes, the plan is to get Wolf NHL starts, and this will count towards that. Until one of Vladar or Markstrom is traded or ends up on LTIR, then Wolf will probably only end up playing five or six games.

To treat Vladar as the defacto starter in this situation would be a serious kick in the berries to your heir apparent, if you ask me.

Why would the Flames's backup goalie be treated as anything but the de facto starter when the starter is injured? That's his job! This has been discussed ad nauseam, but there is no reason to think that Wolf would feel slighted by any of this: as good as he is, he is still just breaking into the NHL, and Vladar is #2 on the depth chart—it is just that simple. I have no doubt at all that this was all laid out ahead of time for Wolf, and he is perfectly fine with how this is playing out. Certainly, this could change, but there is no reason in the moment to alter the course. Vladar also needs to play.

There's little to no reason that while Markstrom is out, Vladar and Wolf shouldn't be in a time share, each getting 3 starts in the next 6. Maybe you stray slightly if one is playing lights out. This is a real chance to see where Wolf is at in the NHL level and it should not be wasted by feeding your mediocre backup starts.

This is NOT a "wasted" opportunity. The Flames are still likely keen to move a goalie at some point this season, and it won't be Wolf. Under the circumstances they understandably want Vladar to play, because this could potentially help to strengthen their bargaining power to move a goalie. Getting Vladar into 15–25 games is significantly more immediately important than finding NHL starts for Wolf. He will get his chance.

[taxbuster]

I picked Pickles (Coleman) as MVP. He's the guy who IMO has had a fire in his eyes and has broken - as much as anyone has on this team - games open. He's relentless, consistent and doesn't make a lot of mistakes, covers for his linemates and generally seems to do everything asked of him.

[Toonage]

The season changed when Zary got into the lineup. Almost immediately. Breathed life into the team and he helped resurrect Kadri. Thats MVP material to this point IMO

[dissentowner]

It's close between Kadri and Weegar. Markstrom still too inconsistent and he still has first shot is a goal syndrome.

[FlamesAddiction]

I can definitely see the case for other players like Coleman, Backlund, and Zary.

With Zary and Kadri, it is probably a bit of a symbiotic thing going on. I kind of go back to comments that Zary and Huska said about Kadri though. Zary said that Kadri is always offering constructive advice and makes him confident. Huska also mentioned that Kadri is communicator and drives things. I am sure playing with energetic young players has helped Kadri as well of course.

[D as in David]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

It's close between Kadri and Weegar. Markstrom still too inconsistent and he still has first shot is a goal syndrome.

Kadri and Weegar have also had inconsistencies in their game this season. It's just more apparent when a goalie has a bad moment.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by gvitaly

Are we going to do it as a game by game comparison, or through the whole season? Zary had a bigger impact on games IMO. I can bring up the game against MTL for example.



I'm not applying it as a direct relationship, as much as using it to prove a point. Zary energized the team. Zary helped Kadri turn his game around. Had the season started in NOV I would argue that Kadri is the MVP, but his month of Oct, was absolutely dreadful.

Here are the numbers from the first stars(NHL.com) after the heritage classic:
Kadri 1 x 1st star, 1 x 2nd star, 2 x 3rd star
Sharangovich 1, 1 , 1
Zary 0, 2, 0
Lindholm 1, 0, 1
Hanifin, Coleman, Backlund, Markstrom, Vladar = 1 x 1st star.
Pospisil, Huberdaeu = 1 x 2nd star

* I don't treat those numbers as a definitive proof of anything, just more information regarding who were the difference makers each game. For me it has been the Kadri line on most nights.

I don't mind the argument that we're winning by committee, and don't have an MVP, but Zary had the biggest impact on energizing the team on most nights IMO.

They've only played 23 games. Of course you look at it game by game.

Zary's been great for what he is but there's also some low expectations he's had to meet. He still has plenty of issues on the ice.

[Red_Baron]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Anyone who was expecting for Wolf to start more than occasionally while there are still three goalies rotating on-and-off the roster was setting themselves up for disappointment. Yes, the plan is to get Wolf NHL starts, and this will count towards that. Until one of Vladar or Markstrom is traded or ends up on LTIR, then Wolf will probably only end up playing five or six games.

I guess I am in that category as I would have expected him to at least have had 2 starts by now.

[cannon7]

I am in the camp that if our starter and backup are <.900SV% and >3GAA at this point of the season that wOlf should be seeing NHL time. Markstrom's GAA is the only thing on the right side of that. So am hoping Wolf sees some games.

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Who is then?

Not a high scoring team, so no forward with splashy numbers.

Not a great defensive team, so no defenseman with shut down elite numbers (there's not a single player in the top 75 in xGA60)

You have a team that gives up few shots, but has a high expected goals against total suggesting the goaltender is lifting above his counting stats.

Not sure who else you'd pick.

The season started to turn around once Zary hit the ice. This team is much different (read: better) with him than without.

[ST20]

My vote is for Kadri but Markstrom has been good. If you take into account where the Flames are giving up shots (prime areas) then Markstrom is performing the 5th best in the league.

"In Markstrom’s case, we are talking about a netminder who grades in the bottom third of the league in terms of save percentage. But save percentage is just a much a measure of defensive integrity as it is a measure of goaltending production, and Markstrom is a great example as to why.

The Flames defensive unit is more than willing to invite opposing shooters to Markstrom’s doorstep, where scoring chances and shooting percentages surge. This is the sort of environment where a player can stop less than 90 per cent of shots faced and still be playing well, as he’s likely erased 10 or so goals from the ledger behind a porous Flames lineup."

https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/travis-yost-p...ance-1.2044344

[Barnet Flame]

Originally Posted by Burning Beard

Well Gio is out 4-6 weeks so I guess we can expect the same.

I broke two fingers on my left hand, which would be my glove hand.

It happened three and a half weeks ago - I would say that if I was an NHL calibre goalie, I'd be nowhere near ready for a return to the NHL.

Except for maybe in Edmonton.