[PGT] Flames defeat Flyers 2-1

[CroFlames]

We can still tank with some class. Wins are nice - and needed for team morale. The ultimate goal is to bag McKenna, but let's not begrudge the wins. Guys like Zayne, Coronato, Wolf, etc still need development and occasional wins help with that.

Even if the Flames enter into some groove, vets will be moved. Ras and Kadri for sure, potentially others like Coleman. That will solidify the tank job.

[Goriders]

Will be interesting to see who they dump and add. They can’t get rid of everyone due to the cap floor. Unless the are bringing contracts back in return.

[Goriders]

I do hope they make some trades to free up spots to start developing younger guys like Gridin, Kuznetsov ect. Not to mention adding flexibility for current players like Parekh, Coronato, Honzek.

Think Cooley needs to get some more starts too. He’s been great so far.

[dino7c]

Gridin is developing fine...go watch a Wranglers game its great hockey

[dino7c]

Flames are 2nd in the NHL for shots on net
Flyers are 31st

Both teams played b2b

the "boring game" might not be all Huska's fault

[SuperMatt18]

Yeah Gridin is fine to stay in the AHL a bit more.

Stromgren, Kerins, Morton, and Kuznetsov are the guys I think would be good to get more NHL action this year. They've played enough AHL games.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Hackey

I don't think culture has anything to do with it. Their problem has been defense and goaltending for a while. If they had those they'd be winning. And despite being weak in both they've still come very close.

If you think defence is a problem now, wait till you trade off everyone who knows how to do it and expect the prospects to figure it out for themselves.

That's what culture has to do with it.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Flames are 2nd in the NHL for shots on net
Flyers are 31st

Both teams played b2b

the "boring game" might not be all Huska's fault

I find it hard to believe that Huska isn't responsible for this. Although maybe the players just don't know how to play any other way. Take as many shots from the outside and directly at the goalies chest and just hope for the best?

[getbak]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Flames are 2nd in the NHL for shots on net

The main reason for that is they've played at least one more game than every team except Boston. In terms of shots per game, they're 17th overall.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by blankall

I find it hard to believe that Huska isn't responsible for this. Although maybe the players just don't know how to play any other way. Take as many shots from the outside and directly at the goalies chest and just hope for the best?

Well this is part of the problem.

Flames don't have a roster built to play "Get pucks to the net and create traffic and rebounds"

That maybe works for Farabee, Coleman, and Klapka.

But guys like Frost, Zary, Sharangovich, Coronato are not going to have success with that.

To me it's no surprise they are the ones the coach seems to single out the most and have struggled the most - they are being asked to play a game they aren't going to have success with.

They need to get the puck in dangerous areas off passing plays, and generate more off transition which this team just doesn't do.

Huberdeau, Backlund, and Kadri would probably rather have the puck on their stick too but they are able to adapt their game to what Huska is asking but still don't think it's how they are most effective.

[Macindoc]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

His contract is kind of irrelevant to the Flames given their current situation. It's not tradeable regardless of how he plays and it's not hurting them in the least as they aren't spending to the cap and don't have a current or impending Stanley Cup or even playoff window. It's likely the last few years of the contract that may sting but by the end of the decade there's going to be a lot of NHL teams holding the bag with bad contracts like this for late 30's players.

If he starts to score at a 115 point pace over more than half a season, he's tradeable. Not sure that anyone on the team can score at that pace, however, given the way the roster is constructed.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Macindoc

If he starts to score at a 115 point pace over more than half a season, he's tradeable. Not sure that anyone on the team can score at that pace, however, given the way the roster is constructed.

I don't think a half season of sample size will convince teams to trade for that contract regardless of his scoring pace. That contract will likely never be traded and will likely end in a buyout. He's a good complementary player and on a good team, paired with an elite center he could get back to 80-90 points for a few seasons but few teams will want to take that gamble based on the length of the contract.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Macindoc

If he starts to score at a 115 point pace over more than half a season, he's tradeable. Not sure that anyone on the team can score at that pace, however, given the way the roster is constructed.

I'm actually not sure he's untradable at this point - I think you just have to take a bad contract back with him.

I think if I'm a scout watching him play I see a guy that's way more well rounded than he was in Florida. More grit to his game in the dirty areas of the offensive zone, and better defensively.

I also look at the Flames team that generates nothing off of the rush, very poor on the PP, and wonder how much that is limiting his offensive upside.

If I can dump a contract that's bad and take a chance that I might be able to get a impact offensive forward if they fit better in my offensive system I might think about it as a GM.

Like I look at Carolina and if you could get rid of Kotkaniemi as part of the deal, and add Huberdeau...maybe that's not the worst. (or maybe even Ehlers or Svechnikov if their struggles continue in Carolina).

It effectively makes Huberdeau's $10.5M more like $6M since you're paying Kotkaniemi $4.8M to be a 4th line winger right now.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I don't think a half season of sample size will convince teams to trade for that contract regardless of his scoring pace. That contract will likely never be traded and will likely end in a buyout. He's a good complementary player and on a good team, paired with an elite center he could get back to 80-90 points for a few seasons but few teams will want to take that gamble based on the length of the contract.

If he goes back to being an 80+ point player, I could see a trade occurring, especially if the Flames are willing to retain $2 million.

The cost of 60+ point players is rising rapidly, and it won't be long before every borderline 1st line player commands $10 million/year.

[CalgaryFan1988]

Originally Posted by blankall

I find it hard to believe that Huska isn't responsible for this. Although maybe the players just don't know how to play any other way. Take as many shots from the outside and directly at the goalies chest and just hope for the best?

Didn't Huska say before that he coaches/emphasizes the defensive side of the puck but offensively he allows them to be creative?

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by CalgaryFan1988

Didn't Huska say before that he coaches/emphasizes the defensive side of the puck but offensively he allows them to be creative?

Maybe - but I think he preaches puck protection and defensive responsibility a lot more.

The team doesn't cheat at all which limits rush / odd man chances. They play passive defensively too which means they aren't aggressively creating turnovers that lead to those rush chances too.

And in the offensive zone he really preaches puck possession but also seems to really coach them not to make plays that lead to odd man rushes.

I feel like this team rarely even attempts to make royal road passes, which generally are best at creating high quality chances, but also mean you're making passes into areas that are dangerous for potential odd man rushes against.

You can preach creativity but if your general approach is to be low risk and defensive first then it's just tough to be creative within that box because you're going to not have the time or space to be creative.

[HOOT]

Last 11 games opponent Pt% avg = .627
Next 11 games opponent Pt% avg = .527

Flames have also played the 9th hardest schedule to start the year with current standings Pt% wise. I think both team tank and team playoffs are both going to be disappointed this year.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by HOOT

Last 11 games opponent Pt% avg = .627
Next 11 games opponent Pt% avg = .527

Flames have also played the 9th hardest schedule to start the year with current standings Pt% wise. I think both team tank and team playoffs are both going to be disappointed this year.

January is when the schedule is really soft. Need to make some deals before then if they are going to tank.

[Rhett44]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

January is when the schedule is really soft. Need to make some deals before then if they are going to tank.

Kadri has his 1000th game Wed. Hopefully we can trade him ASAP after, along with Coleman before they help us win too many games.

[dino7c]

I would rather they make the best deal rather than the fastest one personally