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[IliketoPuck]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I agree with the fact the top 4 performed admirably. But the Ducks showed that they weren't big or strong enough down low in the D zone. Now, Gio may have helped that, but a Regher would have won a bunch of those board battles. Even a Musil type would help.

The best defense is a good offense.

I think it starts with getting better at faceoffs. The more you can possess the puck, the less the other team has a chance to grind it out in your zone. Our top 4 d are excellent at the outlet pass, and our forwards are great at transitioning with speed.

More possession of the puck means you are spending more time on the pp in the other teams zone, and less time on the pk in your own zone. Flames showed that their speed can create big issues for other teams, and I think they need to build on that. A lot of posters here want to get bigger like the Ducks or the Kings. Unless we trade for Getzlaf, Maroon, and Perry, that ain't happening ladies and gents. We are built more like Chicago. Chicago is successful because they have a couple centers that are beasts in the dot, and a mobile defense core. More Chicago. Less Ducks.

Next year I suspect that Monahan will improve his faceoff % again, which will be a big help. Issue will be if Bennett is playing 2nd line center, he is likely to get eaten up in the dot.

Getting a ROR type player would be amazing and certainly something I would be in favor of, but admittedly difficult to do.

[mile]

Like how Chicago has their big shutdown guys (but are also solid puck movers) in Seabrook and Hjalmarsson to balance out their smaller, more mobile guys, Calgary needs the same. We're most likely going to have to draft/develop players of that caliber, and use place holders (Wideman being one of them) in the mean time.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Yeah, people must still look at our top 4 D and feel underwhelmed for some reason.

Giordano -> 25:10, 0.79 ppg, +13
Brodie -> 25:12, 0.51 ppg, +15
Wideman -> 24:38, 0.70 ppg, +6
Russell -> 23:56, 0.43 ppg, +18

That is pretty dang FAR from underwhelming, that is unreal for a top 4 D group. Especially with how Russell and Wideman stepped up as a top pairing after Gio went down. I believe Russell produced almost 0.7 ppg from Gio's injury until being eliminated. You could argue that we have two #1 pairings with numbers like that.

I guess people are expecting some severe regression if they feel we need to upgrade that top 4 defense.

I think you always have to plan as if the regression will happen, even if guys like Brodie and Russell can probably still get better.

[Saint Troy]

Originally Posted by dammage79

One word would be Philkessel. And you want Philkessel on the Flames? Wouldn't hurt, trade cost might though.

More of a Loubardias joke, but would if he's not brutal to acquire, I trust Hartley to get the best out of his talent.

[SanFranFlamesFan]

I find it hard, because I want the Flames to become a Stanley Cup contender, and we are a long ways from that still, despite an amazing season. We can't continue to get completely outshot and still win surprisingly often. But it's hard not to feel fond for some of the players on this amazing run. I'm trying to be pragmatic about what we want for the long term future.

Key pieces for the future:
- Center: Monahan/Bennett as 1a/1b, Backlund is a perfect #3 C IMO. Stajan is a adequate #4 C but doesn't matter if it's someone else down the road.
- Key wingers: Gaudreau, Ferland, Bouma, Poirier. Lots of other promising pieces, but none of really proved themselves yet. Poirier hasn't either, but has a combination of grit/speed/size/PK that I think we will need. There's enough that I feel confident someone else will really step up. Need more Top 6 skill though.

Would definitely be interested in Oshie.

Defence:
- Gio and Brodie, elite top pairing.
- Russell and Wideman have had a great season, but I don't think they are high enough caliber for a really great Top 4. They still get outshot really badly.
- Current #5/#6 are atrocious.

So to me, in building for the future, I think the biggest holes are on D, especially really high end #3/#4 D. I'm not sure if it's possible to trade or sign UFAs that type of player, but it's interesting to think about. I'm envious of the Ducks position with Fowler, Lindholm, and Vatanen. We need some more top end D prospects like that. Hickey sounds very promising.

I think we should focus more on drafting D with a lot of our picks this season. The problem is they take so long to develop. I'd like to see our 1st rounder on a high-end D prospect.

It would be nice to have top some young defencemen that could be very solid #5/#6 and maybe move up to Top 3 or 4 if they are playing well. Have them on 2-4 year contracts until some Top D prospects are ready.

Franson? Petry? Sekera?

Goaltending: I think we have enough lottery tickets in Ortio, Gillies, and Mason that one of them should work out. Feeling best about Gillies.

[Svartsengi]

Dman Cody Goloubef is a 25 yr. old UFA with Columbus. Right hand shooting guy Flames can put on bottom pairing and hopefully in time move him in to a top four spot. Columbus is close to the cap and deep in dmen.

[kirant]

Originally Posted by Svartsengi

Dman Cody Goloubef is a 25 yr. old UFA with Columbus. Right hand shooting guy Flames can put on bottom pairing and hopefully in time move him in to a top four spot. Columbus is close to the cap and deep in dmen.

Sounds like a good depth replacement for Diaz. Younger and bigger than Diaz. Certainly worth a call on July 1st.

[Dajazz]

1. Justin Williams
2. Hunter Smith channels his inner NHL power forward
3. Wotherspoon "gets it"
4. Ortio and/or Gillies forces Treliving's hand
5. Some sort of deal for Seabrook which sends Treliving to jail for robbery, but he gets pardoned and returns to his desk only to trade Raymond to Toronto for two seconds, sending him back to jail


Gaudreau - Monahan - Hudler
Bouma - Bennett - Williams
Colborne - Backlund - Jones/Smith
Bollig - Stajan - Ferland

Brodie - Giordano
Wotherspoon - Seabrook
Russell - Wideman
Engelland, Schlemko

Not realistic, but I'd love to see that team

[dammage79]

How's this for a 4th line?

Bouma-Arnold-Ferland. Just came to me, like no one else had ever thought of it right up until just now. Thats a heavy line. And one that will win faceoffs!

[Otto-matic]

Originally Posted by Dajazz

Treliving to jail for robbery, but he gets pardoned and returns to his desk only to trade Raymond to Toronto for two seconds, sending him back to jail

I laughed way too hard at this, scared my coworkers too!