[PGT] Anemic offense, Flames lose 2-1

[FaFaFlamey]

Originally Posted by zamler

what an embarrassing post

Just curious to what you dispute or disagree with in his post?

[OldSam]

I said several times this season that after the brutal exit last year, Peters, and now Ward, decided to change the system to focus on defence, back down to protect the lead, and force your offensive players to focus on defence, i.e., 200 foot play. Problem is, the players aren't those type of players. So in the great decision to change how this team plays has now basically resulted in exactly the same end.

That is not to defend the players but they are doing what they are told. I fear the time for this core will be considered over. But to me, it is a waste to not see what they can do with a real coach who can still have them defend but play to their strengths. Not trying to pound square pegs in round holes.

[mrdonkey]

Originally Posted by N-E-B

I’m surprised at how down on Monahan people are. I think he’s far and away been the best player on that line. I think he’s being dragged down by Johnny and Lindholm (who is escaping much deserved criticism).

The fact is, Monahan is a passenger. If Johnny isn't playing well, Monahan is not going to step up and take the mantle. He's not going to rally the rest of the team around him, he's not going to make a huge play and tilt the ice in his favour. The only thing he does well is finish setups that Johnny creates. This is exactly why some people aren't ready to call him a #1 centre, he simply doesn't do a lot of the things you need your #1 centre to do.

If we're moving Johnny this offseason, I'd be putting Monahan on the block right there next to him.

[WhiteTiger]

I think that what really bothers me is that it feels like I care more about how the team does than the team does.

[timbit]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

I always look to the Oilers as an example of what not to do after a disappointing season. The Flames are probably going to trade Gaudreau, but I hope the return is right and not further dampened by these playoffs.

If that's the path the Flames are going to take (I'd probably hold onto Gaudreau until the return is right), I'd probably just tear it all down. I like a lot of young pieces this team has (Mangiapane, Dube, Valimaki), but I don't see any of these players developing into stars. Short of some luck in the late rounds for draft picks we've already made, I don't see a Stanley Cup in this team's future.

I look at how far ahead teams like Colorado and Vancouver are in the West, so young, and with top prospects still yet to make an impact in the NHL. The only way you can realistically do that is through the draft.

Sell everyone, keep a few important veterans/younger players, and start from scratch.

Should the Flames find a trading partner to move Johnny, there are going to be a lot of fans who will be underwhelmed to shocked by the return.

[Icon]

Originally Posted by N-E-B

I think a huge issue with this team is that we don’t have a true elite top tier player. We have a bunch of really good pieces.

But we have no answers for guys like MacKinnon or Heiskanen. None.

Unfortunate side effect of rarely drafting in the top 10, and not hitting home runs when we do.

Mediocrity breeds mediocrity. Without GM intervention winning some rebuilding trades, finish middle of the pack, draft middle of the pack, repeat. The years we've had better picks they haven't turned out like the Heiskanens have. And MacKinnon is one of the best in the league so can't expect that unless we win the lottery

[zamler]

Originally Posted by FaFaFlamey

Just curious to what you dispute or disagree with in his post?

I thought everyone at this point gets what green text is about.

[Nelson]

I’m not completely counting out the Flames though. Tkachuk comes back and I think the Flames have a reason for hope!!! Go Flames Go!

[Joborule]

Originally Posted by N-E-B

I think a huge issue with this team is that we don’t have a true elite top tier player. We have a bunch of really good pieces.

But we have no answers for guys like MacKinnon or Heiskanen. None.

I think Blues and Kings winning the cup in recent years prove you don't need that.

What's missing is that our top players that are relied upon, and quite frankly expected to be the players that make the most impact do not show up in the playoffs. How you gonna win, when consistently your supporting or role players essentially outperform your top players that are suppose to be carrying the team?

When your most important player, Gaudreau, is afraid of physical contact, and won't dare drive the net or get gritty, then how is he going to be productive, when HE is suppose to be the player that's suppose to make everyone else, and himself productive?

Gaudreau wouldn't even be playing in the NHL if he was a 4th liner that wasn't expected to produce points with the way he plays. Even if you're small, you can still play tough. Fleury, St. Louis, and Kane have figured out how to be able to handle gritty hockey. But Johnny just doesn't have it within him to up his grit tolerance.

And with that, you're leaving the offensive reliance upon Monahan and Lindholm (and Tkachuk, but he's obviously MIA), and they are not the type of players that can create and make impact on their own. They're finishers, not playmakers. That would be fine if they were still be able to be productive enough to be considered the best offensive generators night in, night out, but they aren't.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Reign of Fire

It's funny the takes on this forums. Gaudreau is only good in the regular season, trade him. Sam Bennett is only good in the playoffs, trade him.

Maybe we should just make them a line. Then Bennett will be good in the regular season thanks to Gaudreau and Gaudreau will be good in the playoffs thanks to Bennett.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Agreed, I thought Johnny was quite good.

You thought wrong.


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[dammage79]

Heads will roll if they peeter out of this series.

Same song and dance as last year, theyll say they thought they played well enough to win but didn't.

The next game is the real test of their mettle. Scratch, claw and dig themselves a W and push this series to a 7th game. Bow out in 6 and one will wonder why they even bothered to show up against WPG thusly ruining their chance at a higher draft pick that they so desperately need.

Losing this series would be so Flames of them to do. Squander a chokehold 3-1 Series lead instead let them into the series and let it slip.

Flip side of the coin. Win games 6 and 7 and a massive swell of confidence becomes part of the teams mentality.

Odds are they don't, but if it did, it would be awesome.

Tough to be a believer though when they don't give you much to go on.

Game 4 was an incredibly tough one to lose. Game 5 was destiny fulfilled at that point.

[Ashasx]

This isn't a shot at Monahan, but I think it's tough for any team to find sustained success when your #1 centre isn't the one who holds onto the puck on your first line. The offence runs through Gaudreau, he's the one who holds onto the puck and if things aren't clicking, you can't do anything.

[keenan87]

Originally Posted by timbit

Should the Flames find a trading partner to move Johnny, there are going to be a lot of fans who will be underwhelmed to shocked by the return.

Addition by subtraction. Bring in Hall and give Dube a top 6 spot and develop him properly.

[MrMike]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Maybe we should just make them a line. Then Bennett will be good in the regular season thanks to Gaudreau and Gaudreau will be good in the playoffs thanks to Bennett.

Somehow I feel that will have the exact opposite effect.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

The Flames' best player isn't even playing... and has Seguin done anything in this series? I don't think so

I think it comes down to depth. The Flames' bottom line and bottom pairing got absolutely demolished today

I think you must have been in the washroom on the first goal.


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[Reign of Fire]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Maybe we should just make them a line. Then Bennett will be good in the regular season thanks to Gaudreau and Gaudreau will be good in the playoffs thanks to Bennett.

I was hoping they put Bennett up there today. Monahan can go center Lucic and Dube.

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[activeStick]

Originally Posted by KipperFaNaTic

Sometimes you just need a victory to give you confidence and belief. Last year in the Raptors run, Fred Van Vleet was absolute crap in the first round but turned out to be crucial in the next series (especially the Finals).

Last year's Raptors team was incredibly focused and confident due to them being one of the best teams in the entire league. I get what you're saying about Freddy but the 2019 Flames can't touch the 2019 Raptors.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by timbit

Should the Flames find a trading partner to move Johnny, there are going to be a lot of fans who will be underwhelmed to shocked by the return.

I think so too, which is why I'm weary of it.

I think any team making that kind of trade after such a disappointing season is destined to be underwhelmed.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

I think so too, which is why I'm weary of it.

I think any team making that kind of trade after such a disappointing season is destined to be underwhelmed.

Yeah but the culture of this team is that of a loser. Time to start cutting it out bit by bit.

Don’t rush the trade, and do not go after a return focused on “today”.