Friedman: Do the Flames zero in on Rodrigues?

[dammage79]

There's going to be plenty of opportunity for PTOs . Which is where the Milanos and Rodriguezes of the world are most likely going to end up.

Also going to guess there's going to be a bit of a trade frenzy mid camp around the league. There's just been to much stagnation overall this summer.

[gvitaly]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

I prefer Pelletier to all of those options.

I think you over value what Pelletier can bring in his first NHL season. What makes you think he will produce better than say Dube, or Jankowski in their first NHL season?

Dube
-----
2018-19 37GP 15G 24A 39P +7

called up to NHL 25GP 5P

2019-20 13GP 4G 9A 13P +2

played mostly in the NHL 45GP, 16P

Jankowski
-----
2016-17 64GP 27G 29A 56P +19

called up for 1 game, no points

2017-18 6GP 5G 3A 8P +8

played mostly in the NHL 72GP, 25P

Emile Poirier
-----
2014-15 55GP 19G 23A 42P +7

called up for 6 games, 1 assist

2015-16 60GP 12G 17A 29P -14

called up for 2 more games, no points

Pelletier
-----
2021-22 66GP 27G 35A 62P +22

I would more than welcome Pelletier exceeding my expectations, but production in the AHL doesn't correlate to production in the NHL. I trust in Sutter to figure out if the kid is ready. That's why, in my eyes at least, Rodrigues, and Milano have more value to a team that's going for it this year.

[sureLoss]

The Flames are fishing for a bargain contract. The bait is an opportunity to play with on the RW of Kadri or Lindholm's line and having Huberdeau feeding you pucks.

Looks like no one is willing to commit to Rodrigues or Milano based on small sample size, so they need an opportunity to prove that last season wasn't a fluke.

[Flaming Horse]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I am ok with the Flames staying away from Rodrigues.

Do I want Rodrigues or Dube in the top 6? My answer is Dube. If the Flames can get someone BETTER than Dube is (ideally, someone who is better than Dube might be if he takes another small step forward as expected given his age and how he finished last season), then I hope they grab that player - assuming it works cap-wise. I just don't see Rodrigues as that guy at all given how he has only once scored double-digit goals in his career (last year) and only since he was playing in the top 6 due to injuries.

Huberdeau - Lindholm - Toffoli
Mangiapane - Kadri - Dube
Coleman - Backlund - X

That's the top 9 for me. Is Rodrigues a good bet for that that spot left open? Not sure I like him there really, as he hasn't produced much in the bottom 6 - and he is 29. Should we gift that spot to Pelletier? No, I don't agree with doing that either.

What I think the Flames should do this year is leave that spot open and have players compete for it. I do think that Backlund has a very good track record of being a great centre for a rookie/inexperienced player - Tkachuk, Bennett, Colborne, etc. Coleman is a smart 2-way player that will only help a kid break into the NHL, especially with his consistent work ethic and how he is not shy to 'bark' sometimes.

Who is part of this competition?

• Pelletier - he just had a rockstar rookie season in the AHL
• Ruzicka - 28 games last season under Darryl - deserves more I think
• Schwindt - organization is high on him, and he is supposedly close
• Jones - signed by Calgary this past-offseason, and has spent years already in the AHL developing - should be close as well
• Phillips - he probably deserves some reps in the NHL given his work ethic and attitude in the system
• Pospisil might be a better fit to cut his teeth on the 4th line, but certainly he has hands that can score and may deserve a look
• Zary - disappointing season, but he had a really good preseason last year I thought, right up until he got hurt. Tough start to his pro career.
• Dueher - another guy who looked good in preseason, but definitely a 4th liner

I am not sure I missed anyone, but by my count, that's 5-6 legitimate kicks at the can for that spot, plus another few that could maybe contest that spot. You aren't gifting it to anyone, but you are creating an opportunity for players to compete hard for it. I am very comfortable leaving that open for now unless a good opportunity through trade opens up.

If Duehr can impress enough in camp I would like to see him get the 4th line rw.I like his speed and size that he can add to that line that is much needed.

The flames are all in right now and I don't think they will give an unproven player a spot unless they really impress.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I am ok with the Flames staying away from Rodrigues.

Do I want Rodrigues or Dube in the top 6? My answer is Dube. If the Flames can get someone BETTER than Dube is (ideally, someone who is better than Dube might be if he takes another small step forward as expected given his age and how he finished last season), then I hope they grab that player - assuming it works cap-wise. I just don't see Rodrigues as that guy at all given how he has only once scored double-digit goals in his career (last year) and only since he was playing in the top 6 due to injuries.

Huberdeau - Lindholm - Toffoli
Mangiapane - Kadri - Dube
Coleman - Backlund - X

That's the top 9 for me. Is Rodrigues a good bet for that that spot left open? Not sure I like him there really, as he hasn't produced much in the bottom 6 - and he is 29. Should we gift that spot to Pelletier? No, I don't agree with doing that either.

What I think the Flames should do this year is leave that spot open and have players compete for it. I do think that Backlund has a very good track record of being a great centre for a rookie/inexperienced player - Tkachuk, Bennett, Colborne, etc. Coleman is a smart 2-way player that will only help a kid break into the NHL, especially with his consistent work ethic and how he is not shy to 'bark' sometimes.

Who is part of this competition?

• Pelletier - he just had a rockstar rookie season in the AHL
• Ruzicka - 28 games last season under Darryl - deserves more I think
• Schwindt - organization is high on him, and he is supposedly close
• Jones - signed by Calgary this past-offseason, and has spent years already in the AHL developing - should be close as well
• Phillips - he probably deserves some reps in the NHL given his work ethic and attitude in the system
• Pospisil might be a better fit to cut his teeth on the 4th line, but certainly he has hands that can score and may deserve a look
• Zary - disappointing season, but he had a really good preseason last year I thought, right up until he got hurt. Tough start to his pro career.
• Dueher - another guy who looked good in preseason, but definitely a 4th liner

I am not sure I missed anyone, but by my count, that's 5-6 legitimate kicks at the can for that spot, plus another few that could maybe contest that spot. You aren't gifting it to anyone, but you are creating an opportunity for players to compete hard for it. I am very comfortable leaving that open for now unless a good opportunity through trade opens up.

I really think Jones and/or Schwindt are ready to pop. Jones seems like he might be the ideal fit on that 3rd line with Backlund-he is already an excellent defensive player, and his past numbers suggest he may have some offensive chops as well. He plays with bite, too.

I've said before that I would love Schwindt /Ruzicka to push Rooney to the 13th forward position.

[FBI]

Who is the jones guy?

[AC]

Originally Posted by FBI

Who is the jones guy?

https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/...php?pid=176798

[memphusk]

Gentle Ben!

[Sandman]

I see some similarities between Ben Jones and Brandon Hagel. Both are fiery, both are around 6' tall, both are good defensive players.

In 2018-19, in his D+2 year in the OHL, Jones had 68gp/41g/61a/102pts,+32, 82 PIM.

In 2018-19, in his D+3 year in the WHL, Hagel had 66gp/41g/61a/102pts,+42, 80 PIM.

This post will get ripped apart lol, but I found it interesting....

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by Braden

I understand having competition for the last spot, but then we are a single injury away from a bit more worrisome line up. Count me in for Rodrigues on a 1 or 2 year deal if the price is right.

Well, that's certainly a concern, though there is quite a lot of competition IMO. However, the other plus is that by not acquiring someone now, it allows the Flames to accrue cap room for the trade deadline as well.

[Monahammer]

Originally Posted by Sandman

I see some similarities between Ben Jones and Brandon Hagel. Both are fiery, both are around 6' tall, both are good defensive players.

In 2018-19, in his D+2 year in the OHL, Jones had 68gp/41g/61a/102pts,+32, 82 PIM.

In 2018-19, in his D+3 year in the WHL, Hagel had 66gp/41g/61a/102pts,+42, 80 PIM.

This post will get ripped apart lol, but I found it interesting....

I think it's an interesting comparison. Hagel got shown to be pretty mediocre when not fed primo opportunities on a garbage team though.

[cral12]

Originally Posted by Sandman

I see some similarities between Ben Jones and Brandon Hagel. Both are fiery, both are around 6' tall, both are good defensive players.

In 2018-19, in his D+2 year in the OHL, Jones had 68gp/41g/61a/102pts,+32, 82 PIM.

In 2018-19, in his D+3 year in the WHL, Hagel had 66gp/41g/61a/102pts,+42, 80 PIM.

This post will get ripped apart lol, but I found it interesting....

Cool comparison actually.

Just thought to look up what OHL draft specialist Brock Otten had to say about Ben in his draft season (2016-17) - it's going back a ways, but makes me even more intrigued...

"Ben Jones - Forward - Niagara IceDogs
Remarkable how he still hasn't found his way onto NHL Central Scouting's watch list, despite his strong play this year. But his play hasn't gone unnoticed, as Redline Report recently mentioned him as a potential top 50 selection in a recent article. Not sure what's not to like about Jones, except for his lack of elite size (6'0). Great speed and skill. Responsible in all three zones and has thrived in an agitator role. Wins faceoffs. Has emerged as a leader on a very young Niagara team that has surprised this year. This guy deserves to be a "B" rated prospect, never mind absent from NHL CSS' list altogether."
http://ohlprospects.blogspot.com/201...dar-draft.html

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

I think it's an interesting comparison. Hagel got shown to be pretty mediocre when not fed primo opportunities on a garbage team though.

Giving up two 1sts, Raddysh, and Katchouk for Brandon Hagel remains the biggest head scratcher to me

Like that's a better return than Chicago got for Debrincat.

And as expected he went from having 21 goals and 37 points in 55 games playing with Kane and being force fed minutes.

To 6 goals, 13 points in 55 games across the playoffs and regular season in Tampa Bay. Raddysh actually outscored him across the 22 regular season games they each had remaining.

Just a horrible trade.

[cral12]

Originally Posted by cral12

Cool comparison actually.

Just thought to look up what OHL draft specialist Brock Otten had to say about Ben in his draft season (2016-17) - it's going back a ways, but makes me even more intrigued...

"Ben Jones - Forward - Niagara IceDogs
Remarkable how he still hasn't found his way onto NHL Central Scouting's watch list, despite his strong play this year. But his play hasn't gone unnoticed, as Redline Report recently mentioned him as a potential top 50 selection in a recent article. Not sure what's not to like about Jones, except for his lack of elite size (6'0). Great speed and skill. Responsible in all three zones and has thrived in an agitator role. Wins faceoffs. Has emerged as a leader on a very young Niagara team that has surprised this year. This guy deserves to be a "B" rated prospect, never mind absent from NHL CSS' list altogether."
http://ohlprospects.blogspot.com/201...dar-draft.html

Brock had him 37th of OHL players that yr, but liked his Upside:
"37. Ben Jones - Forward - Niagara IceDogs
Easily one of the more underrated players available for the draft this year IMO. Jones isn't a huge kid at 6'0, 185lbs, but he plays a lot bigger than that. He definitely revels in playing the pest type role and consistently gets himself involved in scrums and is generally a tough player to go up against. He's also a committed two-way player whose effort, in combination with his smarts, makes him effective on the backcheck. Adding strength would definitely improve that effectiveness away from the puck even more, as the will is certainly there. Offensively, this guy was one of the most important players on a young IceDogs team this year. His scoring came in bunches and consistency will need to be improved upon, but the potential is there for him to be a big time scorer in this league. Again, it all comes down to his smarts and playmaking ability. Has great vision and really makes good decisions with the puck in the offensive zone. As the physical attributes improve (bigger, stronger, faster), this is a guy that could really look like a steal in a few years."
http://ohlprospects.blogspot.com/201...-for-2017.html

[Flaming Horse]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

Well, that's certainly a concern, though there is quite a lot of competition IMO. However, the other plus is that by not acquiring someone now, it allows the Flames to accrue cap room for the trade deadline as well.

the cost is a lot cheaper to get these guys now. it doesn't cost you any picks or prospects just a contract. plus you have them for a whole year and they can get use to the team and system.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Flaming Horse

the cost is a lot cheaper to get these guys now. it doesn't cost you any picks or prospects just a contract. plus you have them for a whole year and they can get use to the team and system.

I think the point is that if you accrue cap space, you can shoot for someone a lot more consequential later in the season. Signing Rodrigues now could come with the opportunity cost of getting someone a lot better at the trade deadline even if you do have to give up an asset at that time.

[Yrebmi]

Originally Posted by AC

https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/...php?pid=176798

JONES


Kind of looks like he should be saving a princess from ROUS's in a fire swamp.

[Highbury]

Originally Posted by Yrebmi

JONES


Kind of looks like he should be saving a princess from ROUS's in a fire swamp.

Inconceivable

[Monahammer]

The Dubois trade talk has died down quite a bit since is not a trade request/ trade request but what about grabbing him for the top RW spot?

[AustinL_NHL]

I think Dubois would be too much of a distraction, and Darryl Sutter doesn't stand for that.