2017 World Championships Thread

[Oil Stain]

Gaudreau's giveaways according to NHL.com haven't changed that much through his career.

14/15- 78
15/16- 90
16/17- 86

Now Gaudreau played less games in 16/17 and less time per game so his total ice time was down about 200 minutes so his giveaways per minute is going to be a little higher in 16/17, but nothing outrageous.

I think a lot of times when it comes to player evaluation, it's not the player that changed, but rather the fan's expectations of him.

Usually successful rookies have their flaws overlooked in the eyes of fans. And then after 2-3 years, especially after a year where they fail to score as many points as the season prior, they suddenly develop deficiencies.

Do Flames fans really want Gaudreau's turnovers to drop dramatically anyway? If he makes his game safer, I'm pretty sure that leads to less offence overall. You have to take a risk sometimes to create offence at the NHL level.

[Hey Connor, It's Mess]

Has anyone had a chance to watch Finland? Curious to know how Korpisalo has done.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

Gaudreau's giveaways according to NHL.com haven't changed that much through his career.

14/15- 78
15/16- 90
16/17- 86

Now Gaudreau played less games in 16/17 and less time per game so his total ice time was down about 200 minutes so his giveaways per minute is going to be a little higher in 16/17, but nothing outrageous.

I think a lot of times when it comes to player evaluation, it's not the player that changed, but rather the fan's expectations of him.

Usually successful rookies have their flaws overlooked in the eyes of fans. And then after 2-3 years, especially after a year where they fail to score as many points as the season prior, they suddenly develop deficiencies.

Do Flames fans really want Gaudreau's turnovers to drop dramatically anyway? If he makes his game safer, I'm pretty sure that leads to less offence overall. You have to take a risk sometimes to create offence at the NHL level.

Far too many of Gaudreau's turnovers are at his own blueline or in the neutral zone. The risk/reward trade-off does not justify those.

He creates a lot of turnovers on the offensive blueline as well. Those I can live with because they stem from the attempt to create offensive chances. They are a result of his creativity and are worth the price.

[868904]

Originally Posted by Teroy

Gaudreau's success at the WC has to be viewed in the light that it's a larger ice surface, he has more room to work and fewer hits. We'll see if this equates to more confidence when the NHL game takes to the ice next season.

So take out some goddam seats and return the Saddledome to international size.

I mean take advantage of the fact that you have a player like Gaudreau. Give him the best opportunity to succeed.

Sides, taking out those seats would lower supply and can also be offset by raising ticket prices for the remaining seats. Flames probably wouldn't lose much in ticket revenue but could gain a real home ice advantage.

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by 868904

So take out some goddam seats and return the Saddledome to international size.

I mean take advantage of the fact that you have a player like Gaudreau. Give him the best opportunity to succeed.

Sides, taking out those seats would lower supply and can also be offset by raising ticket prices for the remaining seats. Flames probably wouldn't lose much in ticket revenue but could gain a real home ice advantage.

Except you can't just do that. This isn't baseball.

[868904]

Originally Posted by Weitz

Except you can't just do that. This isn't baseball.

Well make an application to the NHL. For years the Aud in Buffalo and the Boston Garden had different sized rinks.

Make a case for it. Treat it like an experiment for potentially increasing the size of all rinks. Brian Burke has noted that larger ice (not Olympic, but college size) is what he thinks is needed in the game as players are too big and too fast now.

Don't just say you can't, make a case for it.

[keratosis]

Both those rinks were built before NHL rinks were standardized I believe.

[Samonadreau]

All nhl rinks are 200' by 85'. I don't think it's something they will just let Calgary be special for.

[GranteedEV]

Johnny seems so much more effective on right wing.

[Leeman4Gilmour]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Johnny seems so much more effective on right wing.

I wondered if Gulutzan considered this and, if so, why they didn't try it? It makes sense for him to play the off wing. I think his puck skills over ride the typical deficiencies of playing the off wing (more difficult to protect the puck and pick it up off the wall) and the better shooting angle certainly doesn't hurt. Perhaps after watching him in the World's it'll be looked at. Sure does improve the right side quickly.

[Robbob]

Only two rinks currently in the NHL can expand easily (as part of design). Calgary and the New Red Wings arena.

Burke recently mentioned that he has been pushing for increasing the width to 90', as it gives the players a little extra room. Interestingly enough, Ken Holland also supports the 90' width and low and behold their new rink can accommodate it.

[vilzeh]

Originally Posted by Hey Connor, It's Mess

Has anyone had a chance to watch Finland? Curious to know how Korpisalo has done.

Yeah, been a bit shaky, nothing special, except for the 2 first periods against Czech he was pretty solid, after & before that mediocre, not really ready for a starter job in NHL imo.

[The Fonz]

A wider ice surface would help Connor McDavid, and so for that reason, I am out.

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

A wider ice surface would help Connor McDavid, and so for that reason, I am out.

Maybe he slows down with all the bags of money he will be carrying.

[CalgaryFan1988]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

A wider ice surface would help Connor McDavid, and so for that reason, I am out.

Yeah, but think of all the crossovers!

[craigwd]

Originally Posted by Robbob

Only two rinks currently in the NHL can expand easily (as part of design). Calgary and the New Red Wings arena.

Burke recently mentioned that he has been pushing for increasing the width to 90', as it gives the players a little extra room. Interestingly enough, Ken Holland also supports the 90' width and low and behold their new rink can accommodate it.

Saddledome can no longer expand to international sized ice.
It lost the ability when they added the new locker rooms for the U20 World Juniors.

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by craigwd

Saddledome can no longer expand to international sized ice.
It lost the ability when they added the new locker rooms for the U20 World Juniors.

What about 90 feet. It is only 5 feet more than the curent width. I am assuming the locker rooms were built under the retractable portions?

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by Weitz

If you are the top forward in the NHL in turnovers and lowest in turnover differential I think that constitutes being called a "turn over machine".

I don't. I think it's gross hyperbole.

He may be up there but this discussion has been had many times before. He carries the puck a lot. Far more than any player on the team.

And it averages out to 1.19 times per game. Suggesting that makes him something that does that repeatedly is a gross exaggeration.

Other forwards in that range include Marchand and Crosby. Also players who carry the puck a lot. No coincidence.

Draisaitl is right up there good for 75 in 82 games or 0.91 times a game. He's a turnover machine as well?

Again, gross hyperbole. Several people have responded and said it's a fair criticism of him. I never said it wasn't. I said calling him a "turnover machine" and a player who "does more bad than good" is asinine.

[ShotDownInFlames12]

Originally Posted by 868904

So take out some goddam seats and return the Saddledome to international size.

I mean take advantage of the fact that you have a player like Gaudreau. Give him the best opportunity to succeed.

Sides, taking out those seats would lower supply and can also be offset by raising ticket prices for the remaining seats. Flames probably wouldn't lose much in ticket revenue but could gain a real home ice advantage.

Oh God I thought you were joking.

Dumbest idea I've seen on here in a while.

[Snuffleupagus]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Johnny seems so much more effective on right wing.

Hrd to tell as I only watched some highlights of a couple of games, it seemed to me he was playing RW on the PP and LW when playing ES.