[PGT] Gaudreau leaves early; Flames lose 3-2

[GioforPM]

OK - some positives:

Janko scores, and a shorty at that.

The team is continuing to put up great shot counts and chances. I thought they played hard for the whole game, minus a little bit of a slow start.

Neal is looking better and better.

The young D looked great again.

Czarnik had a game like he wanted to stay in the lineup.

Lindholm's defensive game is really good - he is a tremendous help on that line, and it's rubbing off on Monahan.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

This is exactly right. I will add a fourth option, which is that you hope somehow Smith recovers. I know it seems unlikely right now but as you say he really is not tradeable and you can't play Rittich every game.

It is option 3 which seems most likely right now, scouring the league for a 2nd or 3rd stringer and hope you get half as lucky as the Kipper and Dubnyk situations.

Yep, Flames took a risk when they acquired Smith due to his age.

I see no choice but to ride the season with Smith and Rittich.

They have to hope Smith finds his game, as so far he is a below average goalie.

In my view, all three goals were stoppable and Miller was far superior.

[squiggs96]

Originally Posted by Bunk

Bill Peters has lost his god damned mind: "I thought Smitty was good tonight".

The ****

You know how one of your kids is good at school, music, and sports, and the other eats paste? Well, when the one who eats paste comes to the dinner table with pants on, his shirt facing the proper direction, and eats his vegetables you praise that kid. Sure the other kid got accepted into Harvard at the age of 15 the same day, but the other kid only #### in his pants a little bit instead of all over the walls.

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by Breakfast

Tired of Hrudey constantly sticking up for his goalie pals.

“Silfverberg has one of the best releases in the game”

Yeah well Smith is also one of the worst goalies in the game, suppose that balances things out.

That was damning with faint praise.

[keenan87]

I think at this point, Rittich should start both games over the weekend, especially if he wins the first one. However, I am going to assume that Smith will definitely play again.

The biggest question-mark for me this season was the goaltending and Treliving #### the bed on that again this season.. Most fans knew that Smith was a big risk and I remember hoping that the posts on here about "Not worried about Smith.." were going to be accurate. But then again, it's usually always the same posters praising Flames players no matter what.

At this point, the trade route is going to be way too expensive because other GMs aren't stupid and Treliving is going to screw over this team with a deal. However, since he gets fired in the off-season if the results are not in, does it really matter for him?

I want Schneider from New Jersey. 1st+Smith for Schneider

[Zulu29]

Originally Posted by Toonage

I'm bothered by the "I don't tell him why I'm doing this" approach. That leaves the goalie thinking he needs work in one area when actually it could be something totally different. Keep throwing pucks at his glove, Smith thinks he has a glove issue. Really you're trying to get him to hug the post etc. Its a bad move for a coach to, you know, not coach.

I guess it depends on the player, but when I played, my coach was straight up with me as to his observations on where I was strong or weak, what to work on and what to maintain. I just don’t see how this guessing game could be good for the goaltender and it doesn’t lend itself to a trusting relationship. Again, this is only my experience.

[mennoknight]

Originally Posted by keenan87

I think at this point, Rittich should start both games over the weekend, especially if he wins the first one. However, I am going to assume that Smith will definitely play again.

The biggest question-mark for me this season was the goaltending and Treliving #### the bed on that again this season.. Most fans knew that Smith was a big risk and I remember hoping that the posts on here about "Not worried about Smith.." were going to be accurate. But then again, it's usually always the same posters praising Flames players no matter what.

At this point, the trade route is going to be way too expensive because other GMs aren't stupid and Treliving is going to screw over this team with a deal. However, since he gets fired in the off-season if the results are not in, does it really matter for him?

I want Schneider from New Jersey. 1st+Smith for Schneider

Schneider also looks like dog dookie this year. He's lost a starting job to a guy named Keith, which is never a good sign. Ever met a guy named Keith who's cool? If we give up a 1st rounder for him, that's just dumb.

[keenan87]

Originally Posted by Zulu29

I guess it depends on the player, but when I played, my coach was straight up with me as to his observations on where I was strong or weak, what to work on and what to maintain. I just don’t see how this guessing game could be good for the goaltender and it doesn’t lend itself to a trusting relationship. Again, this is only my experience.

I agree. You need to be extremely fragile not to be able to take criticism.

Doesn't every other profession involve a performance review a few times a year to go over weaknesses/strengths? Why is it any different here?

[Zulu29]

Originally Posted by keenan87

I think at this point, Rittich should start both games over the weekend, especially if he wins the first one. However, I am going to assume that Smith will definitely play again.

The biggest question-mark for me this season was the goaltending and Treliving #### the bed on that again this season.. Most fans knew that Smith was a big risk and I remember hoping that the posts on here about "Not worried about Smith.." were going to be accurate. But then again, it's usually always the same posters praising Flames players no matter what.

At this point, the trade route is going to be way too expensive because other GMs aren't stupid and Treliving is going to screw over this team with a deal. However, since he gets fired in the off-season if the results are not in, does it really matter for him?

I want Schneider from New Jersey. 1st+Smith for Schneider

In no world does it make sense to spend a 1st on Schneider. Go from one older injury riddled goalie to another? No thanks.

[keenan87]

Originally Posted by mennoknight

Schneider also looks like dog dookie this year. He's lost a starting job to a guy named Keith, which is never a good sign. Ever met a guy named Keith who's cool? If we give up a 1st rounder for him, that's just dumb.

He has played 3 games in the NHL this season, which is a small sample size after his injury. I am more so willing to trade a first round pick at someone who can come in and play with middle of the pack
stats.

As I said, trades at this point will be at a premium. If Rittich ####s the bed as well, then what? Throw away the season and try again next season? All because of an incompetent GM who couldn't solve the same problem he has had for many years now.

[keenan87]

Originally Posted by Zulu29

In no world does it make sense to spend a 1st on Schneider. Go from one older injury riddled goalie to another? No thanks.

Yes, I do understand your point and Schneider does have questions surrounding him. However, I have no problem trading a first to get a goalie.

[nik-]

Is there enough time to add Mike Smith to the plebiscite vote on the 13th?

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by nik-

Is there enough time to add Mike Smith to the plebiscite vote on the 13th?

Did they include a giant cannon in the capital funding allocation?

[Mitch]

Panic trading a 1st for a goalie who has been in regression, after starting the season 9-6-1, would be the mark of an incompetent GM.

[Zulu29]

Originally Posted by keenan87

Yes, I do understand your point and Schneider does have questions surrounding him. However, I have no problem trading a first to get a goalie.

Oh I agree 100%, the first likely has to be in play for a quality goalie. If we’re gonna use it, I just wanna be sure it’s for a guy with no question marks.

[Aleks]

Originally Posted by flamesforcup

I have never liked Smith's attitude at all from the moment we got him. First his comments about his former team was a red flag. Than even when he was playing good last year after every goal he would raise his arms at the dmen always blaming them and never taking responsibility for any goals against. Thats what i hate the most about him which is he always blames teammates and you can see it from his attitude too.

I view someone like Lundqvist the same way, always way too emotional and deflecting on a goal against. I've played with goalies like that and it sucks, you either want the shot or you don't want the shot, but don't get mad at the skaters every time then when they give you what you want.

[activeStick]

Peters has shown a willingness to make lineup changes regardless a player's status as a veteran, so I'm pretty confident the Smith issues will be resolved soon. I think Smith's been given a longer leash than guys like Brodie and Ryan, because of Smith's age and experience (i.e. He's earned it over the years), backfill options (Rittich has been good, but is still raw) and the team's record can afford a little more time for Smith to try and find his game. If I were to guess, the transition over to splitting more games will start very soon given the weak goals still being allowed and Peters likely believing that enough chances has now been given.

[SuperMatt18]

In Smith's first 33 games as a Flame (Oct-Jan 1) he had a .920 save percentage (top 10) however since Jan. 1st Smith has played 33 games and has put up an .899 save percentage (bottom 10).

Sadly this isn't just a 3 week blip but something that has lasted a half season now. Only goalies with a lower save percentage in that stretch were Ward, Price, Holtby, Elliott, Allen, & Darling. (Really weird to see Price and Holtby on that list)

So overall for Smith it's

66 Games: .910 save percentage and 2.81 GAA.

In the same time period Rittich is:

24 Games: .910 save percentage and 2.74.

The real problem is that Smith has been very erratic in his play and looked world beater up until Jan. 1 2018, and has looked like Waiver Fodder since then.

Interestingly enough it's kinda of the good and bad swing of the Flames previous two starters too.

Hiller's last 33 games as a Flame: .894 Save Percentage
Elliott's last 33 regular season games as a Flame: .919 save percentage

Elliott was absolutely terrible in that playoff series against the Ducks but his regular season play for the team that year was actually okay.

[Flamenspiel]

^^Elliott was actually a good day to day guy, much better in this regard. He was very poor and could not handle the pressure when it really counted.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by Flamenspiel

^^Elliott was actually a good day to day guy, much better in this regard. He was very poor and could not handle the pressure when it really counted.

Yes. Statistics are one thing. Elliott was good, and was very solid down the stretch.

Stopping pucks at key times is another thing, and letting in goals that are softies from far away that absolutely can’t go in, and that cost your team, particularly a playoff game? Totally different. Elliott despite being solidxdown the stretch, had a brutal season start and hadn’t put enough money in the good will bank account to get past that.

Unfortunately Smith is in a funk where both the overall stats are bad, and there are the back breaking softies too.

(Plus the calling out his team thing. Read the room, Smitty)