TJ Brodie - bright spot in a not so great season?

[spuzzum]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

There have actually been many bright spots this year. Brodie probably the brightest, because he's amazing, but:

- Gaudreau is one of the leading scorers in the NHL on a team with a bad power play. Can you just imagine if we had a good power play?
- Ferland has been really good.
- Backlund is quietly having the best year of his career after a rocky start. He should finish with 40-45 points while being a positive possession forward
- Sam Bennett.
- Dougie Hamilton
- Hudler is starting to heat up before the deadline
- The biggest issue is the most easily rectified one, goaltending.
- We've not just bad enough to miss the playoffs, we're probably bad enough in the standings for Matthews or Laine. Way better outcome than 12th-last-place

Does all these brights spots equate that we have the worst goaltending in league history? We're close to dead last folks.

I'd argue goaltending is not easily rectified and is an achilles heel for lots of teams. Potentially most difficult to fix.

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by spuzzum

Does all these brights spots equate that we have the worst goaltending in league history? We're close to dead last folks.

I'd argue goaltending is not easily rectified and is an achilles heel for lots of teams. Potentially most difficult to fix.

In some ways the Flames record is impressive. They are getting historically bad goaltending and have a historically bad PK and still can't be worse than the Oilers.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

In some ways the Flames record is impressive. They are getting historically bad goaltending and have a historically bad PK and still can't be worse than the Oilers.

Plus, most of their best players are 25 or under and likely only going to get better.

Also, most of the overpaid filler/depth/garbage filling out their roster should eventually get replaced by younger, better players as their contracts expire.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I will argue that you have to really be overly-frustrated to the point of being biased if you are not seeing some legitimate bright spots this year. People mentioned some good ones already (and I like the Backlund bit too - I also see him as a player that has really turned it around to where he was a couple of seasons ago).

Since this is predominantly focused on Brodie, I would like to add this.

There is not a single other Flame who has been this consistent. Not Giordano (who I think has been really great outside his starts, but does have some less than stellar moments), not Gaudreau (does so well at home, but much less consistent on the road) - nobody else on the Flames maintains a certain level of play on each second of every shift in every game.

I think the only other player that has been showing as much consistency has been Engelland. He is about as 'steady-eddie' as there is right now on the team (of course, he doesn't have the impact that Brodie has - just really liking how steady Engelland has been through the majority of this season). FDW is right - not everyone appreciates a tough stay-at-home defensive defencemen, but I sure am liking what he brings every night. Will be eyeing him quite a lot in the next while as I assume his ice-time will increase to the #3 defencemen mark, and seeing how he does playing those minutes and that situation.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by spuzzum

Does all these brights spots equate that we have the worst goaltending in league history? We're close to dead last folks.

And I hope Hiller can get us closer. 8th-14th last is no-man's land and Ramo was nearly getting us into that awful range.

I'd argue goaltending is not easily rectified and is an achilles heel for lots of teams. Potentially most difficult to fix.

Got an example of a team that

1) Has a good roster that consistently deserves to be in the playoffs
2) Hasn't been committed to Cam Ward for the last decade.
3) And hasn't rectified goaltending
?

Because I don't buy that there's a team like that. Last year, these were teams with 5v5 FF% > 51% (teams that deserved to be in a playoff spot based on their skaters' control of the play) and a SV% < 0.911 (League Average)

Dallas (.895)
Tampa (.910)
Anaheim (.907)
San Jose (.907)
Carolina (.902)
Detroit (.909)
New York Islanders (.903)

Well, have they failed to rectify it? Let's look at their SV% this season:

Tampa (.913)
Anaheim (.914)
Detroit (.914)
New York Islanders (.917)

Four of those same teams are already better than league average just a season later. Let's look at what's left:

Dallas (.907)
San Jose (.905) - Martin Jones actually has a .917, only their backup 'tending sucks this year.
Carolina (.902) - Cam Ward.

So yeah, Dallas. They've got some bad goalie contracts, but they're still in a playoff spot, second in the central. San Jose is also in a playoff spot, 2nd in the Pacific and 8th best in the league.

The teams that can't seem to get a handle on goaltending are the ones with bad skater groups in front of their tenders. The Oilers, etc. Most goaltending issues are one-offs unless there's a bad contract involved.

Goaltending can be figured out. The 2010 Blackhawks had 26th ranked goaltending and stomped their way to a cup.

[MarkGio]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

There have actually been many bright spots this year. Brodie probably the brightest, because he's amazing, but:

- Gaudreau is one of the leading scorers in the NHL on a team with a bad power play. Can you just imagine if we had a good power play?
- Ferland has been really good.
- Backlund is quietly having the best year of his career after a rocky start. He should finish with 40-45 points while being a positive possession forward
- Sam Bennett.
- Dougie Hamilton
- Hudler is starting to heat up before the deadline
- The biggest issue is the most easily rectified one, goaltending.
- We've not just bad enough to miss the playoffs, we're probably bad enough in the standings for Matthews or Laine. Way better outcome than 12th-last-place

The last point can't be understated. Although, I wouldn't consider Backlund a bright spot. Too many seasons have gone by where Backlund has simply plateaued in terms of production.

[MarkGio]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

And I hope Hiller can get us closer. 8th-14th last is no-man's land and Ramo was nearly getting us into that awful range.



Got an example of a team that

1) Has a good roster that consistently deserves to be in the playoffs
2) Hasn't been committed to Cam Ward for the last decade.
3) And hasn't rectified goaltending
?

Because I don't buy that there's a team like that. Last year, these were teams with 5v5 FF% > 51% (teams that deserved to be in a playoff spot based on their skaters' control of the play) and a SV% < 0.911 (League Average)

Dallas (.895)
Tampa (.910)
Anaheim (.907)
San Jose (.907)
Carolina (.902)
Detroit (.909)
New York Islanders (.903)

Well, have they failed to rectify it? Let's look at their SV% this season:

Tampa (.913)
Anaheim (.914)
Detroit (.914)
New York Islanders (.917)

Four of those same teams are already better than league average just a season later. Let's look at what's left:

Dallas (.907)
San Jose (.905) - Martin Jones actually has a .917, only their backup 'tending sucks this year.
Carolina (.902) - Cam Ward.

So yeah, Dallas. They've got some bad goalie contracts, but they're still in a playoff spot, second in the central. San Jose is also in a playoff spot, 2nd in the Pacific and 8th best in the league.

The teams that can't seem to get a handle on goaltending are the ones with bad skater groups in front of their tenders. The Oilers, etc. Most goaltending issues are one-offs unless there's a bad contract involved.

Goaltending can be figured out. The 2010 Blackhawks had 26th ranked goaltending and stomped their way to a cup.

I'd argue that the Blackhawks are the exemption, not the norm. Crawford also shines during the post season. Teams like San Jose, TB, Pittsburgh, Philly, and Dallas have made the playoffs with poor goaltending, but having won a cup with poor goaltending.

So can the Flames make the playoffs without an elite tender? Sure, but I cant see them winning it all without one.

[GranteedEV]

My point is that goaltending can be rectified. It's not the first step in making a playoff team, it's the last step. Steps being

1) #1 Defenseman
2) #1 Center
3) #2 Defenseman
4) #2 Center
5) #3 Defenseman
6) #1 Winger
7) #2 Winger
8) #4 Defenseman
9) #3 Winger
10) #3 Center
11) #4 Winger
12) #1 Goaltender
13) Depth

So far I bolded the steps we've got covered in my opinion, so that's why I'm not too down on this team. Once we've got 1-11 covered, #12 will be that final step. #

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

My point is that goaltending can be rectified. It's not the first step in making a playoff team, it's the last step. Steps being

1) #1 Defenseman
2) #1 Center
3) #2 Defenseman
4) #2 Center
5) #3 Defenseman
6) #1 Winger
7) #2 Winger
8) #4 Defenseman
9) #3 Winger
10) #3 Center
11) #4 Winger
12) #1 Goaltender
13) Depth

So far I bolded the steps we've got covered in my opinion, so that's why I'm not too down on this team. Once we've got 1-11 covered, #12 will be that final step. #

1) #1 Defenseman - Brodie
2) #1 Center - Bennett
3) #2 Defenseman - Giordano
4) #2 Center - Monahan
5) #3 Defenseman - Hamilton
6) #1 Winger - Gaudreau
7) #2 Winger
8) #4 Defenseman
9) #3 Winger
10) #3 Center - Backlund
11) #4 Winger - Frolik
12) #1 Goaltender
13) Depth

For me we're only missing the #2 and #3 wingers, the #4 defenseman and the goalie. I think Ferland has a chance to develop into a complimentary power forward on the top two lines. Should be able to get a star winger or defenseman at the top of this draft. So close.

[djsFlames]

Bennett will be the number one center if he can correct his streaky offense. Just needs more consistency in that regard, while improving on the details of the game.

I have to give it to those mentioning Backlund. Since December he's been a difference maker in his own regard every odd game and is back to producing at 0.5ppg, which is ideal for a 3 center.

That said, Monahan, Gio, Russell, Engelland, Colborne, Ferland have been roughly the same if not a little worse this season. Monahan did improve on aspects of his game but hasn't performed as well in other ways (no big game breaking goals like last year, some invisible nights where he looks tentative and slow)
And Wideman, Jooris, Bouma, Hiller, Hudler (- past 2 weeks) have taken a significant step back.

[MarkGio]

Bennett is not a number 1 centre

[Huntingwhale]

Brodie was a 4th round pick and literally none of us projected him to be the player he is. I thought he'd top out as a #5, #4 in a career season. We're watching a potential franchise guy unfold in front of our eyes. Not only that, but he has one of the best contracts in the league. Whenever I think of our cap situation and what it will become, l remember that Brodie is an absolute steal and deserves way more. Then I don't feel so bad, cause it could be so much worse.

And for all the flack the Flames have gotten this season and the ''failure'' of a season as some of you like to say, imagine if Brodie didn't' pan out. Imagine he was simply a #5 and not a core guy. What a massive, massive hole that would be. IMO he's the most important piece going forward (other then a #1G).

I'd also like to reiterate what an awesome contract he is on. 4.6/mil for the next 4 years after this season. And not only that, but he signed a bridge contract before to prove himself.

And he does this all without big fanfare, no drama and just kicks ass every single time he's on the ice. There is no player on the team I worry about less then Brodie. What a team player he is.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

1) #1 Defenseman - Brodie
2) #1 Center - Bennett
3) #2 Defenseman - Giordano
4) #2 Center - Monahan
5) #3 Defenseman - Hamilton
6) #1 Winger - Gaudreau
7) #2 Winger - Laine/Puljujarvi
8) #4 Defenseman - Andersson
9) #3 Winger - Mangiapane
10) #3 Center - Backlund
11) #4 Winger - Frolik
12) #1 Goaltender - Gillies
13) Depth

Is my hope.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by MarkGio

Bennett is not a number 1 centre

Long term? I do think he is. He's the highest Calgary pick and was drafted to be a franchise centre and I think he will be.

Obviously he isn't at the moment, no one would be arguing that.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by MarkGio

Bennett is not a number 1 centre

Oh..my mistake. I wasn't aware players leveled off at 19 years of age?

[MarkGio]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Oh..my mistake. I wasn't aware players leveled off at 19 years of age?

Which should be the response if I said "Bennett will never be a number one centre"

[MarkGio]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Long term? I do think he is. He's the highest Calgary pick and was drafted to be a franchise centre and I think he will be.

Obviously he isn't at the moment, no one would be arguing that.

Let's just wait and see if he even becomes a centremen. I'll definitely agree that he'll likely be a top line player.

[ScorchyScorch]

3 assists tonight.

He's gonna break 50 points and not even play a full season.

[renny]

Brodie has been awesome for the Flames, definitely looking forward to having him on the Flames as a core member.





As a sidenote, anybody else watch the Blackist and thinks Brodie totally looks like this dude?

[Strange Brew]

Brodie has been incredible. If the guy could shoot he would be a cinch to lead defensemen in scoring.

For me the bright spots have been he and Gaudreau emerging as dominant players and Bennett's play over last 20 games. No one else has really exceeded expectations.