Dreger: Versteeg could return in mid March or earlier

[btimbit]

Definitely didn't notice his impact until he went down. Same with Frolik

[DeluxeMoustache]

Yeah, but... bigger picture of late. Points in 9 straight.

[browna]

Isn’t reporting and updating status on Calgary’s players Jermain’s responsibility for TSN?Obviously Dreger is talking with the agent, but still, it’s a bad look when a guy out east is doing your job for you.

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by Iceman90

If Versteeg comes back by March, I think that negates the Flames need to get a middle six rental veteran at the deadline.

Yeah it would be like adding a rental at the deadline. The other benefit with him coming back after the trade deadline is the roster limit is over so we don't have to worry about using one of the 4 moves on one of the AHL guys because they should be up already.

[Hackey]

I think he's one of our more important bottom 6 players so the sooner he gets back the better.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Hackey

I think he's one of our more important bottom 6 players so the sooner he gets back the better.

He knows how to move the puck on the powerplay. Enough said.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Iceman90

If Versteeg comes back by March, I think that negates the Flames need to get a middle six rental veteran at the deadline.

In a perfect world I would love to see the Flames get a second line RWer.
That would bump Frolik down to the Janko line, where I think he would fit well and bump Hathaway down to the 4th, where I think he would fit as well.
But I'm not sure if its worth it for the likely acquisition cost.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

The depth scoring was with Versteeg and I don’t think the PP was THAT much better than it currently is.


...not saying it’s not good that he’s on his way back, but it’s not like he was the solution prior to his injury.

I wouldn't call Versteeg the "solution". The solution will entail our defence playing better, improved special teams, and about 3 of our depth players stepping up. Versteeg has consistently been a solid depth and PP contributor through his career. So I'd say that there is a very good chance Versteeg will be part of our solution. His return is definitely positive news.

I'd be interested to see if Versteeg's style of play fits with Bennett and Jankowski. Versteeg has always brought a lot energy and consistency. He's somewhat talented offensively too. Could be just what Bennett and Jankowski need.

[shadowlord]

I'm not as sold on Versteeg's impact 5-on-5. When healthy, he was in the bottom-6, and as a group, their complete lack of scoring was a major issue in the first 15-20 games this season.

While the PP has had a higher efficiency when he was healthy, Versteeg only has 5 powerplay points total through 22 games played.

I'm hoping that the PP gets better upon his return, but I'm not sure he will be a magic bullet to cure it. I expect better/faster puck movement with Versteeg on the RW PP 1st unit. But his season stats don't suggest he was a massive PP scoring threat from his side.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by blankall

...The solution will entail our defence playing better...

You have been unhappy with the Flames's defensive play?

In the last seven weeks they have been one of the stingiest teams in the entire league.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

You have been unhappy with the Flames's defensive play?

In the last seven weeks they have been one of the stingiest teams in the entire league.

call me when they string together 3 shutouts in a row.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by shadowlord

I'm not as sold on Versteeg's impact 5-on-5. When healthy, he was in the bottom-6, and as a group, their complete lack of scoring was a major issue in the first 15-20 games this season.

While the PP has had a higher efficiency when he was healthy, Versteeg only has 5 powerplay points total through 22 games played.

I'm hoping that the PP gets better upon his return, but I'm not sure he will be a magic bullet to cure it. I expect better/faster puck movement with Versteeg on the RW PP 1st unit. But his season stats don't suggest he was a massive PP scoring threat from his side.

Versteeg's own production does not tell the whole story. For more than a month prior to his injury the Flames' power play was top-ten and running at over 23%. For the second half of last season the and in the playoffs the Flames power play was actually very, very good. Versteeg is more important for the Flames's special teams success than his own numbers would suggest,

[lazypucker]

I am guessing both Versteeg and Jagr come back after the trade deadline when there is no roster restrictions.

[theinfinitejar]

Does this mean it’s safe to start a Troy Brouwer press box countdown? One can dream right?

[Monahammer]

I am actually nervous for Versteeg to get back. On one hand, his effect on our Powerplay (though baffling to me) is very noticeable. However, 5 v 5 he is a dismal player. He puts in no effort what so ever defensively, and doesn't seem to make his linemates better offensively. When he was here, our 4th line was absolutely terrible- hardly a coincidence that they have looked better since he's been away.

Tough to say what effect it will have overall! I second the thought that it will be a net positive if it means Brouwer gets to eat popcorn for a while.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Versteeg's own production does not tell the whole story. For more than a month prior to his injury the Flames' power play was top-ten and running at over 23%. For the second half of last season the and in the playoffs the Flames power play was actually very, very good. Versteeg is more important for the Flames's special teams success than his own numbers would suggest,

Originally Posted by Monahammer

I am actually nervous for Versteeg to get back. On one hand, his effect on our Powerplay (though baffling to me) is very noticeable.

I can't argue with the PP numbers with and without him. But I can't figure it out - he moves the puck incredibly slowly, doesn't dig especially well, his shot isn't much and he mainly passes to the point, who either passes back or over to Gaudreau.

[colbym72]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

I am actually nervous for Versteeg to get back. On one hand, his effect on our Powerplay (though baffling to me) is very noticeable. However, 5 v 5 he is a dismal player. He puts in no effort what so ever defensively, and doesn't seem to make his linemates better offensively. When he was here, our 4th line was absolutely terrible- hardly a coincidence that they have looked better since he's been away.

Tough to say what effect it will have overall! I second the thought that it will be a net positive if it means Brouwer gets to eat popcorn for a while.

You don't think he provides more than whoever the LW/RW of the night is on the 4th line? Plus he is our best shootout player.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by colbym72

You don't think he provides more than whoever the LW/RW of the night is on the 4th line? Plus he is our best shootout player.

Last year yes. This year it's Matt.

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by direwolf

Would be great to have him back. The PP has been big black hole of suck without him.

I think that has little to do with Versteeg and more to do with what everyone else hasn't been doing to be successful. Anyone expecting a significant boost after such an injury should reconsider. A fringe top 6 guy on any team is not going to make or break a team's first unit PP.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

call me when they string together 3 shutouts in a row.

So you can say "Why didn't they do five in a row?"