Flames year end grades

[united]

Backlund, Mikael - B-: Good two-way play again for the most part but was a bit snake bitten. What really drops him is brutal negative penalty differential. Will rebound next season, no doubt about it.
Bennett, Sam - C-: Started the season at centre but quickly showed he still lacks the positional discipline to play the role, especially when one is not a big scorer. Countless horrible penalties, though he does draw many of his own. Next season will help shed more light on whether he's a 2nd- or 3rd-line left winger going forward, with an outside shot at putting it together.
Brodie, T.J. - D: All-around awful season by Brodie's standards.
Brouwer, Troy - F: Get paid, mail it in. Hopefully has played his last game as a member of the Flames.
Ferland, Micheal - B-: Started hot but completely cratered down the stretch. Better suited as a 3rd-line left winger.
Frolik, Michael - C-: Like Backlund, completely snake bitten. Clearly lost a step this season despite coming into camp in top five shape...Best suited on the third line moving forward due to declining pace.
Gaudreau, Johnny - A+: Terrific season. Looking forward to watching him for years to come.
Giordano, Mark - A: Another fantastic season and showing no signs of slowing down. It's been remarkable watching his rise over the past decade.
Glass, Tanner - who cares?
Hamilton, Dougie - B: Huge offensive year despite, for some ridiculous reason, not seeing nearly enough powerplay time. Lacks a bit defensively, though, and massive negative penalty differential yet again. Good with the bad?
Hamonic, Travis - C: Got a bit better as the season went on, but demonstrates no concept or confidence in NHL gap control allowing frequent controlled entries. Punts far too often on breakouts. Really disappointing season from a player I was excited the Flames acquired.
Hathaway, Garnet - C: As expected?.
Jankowski, Mark - C+: As expected.
Kulak, Brett- B: Prone to the odd big error, but shows great skating ability and has a good stick. Good season despite being paired with an anchor. Getting more confident making plays on the breakout which bodes well for a possible top-four future.
Lazar, Curtis - C-: Love the effort, but probably doesn't have the IQ or skill to exceed a third line role, and is ideally a fourth liner.
Monahan, Sean - A: Another great offensive season playing through an incredible number of injuries. Improved defensively but still doesn't show consistent commitment to the defensive end - but it's good news going forward that he's shown he can play well there when he wants to and as he matures he will.
Smith, Mike - B: Started out incredible but faded hard down the stretch, and injuries likely had a lot to do with that. Age is undefeated, the only unknown is when the crash hits. For the Flames' sake hopefully it's not next season.
Stajan, Matt - C-: As has always been the case, prone to frequent penalties while not drawing many on his own. Otherwise a solid fourth liner.
Stone, Michael - D: Borderline NHLer with a big shot who excels at pinning opposing forwards on the boards. No ability whatsoever to hit tape on the breakout and often makes no attempt at even making a play, instead slamming it off the glass right back to the other team in the neutral zone even when not under pressure. Feel bad for the right wingers when he's out there. Andersson should have been in this spot this season, and definitely should going forward.
Tkachuk, Matthew - A+: What a find by the Flames. Relentless two-way player who will receive many, many Selke votes as a winger in the future. IQ off the charts and unreal along the boards, especially with the puck in his feet on breakouts. Future captain?
Versteeg, Kris - C: As expected? Never really got going nor had the chance.
Rittich, David - C-: I think he suffered from nerves in finally making the NHL. Next season will reveal more on his true ability.

[Eric Vail]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

Back when I used to post it, I would grade relative to expectation for THAT PLAYER, so that way you avoid the "how is Backlund a C- when Jankowski is a C or whatever" dispute.

Then Brower shouldn't get a D. He was pretty much what everyone expected from him. What is "met expectations" in a letter grade?

[CaptainCrunch]

I gave them all F's and sent them back to re do the test.

Frankly every single player had long stretches of fail.

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by Eric Vail

If Smith is a C, does that make him the 15th best starting goalie in the NHL? Does it make him the 31st best goalie in the NHL?

Not likely that any playoff team would have him as their #1 go to guy... but he is a good position holder while their #1 guy rests or is injured.

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by united

Backlund, Mikael - B-: Good two-way play again for the most part but was a bit snake bitten. What really drops him is brutal negative penalty differential. Will rebound next season, no doubt about it.
Bennett, Sam - C-: Started the season at centre but quickly showed he still lacks the positional discipline to play the role, especially when one is not a big scorer. Countless horrible penalties, though he does draw many of his own. Next season will help shed more light on whether he's a 2nd- or 3rd-line left winger going forward, with an outside shot at putting it together.
Brodie, T.J. - D: All-around awful season by Brodie's standards.
Brouwer, Troy - F: Get paid, mail it in. Hopefully has played his last game as a member of the Flames.
Ferland, Micheal - B-: Started hot but completely cratered down the stretch. Better suited as a 3rd-line left winger.
Frolik, Michael - C-: Like Backlund, completely snake bitten. Clearly lost a step this season despite coming into camp in top five shape...Best suited on the third line moving forward due to declining pace.
Gaudreau, Johnny - A+: Terrific season. Looking forward to watching him for years to come.
Giordano, Mark - A: Another fantastic season and showing no signs of slowing down. It's been remarkable watching his rise over the past decade.
Glass, Tanner - who cares?
Hamilton, Dougie - B: Huge offensive year despite, for some ridiculous reason, not seeing nearly enough powerplay time. Lacks a bit defensively, though, and massive negative penalty differential yet again. Good with the bad?
Hamonic, Travis - C: Got a bit better as the season went on, but demonstrates no concept or confidence in NHL gap control allowing frequent controlled entries. Punts far too often on breakouts. Really disappointing season from a player I was excited the Flames acquired.
Hathaway, Garnet - C: As expected?.
Jankowski, Mark - C+: As expected.
Kulak, Brett- B: Prone to the odd big error, but shows great skating ability and has a good stick. Good season despite being paired with an anchor. Getting more confident making plays on the breakout which bodes well for a possible top-four future.
Lazar, Curtis - C-: Love the effort, but probably doesn't have the IQ or skill to exceed a third line role, and is ideally a fourth liner.
Monahan, Sean - A: Another great offensive season playing through an incredible number of injuries. Improved defensively but still doesn't show consistent commitment to the defensive end - but it's good news going forward that he's shown he can play well there when he wants to and as he matures he will.
Smith, Mike - B: Started out incredible but faded hard down the stretch, and injuries likely had a lot to do with that. Age is undefeated, the only unknown is when the crash hits. For the Flames' sake hopefully it's not next season.
Stajan, Matt - C-: As has always been the case, prone to frequent penalties while not drawing many on his own. Otherwise a solid fourth liner.
Stone, Michael - D: Borderline NHLer with a big shot who excels at pinning opposing forwards on the boards. No ability whatsoever to hit tape on the breakout and often makes no attempt at even making a play, instead slamming it off the glass right back to the other team in the neutral zone even when not under pressure. Feel bad for the right wingers when he's out there. Andersson should have been in this spot this season, and definitely should going forward.
Tkachuk, Matthew - A+: What a find by the Flames. Relentless two-way player who will receive many, many Selke votes as a winger in the future. IQ off the charts and unreal along the boards, especially with the puck in his feet on breakouts. Future captain?
Versteeg, Kris - C: As expected? Never really got going nor had the chance.
Rittich, David - C-: I think he suffered from nerves in finally making the NHL. Next season will reveal more on his true ability.

would any other NHL team make a trade for Backlund where the Flames did not pick up a lot of his contract?

Would Ferland bring back a 3rd round pick after 2 goals in the last 29 games down the stretch... He is a coach killer

Also in today's NHL there is no such thing as a solid 4th liner. Most teams have guys on their 4th line pushing to play on one of the top 3 lines.

[mikephoen]

Originally Posted by Otto-matic

Here are my grades.

Backlund, Mikael - C -
Bennett, Sam - C-
Brodie, T.J. - D
Brouwer, Troy - D-
Ferland, Micheal - D
Frolik, Michael - C-
Gaudreau, Johnny - A
Giordano, Mark - B+
Glass, Tanner - C
Hamilton, Dougie - B-
Hamonic, Travis - C
Hathaway, Garnet - C
Jankowski, Mark - B-
Kulak, Brett- B
Lazar, Curtis - C-
Monahan, Sean - A
Smith, Mike - B+
Stajan, Matt - C
Stone, Michael - C
Tkachuk, Matthew - A
Versteeg, Kris - C * (hard to grade him with his shortened season but wasn't very effective in most games played.)
Rittich, David - B-

Coaching Staff - F

Ferland had 21 goals and 41 points, and he gets a D? That's just completely unrealistic expectations of a player if that's your standard.

[Vinny01]

The team gets a F on the season.

Highlights include - Gio having his third consecutive year of injury free hockey and still plays at an extremely high level
- Gaudreau and Monahan with career years but based on how they were the first half of the year their finals numbers are not ideal. Monahan gets a pass with the injury but a little disappointed Johnny wasn’t able to hit 90pts.
- Smith had me eating crow the first 2-3 months of the season but he settled back. At least he is a true number 1 which we haven’t had since Kipper
- Dougie keeps racking up points and goals
- Tkachuk cementing himself in many of our hearts as our favorite player

Lowlights
- Team was hard to watch. I thought the growing pains occurred last season but when the team looked as bad as they did this year it is unacceptable and the coach should pay for this
- Bennett not breaking out at all and perhaps taking another step back. A move to the wing and he still fails to get 30pts. Same point total from last year with 2 less goals.
- no bounce back from Brodie, Brouwer, and steps back for Backlund and Frolik

[VilleN]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

would any other NHL team make a trade for Backlund where the Flames did not pick up a lot of his contract?

Would Ferland bring back a 3rd round pick after 2 goals in the last 29 games down the stretch... He is a coach killer

Also in today's NHL there is no such thing as a solid 4th liner. Most teams have guys on their 4th line pushing to play on one of the top 3 lines.

What do you mean by that?

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by mikephoen

Ferland had 21 goals and 41 points, and he gets a D? That's just completely unrealistic expectations of a player if that's your standard.

Ferland get a C+ for me.

It is like he wrote half the exam and aced it then forgot to finish the rest of the test.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Would be interesting to see the logic behind the grades. For instance:

1) Salary vs Performance - in a cap world, this is so very crucial. Out-perform your contract, and you are helping the team. Under-perform your contract, you are hurting it.

2) Slotting/responsibilities - sometimes players are asked to play above their level, or are fitting into new roles and responsibilities. Maybe they are asked to play a more offensive style, or be more defensive responsible, etc.

3) Just simple expectations going into the year without a care for the two above.

I think it will drastically alter people's grades. For instance, Ferland hit it out of the park when compared to salary and slotting/responsibility in my opinion, but gets a lower grade for what you may expect out of a 1st line RW. Brouwer in retrospect gets destroyed when comparing salaries, but hits it out of the park for me for what I was expecting out of him this season (which was poor play - I thought he played like a solid depth player, and have no problem with him on the team, if it wasn't for his salary and his being over-used).

Kulak hit it out of the park for me in terms of expectations and watching him play, but he didn't really put up enough points and wasn't that good defensively. Two very different grades for me (though I think he had a very promising first full year).

Bartkowski was essentially 'fine' for me in terms of grades. He is cheap, he is a 7th defencemen, and I expected him to be quite horrible - so I guess for me he just 'meets expectations'.

Anyway, I just find it interesting trying to understand the thought process behind some of the grades, as often the explanation beside each player doesn't enlighten me as to where someone is coming from.

I find it the same for prospect grades - some people rank according to how close they are to the NHL, some as to how high their floor is, some how high their ceiling is, etc. I always find it enlightening to read how one arrives at their conclusions.

[Corral]

Originally Posted by united

Backlund, Mikael - B-: Good two-way play again for the most part but was a bit snake bitten. What really drops him is brutal negative penalty differential. Will rebound next season, no doubt about it.
Bennett, Sam - C-: Started the season at centre but quickly showed he still lacks the positional discipline to play the role, especially when one is not a big scorer. Countless horrible penalties, though he does draw many of his own. Next season will help shed more light on whether he's a 2nd- or 3rd-line left winger going forward, with an outside shot at putting it together.
Brodie, T.J. - D: All-around awful season by Brodie's standards.
Brouwer, Troy - F: Get paid, mail it in. Hopefully has played his last game as a member of the Flames.
Ferland, Micheal - B-: Started hot but completely cratered down the stretch. Better suited as a 3rd-line left winger.
Frolik, Michael - C-: Like Backlund, completely snake bitten. Clearly lost a step this season despite coming into camp in top five shape...Best suited on the third line moving forward due to declining pace.
Gaudreau, Johnny - A+: Terrific season. Looking forward to watching him for years to come.
Giordano, Mark - A: Another fantastic season and showing no signs of slowing down. It's been remarkable watching his rise over the past decade.
Glass, Tanner - who cares?
Hamilton, Dougie - B: Huge offensive year despite, for some ridiculous reason, not seeing nearly enough powerplay time. Lacks a bit defensively, though, and massive negative penalty differential yet again. Good with the bad?
Hamonic, Travis - C: Got a bit better as the season went on, but demonstrates no concept or confidence in NHL gap control allowing frequent controlled entries. Punts far too often on breakouts. Really disappointing season from a player I was excited the Flames acquired.
Hathaway, Garnet - C: As expected?.
Jankowski, Mark - C+: As expected.
Kulak, Brett- B: Prone to the odd big error, but shows great skating ability and has a good stick. Good season despite being paired with an anchor. Getting more confident making plays on the breakout which bodes well for a possible top-four future.
Lazar, Curtis - C-: Love the effort, but probably doesn't have the IQ or skill to exceed a third line role, and is ideally a fourth liner.
Monahan, Sean - A: Another great offensive season playing through an incredible number of injuries. Improved defensively but still doesn't show consistent commitment to the defensive end - but it's good news going forward that he's shown he can play well there when he wants to and as he matures he will.
Smith, Mike - B: Started out incredible but faded hard down the stretch, and injuries likely had a lot to do with that. Age is undefeated, the only unknown is when the crash hits. For the Flames' sake hopefully it's not next season.
Stajan, Matt - C-: As has always been the case, prone to frequent penalties while not drawing many on his own. Otherwise a solid fourth liner.
Stone, Michael - D: Borderline NHLer with a big shot who excels at pinning opposing forwards on the boards. No ability whatsoever to hit tape on the breakout and often makes no attempt at even making a play, instead slamming it off the glass right back to the other team in the neutral zone even when not under pressure. Feel bad for the right wingers when he's out there. Andersson should have been in this spot this season, and definitely should going forward.
Tkachuk, Matthew - A+: What a find by the Flames. Relentless two-way player who will receive many, many Selke votes as a winger in the future. IQ off the charts and unreal along the boards, especially with the puck in his feet on breakouts. Future captain?
Versteeg, Kris - C: As expected? Never really got going nor had the chance.
Rittich, David - C-: I think he suffered from nerves in finally making the NHL. Next season will reveal more on his true ability.

The guy hardly played for us, gets the tap on the shoulder and takes it on the chin from Lucic when everyone else on the team meekly skated away from altercation or otherwise did everything they could to avoid dropping the gloves. Who cares? I bet most of that dressing room does. Tanner Glass earned a spot on this team next year with those couple minutes IMHO.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Hamilton led the league in goal scoring(three way tie) for his position but is only given a C?

And then you called him the “small shooting d man”?


I’m sorry, what?

[Husky]

Based on being a rookie, Jankowski should be an A. The guy put up near 20 goals for a third line center with limited PP time.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

Hamilton led the league in goal scoring(three way tie) for his position but is only given a C?

And then you called him the “small shooting d man”?


I’m sorry, what?

It's easier just to ignore it.

Hamilton, Backlund, Monahan are forever on Ricardo's ####list for being too soft no matter how much they may contribute in other ways.

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by VilleN

What do you mean by that?

I coach doesn't know what to do with him. He can win the game for you and then he plays to a level where he does not belong in the league.

How the coach handles it is basically a no win situation. When he goes bad he is way too bad to wait for him to get better on the #1 line and he appears to be pouting or at least disinterested when asked to play on another line.


Lot of Flames seem to fit in this category.... Hamilton w/o Gio, Gaudreau and Monahan without each other. Brodie without Gio or Engelland or Stone...

[Lanny_McDonald]

Backlund, Mikael - D
Bennett, Sam - D
Brodie, T.J. - F
Brouwer, Troy - D
Ferland, Micheal - B
Frolik, Michael - C
Gaudreau, Johnny - A
Gillies, Jon - B
Giordano, Mark - A
Glass, Tanner - D
Hamilton, Dougie - B
Hamonic, Travis - D
Hathaway, Garnet - C
Jankowski, Mark - B
Kulak, Brett- B
Lazar, Curtis - D
Monahan, Sean - A
Smith, Mike - B
Stajan, Matt - D
Stone, Michael - C
Tkachuk, Matthew - A
Versteeg, Kris - D
Rittich, David - B

Coaching Staff - Kicked out of school during the second semester.

[VilleN]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

I coach doesn't know what to do with him. He can win the game for you and then he plays to a level where he does not belong in the league.

How the coach handles it is basically a no win situation. When he goes bad he is way too bad to wait for him to get better on the #1 line and he appears to be pouting or at least disinterested when asked to play on another line.


Lot of Flames seem to fit in this category.... Hamilton w/o Gio, Gaudreau and Monahan without each other. Brodie without Gio or Engelland or Stone...

Fair enough, however I disagree with most of that. Lots of non-elite wingers are streaky, and I don't think that Ferland is really that bad when he goes cold.

I see no issue with simply demoting him when he's not playing well. And I have not seen him pout or act disinterested when he's been demoted. I think calling Ferland a coach killer is to overestimate his value to the team, and that's not to say he isn't valuable... but I don't think he is 'killing' any coaches.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

would any other NHL team make a trade for Backlund where the Flames did not pick up a lot of his contract?

Yes, Vancouver. They wanted him to reach UFA status badly and they have a ton of cap space to include him. This was actually reported recently.

Perhaps you should check your facts before making sweeping statements like that one. I'm betting Vancouver isn't the only team that would have significant interest in Backlund, even at his new salary.

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

Hamilton led the league in goal scoring(three way tie) for his position but is only given a C?

And then you called him the “small shooting d man”?


I’m sorry, what?

Are you suggesting that Hamilton plays the big tough to play against d-man role? The guy that will bang with Lucic and Wheeler or Perry? First guy to cross check the crease crasher?

If he doesn't feel comfortable using his size then his comparisons should be small shooting defensemen-- Karlsson,, Ellis, Bouwmeester, Leddy, Klingberg, Krug, Bucher... Nothing bad with being a small shooting D-man. It is a role in most solid defense groups along with the big guys that kill penalties and defend a one goal lead.

He is not at all comparable to Doughty, Byfuglien, Burns, Muzzin, Subban, Weber Ekblad, Seth Jones, Chara, Engelland or OEL... guys that are physically hard to play against.

[timbit]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

Are you suggesting that Hamilton plays the big tough to play against d-man role? The guy that will bang with Lucic and Wheeler or Perry? First guy to cross check the crease crasher?

If he doesn't feel comfortable using his size then his comparisons should be small shooting defensemen-- Karlsson,, Ellis, Bouwmeester, Leddy, Klingberg, Krug, Bucher... Nothing bad with being a small shooting D-man. It is a role in most solid defense groups along with the big guys that kill penalties and defend a one goal lead.

He is not at all comparable to Doughty, Byfuglien, Burns, Muzzin, Subban, Weber Ekblad, Seth Jones, Chara, Engelland or OEL... guys that are physically hard to play against.

Yet, he was 9th in Norris voting last season, as a 23 year old. Hmmm...who to believe?