Unpopular Opinions about Flames

[jayswin]

To the posters above discussing Brad's failures - I think he's a great GM, possibly best we've ever had when his career is done here, but his two biggest tie ups have been goaltending and over committing to defense, imo.

I get it, defensive depth is paramount to a playoff run, but I think he slightly overfixated on it and tried to make the hands down best defensive corps in the league. While we were rebuilding it seemed practical and smart but eventually our forward depth has plummeted and we're left with tough decisions on defense.

Two of our top four defense are now in their last contract year, so we likely won't upgrade at forward with them as assets, which was BADLY needed. And if we re-sign them it's likely for too much and further hinders our ability upgrade our top 6 forwards.

It's become a mess and I guess Valimaki's injury is partially to blame for that.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by jayswin

To the posters above discussing Brad's failures - I think he's a great GM, possibly best we've ever had when his career is done here, but his two biggest tie ups have been goaltending and over committing to defense, imo.

I get it, defensive depth is paramount to a playoff run, but I think he slightly overfixated on it and tried to make the hands down best defensive corps in the league. While we were rebuilding it seemed practical and smart but eventually our forward depth has plummeted and we're left with tough decisions on defense.

Two of our top four defense are now in their last contract year, so we likely won't upgrade at forward with them as assets, which was BADLY needed. And if we re-sign them it's likely for too much and further hinders our ability upgrade our top 6 forwards.

It's become a mess and I guess Valimaki's injury is partially to blame for that.

I agree that he's a good GM - I'd put him behind Fletcher though. I think his biggest hangup is UFA overbidding (or at least wanting to "win" a UFA too much).

I don't think he's overcommitted on D. I just think his attempts to get fwds have been thwarted. The Bennett underachievement (plus Janko) have contributed too. If Bennett played as well as almost every other 4OA we'd be in good shape.

ETA: Actually looking back, 4OA might be a bad example - Griffin Reinhart, Adam Larsson, Jesse Puljujarvi

[jayswin]

Sometimes he just needs to go the extra mile and get the big pieces in trades and avoid shoring up through free agency.

I fully realize this is hindsight and I'm not claiming I would have known better but an example would be his goal to get an elite top 6 forward last season. He basically did it twice

He signed James Neal to $5.75 then tried to get the actual elite player in Mark Stone. If he had been a little more patient and just said "I'm going for an elite forward through trade during this season, I've got the defensive assets because I've spent 4 seasons overbuilding the defensive pipeline to the detriment of the forwards, I've got the cap space for a $10mil guy because I turned my phone off in July.

And oh look Mark Stone is on the market, I've got everything I need, I'm in. I'll win the bid and I'll sign the contract he wants".

[jayswin]

It's just tough because we're so close but I really fear our window will close in the next few years and the story will be "They were probably one star forward away from being a contender".

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by jayswin

It's just tough because we're so close but I really fear our window will close in the next few years and the story will be "They were probably one star forward away from being a contender".

I agree and I think he should be shopping the 2020 first.

Valimaki's injury is unfortunate for obvious reasons, but also because it doesn't make Brodie tradeable anymore.

A 2020 first + Brodie could get you a real high end forward. Perhaps a guy in his prime who is hungry to win but is on a middling team.

A Taylor Hall with a gentleman's deal for a contract in place.

[Flash Walken]

It would be very on brand for the Flames to miss out on Mark Stone in a year where everything is going right, only to land Hall a year later for the same return and money.

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

It would be very on brand for the Flames to miss out on Mark Stone in a year where everything is going right, only to land Hall a year later for the same return and money.

The Flames have not made an impact acquisition via trade since Kristian Huselius.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

The Flames have not made an impact acquisition via trade since Kristian Huselius.

Hamilton + Ferland + Fox

for

Lindholm + Hanifin

?

[VladtheImpaler]

Too early to say. Huselius was the greatest of his generation.

[Jiri Hrdina]

This is a "show me" year for the group. Any major changes will be done in the summer. And I would not putting this year's first out there. Right now the group isn't showing they are close enough to do that.

[bax]

Originally Posted by 1qqaaz

And he keeps getting bad goaltenders on the wrong side of 30 who are clearly past their prime. Instead of spending a bunch of third round picks on bad options, maybe it's better to spend a lump sum on a good option. With another expansion draft looming, a bunch of good backups will be available (again). Hopefully Rittich works out. But if he doesn't, Treliving will need to finally do something.

Since he has been GM, more than half the goalies in the league have moved. Andersson, Grubaur, Bishop, Varlamov, Lehner, MA Fleury, Khudobin, Halak, among others, have all been available.

Instead we got ... others.

Treliving's record on Free Agents is abysmal. When Frolik is the cream of the crop, there might be something wrong. This problem alone is enough to prevent the team from winning anything meaningful.

Luckily, drafting and developing has been solid. RFA extensions have been pretty good (although too short). But those were things that improved once Sutter stopped being the GM.

Well to be fair here, he was in on Andersson, but Ducks didn’t want to trade him in division. I’m not sure they rest of guys you mentioned are improvements on Rittich. Khudobin and Halak are journeymen backups.

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

This is a "show me" year for the group. Any major changes will be done in the summer. And I would not putting this year's first out there. Right now the group isn't showing they are close enough to do that.

It's weird. Last year I watched the pre-season game from China vs the Bruins and thought "this team can win the Cup this year with a tweak or two". This year, with basically the same team, I am questioning playoffs. Nothing logical, just "feel".

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by bax

Well to be fair here, he was in on Andersson, but Ducks didn’t want to trade him in division. Bishop declined a trade here. I’m not sure they rest of guys you mentioned are improvements on Rittich. Khudobin and Halak are journeymen backups.

Woulda coulda shoulda.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

The Flames have not made an impact acquisition via trade since Kristian Huselius.

Sarcasm?? Last years trade was huge. Whereas Huselius was not impactful at all IMO (I believe he is pretty overrated on this forum).

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

The Flames have not made an impact acquisition via trade since Kristian Huselius.

Elias Lindholm and Noah Hanifin. That trade is impactful.

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Sarcasm?? Last years trade was huge. Whereas Huselius was not impactful at all IMO (I believe he is pretty overrated on this forum).

You are dead to me. Huselius was our Kevin de Bruyne. Yes, a bit of sarcasm.

[jayswin]

Huselius was one of my favourite flames to watch of all time. Others had bigger impacts of course, but in terms of excitement while watchin games, he was just so awkwardly good at creating offensive.

[bax]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Woulda coulda shoulda.

I'm happy with the goaltending, no regrets with how it all shaked out at all.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Yeah I don't think goaltending has been one of the major problems for this year.

[Matt Reeeeead]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Woulda coulda shoulda.

It’s not a woulda coulda shoulda when it takes two to tango and they say no.


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