What are the gaps we must fill by 5th year of rebuild?

[Flamescuprun2018]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

Here are my thoughts from the Jankowski thread.




Bennett is going to be an top talent in the NHL, I'm just not sure it will be as a center. It's his natural position, but he's played much better at wing so far. Will he gradually learn the defensive game well enough to be a top line center? That's the part I'm not sure of. He's adequate defensively right now, but he's not a guy that I would rely on to shut down the other team effectively enough to turn it into offense.

Jankowski might only end up being a 3rd line center in the NHL, but I'm convinced at this point that he will make it in some capacity. It's just the way he's been developed that makes me think he has the ability to be a good #1 center, but not as offensively dynamic as guys like Gaudreau and Bennett. He was always a very good offensive player, he just had to catch up to the rest of his age group in terms of defensive acumen, size, systems play, and just the general level of competitiveness. He's just 21, and could easily take another year or two to develop properly, but he could be a better fit than either Monahan or Bennett for #1 center.

Just my thoughts. Speculation and projection is always full of doubt, so take it for what it's worth.

Thanks! I like your logic on this.
A nice problem to have with 3 potential number one centres.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by Inglewood Jack

so I'm totally on board with filling the coaching gap, which is a thing that exists on the Flames in my opinion. it really does seem like a lot of the teams that rose from rebuilding to elite made the switch just as their young core was beginning to quickly ascend.

with that in mind, who's realistically available to help us fill that gap next season? I know the connection between BT and Tippett has been talked about, though there seems to be a lot of people who say they'd rather jump out a window than watch his supposedly boring style (even if it was a winning style?). but with the Yotes overachieving so far that might not be in the cards.

Hitch will probably hit the road once the Blues fail to get out of the first couple rounds again, but he seems really unpopular with players after a short while, so he'd have to find the right balance of tough love. anyone else? Bond villain Boucher?

If Hitchcock were available, he'd be a good choice. His teams have solid systems in place and he's giving his best offensive players more opportunity to be creative these days.

[Bourque's Twin]

Gaudreau - Monahan - Puljujarvi
Bennett - Jankowski - Frolik
Ferland - Backlund - Poirier (pipe dream)
Bouma - Arnold - Colborne

Brodie - Hamilton
Giordano - Kylington
Hickey - Andersson

Gilles
McDonald

[Monahan For Mayor]

Its really strange to me how many of you want to slot Bennet in at the wing. He is our first line centre, Artley is just miss using him right now.

[CSharp]

Goalies are the least of things to worry about for a rebuilding team. The biggest thing the Flames have to really do is get bigger overall - in size and in the way they play. Right now, they look like frickin tinymites running around with absolutely no body checks in their own zone. Yeah, we got bigger in size with the addition of Hamilton, but the guy just don't hit. With the days of Regher, Phaneuf, and Sarich, opposing teams used to come in scared to go into the Flames corners. Now, they just freely waltz in and go into position in front of the net whenever they feel like it. Also bigger up front to handle going through the opposition end. The Flames definitely miss Bouma's presence.

Secondly, they need another D-man that can hammer that puck on the point. No one is doing that right now and when no one has that hard shot, all the offensive play is clogged up in front of the opposition goal. Flames need a pointman who can blast that shot and maybe hurt someone trying to block that shot. This will open up things sooner or later. But, without it, no one is scared to block the shots.

[Trailer Fire]

Originally Posted by Monahan For Mayor

Its really strange to me how many of you want to slot Bennet in at the wing. He is our first line centre, Artley is just miss using him right now.

I don't have the stats handy (can't find OHL faceoff stats) but I recall him needing work on the dot. This year he is 45%. He wasn't great in junior, there is no reason to believe he is going to become lights out in the pros. Monaghan has been 48% this year which is on par with his NHL totals. In junior I recall him being quite good. Janko is sporting a 58% in the dot.

I'd rather have the two best faceoff guys down the middle, of all 3 players become what they can be.

[Monahan For Mayor]

Originally Posted by Trailer Fire

I don't have the stats handy (can't find OHL faceoff stats) but I recall him needing work on the dot. This year he is 45%. He wasn't great in junior, there is no reason to believe he is going to become lights out in the pros. Monaghan has been 48% this year which is on par with his NHL totals. In junior I recall him being quite good. Janko is sporting a 58% in the dot.

I'd rather have the two best faceoff guys down the middle, of all 3 players become what they can be.

I understand. However, Bennet is the youngest and least experienced. He absolutely has the drive and skill to raise his face off numbers. That won't happen with him playing on the wing tho.

[CliffFletcher]

A couple defencemen who are good at stopping the other team from scoring would be nice.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Monahan For Mayor

I understand. However, Bennet is the youngest and least experienced. He absolutely has the drive and skill to raise his face off numbers. That won't happen with him playing on the wing tho.

I think right now Bennett is more effective at wing and Hartley wants to win so that's where he plays. Maybe when we face the reality that we won't make the playoffs I hope he'll be put back at centre so he can learn the position.