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

[AcGold]

Originally Posted by MarkGio

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

What you said was ambiguous and correctly could be interpreted as saying he is not of first center quality in present or future tenses.

[minnow]

Originally Posted by 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.

I have really enjoyed watching Brodie progress. Right from his first game with the Flames you could tell he was going to be great. He is so good at creating space and taking control. So good at moving the puck out of the zone well and outstanding long passes, skating, smarts
and all those things already mentioned. And you're right about the "worry". I tend to think "Oh good, Brodie will get it figured out" when he has a shift.

[calgarywinning]

An absolute treat to watch as a hockey fan. The full meal deal, defensively and offensively. Similar to Doughty in so many ways.

Worried about signing him to a big contract and play goes south, but based on current play he is an elite player.

Also, love him in interviews and how grounded he is. Big fan.

[the2bears]

Originally Posted by MarkGio

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

Or a response to "I was being obtuse".

[dammage79]

TJ Brodie. If I am reading stats right, He's trending into Scott Niedermayer territory. I always wanted a Scot Niedermayer type of D man on the Flames, it appears we have one.

Maybe some of you think My praise is a little too high. But I don't think the comparison is that far off.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by dammage79

TJ Brodie. If I am reading stats right, He's trending into Scott Niedermayer territory. I always wanted a Scot Niedermayer type of D man on the Flames, it appears we have one.

Maybe some of you think My praise is a little too high. But I don't think the comparison is that far off.

Consider two things, 1 the Devils won their first cup in Niedermayer's age 21 year and were an elite team throughout this period while the Flames were borderline terrible throughout. Also, the 90's were higher scoring than it has been recently.

Age 21
Niedermayer - 48 GP 4 G 15 A 19 PTS
Brodie - 54 GP 2 G 12 A 14 PTS

Age 22
Niedermayer - 79 GP 8 G 25 A 33 PTS
Brodie - 47 GP 2 G 12 A 14 PTS (24 pts if same GP)

Age 23
Niedermayer - 81 GP 5 G 30 A 35 PTS
Brodie - 81 GP 4 G 27 A 31 PTS

Age 24
Niedermayer - 81 GP 14 G 43 A 57 PTS
Brodie - 81 GP 11 G 30 A 41 PTS

Age 25
Niedermayer - 72 GP 11 G 35 A 46 PTS
Brodie - 48 GP 4 G 32 A 36 PTS

PPG pace for each
Niedermayer - 0.526
Brodie - 0.437

Not a bad comparison between them.

[PeteMoss]

Completely useless accomplishment - I've seen Brodie play since he was in Peewee on a terrible minor hockey team where he was the best player by a country mile.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by MarkGio

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.

So, because he has "plateaued" in the past, you figure that this is a good reason to belittle his excellent play NOW? The fact that he is playing NOW better than he has at any point of his career would be the definition of a "bright spot," would it not? And I have to think that if you are not that high on Backlund right now, it must be because you haven't been paying attention. He has been really, really good for the past thirty games or so now—better than I have ever seen him.

[Sylvanfan]

Brodie passing ability has caught up to his skating. That type of speed and ability to quickly move the puck on the back end is great to have.

Regarding the Niedermayer comparison....I'd throw out the 21 and 22 year old seasons. He was a number 3 pick who played in the NHL at 18 and full time at 19. He was a far more refined player at a young age. Brodie the 4th rounder needed some extra time now that he's had it we're seeing a top 10 pick calibre player...top 3 in some draft years.

[ScorchyScorch]

Edmonton may have 6 Giordanos on their back end, but I bet they'd kill to have a Brodie.

[Vinny01]

This season hasn't exactly been that bad. The horrible start and goaltending really screwed the team. Horrible goaltending has to be addressed but luckily all of our goalies are free agents.

Brodie has been incredible. He and Gio give us an elite pair and the team has been much better since Gio got back up to speed and Brodie returned from injury.
Johnny has been fantastic. No sophomore slump for him as he has ascended to Superstar status this year
Backlund quietly has come on as of late and is on pace for 41pts which is well worth the cap hit. He could be an interesting trade chip for the Flames this summer.

[flames_fan_down_under]

I agree that T.J. Brodie is a great story. He is the quarterback of the teams offence IMO.

He brings such a great skill set to our team.

I was thinking about who is more valuable to the team, TJ Brodie or Gaudreau. In the end I think Gaudreau is slightly more valuable to the Flames but it's definitely close.

[saillias]

Courtesy of Carolyn Wilke from todaysslapshot.com

[ScorchyScorch]

For being so hyped and universally loved, Doughty is never really up there in the stats department.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by ScorchyScorch

For being so hyped and universally loved, Doughty is never really up there in the stats department.

He's a great defenseman, but overrated IMO

[flames_fan_down_under]

Originally Posted by ScorchyScorch

For being so hyped and universally loved, Doughty is never really up there in the stats department.

I was pretty damn impressed with him when he was on Team Canada at the Sochi Olympics.

Two Gold Medals.
Two Stanley Cups.

Still only 26 years old.

Do I think he's the best defence man in the NHL? No. Would I want him on the Flames, in a heartbeat.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

Consider two things, 1 the Devils won their first cup in Niedermayer's age 21 year and were an elite team throughout this period while the Flames were borderline terrible throughout. Also, the 90's were higher scoring than it has been recently.

Age 21
Niedermayer - 48 GP 4 G 15 A 19 PTS
Brodie - 54 GP 2 G 12 A 14 PTS

Age 22
Niedermayer - 79 GP 8 G 25 A 33 PTS
Brodie - 47 GP 2 G 12 A 14 PTS (24 pts if same GP)

Age 23
Niedermayer - 81 GP 5 G 30 A 35 PTS
Brodie - 81 GP 4 G 27 A 31 PTS

Age 24
Niedermayer - 81 GP 14 G 43 A 57 PTS
Brodie - 81 GP 11 G 30 A 41 PTS

Age 25
Niedermayer - 72 GP 11 G 35 A 46 PTS
Brodie - 48 GP 4 G 32 A 36 PTS

PPG pace for each
Niedermayer - 0.526
Brodie - 0.437

Not a bad comparison between them.

I don't like the Neidermayer comparision because one was a top 5 draft pick, the other was a later rounder. One was supposed to be great, the other was a long shot. I think, even as often as we repeat it, Duncan Keith is a much better comparable, just subtract a year of age every time:

Age 22 Keith - 81 GP 9 G 12 A 21 PTS 0.259 PPG
Age 21 Brodie - 54 GP 2 G 12 A 14 PTS 0.259 PPG

Difference - 0%

Age 23 Keith - 82 GP 2 G 29 A 31 PTS 0.378 PPG
Age 22 Brodie - 47 GP 2 G 12 A 14 PTS 0.298 PPG

Difference - Keith leads by 27%

Age 24 Keith - 82 GP 12 G 20 A 32 PTS 0.390 PPG
Age 23 Brodie - 81 GP 4 G 27 A 31 PTS 0.383 PPG

Difference - Keith Leads by 2%

Age 25 Keith - 77 GP 8 G 36 A 44 PTS 0.571 PPG / 6th in Norris Voting
Age 24 Brodie - 81 GP 11 G 30 A 41 PTS .506 PPG

Difference - Keith Leads by 13%

Age 26 Keith - 82 GP 14 G 55 A 69 PTS 0.841 PPG / Norris Trophy
Age 25 Brodie- 48 GP 4 G 32 A 36 PTS 0.750 PPG

Difference - Keith leads by 12%

Now yeah, Keith is "better" in every compared year but scoring was also higher then too, and he was a year older in every comparision. And keep in mind, the 2010 Blackhawks were the most stacked team ever (cap era) and that's Keith's career high offensively. And Keith played 1st Power Play.

Not to get too zealous, but TJ Brodie has potential to have a better career than Duncan Keith.

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Not to get too zealous, but TJ Brodie has potential to have a better career than Duncan Keith.

While I appreciate what you are saying, the truth of the matter is that Niedermayer and Keith both have achieved more regular season success and more importantly playoff success than Brodie, granted both on much better teams, but their playoff numbers (and Conn Smythe wins) need to be accounted for as well.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

I don't like the Neidermayer comparision because one was a top 5 draft pick, the other was a later rounder. One was supposed to be great, the other was a long shot. I think, even as often as we repeat it, Duncan Keith is a much better comparable, just subtract a year of age every time:

Age 22 Keith - 81 GP 9 G 12 A 21 PTS 0.259 PPG
Age 21 Brodie - 54 GP 2 G 12 A 14 PTS 0.259 PPG

Difference - 0%

Age 23 Keith - 82 GP 2 G 29 A 31 PTS 0.378 PPG
Age 22 Brodie - 47 GP 2 G 12 A 14 PTS 0.298 PPG

Difference - Keith leads by 27%

Age 24 Keith - 82 GP 12 G 20 A 32 PTS 0.390 PPG
Age 23 Brodie - 81 GP 4 G 27 A 31 PTS 0.383 PPG

Difference - Keith Leads by 2%

Age 25 Keith - 77 GP 8 G 36 A 44 PTS 0.571 PPG / 6th in Norris Voting
Age 24 Brodie - 81 GP 11 G 30 A 41 PTS .506 PPG

Difference - Keith Leads by 13%

Age 26 Keith - 82 GP 14 G 55 A 69 PTS 0.841 PPG / Norris Trophy
Age 25 Brodie- 48 GP 4 G 32 A 36 PTS 0.750 PPG

Difference - Keith leads by 12%

Now yeah, Keith is "better" in every compared year but scoring was also higher then too, and he was a year older in every comparision. And keep in mind, the 2010 Blackhawks were the most stacked team ever (cap era) and that's Keith's career high offensively. And Keith played 1st Power Play.

Not to get too zealous, but TJ Brodie has potential to have a better career than Duncan Keith.

Brodie gets far less pp time too

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by flames_fan_down_under

I was pretty damn impressed with him when he was on Team Canada at the Sochi Olympics.

Two Gold Medals.
Two Stanley Cups.

Still only 26 years old.

Do I think he's the best defence man in the NHL? No. Would I want him on the Flames, in a heartbeat.

Who is better than Doughty?

He plays the corners and the front of the net physically and has an edge.

Every game the kings have played for the last 7 years including 76 playoff games Doughty has been on the ice every basically second shift.

Try to think who the 2nd best King d-man has been over that span?

LA won a SC with Doughty and the Voynov-Muzzin and Willie Mitchell and Regehr playing on fumes.