[PGT] Washington 3 Calgary 1

[GioforPM]

The issue with PP2 and Backlund is that, while he doesn't seem to set up plays well in the zone, there are no really good options for the entry. He's better at that than most of the other guys available. Without Zary, in fact, puck carrier is a weakness on the PP. Even Kadri, who skates well, tends to make a bad entry pass to the wing as often as not.

[flamesgod]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

The issue with PP2 and Backlund is that, while he doesn't seem to set up plays well in the zone, there are no really good options for the entry. He's better at that than most of the other guys available. Without Zary, in fact, puck carrier is a weakness on the PP. Even Kadri, who skates well, tends to make a bad entry pass to the wing as often as not.

Sharangovich is fine on entry, he could do it for PP2.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

The issue with PP2 and Backlund is that, while he doesn't seem to set up plays well in the zone, there are no really good options for the entry. He's better at that than most of the other guys available. Without Zary, in fact, puck carrier is a weakness on the PP. Even Kadri, who skates well, tends to make a bad entry pass to the wing as often as not.

I felt the Flames played well overall, but definitely missed Zary's spark on offense/energy/entries etc.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by flamesgod

Sharangovich is fine on entry, he could do it for PP2.

I don't think anyone is fine on entry. It's a real weakness.

[flamesgod]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I don't think anyone is fine on entry. It's a real weakness.

Ok, I agree with that. But within the context of what we have.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Flames are built in a way that Zary and Bahl's absences cripple the structure of the team.

I do think a middle six center option at the deadline wouldn't be the worst idea, if just to have depth and options.

[savardandjokinen]

When Zary is healthy, I wouldn't mind seeing something like

Huberdeau-Kadri-Sharangovich
Coleman-Zary-Coronato
Pelletier-Backlund-Pospisil
Lomberg-Rooney-Kuzmenko (this is not my ideal 4th line, but this is realistically what the flames will do. Ideally would be Stromgren and Kerins with Kuzmenko)

Those 2nd and 3rd lines you can trust when any line is out on the ice, and it gives you a clear top 6.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Agreed with #1, I'd be fine with improving the 4th line, as Huska likes to roll 4 lines it would benefit the team to make sure they have not just an energy line or grind line out there. This might bring up a conversation about Lomberg's usage which is a prickly subject I'm sure as people love him (understandably).

#3, for sure and yes he's probably trying but that may be the toughest piece for any team to acquire without gutting their own system.

#2 maybe the need for this team at this time though. They aren't ready to push the chips in and sell the farm or give up a bunch of pics, and if they want that under 25 RHC thats what it will likely cost. But they need help now.

Maybe a blend of #1 & #2 is whats needed. Spread the talent out more.

Lomberg for me has a clear role with the team, in the room and on the ice. I'm not a fan of fighters but we don't need to debate that in the here and how.
But he's also not a particularly good hockey player.
So he's got a role, and it is important in some ways, but I also don't think he can be your 9th or 10th best forward.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Bingo

From my coaching days ...

I'd take a 45% faceoff guy that can make the right reads in the defensive zone triangle every day.

Face offs are important, but far too often they are the starting point for looking at centers (beyond the obvious, production), when it's way down the list.

I don't know if I agree 100%.

I think you are correct that there are things you can trade off that compensate for being poor at faceoffs, but only to a point. I guess it depends on just how effective they are in the defensive zone.

I am one of those people that puts a lot of emphasis on faceoffs because it is such a big part of possession and impacts not just the center's production, but the production of his line mates. When you more often than not, have to start a post-faceoff shift chasing and trying to gain possession, it takes steam out of the players and time off the clock that they could be applying pressure in the offensive zone. I think at least a few of the forwards on this team would be much more productive if faceoffs were just a bit better.

A guy like Kuzmenko for example is practically useless when the team doesn't have possession, but if you give him offensive zone starts with a greater than 50% chance of gaining first possession after a faceoff, I bet his production would be a lot better.

[Paulie Walnuts]

The importance of faceoffs is not lost on Conroy either. If you look at the 2 seasons, we won the division the Flames finished 2nd and 9th in faceoffs.

It impacts everything, as Peters put it the faceoff is the first 50/50 battle of your shift. 5V5 you start with the possession and and exit zones quicker, or if its after a long icing shift.

Also makes a substantial difference on the Pk and Pp. You win the faceoff you can launch it down the ice and set up your defence, and now they need to get by that and get set up in the zone.

[MrMike]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

The importance of faceoffs is not lost on Conroy either. If you look at the 2 seasons, we won the division the Flames finished 2nd and 9th in faceoffs.

It impacts everything, as Peters put it the faceoff is the first 50/50 battle of your shift. 5V5 you start with the possession and and exit zones quicker, or if its after a long icing shift.

Also makes a substantial difference on the Pk and Pp. You win the faceoff you can launch it down the ice and set up your defence, and now they need to get by that and get set up in the zone.

It seems like it would be such a teachable skill as well. Hire an ex player too face off guy and a technical guy and practice practice practice

[activeStick]

Originally Posted by mrbuttons

does anyone have the clip of when wilson actually did this? I can't find it on the interwebs.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1884457144029683826

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I don't know if I agree 100%.

I think you are correct that there are things you can trade off that compensate for being poor at faceoffs, but only to a point. I guess it depends on just how effective they are in the defensive zone.

I am one of those people that puts a lot of emphasis on faceoffs because it is such a big part of possession and impacts not just the center's production, but the production of his line mates. When you more often than not, have to start a post-faceoff shift chasing and trying to gain possession, it takes steam out of the players and time off the clock that they could be applying pressure in the offensive zone. I think at least a few of the forwards on this team would be much more productive if faceoffs were just a bit better.

A guy like Kuzmenko for example is practically useless when the team doesn't have possession, but if you give him offensive zone starts with a greater than 50% chance of gaining first possession after a faceoff, I bet his production would be a lot better.

The Flames leader in face offs taken (so a high count) is Backlund with 976 in 49 games, or 20 per game.

If he was elite in the dot, say 53% he would win 10.6 draws. If he sucked and was 47% he would win 9.4 draws.

So elite to crap is 1.2 draws per game, and that's for a guy that takes a lot of them.

If you do Kadri instead, it's 18 draws per game, and a differential of 1.1.

Third most frequent is Rooney ... 6 draws per game and a differential of 0.35

Just doesn't add up to much.

[FireGilbert]

Backlund is about to hit 1000 games with the Flames and posters here still under rate him.

Of all the losses this year that was the one I was least upset about. Outplayed the top team in the league and only lost because of a couple dumb plays and lacking an elite talent to generate one more goal against a hot goalie. Overall was very entertaining especially the Rasmus trolling at the end.

[Tsawwassen]

Postgame links
https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/...b-03cb3d9c99ac
https://www.espn.com/nhl/game/_/game...apitals-flames
https://www.espn.com/nhl/recap/_/gameId/401688403
https://www.foxsports.com/nhl/washin...boxscore-42342
https://deadspin.com/logan-thompson-...andle-calgary/
https://calgaryherald.com/sports/thr...ll-to-capitals

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by MrMike

It seems like it would be such a teachable skill as well. Hire an ex player too face off guy and a technical guy and practice practice practice

Stajan is their skills coach. He's a guy who improved his FO as he aged.

I agree the number of wins for a 48% v 51% guy is low. But I'd like to know stats based on D-zone/O-zone/PP/PK. No one cares who wins a period starting FO.