Flames - how to cure the rot for 2019/20

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Players that I’d like to be moved:
- Brodie
- Neal
- Frolik

After that no player for me is “untouchable” either, but I also don’t think things need to be burnt to the ground, but I think a deal of the same caliber as last seasons big trade, to bring in a more gritty (both physically and mentally) dynamic to our top players is need for sure, and I’m open to anyone on the roster being part of that for the right players in return.

You don’t need to dismantle a team that had that regular season, but it’s also clear not all the answeres are in the room or will be gained with experience if we want to see this team take the next step of post season success next year.

[Calgary4LIfe]

This team folds when faced with physical adversity. Ferland wouldn't have changed the outcome of this series, but players like Ferland can help move that needle. Flames may have out-hit the Avs some games, but they got physically dominated and off their game. Avs aren't even a powerhouse team.


Flames need things:


1) Teach their defence how to play defence. The Avs D looked way more effective at both ends of the ice. They just collapsed down low and caused turn-overs and limited the dangerous shots. Flames didn't - they allowed glorious chance after glorious chance, and if not for Smith's heroics, they would have been embarrassingly spanked 4 out of the 5 games.


2) Need an injection of physicality into the lineup. This team wilts under that physical pressure. Seriously, Gaudreau gets manhandled, and only Bennett has stepped up all series? Flames didn't have an answer to the Avs - which, again, are NOT a big scary team. No, you don't need to acquire a bunch of heavyweights - this isn't 1983 any longer. You need to find players with speed and a decent level of skill to round out your lines, or provide an answer to the other team being overly physical. Flames have Bennett, Hathaway and Hamonic. That's it.



3) Speed. Flames can't handle MacKinnon or McDavid. Then they suddenly start getting rattled and do a bunch of stupid things.



Avs had their way with the Flames this series because of their speed and the physicality. Flames started missing passes left, right and centre. It is hard to get much going when everyone starts fumbling passes.



Flames are a team that still get rattled. That's what I try to fix if I am Treliving. It doesn't make a lick of difference if you add a slow, prodding player with a limited skill-set to the lineup with experience (hello Brouwer, hello Neal). Heck, add a guy with no experience but with some nastiness, speed and size to his game. Better yet, add two or three of them. Flames need about that many.


My off-season game plan - make Monahan and Jankowski fight each other every day until they get mean and nasty. Maybe then they will play with that necessary level of compete consistently.


This team is not built for the playoffs. They are not big enough, don't have that edge to their game, and they don't consistently compete enough. They seem to wilt against teams that hate them and play them overly physical. You don't sign a bunch of goons, but you do try and get this team a bit bigger and a bit nastier to play against. You don't have to be the biggest and nastiest, but you can't continue staying as the easiest to play against physically. Avs just taught us that.

[SuperMatt18]

Just for fun here are a couple BOLD offseason predictions.

1) Jankowski + Kylington for Kadri: Flames have rumoured to have been interested for a while. Leafs need to clear cap space and need a cheap bottom 6 center and cheap dmen for next year. Flames add much needed speed and grit at center ice.

2) Monahan for Seguin: Flames want to add more speed at center ice. Seguin asks for a trade after being embarrassed by the owner. Flames take on cap but have Seguin locked up for 8 more seasons.

3) Frolik to Arizona for a 2nd: Arizona loves their advanced stats darlings and can use a strong veteran on a somewhat value contract with only one year left.

4)Neal + 1st for Zucker: Teams revisit the trade that didn’t get completed at the trade deadline.

5)Brodie traded at the draft for a 1st.


Gaudreau-Seguin-Bennett
Tkachuk-Backlund-Lindholm
Dube-Kadri-Zucker
Mangiapane-Ryan-Hathaway

Giordano - Andersson
Hanifin - Hamonic
Valimaki - Stone
Fantenberg

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Just for fun here are a couple BOLD offseason predictions.

1) Jankowski + Kylington for Kadri: Flames have rumoured to have been interested for a while. Leafs need to clear cap space and need a cheap bottom 6 center and cheap dmen for next year. Flames add much needed speed and grit at center ice.

2) Monahan for Seguin: Flames want to add more speed at center ice. Seguin asks for a trade after being embarrassed by the owner. Flames take on cap but have Seguin locked up for 8 more seasons.

3) Frolik to Arizona for a 2nd: Arizona loves their advanced stats darlings and can use a strong veteran on a somewhat value contract with only one year left.

4)Neal + 1st for Zucker: Teams revisit the trade that didn’t get completed at the trade deadline.

5)Brodie traded at the draft for a 1st.


Gaudreau-Seguin-Bennett
Tkachuk-Backlund-Lindholm
Dube-Kadri-Zucker
Mangiapane-Ryan-Hathaway

Giordano - Andersson
Hanifin - Hamonic
Valimaki - Stone
Fantenberg

Brodie for a first is very bold after the league just witnessed the turnover machine in overdrive this post season, but I’d love it! ��

[Beninho]

Originally Posted by charcoalbg

I don't usually post but how about something between Jack Eichel for Monahan and Brodie + heck throw in Kylington.. Maybe change of scenery will help both players? Would be great BOA between Mcsavior and Eichel for storylines from same draft class

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[Itse]

Monahan is one of the very few forwards in the series that ended up on the positive side in goal differential.

I'm not saying he's untouchable, but I'm not as convinced he's the problem..

I'm going to also say something that's going to be very unpopular: it's good for Gio Norris voting ended before the series started, because that series likely tanked his reputation league wide. Norris winners tend to look dominant and dangerous and noticeable every time they're on the ice. He wasn't our biggest problem, but he was completely outmatched a lot of the time in a way that does not look good for any #1 defenseman. Especially when they're the captain.

I also think we can just stop talking about Lindholm and Backlund as Selke candidates. They're not in that tier defensively. Doesn't mean they suck, but it also means you can't rely on them in that way.

One player we won't get rid of is Sam Bennett. Five points in five games. Andersson is another guy that never lost his swagger. Välimäki looked like he's going to be good.

[jg13]

Originally Posted by Itse

I'm going to also say something that's going to be very unpopular: it's good for Gio Norris voting ended before the series started, because that series likely tanked his reputation league wide. Norris winners tend to look dominant and dangerous and noticeable every time they're on the ice. He wasn't our biggest problem, but he was completely outmatched a lot of the time in a way that does not look good for any #1 defenseman. Especially when they're the captain.
.

Also good for hart trophy winner Nikita Kucherov and Jack Adams winner John Cooper.

For me it was Brodie that was outmatched this series and once Giordano was paired with Andersson things started to turn for him.

[Psytic]

Sign Kevin Hayes to centre Johnny. He creates time and space on the first line. Move out Brodie. Trade our first and James Neal for cap dump.
Pair Tkachuck with Monahan and sign Connolly or Jason Williams for RW which gives a good sized talented playoff ready second line.
Run Bennett - Backlund - Jankowski for 3rd line shut down pair.

[TheOnlyBilko]

Originally Posted by trackercowe

What about the goaltending situation? Could give Smith and Rittitch another year, but I'm sure we'd all be more comfortable finding a true bonafide starter.

No more Smith or Rittich. We probably can't afford him anymore but Sergei Bobrovsky would look nice in Calgary jersey

[TheOnlyBilko]

Originally Posted by flamesforcup

Trading Johnny would be a huge mistake. He wasnt great this series but he also wasnt the problem.

Johnny is our version of what Jordan Eberle was in the playoffs for Edmonton

Atleast Eberle tuned it around in NYI

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by TheOnlyBilko

No more Smith or Rittich. We probably can't afford him anymore but Sergei Bobrovsky would look nice in Calgary jersey

I think Rittich could still find more consistency. A Rittich/Varlamov pairing could be interesting (and affordable)

I have to chuckle at the title "Cure the rot" I mean they had 107 points. There's tweaks to be made but gut the core? Yeah right.

Originally Posted by TheOnlyBilko

Johnny is our version of what Jordan Eberle was in the playoffs for Edmonton

Atleast Eberle tuned it around in NYI

I'd actually like to sign Eberle

[Spinach]

Originally Posted by joejoe3

Hall?

We don't need another LW. Even if we trade Johnny, there's still Tkachuk, Bennett, Mangiapane, possibly Frolik & Dube (depending on which positions they slot in), and then minor-leaguers like Rychel & Quine who can fill in. And a UFA 4th-line LW should be easy to find.

We need a top-flight centre, preferably in addition to the existing ones save Jankowski, because he's just too placid and ineffective 5vs5 to be considered an important piece. But if getting that key centre costs Monahan or Gaudreau, so be it.

[flamesforcup]

Too everyone going on about the 106 point season, remember the oilers also had a 100 point season 2 years ago. We had so many 3rd period comebacks and like other posters said, our record against playoff teams was not that good. We caught lightning in a bottle thats it.

The #1 main problem is our top line has no intensity outside of Gaudreau. Monahan just never performs in tight checking games. I think we can potentially get a quick fix. Trade Monahan+ for an actual #1c from another team (hopefully theres someone that wants out) or pray Duchene tests free agency. Also remake the Zucker trade. I would keep the defense the same it should improve with Hanifin, Andersson, Valimaki and Kylington getting older and more experienced. Just get an actual #1 C ffs.

Im getting really frusterated with people saying Monahans not the problem. Like does anyone actually watch him play? You would think 3 horrible playoffs would be enough. He is a nice centremen who can tap in goals and pass but he absolutely cannot be the line driving, high intensity #1C of a cup winning team. Sure we can maybe make the playoffs with him but we will never make any runs. Get a #1C and were good. Doesnt have to be someone insane. A Zibanejad or ROR or Duchene type would be a nice enough upgraded. Now that i think of it i think Zibinejad can be a nice fit.

One thing i want to emphasise is we SHOULD NOT trade Gaudreau no matter what. He is an elite player and with a proper centre i think the first line would be able to dominate like Colorado's. If we make the mistake of keeping Monahan and trading Gaudreau we are never going to win. Gaudreau is the only game breaking talent we have.

[Rick M.]

I need to understand why the Flames lost their mojo after the All Star break before I contemplate changes to the lineup.

[killer_carlson]

Originally Posted by Rick M.

I need to understand why the Flames lost their mojo after the All Star break before I contemplate changes to the lineup.

Great point.

For the second year in a row.

[Angelino]

Originally Posted by Rick M.

I need to understand why the Flames lost their mojo after the All Star break before I contemplate changes to the lineup.

I think it happened the year before as well if I’m not mistaken. I would assume the same thing will happen again next year with the same group of players if nothing is changed.

[SoCalFlamesFan]

First of all, what rot? What a great season this was. Second best team in the regular season is nothing to sneeze at. This team improved a tremendous amount. Even with the playoff dissapointment, there is much to be optomistic about - on an experience level and for individual players who emerged.

For me, we need some size, speed and skill combo's on the wings. And, I think we have it. It's just in the form of young players like Tkachuk and Bennett (emerging!). I think Monahan will improve. Johnny Hockey will improve. So will Lindholm. Plus, I think we have a diamond in Mangiapane.

The biggest thing is that its time for the keys on the back-end to be handed to the kids. Hanifin, Valimaki, Andersson and Kylington.

I know the Caps comparison is overused at the moment but it's true. The Flames youngsters needed experience and they need the tweaking of the roster to add playoff winning style players. The Flames will do that. Treviling made a move to try and address that with Neal, and sure, it has backfired, but history proves he will try again. He's not afraid to make big, big moves, and he may get some wrong, but man, he got it so right with Lindholm and Hanifin - and in keeping Bennett.

This team is emerging. We've so much talent that's under 25. It's going to be a wonderful next ten years.

[Dajazz]

Rot? Wow holy hyperbole.

[Dajazz]

Double post. Again...

[SportsJunky]

Originally Posted by Psytic

Sign Kevin Hayes to centre Johnny. He creates time and space on the first line. Move out Brodie. Trade our first and James Neal for cap dump.
Pair Tkachuck with Monahan and sign Connolly or Jason Williams for RW which gives a good sized talented playoff ready second line.
Run Bennett - Backlund - Jankowski for 3rd line shut down pair.

I like this. Hayes and Gaudreau should be reunited. Money and Matty would be interesting together. Maybe Sean develops some jam in his game? Neal should go. Who takes him, though? I’ve been on the trade Brodie train for a while now.

Also, I agree with keeping Bennett on the 3rd line. He isn’t a 1st line guy no matter how ok he was in this postseason. I can’t understand the posters that have him pencilled in at #1 C next year.