[PGT] Nucks 5 Flames 2

[monkeyman]

A replay of the game is on SNW if anyone wants to watch it again.

[Leon]

Wondering if the boys were on a heater - too many back to back nights at Cowboys?

They had no focus, and the Nucks capitalized.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Infinit47

The PK is mostly about positioning, reading the play and effort (good stick comes from positioning and reading the play). I'm less worried about foot speed for the dmen on the PK as it's more important to stay in position and not get caught chasing.

Frequently the best players at killing penalties are not the most skilled in the team, and especially for dmen don't have to be the fastest.

Oh, I agree, and by feet i don’t mean speed, I mean quickness to to puck and in getting to position. I just don’t think Stone has much usefulness on the PK, much less taking Hamonic’s spot.

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Oh, I agree, and by feet i don’t mean speed, I mean quickness to to puck and in getting to position. I just don’t think Stone has much usefulness on the PK, much less taking Hamonic’s spot.

Stone was surprisingly great in a 5 on 3 scenario a few weeks back. Didn't need to move a lot, maybe in his element. Handled the pressure well and added some size and reach.

5 on 4 in a more mobile kill environment, yeah not the best.

[Barca]

Poor dad, he is seeing his other son turn into a Nuck fan

https://twitter.com/user/status/1211524144791052288

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Bonded

Worst part about is that Gaudreau is looking like crap. Don't want to trade him at his lowest value in the offseason. Unless there is a comparable player struggling that has a good chance to bounce back then the return will be probably be very underwhelming.

At his age his value will still be enormous even after an off year. Many GM’s will optimistically think he’ll be a better fit on their team.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Yeah people seem to just let the roller coaster of emotion cloud their judgment. It’s not as bad of a team after a loss as you think. Flames could have easily won the game with better goaltending.

Expecting a sports team to be completely consistent is absurd. If you’re expecting that it’s your expectations that are out of whack.

The Flames remain a pretty good team who have been hurt this season in particular by Gaudreau's horrible puck management. They have tremendous young players and assets and will likely contend for the next 5 years. A significant core player trade may have to be made to get us to be a real competitor though as last playoffs and this season have me questioning Gaudreau’s ability to be a star and leader in the playoffs.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

At his age his value will still be enormous even after an off year. Many GM’s will optimistically think he’ll be a better fit on their team.

And he will be...guys have off years. Very few players put up 80-100 points every single season

[kukkudo]

Johnny is going to get a stupid return even if they trade him after this season or even after a 90 pt season.

[Scornfire]

Every time there's a special occasion in the NHL, a retirement ceremony, a welcome back, what have you, NHL teams just always seem to fall flat on their faces, I don't get it. I can't remember the last tribute game we've had where the Flames didn't look utterly uninterested

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by taxbuster

Predictably bipolar PGT.

Lazy, disengaged, sleepy, slow turkey of an opening caused the first three goals - not Rittich. He had no support, the Flames as a group looked outworked, outclassed, outskated and generally outplayed for that period (and TBH, for most of the night after that).

If this team thinks it can win on skill alone, they are quite wrong. They were resting on their laurels from a high-tempo, high-skill game against the Greasers, and thought they could just putz their way through a B2B game against the "tired" 'Nucks. Good wake-up call....if they hear it.

Are you kidding? Rittich had one of his worst games. I definitely am putting some blame on him.

[Blaster86]

Originally Posted by kukkudo

Johnny is going to get a stupid return even if they trade him after this season or even after a 90 pt season.

And it would be a mistake for the Flames to do it.


Trade Monahan.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Blaster86

And it would be a mistake for the Flames to do it.

Trade Monahan.

What makes you say that?

Gaudreau when not on his game actually actively hurts the Flames with his turnovers, poor puck decisions, inability to win a puck battle. He's magic in open ice but he rarely gets much open ice these days. If the NHL playoffs had 3 on 3 OT then hell yeah, you'd never get rid of him. But Gaudreau is the type of player who is likely to be less effective in the playoffs as he's the type of player you can shut down fairly easily with physicality, hooking, holding and obstruction. We haven't seen strides in Gaudreau's game this year, in fact he's playing his worst hockey of his career.

Monahan meanwhile has had his offensive numbers suffer due to Gaudreau's poor year but unlike Gaudreau we can see him trying to work on his weaknesses. It seems like he's making strides in his 200 ft game, his face-offs, his physicality.

After last playoffs I wasn't sure which one of Gaudreau/Monahan was a problem but it seemed like one of them might be. After this season so far I'd say I'd rather bet on Monahan long term than Gaudreau.

[bubbsy]

Monahan has shown a definite desire and willingness to improve this year. He's faster, stronger, and playing at a higher level than when he was scoring more but not a complete player.

I would have definitely been on the "trade Monahan before Gaudreau" train in the past, but at this point, I think he's the better asset/player to hold on to.

[Toonage]

All else being equal, you'd keep the centre

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

Monahan has shown a definite desire and willingness to improve this year. He's faster, stronger, and playing at a higher level than when he was scoring more but not a complete player.

I would have definitely been on the "trade Monahan before Gaudreau" train in the past, but at this point, I think he's the better asset/player to hold on to.

I also think Monahan is more likely to be a leader on the team going forward. I think Monahan has shed his youthful attitude, from the Gaudreau/Monahan/Bouma days, but I’m not sure Gaudreau has.

[bubbsy]

I actually prefer the flames taking Gaudreau off of Monahan's line. When they started that change, we saw Monahan playing the game with the puck on his stick more rather than the focus being on getting it to Gaudreau to generate something.

I'd like them to go back to having dube/backlund flanking Monahan.

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

What makes you say that?

Gaudreau when not on his game actually actively hurts the Flames with his turnovers, poor puck decisions, inability to win a puck battle. He's magic in open ice but he rarely gets much open ice these days. If the NHL playoffs had 3 on 3 OT then hell yeah, you'd never get rid of him. But Gaudreau is the type of player who is likely to be less effective in the playoffs as he's the type of player you can shut down fairly easily with physicality, hooking, holding and obstruction. We haven't seen strides in Gaudreau's game this year, in fact he's playing his worst hockey of his career.

Monahan meanwhile has had his offensive numbers suffer due to Gaudreau's poor year but unlike Gaudreau we can see him trying to work on his weaknesses. It seems like he's making strides in his 200 ft game, his face-offs, his physicality.

After last playoffs I wasn't sure which one of Gaudreau/Monahan was a problem but it seemed like one of them might be. After this season so far I'd say I'd rather bet on Monahan long term than Gaudreau.

I agree with you.

Gaudreau looks like a guy that needs a change of scenery. 5 on 5 he’s becoming one of our biggest liabilities. He’s a turnover machine and can’t win one on one battles due to his size.

If he’s not generating offence he really doesn’t add much value. There has to be a point where the writing’s on the wall that things aren’t going to turn around in a Flames jersey.

The million dollar question is when is that point?

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

I actually prefer the flames taking Gaudreau off of Monahan's line. When they started that change, we saw Monahan playing the game with the puck on his stick more rather than the focus being on getting it to Gaudreau to generate something.

I'd like them to go back to having dube/backlund flanking Monahan.

I still think that (a) Tkachuk likes to pass out front from behind the net but there’s never anyone there and (b) Monahan loves playing in front of the net. I’d like to see:

Tkachuk Monahan Backlund
Gaudreau Lindholm Mangiapane
Lucic Ryan Dube
Reider Bennett Frolik

[bubbsy]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I still think that (a) Tkachuk likes to pass out front from behind the net but there’s never anyone there and (b) Monahan loves playing in front of the net. I’d like to see:

Tkachuk Monahan Backlund
Gaudreau Lindholm Mangiapane
Lucic Ryan Dube
Reider Bennett Frolik

I like the idea of the top line there. The 2nd line would get absolutely demolished defensively and likely from a possession standpoint. Maybe switch Mangiapane and Lucic or perhaps switch Backlund and Mangiapane?!?