Yeah it took Grier a couple steps to get running, but he's running taken off. He's doing a great job. The salary cap they have is going to get weaponized as well I imagine.
If they can grab a few of the top free agents to compliment their young players, I think they're a playoff team in 25/26.
That is next year, doubt the Sharks are anywhere near the playoffs next year. Their defence is horrific. He would need Rasmus and at least one other top end dman to make their backend look average.
Deal around Coleman and Mercer. We know the Flames like him, and NJD is in that 'smashing their head against a brick wall' phase of trying to find playoff success.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Aarongavey
That is next year, doubt the Sharks are anywhere near the playoffs next year. Their defence is horrific. He would need Rasmus and at least one other top end
dman to make their backend look average.
Yeah, they have to weaponize their cap-space, but if they do...I think they do it.
SJ still makes sense for Ekblad and Marner in my eyes.
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Flames improve their powerplay by a whole percentage point with Parekh manning the point ... great news. Equals 2.2 goals on the season.
Missing the minute munching, tough situations, 5 on 5 guy has a greater impact than that.
But you don't need to use Parekh in Ras scenarios. IMO Ras can be replaced quite easily by a vet signing. Similar guy to Tanev, even Gudbranson was better on the PK. IMO Tanev was a much better 5 on 5 and PK dman, just didn't bring the O. Thats Parekh's job though.
Parekh will be a huge upgrade to the PP and a huge upgrade on Bean.
Deal around Coleman and Mercer. We know the Flames like him, and NJD is in that 'smashing their head against a brick wall' phase of trying to find playoff success.
Yeah, they have to weaponize their cap-space, but if they do...I think they do it.
SJ still makes sense for Ekblad and Marner in my eyes.
They would have to weaponize most of it if they are signing Marner to get a backend that is NHL calibre. They currently have 3 maybe 4 dmen at most that could play in the top 7 of most NHL teams. And they have basically zero dmen that can play in the top 4. If they sign Ekblad, gavrikov and trade for Rasmus they would definitely be in a playoff conversation, much short of that and I think their backend is far to inadequate to be in a playoff conversation.
I came across more Solovyov content from Belarus, wasn't sure if it's thread worthy, but here it is:
— Ilya, tell us about your impressions from your first NHL games.
Quote:
A year ago, I played 10 games in the NHL, got a ton of experience. Plus, I got to play in the outdoor "Classic" game. I got to play against the Oilers, against McDavid and Draisaitl. These guys have made the Stanley Cup Final two years in a row. It was a very cool experience. I was literally shaking.
— Can you compare this past season with the one before it?
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I had much better stats this season, compared to last. I can't remeber exactly, but I had a plus-minus of +10 or +15. I had almost 30 points in less than 60 games, I had either 59 or 58 — that’s very solid for a defenseman that doesn’t even play on the power play.
My role is to play even-strength, penalty kill, and in the final minutes when we either need to tie the game or protect the lead. I handled that role well. I hope Calgary sees that. I just need to keep working hard and hope that I can spend the full next season in the NHL.
I want to say that the AHL became easy for me, but that would be unfair and unsportsmanlike[the exact wording was: "I'm not saying that the AHL became easy for me, because ..."] . But I definitely feel like it’s time to grow and move forward up the ranks. I think the Flames felt that too, since they called me up to the NHL as soon as I started feeling that way. I spent about a month and a half, maybe two months with the big club, but I was sent back down due to paperwork. And that’s part of the business, I have no control over. That's why I hope to earn a more permanent role this year.
— What challenges did you face transitioning from the AHL to the NHL?[This question was asked by one of the kids]
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When you play in the AHL for three years like I did. The one main issue you face when you make the jump is how fast everyone thinks the game. In the AHL, it’s all about speed and skating. Honestly, some AHL guys might even be faster than top NHL players. But in the NHL, it’s a completely different game. Everything is faster as far as thinking the game and executing plays. If you take any technical part of the game, like stick-handling, passing, or shooting, everything is faster. The decisions are made not in 2 seconds or even a second, but in a fraction of a second. That's the difference.
The NHL is like a big corporation. Have you ever watched Monsters Incorporated? It's similar to it, there's a team with different members and each of them has a different role. If you fill your role well, then you're going to stick around the NHL, and in the system for a long time. If you don't then you move on to a different league.
— Do you have a dream related to the Belarusian national team?
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I dream of playing for Belarus at the Olympics. I really hope things settle down, and our very talented generation can prove itself internationally. Even without including the guys playing in North America, just look at how many young and talented Belarusians are in the KHL.
Take Dynamo Minsk, for example — there’s Vitali Pinchuk and Vadim Moroz. Maybe they’re not locker room leaders like Vadim Shipachyov yet, but their impact on the game is just as strong.
And if you look at the guys in the AHL — myself, Danila Klimovich, Nikita Tolopilo — we’ve got some promising players. That’s why it’s frustrating. I often talk to my dad about this — he still dreams of the day we’ll be allowed to compete in the World Championship again.
I hope that becomes possible in the coming years.
— Are you a patriot of your hometown Mogilev?
Quote:
Yes, of course. I’m not there now simply because it’s more convenient to prepare for the season in Minsk. I’ve already started my offseason training, and Minsk is just a more comfortable place for that. I’m used to preparing here.
But I go back to Mogilev every weekend. Right now, they’re doing maintenance work at the arena there, so there’s nothing I can really do training-wise. But I really want to meet up with the guys I started playing hockey with.
Source:
Russian Transcript at hockey.by, I used it as a base, but I went off the video for all the questions except the ones about Belarus, those are just translated with ChatGPT.
I figured between all the rumours and speculation, it might give you guys something to read, while we all anxiously wait for the draft. I honestly can't wait for even more Wranglers/prospects to make the Flames, it's awesome to watch young players grow with the team.
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Is it possible that we might already have our 2nd line centre in Luke Misa?
Back to back 80+ pt seasons. And going to Penn where he will play against older players. Maybe he’ll be ready to push later this year or next year?
I don’t follow prospects that close. Is his brother that much ahead of him and if so what makes him that much better?
Ya there’s a huge gap between them. Just on the offensive side 80 points in his d+1 vs 134 in Michaels draft year.
I love the Luke pick but his brother is a potential franchise piece
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I think Parekh’s biggest impact this year will be on the 3v3 overtime. Having a highly skilled fast dman with vision will turn some of those losses around.
Like someone pointed out the flames weren’t terrible on the PP last year and he should provide a bit of a bump but 3v3 will be interesting to see his impact
Sounds like Utah wants playoff hockey. Think Kadri would waive for there … their fourth overall is available likely ��
I don't think Kadri will be moved this summer. I doubt the Flames even approach him to waive his NMC unless someone gives them an offer they can't refuse. If the Flames were to move him, then they would've done it at last year's deadline.
That said, things can change quickly, and if the Flames end up being terrible this year, then I could see all of Kadri, Coleman, and even Backlund looking to move on.
But you don't need to use Parekh in Ras scenarios. IMO Ras can be replaced quite easily by a vet signing. Similar guy to Tanev, even Gudbranson was better on the PK. IMO Tanev was a much better 5 on 5 and PK dman, just didn't bring the O. Thats Parekh's job though.
Parekh will be a huge upgrade to the PP and a huge upgrade on Bean.
I think people over look what Andersson brought to the team to some degree.
I mean I get the +/- but he took on the biggest minutes so no I don't see him replaced all that easily.
Bean was the team's best xGF% defenseman, and third in xGA60 behind only Weegar and Hanley. Not good with the puck so fans over look what he's actually good at.
As I said above helping the powerplay probably amounts to less than 3 goals on the season.
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How about Anderrson (extended), Zary, 32nd pick, for Wyatt Johnston and Matt Dumba (cap dump)?
Bit of an overpay for Johnston (depending how you look at it), but could also be fair value for a 1A/1B C, 22 years old, right shot, and potential Olympian.
And kinda have to overpay a little bit if we want to take him off their hands. While helping their cap situation.
Johnston also plays well during playoffs from what I recall. And we would finally have that 1C. He’s a guy we hope Misa could turn into
Extending Ras doesn't add value. He still has a year left, and the team that gets him can get 8 years from him if they choose. Most teams want to be in the driver's seat on their own deals.
It seems like the Flames have been interested in Mercer for forever. If he is in fact available and the Devils are hoping to fill out thier roster with better depth options, offer up Coleman (retained), Pospisil and a pick.
He would be a great add for the flames providing that he bounces back. Also seems like him and Zary would be dynamite together.
