My opinion on the Heat so far (Defensemen edition)

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

This is my opinion of what I have been seeing so far from some of the Heat players 23 games into the season:

Players:

Pelech: He's so NHL ready. In all honesty, when watching him play, he stands out on the ice. It's hard to miss him (not just in terms of height, but in terms of playmaking, positioning, leadership, grinding, etc.) He is a stay at home defensemen, but at times he'll rush the net to cause havoc for the goalie. It's hard to describe just how ready he is for the NHL, but we all know the competition to break the top 8 nevermind even getting onto the Flames roster. Also, Pelech is by far the biggest sh*t starter on the team. Opposing players hate to play against him. If Sarich and Regehr had a baby, Pelech would be that baby.

Keith Seabrook: I kind of like to recognize Seabrook as the unsung hero of the team. Little known about him, but is he ever good. Playfair has him on the first defensive pairing with Pelech already. He's the smallest D-Man on the Heat, but he's fast, can pass the puck like it's nobody's business, and can even hit fairly well. Rarely is ever caught out of position and he isn't scared to grind along the boards. I would compare him to a Duncan Keith-like player (small, fast, good puck mover, etc.)

Negrin: Playfair only plays him off and on. He's not a staple in the Heat's blueline this season. It seems that Negrin and Palin are the only two defensemen rotating this season, but we'll see what happens later on. However, contrary to what people on this forum believe, Negrin is not NHL ready. He's getting there, but he's definitely not ready. At times he seems nervous on the ice, and because of that nervousness he gets caught out of position quite a bit. He needs to make better decisions on the ice. For example, whether or not to go for a puck or stay back incase of an opposing rush. Often he'll go for the puck, and get caught out of play. However, the scouts are right when they say he's a good skater. He's also not afraid to hit or shoot the puck on net when he gets the chance. With his shot from the point alone he can create quite a bit of scoring chances.

Aulie: Keith Aulie is almost a carbon copy of what I just said about Negrin. The most glaring difference between them is that NOBODY can run over Aulie to get to the net. He is the guardian of the net. I would imagine Irving loves having Aulie in front of the net to clear the way so he can see the puck. Again, great skater, okay puck mover, but does get caught out of position sometimes.

Cole: Unfortunately, Cole will probably be a permanent AHLer. Besides his wickedly awesome porn-stache he's growing right now for charity, he's a real prick on the ice (like Pelech). Depending on Playfair, the first pairing is usually Seabrook-Pelech, or Seabrook-Cole. There's not much to say about Cole other than he's average at just about everything. Not in a bad way, but in a good way. He rarely makes a mistake other taking at least one bad penalty each game.

Baldwin: Again, Baldwin will probably be a permanent AHLer. He hasn't been in the lineup very often, but when he is, he's a sh*t disturber much like the rest of our defense. He's big, can move people with ease, but he isn't the greatest skater. He relies more on his size than speed when opposing players are trying to get by him.

Palin: It seems a large group of people on Calgary Puck were expecting to see Palin get into the Flames roster for the last couple of years. However, from what I've seen of him, he most likely will remain an AHLer. He's getting up there in age (26 years old). He hasn't shown that he can beat out the likes of Pardy, Pelech, Kronwall, Johnson, or Giordano. In my opinion, it's not likely he'll be seen in a Flames jersey. Although, he is a great player for the Heat. He's big, hits alot, but stays in position, blocks shots. He's good for the Heat, not for the Flames.

Overall, it's our rookie AHLers that I'm excited about (Negrin, Seabrook, Aulie). They are the future of not only the Heat, but of the Flames too.

I'm especially impressed with Seabrook so far this season. For a defenseman he's quite quick-footed and can score just as well as a forward. Love watching him on the ice. Love even more that he's Flames property.

I'll put out an Forwards edition next.

[dobbles]

good post. for those that we saw last year, your evaluations seem spot on. i had thought that baldwin might have a shot at developing more upside, but i could definitely see him plateauing at the ahl level as well.

regarding palin, he was the smartest defensemen we had here in our 2 years i think. he was great on the PK because his positioning was always good and he didn't have to run around making up for poor decision making. he would rarely be out there for even strength goals against it seemed like.

it sounds like with pelech's further development and aulie being there, that palin might not have the defensive advantage he held here. i think with calgarys depth at D that him getting to the nhl is unlikely.

[jeremywilhelm]

From every game I have seen, Negrin was developmentally ahead of every other Heat defenseman. Poised, controlled in the defensive zone and strong in the offensive zone.

Pelech on the other hand made many a bonehead play.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by jeremywilhelm

From every game I have seen, Negrin was developmentally ahead of every other Heat defenseman. Poised, controlled in the defensive zone and strong in the offensive zone.

Pelech on the other hand made many a bonehead play.

I see your point, Negrin is very offensively sound. He isn't afraid to shoot the puck, and quite often if he doesn't score from the point, a garbage goal will go in from one our many good garbage-goal-getter forwards.

However, I don't think we're seeing the same Negrin on defense. Besides his smooth skating (which he could utilize more often), he doesn't make the greatest defensive decisions. He gets caught out of position, which result in breakaway chances, far too often.

Nonetheless, that's what Playfair and the rest of the coaching staff is for. He's only 20, and he still has developing to do. It'll happen in due time.

As for Pelech, he does make boneheaded plays, as does Regehr and Sarich (who I compared him to). But overall, I'm thinking by next year he'll break the Flames defensive lineup with ease. Especially if Sutter has no need for the likes of Gio anymore.

[Nuje]

Are you serious about Keith Seabrook? Because if so, that's the most amazing news I've ever heard. The guy was a constant, not just terrible but, disastrous decision maker for the Hitmen. He had the shot, and the pass. The shot would always hit forwards' legs resulting in a 2 on 1 (Aucoin-ish) and his passes would often just go straight to the tape of an opposing player. His positioning was awful, and when the Flames acquired him, I simply thought "He's got the tools. Now if he re-learns EVERYTHING he ever learned, he may be good".

As far as Negrin, sounds about close to what I expected. I thought maybe he could "look NHL ready" but not actually be at this point. How many times per game would you say he's likely to make a bad mistake?

[SebC]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

As for Pelech, he does make boneheaded plays, as does Regehr and Sarich (who I compared him to). But overall, I'm thinking by next year he'll break the Flames defensive lineup with ease. Especially if Sutter has no need for the likes of Gio anymore.

Gio is a terrific defensemen, especially at <$1 million cap hit and signed through next season. He's exactly what the Flames need; the only reason he'd be gone is if someone makes Sutter an offer he can't refuse.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Pierre &quot;Monster&quot; McGuire

If Sarich and Regehr had a baby, Pelech would be that baby.

This is awesome and it was a great post overall. Thank you for your insight!

[jd456]

Great post. I got to see the Heat both times they played in Peoria and I have to say agree with each of your assessments. I came away from both games really impressed with Pelech and Aulie, even though I only saw Aulie once, and surprised by Seabrook. My seats were such that I was able to watch the Heat defence in front of me for 2 periods and I really liked what I saw in their own zone.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by Nuje

Are you serious about Keith Seabrook? Because if so, that's the most amazing news I've ever heard.

Yes, I'm quite serious. He really is a great player. From what you've said it looks to me like he's made some big strides. Playfair sure thinks alot of him by the amount of time he plays each game. It seems like he's always on the ice.

[Torture]

Nice to hear good things about Pelech and Seabrook. Thanks for the update.

[Nuje]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

Yes, I'm quite serious. He really is a great player. From what you've said it looks to me like he's made some big strides. Playfair sure thinks alot of him by the amount of time he plays each game. It seems like he's always on the ice.

That is fantastic news! I suppose Darryl figured he was teachable (and maybe he got a tip from Lowry even).

[SebC]

Seabrook looked pretty good to me in the WHL playoffs... I'm not surprised he's getting a positive review here either.

[Nuje]

Originally Posted by SebC

Seabrook looked pretty good to me in the WHL playoffs... I'm not surprised he's getting a positive review here either.

Ahh, I wasn't a fan of his playoff having gone to most of the games. You could definitely see that the guy had skill though.

[Tacoman]

Great stuff. I went to a Heat game a couple of weeks ago and totally agree that Pelech is the most ready. He could play on our team right now and should be a mainstay for years to come.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by Nuje

Ahh, I wasn't a fan of his playoff having gone to most of the games. You could definitely see that the guy had skill though.

Fair enough. I didn't watch them much until they were playing Backlund/Kelowna in the finals.

[HPLovecraft]

Your comment about Giordano comes across as if you don't think he's a very good D-man. Could you expand on your thoughts on him, because if that's the case, I won't know quite what to think of your rankings... Brent Sutter has stated he's been Calgary's best defense man since the start of the season, even while everyone else was struggling.

[cral12]

Originally Posted by noel

This is awesome and it was a great post overall. Thank you for your insight!

If Sarich and Regehr had a baby, Pelech would be that baby.

I had to quote the same line brilliant!

Great update. Good to see confirmation of my thoughts on Pelech. Interesting to see Negrin and Aulie and their slow, but not unexpected, development.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by HPLovecraft

Your comment about Giordano comes across as if you don't think he's a very good D-man. Could you expand on your thoughts on him, because if that's the case, I won't know quite what to think of your rankings... Brent Sutter has stated he's been Calgary's best defense man since the start of the season, even while everyone else was struggling.

That's a bit of a hasty conclusion to say that because I'm wrong about Giordano I'm wrong about all of my rankings.

I live in Abbotsford where I don't get to see very many Flames games, so I when I speak on Giordano, I use information I've seen and heard from last year - and last year Giordano wasn't doing as well as he is this season. In fact, it seems to me that a large amount of people on this forum considered Gio expendable during the last off-season.

After watching a few of the Flames games I am able to see, I can see now that Giordano is heads and shoulders above what he used to be. However, when I started this thread, from what I saw, Giordano wasn't any better than the other 3 bottom defensmen (Pardy, Johnson, Kronwall).

On the other hand, I am able to see every Heat home game if I wish to do so. Therefore, I'm fairly confident in what I've said about the prospects.

[OzSome]

thanks for the good post.

this is the first year Playfair is coaching the Heat so I wouldn't give up on some of those prospect. I am sure those guys such as Palin, Aulie, Negrin, Cole and others will improve as more time playing in the AHL. I agree some are not ready for the big league yet but defenseman like the goaltenders usually get to their potentials when they are matured like over 25 years old. i guess the Flames future in defense are in the bright spot.

[jeremywilhelm]

After watching the Heat more regularly in the last couple weeks, I am going to agree Pelech is the most ready defenseman. Negrin is very close behind him though and is much more of an offensive threat from the blueline.