[Signing] Flames sign Josh Leivo (1yr, $875k)

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Bingo

From a Johnathan Wills article around the handling of Draisaitl ...



and



Patience isn't a bad thing.

The Oilers handled Draisaitl better than we handled Bennett. They gave him Taylor Hall, they put him on their top PP, amd let him grow over the years. We... turned Bennett into a 4LW with zero confidence

[Eric Vail]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

The Oilers handled Draisaitl better than we handled Bennett. They gave him Taylor Hall, they put him on their top PP, amd let him grow over the years. We... turned Bennett into a 4LW with zero confidence

I'd argue that Draisaitl succeeded in spite of the Oilers development program. He was awful his first year, and wound up getting sent back to junior, but at a time a week too late to play in the World Junior Championships. We saw all kinds of prospects completely fail under their development (ex Yakapov) or develop into a much lesser player than projected (ex. Nugent-Hopkins). Even with Drasisaitl's successes, he still has massive holes in his game that likely wouldn't be there if he was developed better.

Bennett is a different situation. Clearly he has not developed into the player he was predicted to be. There is still some hope, however, as he has been an outstanding NHL player at times. Maybe he can bring that to the table with more consistency. Would he have turned out better if the Flames had pushed Monahon down the lineup and put Gaudreau on his wing? What would have been the cost to the Flames team for doing that? I'd argue there is no way to know if that would have made a difference in his development. I suspect the Flames would have lost many more games if they chose to do that.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Samonadreau

As long as they give them one if they deserve it.

Mangiapane earned his chance and got it.

Dube earned his chance and got it.

Andersson earned ever increasing opportunity and got it.

I have no doubt Valimaki will get his chances.

Some people will argue Kylington hasn't been given a chance, but I would argue that he has been given lots of opportunity and has, as of yet, not really run with it.

[868904]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Some people will argue Kylington hasn't been given a chance, but I would argue that he has been given lots of opportunity and has, as of yet, not really run with it.

Kylington has spent time in the NHL over the past two seasons but this has been due more to injury to others and a need to have him there. For the past 2 seasons, it seems like the Flames have reluctantly called him up as opposed to wanting to call him up.

When he has been up, they've mis-used him. His skill set is geared towards the power play and an offensive role. He's never going to be a good defender.

Peters and Ward have NEVER used him on a powerplay. The most ridiculous thing is that Peters sent Kylington down to Stockton to "work on his PK" and when Kylington scored a hat trick, they called him back up and never put him on the PK or the PP. This was just a weird weird incident and I wonder if it had anything to do with Peters' personal biases. It would be a shame if Flames management has a lesser view of Kylington based on opinions and analysis from Peters.

[MrMike]

Kylington needs to earn his PP and PK time, especially with only having one defenceman on the power play these days.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by MrMike

Kylington needs to earn his PP and PK time, especially with only having one defenceman on the power play these days.

This is true, and Peters/Ward are paid to win, so they go with guys who they think will be successful on the powerplay. Gio has a track record, Gus was a known powerplay specialist, Rasmus had proven he could get it done and Brodie had experience. And you had Hanifin too.

The other thing is - Kylington's main offensive weapon is is his open ice speed. That's not really what the powerplay's about.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

The Oilers handled Draisaitl better than we handled Bennett. They gave him Taylor Hall, they put him on their top PP, amd let him grow over the years. We... turned Bennett into a 4LW with zero confidence

Yeah they gave Yak all those things too...at some point the player is responsible

[SeanCharles]

I want Kylington to succeed as I am very high on him and his skill set.

I worry the Flames don’t value him as highly and he won’t be given much opportunities.

I hope I’m wrong but it seems to be the case.

[dammage79]

Seems to me in my viewings of Kylington last year it appeared to look like they wanted him to focus on defensive play more than offense. Seems the only time we saw him offensively was when they loosened the leash a bit.

I love Kylington but I think he still needs a lot more polish defensively. His positioning is suspect and he 8s caught in nouns land quite a bit.

And the turnovers. Some horrendous ones at that too.

Although I think what we seen out of Gustavsson (in a Flames jersey) is likely what we can get out of Kylington in a limited role.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Seems to me in my viewings of Kylington last year it appeared to look like they wanted him to focus on defensive play more than offense. Seems the only time we saw him offensively was when they loosened the leash a bit.

I love Kylington but I think he still needs a lot more polish defensively. His positioning is suspect and he 8s caught in nouns land quite a bit.

And the turnovers. Some horrendous ones at that too.

Although I think what we seen out of Gustavsson (in a Flames jersey) is likely what we can get out of Kylington in a limited role.

Sounds like a mid-2000s twee band.

[1_Flames_Fan]

People, this thread is about LEIVO!

Sent from my IN2025 using Tapatalk

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by 1_Flames_Fan

People, this thread is about LEIVO!

Sent from my IN2025 using Tapatalk

No kidding.

Leiv-yo Kylington takes for another thread.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by 1_Flames_Fan

People, this thread is about LEIVO!

Bennett > Leivo
Leivo > Jankowski

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

The Oilers handled Draisaitl better than we handled Bennett. They gave him Taylor Hall, they put him on their top PP, amd let him grow over the years. We... turned Bennett into a 4LW with zero confidence

Draisaitl showed immense puck skills and a high hockey IQ even when he struggled briefly early on. Bennett simply did not show these skills then and does not have them now. These are the main reasons the guy was a 4LW and is only now finding a niche as an energy guy. It is not some organizational mismanagement that ruined him, it was likely a lack of top end skill required by a top 5 pick and the reluctance on Bennett's part to change.

After all, in recent years the team has graduated the likes of Guadreau, Tkachuk, Monahan, Mangiapane, Dube, who all either already have or should have legitimate top 6 talent.

As for Leivo, he seems like a quality 4th liner that give the Flames options depth wise beyond Lucic, Ryan and Bennett on the third line. It's a win, but I still think the top 6 needs a change for this team to truly take another step.

[DazzlinDino]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

The Oilers handled Draisaitl better than we handled Bennett. They gave him Taylor Hall, they put him on their top PP, amd let him grow over the years. We... turned Bennett into a 4LW with zero confidence

Totally agree with this sentiment. I think an inexperienced coach in GG was not the best thing for Sam Bennett.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by DazzlinDino

Totally agree with this sentiment. I think an inexperienced coach in GG was not the best thing for Sam Bennett.

I think mistakes were made ... likely before Gulutzan.

And the player has to earn it too ... Bennett for whatever reason has stumbled repeatedly when given the opportunity.

Were the opportunities long enough? Debatable, but I'll never give the player a complete pass in not knocking the door down.

[sureLoss]

Pat Steinberg @Fan960Steinberg
#Flames GM Brad Treliving tells us his offseason plan was to give team flexibility to move Elias Lindholm to centre if they decide to go that route.

Says additions like Leivo and Simon gives team more depth on the right, which would allow a Lindholm move to C more seamlessly.

[AC]

I don't think this was posted here:

https://twitter.com/user/status/1320412365276393472

[dustygoon]

Originally Posted by AC

I don't think this was posted here:

https://twitter.com/user/status/1320412365276393472

Interesting take. I assume this means he is being told he gets more prominent role/minutes here. Maybe Blaster86 can comment. Where would he have slotted in Vancouver? Presumably middle 6 so 13-15 minutes per night? Who does he displace here? Another move coming!

[Wood]

Originally Posted by dustygoon

Interesting take. I assume this means he is being told he gets more prominent role/minutes here. Maybe Blaster86 can comment. Where would he have slotted in Vancouver? Presumably middle 6 so 13-15 minutes per night? Who does he displace here? Another move coming!

He's really good friends with Monahan and he trains in the off-season with both Mony and Gio in Ontario. I think the chance to play with Monahan is the biggest reason he's a Flame

With Tre saying they could transition Lindholm to centre I'd love to see:

Tkachuk - Lindholm - Mangiapane
Gaudreau - Monahan - Leivo
Bennett - Backlund - Dube
Lucic - Ryan - Simon
Nordstrom/Rinaldo

Bennett had success with Backlund as a rookie and he looked great with Dube in the playoffs so I like that 3rd line a lot