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Old 07-02-2018, 12:03 PM   #1
Yrebmi
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Flames What's left to worry about?

Seems like Treliving has had an active and potentially very successful off season. A lot of change but should be good.

What are the top questions or concerns we still have?

For me its:
1. Goaltending. Can Smith repeat? Can Rittich step up?
2. Top pairing D. I expect Gio to be stalwart as always, but can Brodie return to form?
3. Coaching. Can Bill Peters -armed with a better cast - win?
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Old 07-02-2018, 12:06 PM   #2
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I guess the only thing I'm worried about is execution and injuries to Johnny, Money, Gio and Smith. Same as any season.

I think Smith plays a little less and has a similar season.

Gio and Brodie will quickly end calls for Brodie to be traded.

Peters will light this board up almost every game, the team will succeed anyway due in part to top 15 PP and PK.

I'm not worried about players who disappointed last year because even if they play the same this year the team will be better. Guys like Brouwer and Bennett can't be any worse realistically.

Last edited by Badgers Nose; 07-02-2018 at 02:12 PM.
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Old 07-02-2018, 12:06 PM   #3
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Will the preseason trip to China set the team back?
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Old 07-02-2018, 12:07 PM   #4
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Not really a left to worry about but some other x factors would be if players like Bennet, Jankowski and Hanifin can really find a next level in their game next season. I think Hanifin and Janko will, I really hope Bennett does.
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Old 07-02-2018, 12:09 PM   #5
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Only worries are Peters' ability and Smith's health
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Old 07-02-2018, 12:10 PM   #6
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Still two very important contracts to sign

A veteran backup on a cheap one year or PTO. Can’t just give the backup job to Rittich. He needs to take a step forward if he wants the backup job. Ideally Smith would get much more rest this season than last.

As an org another slow start to the season would be awful. It seems the Flames are constantly not ready to start the season. I want more preseason games and a more intense training camp. This isn’t a league where you can afford to hit your stride in November.
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Old 07-02-2018, 12:10 PM   #7
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Can one of Ryan, Brouwer, and Frolik score 20 goals this year? Can all three score at least 12? If so, I'm gonna say the Flames make the second round.
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Old 07-02-2018, 12:11 PM   #8
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For me, goalie situation. Smith is good when he's on but he can't be on all season. Is Rittich going to be good enough? I haven't been Rittich's biggest fan, I just don't think he has the upside to be a starter or even a 1B. I think Hutton would have been a great add but I think they need to go after a young guy like Saros or Korpisalo.
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Old 07-02-2018, 12:12 PM   #9
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Bennett, by far! Our highest EVER draft pick. So many hopes for him went unanswered so far.
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Old 07-02-2018, 12:13 PM   #10
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Goaltending. It's time for one of Rittich or Gillies to take a serious step forward as the backup/1B. Not to sound like a doomsayer, but if Smith goes down for any extended period of time this season is likely a write-off.
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Old 07-02-2018, 12:15 PM   #11
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Risk.

Will a 1 year older Smith decline?
Can someone give a solid 25 games as a backup?
Will a 1 year older Gio decline?
Does Brodie actually suck?
Does Bennett actually suck?
Will Bill Peters actually win?
Are Monahan and Gaudreau part of the group who don’t care about winning?
Will the kids on the bottom pairing live up to the lofty expectations?
Can we get through 3 rounds of the West?
etc.
etc.
etc.

Not saying I think all those things are a problem, but there are always things to worry about.
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Old 07-02-2018, 12:17 PM   #12
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Not much to be honest. Treliving has done a great job addressing holes he sees on the team. If he can move Brouwer, it would really cap a great off season already. The player feels he should've been higher in the lineup last season and the moves so far indicate he'll be even worse off this year. I have no idea if he's the sort of guy to air his grievances to his teammates or if he'd be able to keep it to himself, but why have the risk of the distraction? Give him and the new roster a clean start.

Easier said than done though obviously with Brouwer's salary and return in points to teams.
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Old 07-02-2018, 12:17 PM   #13
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Goaltending is the big concern. Smith is aging and is good for one major injury per season it seems. Unless one of Rittich/Gillies takes a big step forward it could be a problem, especially if Smith has a down year.

Coaching is another area I’m not sold on but that’s more of a question mark than a concern.
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Old 07-02-2018, 12:27 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Frequitude View Post
Risk.

Will a 1 year older Smith decline?
Can someone give a solid 25 games as a backup?
Will a 1 year older Gio decline?
Does Brodie actually suck?
Does Bennett actually suck?
Will Bill Peters actually win?
Are Monahan and Gaudreau part of the group who don’t care about winning?
Will the kids on the bottom pairing live up to the lofty expectations?
Can we get through 3 rounds of the West?
etc.
etc.
etc.

Not saying I think all those things are a problem, but there are always things to worry about.

I think it’s safe to suggest that the guy who played through 4 simultaneous injuries that each required surgery to repair, and the guy who goes absolutely bonkers when they win should both be exempt from that discussion.
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Old 07-02-2018, 12:30 PM   #15
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I will echo the goaltending concern, but for me it's about a succession plan to Mike Smith. I have no doubts that Smith will give us solid netminding again this year, and I'm very confident that either one of Gillies or Rittich will give us solid backup play.

For me it's about what happens next year, and the year after that. I really want to see some progress from our goalie prospects in terms of resembling a quality starter. I see it as only somewhat likely from Gillies at this point, and Rittich has a little better chance at it based on his consistency in the AHL. What I wonder is how Parsons looks this year compared to last. Is there clear progress? Will he be dominant in the AHL or simply be OK in that league?

You could probably squeeze another quality year out of Smith after this one, but we'll need something in terms of a plan after this season, otherwise you'll have to see another free agent acquisition or a trade. I would much rather prefer the young development route for cost certainty purposes.
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Old 07-02-2018, 12:35 PM   #16
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Picking up Lehner as a backup would be ideal. Maybe even a trade for Anderson (Stone?). I'm not overly confident in the depth with Rittich and Gillies.
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Old 07-02-2018, 12:36 PM   #17
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Goaltending and coaching.

You don't win in this league unless you are good in both of those areas and every year Tre has been here 1 if not both of those areas have not been nearly good enough (Hiller/Ramo/Gulutzan, etc)

Not convinced Bill Peters and 36 year old Mike Smith combo are going to get it done next year.
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Old 07-02-2018, 12:40 PM   #18
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The biggest worry right now isn't on the ice, it's cap space. Going to be a razor-thin margin for the next few years. Clearing Stone, Brouwer, and maybe Frolik will be in the team's best interest.
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Old 07-02-2018, 12:42 PM   #19
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Default What's left to worry about?

Bennett isn’t so much a worry for me, but a question mark. The goaltending situation is a worry for me. Does Smith play like he has in the past or does he decline? And what about our backup situation? I really hope one of Gillies or Rittich step up their game.

I also worry that Neal falls off a cliff and his contract turns into an absolute anchor ala Brouwer.
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Old 07-02-2018, 12:54 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mrdonkey View Post
Goaltending is the big concern. Smith is aging and is good for one major injury per season it seems. Unless one of Rittich/Gillies takes a big step forward it could be a problem, especially if Smith has a down year.

Coaching is another area I’m not sold on but that’s more of a question mark than a concern.
He has played fewer than 55 games once in the last 5 seasons.

I get that he is older but the injury narrative seems a bit overblown.

No we cant expect him to play 70 games, nor should he.

So for that reason alone, the backup spot is one major question mark.
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