Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community
Old 08-11-2017, 10:42 AM   #1
MissTeeks
Franchise Player
 
MissTeeks's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Calgary
Exp:
Default Lambert: Why Calgary Flames window could slam shut

Since we are all bored, here's a Ryan Lambert article we can argue about!

https://sports.yahoo.com/calgary-fla...155346387.html

Quote:
Taken on its face, the high end of the Calgary Flames roster is probably among the best in the Western Conference.

You have Johnny Gaudreau, Mark Giordano, Dougie Hamilton, TJ Brodie, the entire 3M line, Sean Monahan. The good news is that basically all those guys, with the exception of Giordano (very old) and Matthew Tkachuk (very young), are in their mid- to late-20s.

This is what you’d call a team’s “window to win” — the point at which most of a team’s big-ticket players are around the primes of their careers — but the Flames have a very serious problem. You can have a good group at the top of your lineup, but if you don’t support them at the lower end, your ability to actually win while your window is open is limited.

Over the past few years, the Flames have done little to support that core group, making bad bets on outside or simply having good bets not pay off, not really developing prospects at any kind of reasonable rate, not spending to the ceiling, and (perhaps most importantly) getting it very, very wrong in net.
Quote:
So the team recognized goaltending as a major flaw; it probably cost them 10 or 11 goals over the course of the season, which is the equivalent of about three points in the standings. They gain three points and maybe they avoid the Ducks in the first round, depending upon where they lost them and so on. So in response to this major flaw, their big offseason plan was to go out and get… Mike Smith and Eddie Lack?

Smith has been roughly league-average the past two seasons, but the one before that he was horrific (.904). He also didn’t carry a particularly heavy workload over that time, averaging fewer than 50 appearances per season. Moreover, he’s 35. So the Flames are gambling that a 35-year-old goalie whose career numbers are hardly inspiring will do better than Elliott, which doesn’t seem likely based on the track records of the two goalies in question.

In addition, backup Eddie Lack has a whopping .902 save percentage over the past two seasons, so the idea that he will somehow return to the .917 he posted as a “1b” goalie over two seasons in Vancouver is likewise farfetched.
Quote:
But that’s what gets into the concerns about the Flames’ depth and lack of developed young players. After the five forwards listed above, and maybe you lump in Kris Versteeg and even Micheal Ferland if you want to be charitable, the Flames have a lot of problems up front this season. They might try to make Troy Brouwer “a thing” on the top line again, but that was a disaster last time out. Matt Stajan is their No. 3 center. Sam Bennett hasn’t come along much at all. They’ll be counting on a rookie or two to chip in offensively.

Only six forwards finished with CF% of more than 50 percent last season, and one of them (Alex Chiasson) doesn’t seem like he’s coming back. Even free of context, this is a concern, but the five they have coming back are the five “core” guys listed above. That’s got to be seen as a big issue.

After all, what can you expect out of Stajan, offensively? How many goals do Freddie Hamilton and Curtis Lazar give you if they’re everyday players? Can Sam Bennett find some way to clear 30 points again, let alone 40? And they certainly didn’t add any offense this summer, instead making their big move to trade for Travis Hamonic, who could excel in a middle-pairing role. But that’s not really what they needed here.
Quote:
It’s tough to see where this team legitimately stacks up against the rest of that division, let alone the conference, despite all the high-end talent. (And that’s with the acknowledgement that even after all the goals he scores, we still don’t have a ton of evidence Monahan moves the needle in possession).

The fact that this is even a question given the circumstances surrounding the team’s core should give everyone pause.

What, exactly, do they hope to accomplish with this group?

Point is, two or three years from now, they might all look around and realize, “Oh, we could have cobbled something together here.” Instead, there seems to be a strange lack of ambition here, which is weird given the team’s previous ‘Going For It’ culture.
__________________
The Quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little, and it will fail, to the ruin of all. Yet hope remains while the Company is true. Go Flames Go!

Pain heals. Chicks dig scars. Glory... lasts forever.
MissTeeks is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2017, 10:47 AM   #3
Puppet Guy
Franchise Player
 
Puppet Guy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: the dark side of Sesame Street
Exp:
Default

I've coughed up better material than Ryan Lambert writes.
__________________
"If Javex is your muse…then dive in buddy"

- Surferguy
Puppet Guy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2017, 10:47 AM   #4
Gaskal
Franchise Player
 
Gaskal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Exp:
Default

Lambert is like a PCP'ed up Francis when it comes to being a Flames contrarian.

It's pathetic.
__________________
Until the Flames make the Western Finals again, this signature shall remain frozen.
Gaskal is online now   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Gaskal For This Useful Post:
Old 08-11-2017, 10:48 AM   #5
FanIn80
GOAT!
 
FanIn80's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Exp:
Default

I don't know who this Ryan Lambert is, but he sounds like an Oiler fan.
FanIn80 is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to FanIn80 For This Useful Post:
Old 08-11-2017, 10:49 AM   #6
TheFlamesVan
Retired
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Back in Guelph
Exp:
Default

Baaaaaaahahahahahahaha. Wow.
TheFlamesVan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2017, 10:50 AM   #7
Coach
Franchise Player
 
Coach's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Vancouver
Exp:
Default

I couldn't even get through a paragraph.

Giordano "Very old".

Joke.
__________________
Coach is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Coach For This Useful Post:
Old 08-11-2017, 10:52 AM   #8
MissTeeks
Franchise Player
 
MissTeeks's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Calgary
Exp:
Default

Hey, I gave you fair warning! It's in the title and everything.
__________________
The Quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little, and it will fail, to the ruin of all. Yet hope remains while the Company is true. Go Flames Go!

Pain heals. Chicks dig scars. Glory... lasts forever.
MissTeeks is online now   Reply With Quote
The Following 8 Users Say Thank You to MissTeeks For This Useful Post:
Old 08-11-2017, 10:53 AM   #9
CroFlames
Franchise Player
 
CroFlames's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Exp:
Default

To Lambert:

CroFlames is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2017, 10:53 AM   #10
Gaudfather
Franchise Player
 
Gaudfather's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Right behind you.
Exp:
Default

Ryan "my mind's made up, don't confuse me with the facts" Lambert!
Gaudfather is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Gaudfather For This Useful Post:
Old 08-11-2017, 10:53 AM   #11
Bingo
Owner
 
Bingo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Calgary
Exp:
Default

It was actually amusing to read ...

A perpetually negative Flames writer struggling to come up with negatives was somewhat entertaining.
Bingo is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to Bingo For This Useful Post:
Old 08-11-2017, 10:54 AM   #12
Gaskal
Franchise Player
 
Gaskal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Exp:
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by MissTeeks View Post
Hey, I gave you fair warning! It's in the title and everything.
Yes, we are aware - we're just using the thread to dogpile on Lambert because I mean, who doesn't love ####ting on his content?
__________________
Until the Flames make the Western Finals again, this signature shall remain frozen.
Gaskal is online now   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Gaskal For This Useful Post:
Old 08-11-2017, 10:58 AM   #13
CaptainCrunch
Norm!
 
CaptainCrunch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Exp:
Default

Once again Lambert defines tremendous stupidity.

By his logic for example the Oilers window slams shut at the end of this year, especially if Draisaitl signs a 9 million dollar deal.

Why?

Because they don't have a great supporting cast, prospect wise they're weak. Outside of their vunderkind they don't develop prospects all that well.

You could argue that their strength is in net, but realistically that's because they had to ride Talbot to a miracle season in terms of game and play, but they really don't have a good backup in Broissent.

They also have a some really poor contracts in place long term.

With Calgary's core group, you can argue that they are going to get more bang for their buck cap wise. Gio, Brodie, Hamonic, Gaudreau, Hamilton, and Monahan all have what I believe to be high value good bargain contracts.

They have Bennett, MT for example as possible great young players in their lineup.

They have a solid prospect base with some of the kids pushing for the NHL this year, and more to follow.

They have Stajan coming off of the books after this year and he'll probably be replaced by a cheaper contract which gives the Flames some options in terms of lineup enhancements.

He talks about Smith being average, but I would think that being average playing behind the Coyotes is actually very good, plus he makes saves in high quality areas. Last year we bought in Elliot who was maybe sheltered behind that St Louis defense a little better then we thought.

I would think because of the current contract situation that the Flames are in, their window can stay open for a lot longer then this moron thinks.

The only contract that really worries me right now is Backlund, but if we get something under 6 aav then its a strong value contract.
__________________
My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;

Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!
CaptainCrunch is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to CaptainCrunch For This Useful Post:
Old 08-11-2017, 10:58 AM   #14
Cheese
Franchise Player
 
Cheese's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Waterloo, Ontario
Exp:
Default

well he speaks some truth doesnt he? Or do we just want articles that wear rose colored glasses?
Many articles on CP about the supposed weakness on RW and huffing about Trelivings lack of push on that side.
Many here were in great angst about the acquisition of both Smith and Lack, for good reason.
Seems he could have written this article based on threads he got from CP if you ask me and we all click on these threads and respond...daily.
Cheese is online now   Reply With Quote
The Following 9 Users Say Thank You to Cheese For This Useful Post:
Old 08-11-2017, 11:00 AM   #15
Nammer403
Franchise Player
 
Nammer403's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Calgary
Exp:
Default

oh boy lol
Same person who said we should send Monahan down

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=131124
__________________
Nammer403 is online now   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Nammer403 For This Useful Post:
Old 08-11-2017, 11:02 AM   #16
Mister Yamoto
Powerplay Quarterback
 
Mister Yamoto's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Exp:
Default

I could see another season of goalie fail.

A Smith/Lack tandem could work, but it sure doesn't have much of a "WOW" effect.
Mister Yamoto is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-11-2017, 11:05 AM   #17
SuperMatt18
Franchise Player
 
SuperMatt18's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Calgary, AB
Exp:
Default

Shocking - another negative Flames article from Ryan Lambert.

Did he mention anything about 3rd line college center who wasn't even good enough for the AHL Mark Jankowski?
SuperMatt18 is online now   Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to SuperMatt18 For This Useful Post:
Old 08-11-2017, 11:06 AM   #18
The Fonz
Our Jessica Fletcher
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Exp:
Default

Everything Lambert writes is anti-Flames. I imagine it kills him that Jankowski not only went pro, but was arguably the top rookie in the league after Jake Guentzel.
The Fonz is online now   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to The Fonz For This Useful Post:
Old 08-11-2017, 11:07 AM   #19
CaptainCrunch
Norm!
 
CaptainCrunch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Exp:
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mister Yamoto View Post
I could see another season of goalie fail.

A Smith/Lack tandem could work, but it sure doesn't have much of a "WOW" effect.
If the Flames get two things out of this goaltending duo

1) They don't allow a consistent stream of weak goals that sap the teams confidence in them.

2) They give us league average goaltending.

This team is fighting for the top of the division.
__________________
My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;

Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!
CaptainCrunch is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to CaptainCrunch For This Useful Post:
Old 08-11-2017, 11:08 AM   #20
ComixZone
Franchise Player
 
ComixZone's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Exp:
Default

That's one heck of a dumb article. It ignores logic and grasps at straws...we should not be supporting idiocy like this while actual good writers are sitting unemployed.
ComixZone is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to ComixZone For This Useful Post:
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:14 PM.

Calgary Flames
2023-24




Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright Calgarypuck 2021