All things HFNHL Flamettes (2013/14)

[MatthewFlames]

Why? It's because it's all I have. There will be too many of these. No Sim Dogging, no competing... all overhyped prospects and Russians all the time!

So... here we go...

Over at the Traverse City Prospect Tournament:

Ryan Murphy (D-CAR) has 3 assists in his first two games and is +1.

Oscar Dansk (G-CBJ) won against the Hurricanes despite conceding 5 goals. He'd better hope he gets that offensive support in Eirie. It's gonna be a long season. He's 1-1 in the tourney - started against Buffalo the day prior in a losing effort. The other Flames goalie in the tournament is Nathan Lieuwen (G-BUF) who started off with 28 saves and a win.

Also on the CBJ roster are Oliver Bjorkstrand and Josh Anderson. Anderson scored the winning goal against Carolina.

Another 2nd round pick in 2013, William Carrier scored in his first game in the tournament, in a loss to the Dallas Stars.

That Dallas Stars team has 3 Flames prospects, Valeri Nichushkin, Radek Faksa and John Klingberg. All found the scoresheet on day one. Nichushkin broke in on net mid way through the first period and buried a pretty backhand goal. Jim Nill commented that "He was outstanding. We counted the first five shifts and he had five scoring chances. For a younger kid out here he was pretty impressive."

On a line together Nichushkin and Faksa created many opportunities, with Faksa scoring on a goal assisted by Klingberg in the 2nd. Klingberg held the puck in the zone, and Faksa walked in to score on the powerplay.

Detroit Red Wings prospect Marek Tvrdon wasn't to be outdone, getting an assist and managing to be +2 in his first game of the tournament against Minnesota.

Over on the West Coast (the Best Coast):

The Flamettes have a slew of other prospects trying to make the most of an opportunity. Martin Gernat (D-EDM) had an assist but he, Martin Marancin (D-EDM) and the Oilers were outshone by the Calgary Flames. Laurent Broissoit (G-CGY) made 21 saves for the win. Coda Gordon (F-CGY) played on Sven Baertschi's wing and Ryan Culkin (D-CGY) played well and was +1.

In the only other game, Mirco Mueller (D-SJS) was scoreless despite his squad having 39 shots and losing to the Vancouver Canucks. He left the game early after a nasty crosscheck and isn't playing today. Here we go.. his career is over....

Click to read more...

 

[Ohio Jones]

Nice work, Matthew. Gotta work what you've got. If all you've got is prospects, might as well revel in them.

 

[MatthewFlames]

Thank Douglas....

With the real camps opening soon the rookie camps are finishing up.

In Toronto Brad Ross showed some flash and rough&tough and Josh Leivo lived up to his increasingly hyped reputation and both were impressive.

In Traverse City, William Carrier scored another goal, Marek Tvrdon another assist, and Radek Faksa had a two point night -

Valeri Nichushkin continued his physical dominance and used his signature move for another assist. I wonder if Ryan Murphy (6pts) still has nightmares about this one from the WJC.

Vine of Nichushkin

In more surprising news, Dallas wants to take a closer look at John Klingberg.

 

[MatthewFlames]

In the NHL

Valeri Nichushkin made the Dallas roster. Not too many surprises there. Physically he is ready. Outside shot at the Calder I guess, but if he just sticks for the season and continues to grow and adapt - then happiness.

Mattias Ekholm is one of four under 23 year old defenders to make the Preds roster.

Ryan Murphy didn't "technically" make the Hurricanes squad - being sent down in a procedural more - but will be back up for game 1. He had a great camp (when the puck was on his stick) and a poor camp (when the puck wasn't on his stick)....

Alex Stalock locked up the back-up job in San Jose. Hopefully he will see 10-15 games this season.

Dmitry Orlov was a last minute cut - disappointingly as I had hoped he would make the roster.

We will soon see what Joe Colborne is made of. He will probably be the top or 2nd line C for the Flames.

In Juniors

Oliver Bjørkstrand - 12 points in FOUR games... including two shorthanded goals. Playing on a line with Nic Petan but has been the standout player. Came on the back of an outstanding camp. Second in the WHL in points. Fell in the draft due to skating concerns but.... they must have been watching a different player.... see below

http://www.winterhawks.com/video/index/id/c434f8c5c94d998789c64a0847f31dbe

Also in Portland, Taylor Leier was named team captain.

 

[MatthewFlames]

Updates on all things Flamettes:

These five players are important to the Flames: This is the return, in whole or part, for Pavel Datsyuk.

Ryan Murphy has 5 points in his first 11 games and has played over 21 minutes in his last three contests.

Oliver Bjorkstrand is third in scoring in the WHL, with 13 goals and 23 points in 12 games.

William Carrier is finding his offensive side, and has 15 points in 14 games in the Q.

Matt Frattin started well but hit a slump and though he's back from his games in the press box; he's struggling. Sutter is a task master - if he doesn't get it now....

Martin Marancin had a good training camp and has started strongly in the AHL. Any blue line injuries in Edmonton could see him being called up.


Also:

Alex Stalock got his first win since 2011, his first NHL start, and stopped 38 shots for the win against the Senators.

6'7" Chris Breen made his NHL debut and looks like he will stay for a while as the Flames are hit with some major injuries on the back line.

 

[MatthewFlames]

My Kingdom for a defenseman....

Right now the Flames have 15 (yup, fifteen) defenseman on their roster or prospects list who have played more than 1 game in the NHL this season.

Of the NHL regulars Jake Gardiner is making the most of injuries and poor defensive play in Toronto and is playing 22-25 minutes a night, something Dion Phanuef does every game.

Down in Carolina, Andrej Sekera has found a new lease of life, leading that team in points from the back end, despite the emergence of Justin Faulk and Ryan Murphy.

Patrick Wiercioch is having an up and down season. He still doesn't use his big frame as he should and continues to be a work in progress. Also in Ottawa, Mark Borowiecki has used his call up to add a physical presence. In 13 games he has 48 PIM.

Jamie McBain has taken on added responsibility in Buffalo, where he is 4th on the team in ice time.

In Calgary, Derek Smith and Chris Breen have played in 15 games between them while Martin Marincin finally made his NHL debut against them for the Oilers.

Calvin de Haan struggled early in the season while getting back up to speed after missing a huge chunk of the season last year. His recent 4 game stint (playing 19 minutes a game) for the Islanders shows he is well and truly over those problems. Has focused on playing better in his own zone and has impressed enough that he should stay with the team for the foreseeable future.

Nick Holden had to wait a long time for his NHL debut but he's been a pleasant surprise in Colorado, where he has 4 points in 10 games and tries to prove he belongs in the worlds best league.

Mattias Ekholm has had his ups and downs in Nashville as a rookie defenseman but he's a complete package that just needs consistency.

Dmitry Orlov was called up a half dozen times without dressing as the Capitals tried to meet contract requirements to stop him going to the KHL. When his agent fired off a trade request Orlov was inserted into the line-up and has picked up where he left off before last seasons injury marred campaign, playing in the last 4 Capitals games.

Ryan Whitney is in the minors now but started the year in the NHL.

NEWS AND NOTES

Jeff Skinner is the NHL's first star of the week.

Valeri Nichushkin has 13 points in his last 15 games for the Stars and may be edging back into Calder consideration.

Taylor Leier - 173rd overall and Josh Anderson - 122nd overall, both from the 2012 draft, continue the Flames trend of finding genuine NHL prospects in the late rounds. Both are in Canada's prelim WJC camp.

Marco Mueller, Radek Faksa and Oscar Dansk are in their respective teams evaluation camps for the World Juniors.

Colton Sceviour finally got his well deserved call up to the NHL. He's second in scoring in the entire AHL playing for the Texas Stars.

On Course for the Mountain Due

For the first time the Flames may qualify for all $4 million dollars from the Mountain Due endorsement. In the WHL the Flames have 3 players in the top 8 in scoring, with Oliver Bjorkstrand and Graham Black joining Leier in that category. Only Black won't miss time due to World Juniors.

Dansk leads all OHL goalies and in the NCAA Sam Brittain is 2nd in GAA and 3rd in SV% while Martin Oullette's recent play has seen him start to climb into the top ten in those stats.

John Klingberg has 13 points as a Dman in Sweden and only needs 7 more to qualify.

Adam Clendending has 17 points in the AHL in only 25 games, well over half way to his needed total.

Ryan Culkin and Justin Hache are outside the top 5 in D scoring the QMJHL by just a single point.

 

[MatthewFlames]

WJC Updates

Oscar Dansk has been the most successful player for the Flamettes. In todays QF he shut out Slovakia, having to make only 16 saves.

For Team Canada, both Taylor Leier and Josh Anderson have played on checking lines and struggled to generate any offense with only one point between them.

Radek Faksa played well at key times but has also been kept off the scoresheet for the generally over matched Czechs until today's loss when he scored his first goal against Finland. He was at his best against Canada in that upset.

Mirco Müller and the Swiss made the quarter finals but were ousted by Canada.

In the D1A category Oliver Bjorkstrand has helped Denmark by scoring 6 points in 5 games, including 4 goals. The Danes are undefeated.

 

[MatthewFlames]

The Chase for Bank

The Flames are chasing money. Money Money Money.

Despite the accusations of #tank #nation - the Flamettes only goal in the recent purge of veterans was to be in a position to make a profit and build the bank up. Prospects, picks and success be damned, it was all about the money.

LEAGUE POSITION

The league position of the Flames, 7 points clear of 9th spot in the conference, edging towards a playoff spot, couldn't make the Flames happier. We don't care about draft position - we care about that $3 or $4 million from the couple of homes games in the playoffs. The Flames have explored a couple of trade options that wouldn't add salary but could improve the squad and will continue to do so until the trade deadline.

ENDORSEMENTS

Capacity: The 90% capacity should be easily reached although it has taken some consistent ticket price management.

Zen Garden: Not so quickly. These Flamettes have shown more truculence than expected.

Powerade: Jeff Skinner needs just 4 goals over the remainder of the season to get the $2 million.

Mountain Due:

Achieved: Oscar Dansk $1 million - best Goalie in the WJC
* Dansk also leads all OHL goalies
John Klingberg $1 million - 20 points for a Dman in the SEL
* has 22 points
Adam Clendening $1 million - 30 points for a Dman in the AHL
* has 33 points

Close: Graham Black & Oliver Bjorkstrand are both in the top 5 in scoring in the WHL
Justin Hache & Ryan Culkin both have 40 points in the QMJHL, with outside chances at 60 points.
Sam Britain is top 5 in SV% in the NCAA

This should see the Flames net $9.5 million.

Starting the seasons at around $12 million, assuming 2 playoff games and all endorsements, the Flamettes should make a healthy profit of around $18.5 million this season for a bank balance approaching $30 million.


OLYMPIC GAMES

More Flamettes made this tournament than expected. They are:

SLO: Martin Marincin, Andrej Sekera and Michael Handzus
SWE: Patrik Berglund
RUS: Artem Anisimov and Valeri Nichushkin

NOTES:

Alex Stalock recently broke the San Jose Sharks longest shutout streak with 178:55 minutes of shutout hockey including 2 shutouts and a 1-0 loss against the Kings.

 

[MatthewFlames]

The Flames are chasing money. Money Money Money.

ENDORSEMENTS

Capacity: The 90% capacity should be easily reached although it has taken some consistent ticket price management.

Zen Garden: Not so quickly. These Flamettes have shown more truculence than expected.

Powerade: Jeff Skinner needs just 4 goals over the remainder of the season to get the $2 million.

Skinner now has 26 goals and has achieved this endorsement.

Mountain Due:

Achieved: Oscar Dansk $1 million - best Goalie in the WJC
* Dansk also leads all OHL goalies
John Klingberg $1 million - 20 points for a Dman in the SEL
* has 22 points
Adam Clendening $1 million - 30 points for a Dman in the AHL
* has 33 points

Close: Graham Black & Oliver Bjorkstrand are both in the top 5 in scoring in the WHL
Justin Hache & Ryan Culkin both have 40 points in the QMJHL, with outside chances at 60 points.
Sam Britain is top 5 in SV% in the NCAA

This should see the Flames net $9.5 million.

Oliver Bjorkstrand now has 88 points, 12 more to 100 and solidly in 3rd in scoring in the WHL.

 

[MatthewFlames]

With a 3 point game Oliver Bjorkstrand gave the Flames their 4th million dollars under the Mountain Due Endorsement as he crossed the 100 point threshold in the WHL.

Achieved: Oscar Dansk $1 million - best Goalie in the WJC
John Klingberg $1 million - 20 points for a Dman in the SEL
Adam Clendening $1 million - 30 points for a Dman in the AHL
Oliver Bjorkstrand $1 million - 100 points for a forward in the CHL

With the Flames meeting 2 of the other 3 endorsements they will add $9.5 million to the bank account and cross over the $30 million mark. An additional couple of home playoff games continue to improve the forecast.

It hasn't been easy - it meant trading away Datsyuk and other much loved players during a depressed market but in the long run it will pay off. With teams struggling to find buyers of their expensive high priced veterans the Flames were able to stay within 2 million dollars of the floor all season.

Considering the Flames ended last season with only $4 million in the bank account the turnaround has been remarkable.

NOTES

The Flames signed Alex Killorn and Zack Kassian and promoted Jamie McBain from the minors to improve the team for the run in.

The Flames signed several players to contract extensions. Jeff Skinner, Anton Khudobin, Dion Phaneuf and Tyler Kennedy were all extended.

 

[MatthewFlames]

The Flames add to the 15 defenseman to play in the NHL this season - by having 4 goaltenders play in the NHL this season as well. Nathan Lieuwen made his NHL debut and joins Anders Lee as a Flamette that he was drafted in the HFNHL a year before he was in the NHL. He joins Alex Stalock, Anton Khudobin and James Reimer as NHL players this season.

Sam Brittain has been nominated as a finalist for the inaugural Mike Richter award, for most outstanding goalie in the college ranks.

 

[Dr.Sens(e)]

The Flames add to the 15 defenseman to play in the NHL this season - by having 4 goaltenders play in the NHL this season as well. Nathan Lieuwen made his NHL debut and joins Anders Lee as a Flamette that he was drafted in the HFNHL a year before he was in the NHL. He joins Alex Stalock, Anton Khudobin and James Reimer as NHL players this season.

Sam Brittain has been nominated as a finalist for the inaugural Mike Richter award, for most outstanding goalie in the college ranks.

Well, looks like the HFNHL Abottsford squad will be very deep next year between the pipes! As to the Flamettes, to quote his NHL coach, they may have one goalie that is "Ok".

 

[Ohio Jones]

As to the Flamettes, to quote his NHL coach, they may have one goalie that is "Ok".

Not to worry - I'm sure he'll have a different NHL coach next season - along with a new address. Hopefully he'll have a shot to be a starter somewhere. Brooklyn?

 

[MatthewFlames]

It's an exciting time of year for many young hockey players: its' professional debut time!

Fresh from being a 2nd Team All Star in the Q, Justin Hache signed an ELC with the Phoenix Coyotes and played in his first AHL game. Also in the Q, Jérémy Grégoire won the Marcel Robert Trophy as scholastic player of the year.

Coda Gordon (Flames), Radek Faksa, and Mirco Müller all played their first pro games this week. John Klingberg joined Faksa in Texas, although he did play one playoff game last season.