MatthewFlames
Registered User
The Flames are 3 points out of 8th place in the West, and are playing better in the last few weeks than at the start of the season.
OFFENCE: A-
After a slow start, the Flames offence has come alive, led by surging rookie Michael Ryder. The rookie has 8 goals and 11 assists, far out-pacing all other rookies, and is looking to make a name for himself in Calder Trophy race. He is presently playing on the second line with centre Vaclav Prospal (4-14-18). The team is seventh in the league in scoring, averaging over 3 goals per game, all the while not having any single player in the top twenty in league scoring. Milan Hejduk and Pavel Datsyuk both struggled early, but are hitting their stride at the twenty game mark. Defenceman Dan Boyle has continued to lead the offence from the back in the absence of last years top scorer Derek Morris. Boyle has 14 assists already this season.
DEFENCE: D
The team is suffering from the loss of Morris and Scott Stevens. Dan Boyle leads the charge offensively although he is a combined -5. Two rookies have stepped up this season. Dan Hamhuis has 10 points and a +1 rating - that leads the entire squad. Paul Martin, the other prized rookie, has also played well, with a 0 in the plus minus column and 5 points. While nobody can complain about the play of Toni Lydman, the lack of depth on the Flames blue-line, combined with poor defensive play from the forwards (the line of Datsyuk, Hejduk and Zednick is - 16) and lack-luster goaltending means the Flames are conceding 3.32 goals a game, 5th worst in the league.
GOALTENDING: F
The Flames thought they were in good shape with rookie Andrew Raycroft in net, but the netminder has struggled. A .882 save percentage and 3.21 GAA average lead much to be desired. The Flames knew they would have back-up troubles and didn't have anyone else ready to step into Raycrofts shoes if he struggled. Moves for Jani Hurme and then Seb Caron have done little to provide hope.
OVERALL C
The Flames are still in a play-off hunt, despite the defensive woes. Special teams have excelled, and the Flames are top ten in both power-play and penalty kill. Should the offence falter in any way - this team is in trouble.
OUTLOOK
This team is in a solid position - for the longer term future - and are still proving to be competitive enough to provide hope of a playoff spot. They have trimmed the salary down to a measly 21 million, room to pay their star rookies and keep the core veterans for years to come. Defensive shortcomings will be addressed by a core of improving veterans on the farm, and prospects who will have an immediate impact next season, players such as Steve Eminger and Zbynek Michalek. Goaltending may continue to be a problem this season and next. If Andrew Raycroft is not the guy, then who is? Seb Caron, Mike Morrison and Jason LaBarbera can all handle the back-up duties, but there is nothing in the system beyond those players. In this immediate season, the Flames defensive play must improve if the team has any shot at making the playoffs.
OFFENCE: A-
After a slow start, the Flames offence has come alive, led by surging rookie Michael Ryder. The rookie has 8 goals and 11 assists, far out-pacing all other rookies, and is looking to make a name for himself in Calder Trophy race. He is presently playing on the second line with centre Vaclav Prospal (4-14-18). The team is seventh in the league in scoring, averaging over 3 goals per game, all the while not having any single player in the top twenty in league scoring. Milan Hejduk and Pavel Datsyuk both struggled early, but are hitting their stride at the twenty game mark. Defenceman Dan Boyle has continued to lead the offence from the back in the absence of last years top scorer Derek Morris. Boyle has 14 assists already this season.
DEFENCE: D
The team is suffering from the loss of Morris and Scott Stevens. Dan Boyle leads the charge offensively although he is a combined -5. Two rookies have stepped up this season. Dan Hamhuis has 10 points and a +1 rating - that leads the entire squad. Paul Martin, the other prized rookie, has also played well, with a 0 in the plus minus column and 5 points. While nobody can complain about the play of Toni Lydman, the lack of depth on the Flames blue-line, combined with poor defensive play from the forwards (the line of Datsyuk, Hejduk and Zednick is - 16) and lack-luster goaltending means the Flames are conceding 3.32 goals a game, 5th worst in the league.
GOALTENDING: F
The Flames thought they were in good shape with rookie Andrew Raycroft in net, but the netminder has struggled. A .882 save percentage and 3.21 GAA average lead much to be desired. The Flames knew they would have back-up troubles and didn't have anyone else ready to step into Raycrofts shoes if he struggled. Moves for Jani Hurme and then Seb Caron have done little to provide hope.
OVERALL C
The Flames are still in a play-off hunt, despite the defensive woes. Special teams have excelled, and the Flames are top ten in both power-play and penalty kill. Should the offence falter in any way - this team is in trouble.
OUTLOOK
This team is in a solid position - for the longer term future - and are still proving to be competitive enough to provide hope of a playoff spot. They have trimmed the salary down to a measly 21 million, room to pay their star rookies and keep the core veterans for years to come. Defensive shortcomings will be addressed by a core of improving veterans on the farm, and prospects who will have an immediate impact next season, players such as Steve Eminger and Zbynek Michalek. Goaltending may continue to be a problem this season and next. If Andrew Raycroft is not the guy, then who is? Seb Caron, Mike Morrison and Jason LaBarbera can all handle the back-up duties, but there is nothing in the system beyond those players. In this immediate season, the Flames defensive play must improve if the team has any shot at making the playoffs.
