I'm probably coming off as a Johnny hater, but I'm the furthest thing from it. Hell, I own a couple of his sweaters. The fact is we don't have the ability to surround him with the kind of players he needs to accel in the tough games.
So, instead, we are going to fill the gaps with more plugs until he is a UFA and walks for free.
It's incredibly frustrating to know that we have our core locked up with sweetheart deals and we are still unable to get them the help they need because we are out of cap room.
I tend to look at the forest, instead of the tree, and from where I stand, there is a lot of teams getting a lot better in the Western Conference, teams that we will not be able to compete with....Vancouver, Colorado, Oilers, etc....so what's the point in hanging around the "middle" if the only chance we have at a decent playoff run is "catching lightning in a bottle"?
The Flames find themselves in the same spot as they have for the last 20 years, not good enough to win it all and not bad enough to get something great in the draft. Well, we did get that 4th OA pick that one time, and managed to get a 4th line grinder out of it!! But hey, in the playoffs he's great!! I love how there are people that praise his performance in the playoffs!! What about the rest of the year?? What about playing with that same intensity and not taking 250 stupid O-ZOne penalties a year??
But that's a rant for another time......
Great points there and a very wow, but real look at the Flames reality.
Who should go? What are the needs?
Need(s): - solidify Goalie/ net -either stand behind Rittich and pump him up and play through adversity, or shop for a #1 . Need a solid back-up/ 1'B' for sure.
( maybe go in on Jakob Markstrom, UFA)
- r.h.s. Dmen!! A couple warm bodies who can tread water in the NHL, minmum. At least top young one or a proven top4 r.h. shooter back there (better than Michael Stone, please!)
- a new top #1 C, to have Money and Backs as #2/3, depending on opponent, game situation as per more shut-down or more attack, offense, etc. Or get best offer for him - (Wpg might open a youthful vault to land Money for a 2C?)
- fix or accentuate the "Johnny Hockey" conundrum. That is, find a couple new/ more in-your-dogged checking-puck finishing line-mates. Or, the dreaded trade him before decline in value in "desperation to get something before walks to FA?" Or decline in his output, effectiveness dull, dwindle.
- time to inject the younger "pushers" into the core and find roles for them, valued and committed to by coaches in ice time, this coming season. That being: E Lindy,
A Mangiapane, D Dube, S Bennett, R Andersson, N Hanifin, O Kylington&/Or J Valamaki, D Rittich?
Even some new coming up "blood" prospects may push to deserve valid spots! GG,ME-P, A Ruz', JP, ET,
DZ, MP×2, DW(G).
Up Mangy new contract and give Sam Bennett a true role for regular season and ( maybe an 'A' on his chest?)
- employ a more aggressive forecheck, clog up middle/ center ice, attack in waves approach system(s). We don't have the horses who drive offensive play on the backend as much anymore, so play a forward carries play in zone and others drive for openings or dump and attack chase in a layers.
Need a playmaker, driver on each line if our D are not capable activated puck-carriers, (example is Noah Hanifin is more effective when he finds the safe outlet pass or dump up & out, maybe his junior hype and rookie season in Car he showed rushing skills but his game last couple years is not up to par of opponents forecheckers and center ice clogging systems to not lose pucks and give it away with nobody back to defend, one example).
JM suggestions?
What does Iggy have to with Gaudreau? Do you really think believe that if Johnny starting to hit and check, that is going to make him better at hockey? Gaudreau is not a power forward, he’s not a Sam Bennett or Tkachuk and honestly the only players today that really do that well are Brady Tkachuk and Tom Wilson. Gaudreau needs to focus on being Gaudreau and playing a skilled game. If the Flames were smart they would keep him happy and surround him with better players. I really think playing him with Bennett and Tkachuk is the best option for next season.
Yes, play Johnny with harder-nosed players who attack and get in opponents way, faces, finish checks. Johnny's wizardry can come to forefront again in dragging defenders out of lanes, zones, position chasing him around with the puck on a string. This can happen more effectively with teammates who get in the hard areas, free up pucks for Johnny and rake opponentsoff their game!
Could be a great line if Benny can become a quality Center again. Could make moving Money out for new blood, future quality players! Have Backs and D Ryan (1 more year on contract) for experienced, decent face-off positional centers, and Dillon Dube IS ready to give full try at Center. Also, Lindy has been/ can play Center, too!
Lots of "to do's" this strange off-season for Tre. Will he help satisfy this fan-base's opinions and desired suggestions, to help the team move forward to higher steps? Wait to see. Meanwhile we can keep scheming up possible trade targets, changes to formulate improvement.