Who needs to step up?

[Slush]

What player do you think needs to step up during the second half of the season?

I think that player needs to be Brian Elliot. He has been a bit disappointing so far and he is in a contract year so you know he would love to get a big contract somewhere. I think he steps it up big time in the second half.

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[MonyontheMoney]

Everyone

 

[Tkachuk Norris]

Gaudreau and one of the goalies

 

[Anglesmith]

Brian Elliott has already stepped up, in my opinion. He is, right now, and since about December, giving us the type of goaltending we need out of our goalie. As long as our team plays better than the other team, we should win most nights.

I think, without a doubt, the guy that needs to step up is Johnny Gaudreau. He needs to lead our offence every night and be a threat when he's on the ice. He can't be invisible for 90% of the game and get himself a secondary assist late in the game when things are out of reach.

The last few weeks of that first half was the worst stretch of hockey we've ever witnessed Gaudreau play. He had no hands and no vision, and wasn't really threatening the other team at all. If he can regain form and give us a credible first line again to follow up with the Backlund trio, we'll be a hard team to play against. If we get that, I think we're a playoff team.

 

[Ynnek]

This thread should be called who doesn't.

 

[TkachuksMouthguard]

Monahan and Gaudreau!

Monahan needs to take the next level in become a strong play driving C. He has the body for it and drive to the net.

Gaudreau needs to ear his big pay day now! He seems to be at some dangerous cross roads that he needs to overcome. The rest of the league has figured him out and he can’t just freely run around. He needs to evolve his game like all great stick handlers have. That plus Flames need to support the kid and put some players next to him that take the attention off him. See point above about Monahan.

 

[Anglesmith]

Oh, also Samwise Bennett.

If Bennett and Gaudreau both play to their ability, this team will be very dangerous.

 

[Wendy Clear]

Tonight? Everyone. A solid 7-3 win will do. I'm going to the game.

 

[Internazionale]

Everyone, but I think the most pressure falls on Monahan and Gaudreau. These guys just aren't getting it done for the money they are making.

 

[Tkachuk Norris]

Everyone, but I think the most pressure falls on Monahan and Gaudreau. These guys just aren't getting it done for the money they are making.

Monahan has been getting 2-3 scoring chances per game for the most part over the last 25 games or so. Don't know how you can ask him to do much more then that.

 

[Anglesmith]

Yeah, I omitted Monahan because he's been playing loads better lately.

 

[InfinityIggy]

Gaudreau, Bennett and Brodie.

 

[Ace Rimmer]

Bennett needs to get out of his funk. Brodie needs to stop playing like a clown on fire.

Either goalie will do. Preferably both, just not at the same time.

 

[Internazionale]

Monahan has been getting 2-3 scoring chances per game for the most part over the last 25 games or so. Don't know how you can ask him to do much more then that.

Ok he has 3 goals and 1 assist in his last 5 games. Plus/minus is -15 so far this year. Needs to do more work on both ends of the ice.

 

[Mr Snrub]

Let's start with the obvious ones:

Elliott
Brodie
Brouwer
Jokipakka
Gaudreau
Monahan

Shortlist:
Bennett
Johnson
Giordano
Wideman
Bouma

 

[Lunatik]

Gaudreau, Monahan, Bennett, Brodie, Elliott

 

[Boomstick]

All of the above. Not very happy with anyone's effort lately. The stars have to become stars again. Everyone has to play the role that they've been given.
Play the coach's system and things will turn around.
Don't play the coach's system, don't play your role they'll continue to suffer. To me it's all about effort.

 

[Mr Snrub]

I'm very surprised at the lack of people saying they want more out of Brouwer. Even though he's frequently a whipping boy I think even his fans have to admit he's underperforming.

 

[Lunatik]

I'm very surprised at the lack of people saying they want more out of Brouwer. Even though he's frequently a whipping boy I think even his fans have to admit he's underperforming.

Complimentary players will look better when top players start carrying their weight. If Gaudreau, Monahan and Bennett start playing better it will make the Brouwer's, Versteeg's and Ferland's look better.

 

[Johnny Hoxville]

Gaudreau, Monahan, Bennett, Brodie, Elliott

Damn you BDB, I came here to say exactly this.

 

[Ace Rimmer]

I'm very surprised at the lack of people saying they want more out of Brouwer. Even though he's frequently a whipping boy I think even his fans have to admit he's underperforming.

As one of his fans, I think he's performing about as well as I expected.

 

[Dertell]

Elliott had one month with a remotely acceptable save% - the one with the smallest sample size.

October- .891
November- .869
December- .919
January- .892

Elliott will have to play like he did in December. It's not too much to ask for given it's below his numbers in STL. If he does that, I have little doubt we make the playoff regardless of everything else. I would help if Gaudreau and Bennett started scoring too. Brodie and Monahan already went back to their old form so it's all about the other three.

He's not a player, but it would help if Gulutzan made better decisions. Playing Brouwer and Brodie/Wideman less would be a good start. Dropping the "1"PP unit would be a bonus.

I'm very surprised at the lack of people saying they want more out of Brouwer.

I didn't expect anything more so it's not worth it.

 

[Johnny Hoxville]

Gaudreau and Monahan need to play to their levels they did under Hartley.

Bennett needs to take the step that he was expected to this season.

The M line needs to keep playing the way they have.

Brodie needs to be a difference maker and play like a top pairing Dman.

Lastly, Elliott (Johnson) needs to just play above average and make saves at the right time.

Oh yeah, Gully needs to coach better. He needs to push the right buttons and get this team to give it their max effort.