Quarter Season Thoughts

[Tofveve]

So I said (for all of you waiting with bated breath lol) back in October when the Flames were struggling some, that I'd reserve judgement until after American Thanksgiving, or the 20 game mark more precisely. Anyway, my disappointment at the time was to do with Gaudreau/Monahan/Ferland more than anyone, but, thankfully, I bit my tongue.

That said, I'm following through with something for all of us to chime in on.

Pretty happy for the most part with this team. Johnny and Sean struggled for a few weeks early on in the season. And I have to say it seemed it was Monahan more than Johnny but it affected the production of both. Ferland was playing a similar game to what he is for that line but has gotten better too. Anyway, it wasn't as long an exaggerated spell as last season and I'd be a moron to be anything but proud at how this line has come around, especially in recent weeks.

A+ for the first line and man, I have to say, I'm so happy to see a rejuvenation in Johnny's game in particular after a really tough year last year. Boy did it feel at moments that all that went on could derail otherwise great potential. But thank goodness the great players push through those periods. I never thought Monahan's ceiling was as high, but he's certainly elevated his game too and is firing on all pistons over the last few weeks as well. What I'm loving most is seeing the increasing confidence from the whole line.

Otherwise, I'm still disappointed with Sam's progress. Some signs of life recently, but that's got to keep growing at a quicker pace than it has.

Jagr is looking decent and is helping us, something I wasn't sure about.

Finally, and sorry for the lack of comprehensiveness here, but my biggest disappointment has to be Brodie. Gosh has he been struggling. Hamonic hasn't been great either.

Heck, I'll add a couple of more thoughts. C+ on our secondary scoring. Backlund and Frolik need to contribute more, which, like the rest of the team "has" been coming as of late. And I wouldn't say Matthew Tkachuk is having a sophomore slump by any stretch, but we could use some more of the game he brought last year.

Anyway, post your quarter mark thoughts.

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[InfinityIggy]

We are pretty, pretty good I think.

 

[Anglesmith]

Compared to the first game, we've come a long way with the puck, but we're still not sharp enough without it.

 

[Mr Snrub]

Offense:
Gaudreau is unbelievable. Playing just as good as prime Iginla. There, I said it. In fact, his game is so good right now, it's made us forget about Monahan, who is playing unbelievable hockey in his own right. Could not be happier with that top line. This is basically what I expected out of Ferland, too, so I'm happy he's meeting the expectations I set for him. Guy needed a dozen games to warm up, and that's perfectly fine.

Backlund is playing the best hockey of his career too, and it's sad that it's not being noticed with the top line lighting things up the way they have been. The guy should be in the Selke conversation this year, no doubt. The other members of 3M have been about par for the course - Tkachuk a bit better than I expected, Frolik not quite as good. Actually, let's talk about Tkachuk for a second. The guy is pulling almost a 60% Corsi while getting sewered on zone starts and is on pace for 65pts. Also somehow draws more penalties than he takes. And he's 19 f***ing years old.

Sam Bennett is still making me pretty sad. I'd be interested in trading him to recoup one of our 2nds from the Hamonic trade. If we were willing to drop a 2nd on Lazar, someone will do the same for Bennett. Jankowski is better than I expected, looks like he might turn into another Backlund, which is awesome. Jagr also better than expected, playing just as good as Frolik. Fourth line is garbage. Sad that Stajan has really been utterly useless this year. Versteeg should probably play up the lineup so we can move Sam down.

Defense:
Brodie I can understand being disappointed in, but he's also playing unbelievable offensive hockey and doing an enormous amount to help the rush. I think Smith's puck handling has really made an enormous difference in Brodie's ability to create chances. I still don't know whether I'd rather have the more well-rounded player we saw last year than the offensive dman we're seeing this year, but I can't say I'm as unhappy with his play as others are.

Hamonic on the other hand has been worse than I expected, and I expected very little. I'm willing to withhold judgement for another two weeks or so, but as of right now he really doesn't look like a lot more than a #6. Giordano and Dougie are two guys I'd also like to see some more out of, although both are playing strong defensive hockey, despite the narrative that Dougie is bad in his own end. I'd be into trying Brodie - Hamilton and Gio - Hamonic, but we've been winning lately, so there's no real reason to make a big shift.

Stone sucks. Remember when I said he wasn't worth more than 2x2 and people balked? Bart also sucks, but everyone already knew that. Kulak is the next Orr, but half of us already knew that too. (Really though, Kulak has played even better than I thought he would. Pretty sure he's going to make a good middle-pairing guy someday soon.)

Goal:
Everyone knows how good Mike Smith has been. I'll go ahead and take a second helping of crow on that one. I can see us beating Anaheim in the playoffs this year with Smith in net, which is not something I've been able to say about the Flames in a good solid 10 years.

Send down Lack, call up Rittich. It's not rocket science.

 

[Mr Snrub]

We are pretty, pretty good I think.

"Tod! Tod! It's Marvin! Your cousin, Marvin BUTTON? You know that 4th round pick you've been looking for? Well, listen to THIS!"

 

[Flames Fanatic]

Positives:

- Top Line
- 3M line
- Jankowski+Kulak growing as players
- Seeing Jagr in Flames silks makes me smile still
- I have lots of crow to eat on Smith

Negatives:

- PK needs lots of work
- Stupid penalties costing us games
- Defense still doesn't feel up to snuff, and it's not just on the struggles of the 2nd pair for the whole 20 games.
- Smith has also had some questionable games, where he has been noticeably below average.
- Bennett is still frustrating
- Stajan has fallen off a cliff.

 

[OvermanKingGainer]

Gaudreau - A++ he's been amazing. Hart frontrunner.
Smith - A the more shots he faces the better he is. I get nervous when he isn't active though
Monahan - A he's been a great sidekick. Could hit 45G/80P as I predicted he would two years ago
Ferland - A he's been a great sidekick. Could hit 25G/25A as I predicted a year ago although his current pace is 34G /17A His zone entries and cycle game have been great. Only one minor penalty. And we all know there's more gears to him.
Jankowski - A - hasn't played up to the level he's capable of, but has definitely shown flashes of why he's going to be a dominant 1C in the NHL. My only concern is he's been a bit too passive defensively. But then I remember Monahan a year ago and it's not even close how much better he is in his first year under Glen Gulutzan. Give him another 40 games under Gully and he will be in that Couturier / Koivu / Kopitar type of two way conversation. And wow, what goal scoring instinct. Has been robbed a few times on feeds from Bennett too.
Giordano - A he's playing elite Giordano caliber type defense but needs to start hitting the net more.
Tkachuk - B+ he's been pretty good but I feel like there's something missing that he'll accomplish by April
Brodie - B he's having a terrible season by TJ Brodie standards. Which is exaggerated for some reason by the fanbase. He is a top 5 D in the NHL, call me out on it, I know what we have in him come February, March, April, May, June. Oh and his terrible season he's on pace for 55 points while being matched up to top lines more than the Giordano/Hamilton pair is. Talk about first world problems.
Hamilton - B - too many penalties. Needs to cut down
Kulak - B our #4D. Fight me.
Jagr - B - it's hard to complain about anything but sometimes I cringe at his turnovers. He did his stick push on Bennett on the backcheck the other night lol. Still his offensive ability is still elite and with Janko and Bennett we have a line developing that is going to win us a playoff series this year when the Johnny or Backlund lines slump.
Backlund - B- he hasn't been as good as last year which means he only has up to go. Needs to improve on the PK though, we all know he has it in him. But if he's going to play 75% during the regular season and give us his best post season of his career, I wouldn't mind that.
Bennett - C, it was tough seeing Versteeg, Brouwer, Lazar drag him down for half the season but now that he has linemates and cut down the penalties he's been just excellent. Sucks he has to play LW though, as he looks uncomfortable there at times, but at least he gets to play with Jankowski and Jagr. Once this line starts getting puck luck they will be as good as a first line on many teams in the NHL. Could easily be sitting at 15+ points right now. Reminds me of Nazem Kadri two years ago in that regard. Still going to be our #1C when it's all said and done. Only foolishly foolish fools would doubt this kid long term.
Frolik - C-, hasn't been doing much of anything. Had an OT goal though, I guess. Tough to give him great grades when his primary role is as a PKer and we're sitting at the bottom of the league on the PK
Stone - C- possession black hole, but he sure can wire the puck. Ideal #6 defenseman. Been a bit iffy on the PK though, needs to stop doing Russell impressions.
Freddie Hamilton - C - I dunno, can't complain. Best 14th forward in the NHL, I guess
Hamonic - D quietly been our worst regular defenseman. his 5v5 xGF% is at 39% right now which is by far the worst on the team. However he gets a mulligan since he's playing for a new coach with a new partner in a new conference.
Stajan - D - too many penalties. Still the best player on that line
Lazar - F - not an NHL talent. No instinct whatsoever on the offensive side of the red line. Nice speed tho.
Brouwer - F - lol. he'spretty terrible. At least he had one good game a few games ago.
Versteeg - F - been better the last few games, but our worst forward all season for the most part. Classic case of a vet handed opportunity and every chance to fail until they break their slump, while better plays may not get half that opportunity.
Glass - F- - lol technically he's our worst forward but at least he's in the league where he belongs now.
Bartkowski - F- - He however, is not in the league where he belongs yet


AHL
Mangiapane - A+ whoa he's killin' it
Rittich - A+ whoa he's killin' it
Hathaway - A whoa he's killin' it
Kylington - A+whoa he's shillin it. He's better than Kulak right now. But I'm perfectly content letting him marinate, bigger, stronger, calmer. Last time we had a defense prospect this good, it was Brodie and he was already in the NHL at the same ability level.
Andersson - B+ he's better than Bartkowski. Still not an everyday NHLer yet though. Will be soon, and more talented than Stone/Hamonic overall.
Hrivik - B+ I really like him
Gillies - B inconsistent
Wotherspoon - B - he's better than Bartkowski.
Klimchuk - C + - I wouldn't mind him on the 4th line as a PK specialist.
Poirier - C+ numbers aren't there but the ability is
Foo - C - meh
Lomberg - C - meh
Shinkaruk - D - meh KHLer

 

[Skobel24]

Pros
----
Ferland showing some consistency finally. He seems like he's finally fit that role. The entire top line is doing really well. The 3M line has been solid, but I want a bit more from Frolik. Jankowski and Jagr look great. Brodie has had some rough games, but he's had some great ones too. Stone and Kulak look solid as well.
Smith has been a god most nights.

Cons
----
Gulutzan. Good coach, but I don't think he's using the guys as well as he could. Giordano, Hamilton, Brodie, and Hamonic have all been a bit disappointing so far. The 4th line has been trash just about every single night, and I've just about had enough of Bennett. I want him to succeed, but at this point, I think it's safe to say he won't be a center. The PK has been brutal, GG needs to fix that ASAP.

 

[Mobiandi]

The good:

- Gaudreau is the best player in the West right now. He's started shooting the more this season and it's paying dividends.
- Ferland looks really good. He can't go as cold as he went to start the season but he looks determines to cement himself on the top line.
- All of Monahan's goals come from within 10 feet of the net but defensemen still haven't figured out how to stop him.
- Giordano looks like the only defenseman on this team who knows how to defend right now. Been otherworldly.
- Tkachuk is still a puck possession monster and he's only 19. I still want to see him Gaudreau at some point.
-Backlund has been quietly good. A step back from last season, but that would've been hard to replicate anyway.
- We have Smith to thank for roughly 6-7 wins so far and for making us look competitive in about 2-3 losses too. Can't ride him like Kipper otherwise we'll be trounced in the playoffs
- Hamonic started off this brightly but hasn't looked good since coming back from his injury.
- PP is red hot. But what'll happen when Monahan is taken out of the equation and we have 3 passers with muffins?

The bad:

- Brodie looks good with the puck but he'd be crucified by fans if his name was "Wideman" right now. No way he's forgotten how to play hockey, but he's playing too much right now.
- The PK is absolutely dreadful. How can we be so passive but so careless with regard to forwards in and around the crease? All they have to do is throw the puck on net and a rebound will be put home 43.8% of the time (as of November 19).
- Bartkowski isn't an NHL player anymore.
- Versteeg barely still is.
- Hamilton's stat line is deceiving. He hasn't contributed much of anything at all that would make you think he is an elite offensive defenseman. A good portion of his assists have been some seeing eye shots tipped in or put away after a couple bounces. But like I said in another post, I'm not sure if GG is restricting him or it's something on Hamilton's end.
- 4th line + 3rd pairing shifts will cost us in big games. GG needs to cut this shit out
- Starting to look like we should've held on to our 2nd

 

[Tofveve]

Offense:
Gaudreau is unbelievable. Playing just as good as prime Iginla. There, I said it. In fact, his game is so good right now, it's made us forget about Monahan, who is playing unbelievable hockey in his own right. Could not be happier with that top line. This is basically what I expected out of Ferland, too, so I'm happy he's meeting the expectations I set for him. Guy needed a dozen games to warm up, and that's perfectly fine.

Agreed on all of this. Unbelievable times.

Backlund is playing the best hockey of his career too, and it's sad that it's not being noticed with the top line lighting things up the way they have been. The guy should be in the Selke conversation this year, no doubt.

Is he that good? Admittedly I can't watch games like I'd like being out here in Ontario. I've been watching more with their current east-coast swing. I guess I've been looking more at his point production which has just picked up recently, finally. But I'm glad to hear more commentary on his defensive prowess.

The other members of 3M have been about par for the course - Tkachuk a bit better than I expected, Frolik not quite as good. Actually, let's talk about Tkachuk for a second. The guy is pulling almost a 60% Corsi while getting sewered on zone starts and is on pace for 65pts. Also somehow draws more penalties than he takes. And he's 19 ****ing years old.

Again, thanks for the Corsi on Matthew Tkachuk. I think you're higher on Matthew's play so far than I, but you may not be wrong. Not that I think he's been playing poorly, would just like a little more goal production. But 15 points isn't horrible either on the whole.

Sam Bennett is still making me pretty sad. I'd be interested in trading him to recoup one of our 2nds from the Hamonic trade. If we were willing to drop a 2nd on Lazar, someone will do the same for Bennett.

Yeah, I'm waffling a bit on Sam. In a sense, if we take another year or two hoping Sam will come into fine form, and then he doesn't, that knocks his trade-value way back. Other teams could still be sold on his young age and junior career numbers. I'm leaning to still waiting on him. At least for this year. Maybe let him get into next season too. I don't know, the kid has to prove himself - this league is the best in the world, and this is the way it is.

Jankowski is better than I expected, looks like he might turn into another Backlund, which is awesome. Jagr also better than expected, playing just as good as Frolik. Fourth line is garbage. Sad that Stajan has really been utterly useless this year. Versteeg should probably play up the lineup so we can move Sam down.

I'm not sure I look at Stajan the same way. But then again I'm a hugger lol.

Versteeg, like most everyone else, has gotten better lately. But overall I'm ugh sometimes, especially on the PP. Oh well, better than some options I suppose.

Defense:
Brodie I can understand being disappointed in, but he's also playing unbelievable offensive hockey and doing an enormous amount to help the rush. I think Smith's puck handling has really made an enormous difference in Brodie's ability to create chances. I still don't know whether I'd rather have the more well-rounded player we saw last year than the offensive dman we're seeing this year, but I can't say I'm as unhappy with his play as others are.

But has he gotten better than the D that was talked in Norris conversations over the last handful of years? I'm not seeing positive progression. On the negative side, I feel I'm seeing someone who's playing like he turned into a smaller, less confident player in a big man's game. He's made so many mistakes over the last few games I've watched I've been shocked. Again, for me the difference is maybe more noticeable after not seeing him as much this year compared to previous ones. I do see a lot of rushing as you say, but I see a ton of miscues and failed attempts at a nearly 50/50 success to failure ratio. To emphasize, as of late. I didn't watch as many games prior to the road trip.

Hamonic on the other hand has been worse than I expected, and I expected very little. I'm willing to withhold judgement for another two weeks or so, but as of right now he really doesn't look like a lot more than a #6.

I agree with this.

Giordano and Dougie are two guys I'd also like to see some more out of, although both are playing strong defensive hockey, despite the narrative that Dougie is bad in his own end. I'd be into trying Brodie - Hamilton and Gio - Hamonic, but we've been winning lately, so there's no real reason to make a big shift.

I agree with this as well.

Stone sucks. Remember when I said he wasn't worth more than 2x2 and people balked? Bart also sucks, but everyone already knew that. Kulak is the next Orr, but half of us already knew that too. (Really though, Kulak has played even better than I thought he would. Pretty sure he's going to make a good middle-pairing guy someday soon.)

Interesting thoughts, thanks.

Goal:
Everyone knows how good Mike Smith has been. I'll go ahead and take a second helping of crow on that one. I can see us beating Anaheim in the playoffs this year with Smith in net, which is not something I've been able to say about the Flames in a good solid 10 years.

Send down Lack, call up Rittich. It's not rocket science.

Yeah, I totally agree about Smith and I can eat some crow too though I didn't say too much, but I was a bit unsure about his age and questioned him being the one to fill our need. But he's been great for sure.

 

[Tofveve]

I appreciate the write-ups here guys. I'm going to concede a lot of the opinions because I just haven't been able to watch as closely throughout the whole 20 games as I'd have liked. I miss living in Calgary (and area)!

 

[Johnny Hoxville]

Tkachuk, Gio and Smith have been my favourite players. Johnny and Mony have been elite. Have to be happy overall because the results have been about B and we still have a ton of room to improve.

 

[Mr Snrub]

Is he that good? Admittedly I can't watch games like I'd like being out here in Ontario. I've been watching more with their current east-coast swing. I guess I've been looking more at his point production which has just picked up recently, finally. But I'm glad to hear more commentary on his defensive prowess.

In my opinion he's been better than he was last year. I think a lot of the attention people gave Backlund last year had to do with his increase in point production more than a huge improvement in his all-around game, in addition to the fact that he was one of the brightest spots in an off year for Johnny/Mony. This year I'm seeing his two-way game take an even bigger step. Every read the guy makes, every pass lands exactly where it should. I just don't think people notice as much because of the show the top line is putting on.

But has he gotten better than the D that was talked in Norris conversations over the last handful of years? I'm not seeing positive progression. On the negative side, I feel I'm seeing someone who's playing like he turned into a smaller, less confident player in a big man's game. He's made so many mistakes over the last few games I've watched I've been shocked. Again, for me the difference is maybe more noticeable after not seeing him as much this year compared to previous ones. I do see a lot of rushing as you say, but I see a ton of miscues and failed attempts at a nearly 50/50 success to failure ratio. To emphasize, as of late. I didn't watch as many games prior to the road trip.

Play for play, I think he's been roughly average defensively, the problem is that the chances he gives up are often big ones.

I disagree about the confidence though. I think he has more confidence to play his own game, and that simply entails in him making a lot of really dangerous plays. I have faith that he'll pull shit together, but I hope it doesn't come at the expense of too much of this strength at moving the puck and setting up the play that we've seen.

 

[Rangediddy]

In a gif:

 

[Dack]

My grades take into account what I expected and overall play.

Gaudreau: A+ I expected him to get around 80 points this season but he' been dominant. Love that he's starting to take more shots.

Monahan: A+ Best start to a season of his career and really the only good start outside of his rookie season been much better than the last two seasons at being actively involved even when he's not scoring. Best hockey of his career and really starting to push on the ceiling that I appear to have capped him at prematurely.

Ferland: A He didn't have a great start to the season but he's now on pace for 30+ goals and 50+ points.

Tkachuk: B+ He's been good. On pace for 60+ points and still a possession monster.

Backlund: B He's been about what he was last season. I wish he could save our PK though.

Frolik: C He hasn't been awful but I think we need a little more offence out of him. I expect he'll start producing more as the season goes on.

Jagr: B Hasn't played much but is awesome when he does play. Very happy with his signing.

Jankowski: C+ Very good defensive and neutral zone player and he's starting to get chances too. Hopefully he can play at a 35+ point pace the rest of the way.

Bennett: F He's been better at wing but as a whole I expected a good 3c who could chip on 40 points and I'm seriously disappointed.

Versteeg: D+ I like him he's talented but he needs to cut back on the mistakes.

Lazar: D I didn't really expect much so I can't say I'm disappointed. Ugly trade.

Brouwer: D Better on the 4th line but I think it's safe to say he isn't bouncing back.

Stajan: D Like the defence but he has no points.

Gio: B+ He's been the best D man as he should be but that hasn't really been a hard task.

Hamilton: B- Still takes a tonne of penalties but he's got a pretty much identical 5v5 P/60 (His was great last year and is about the same this year too) Not his fault that PP2 didn't produce until last game.

Brodie: C- The offensive resurgence is nice but my god has he been bad defensively.

Hamonic: D+ He struggles with breakout passing IMO. He and Brodie have been an analytical tire fire this season. When I see the other team get a scoring chance more often then not it seems to be against this pairing. Still time for him to turn it around but I'm not loving the trade right now. I was really hoping the Leafs would get him and we'd persue a more cost effective target.

Stone: C- When he and Kulak are the bottom pairing I think they work well together. Still don't like the contract whatsoever.

Kulak: C+ Has some gaffes here and there but the nobility is hugely needed on the bottom pair. Also love his ability to hold the zone.

Bartkowski: F When he plays I braced myself for the bad.

Smith: A Overall great weak last few games.

Lack: C- Not ready to scewer the guy who's barely played.

Coaching: C- I'll never completely agree with NHL personnel choices but some of his choices are really bad. Also our PK was good last season what happened?

 

[Lunatik]

Better than I expected: Smith, Gaudreau, Monahan, Ferland, Jagr, Kulak
Worse than I expected: Bennett, Bartkowski, Brodie

 

[Volica]

Overall happy.
I think the team could still improve. No reason they shouldn't be the class of the Pacific.

 

[Bounces R Way]

Huh. Who could of foreseen consistent starting goaltending making such a difference.

Gaudreau has been a phenomenal, Hart quality player for the Flames so far. His linemates have seemed to rise to the challenge. Imagine if the second pairing and third line get their ass in gear. Been a while since we hung a banner.. Just sayin.

 

[CamPopplestone]

Hamonic is one I am just not happy with. Out of all the D in the league considered generally by everyone to be a top 4 D I think he's the most overratd in the league

 

[Mr Snrub]

Hamonic is one I am just not happy with. Out of all the D in the league considered generally by everyone to be a top 4 D I think he's the most overratd in the league

I said this when we acquired him and people wouldn't give me the time of day whatsoever. Like I said, I'll give the guy another two weeks, but I'm doubtful he's going to turn it around to that extent.

 

[CamPopplestone]

I said this when we acquired him and people wouldn't give me the time of day whatsoever. Like I said, I'll give the guy another two weeks, but I'm doubtful he's going to turn it around to that extent.

I don't think he's useless or anything, but he's a #5 imo, or an absolute fringe #4, and even with our top 3 I tend to be in the group that thinks the Flames have a very overrated D corps

 

[Lunatik]

The defense corps is overrated, but its overrated more so because of Brodie and Hamilton than Hamonic. The Flames lack guys that can play a stay at home game, that has been out biggest problem for years.

 

[Rangediddy]

Hamonic is going through the same growing pains Hamilton did

 

[Johnny Hoxville]

Rhett Warrener compared Hamonic to Sarich. I disagree with that, to an extent. In his prime, Sarich was a really good shutdown dman. But Hamonic is a tier above for me. He is more on the Regehr level while being a better skater, passer and better producer. We still haven’t seen the best of Hamsandwich.

 

[Rangediddy]

Rhett Warrener compared Hamonic to Sarich. I disagree with that, to an extent. In his prime, Sarich was a really good shutdown dman. But Hamonic is a tier above for me. He is more on the Regehr level while being a better skater, passer and better producer. We still haven’t seen the best of Hamsandwich.

God I hope you’re right on that one