cross16

Flames haven't won an ugly one in a while and so far this season they've tended up come up on the wrong ends. They got some bounces but at least they took advantage. A plus more me was the Kadri line looked great. If they can get back to even 80% of what they were to start the year that's massive for the Flames. Good start to what I think needs to be a big December for the club as the schedule softens: MTL WSH ARI MIN CBJ TO MTL VAN STL SJS SJS LAk ANA EDM SEA Van Only 4 games against teams ahead of them in the standings, almost half their games against lottery teams, and no major or overly taxing road trip. This is where the team needs to find their way and their swagger if they want to accomplish something this year.

I agree in theory but I think there is opportunity for young players to come here and play. They are looking for more than just 4-5 mins a game worth of help I think.

I don't disagree with your theory I just think it's more of an attitude /execution thing and not so much a lacking skillset. You can add as many playmakers as you want but ultimately someone's got to go to the net. Someone has to win that net battle and someone's got to screen/tip. Those are all things this team should be better at but I think the mindset just isn't there yet.

I'm not really miffed about that. No 1st, 2nd or 3rd rounder in 2018 and no 2nd rounder in 2019 will do that to you. 2020 is too early to judge IMO especially when you consider COVID and the fact that the Flames were very good (and healthy) last year. Not many good teams out there have players on their roster from those draft years either so it's very much a flawed point IMO. The frustration for me lies in the fact that the offence isn't clicking right now, you've clearly got a depth issue at forward and 3 of the top scorers are just sitting there in the AHL. Draft position/year isn't really relevant to me.

I don't see this the same way as you do and I don't think the lack of a playmaker is the problem. They added Kadri, who is a very good playmaker so now they have a high end one for both lines in their top 6. On top of the fact that Mangiapane is a dual threat as is Backs. They are generated high volumes and a decent amount of quality but they've just don't bury them. They are one of the worse shooting teams in the NHL this season. I think the lack of pace in their game is not due to a lack of playmakers it's due to a lack of cohesion and too many turnovers.

I would understand and agree with the idea of it's more about getting players going than adding. We can talk additions all we want but if guys like Kadri, Mang, Huberdeau etc don't play like they should it wont' matter. However, personally think it's irresponsible planning to focus so much on external adds when you've got 3 of the top scorers in the AHL. That 100% should be tried first, especially considering we are talking about 2 former first round picks here. I think there is always a "don't know until you try" element to development because they are human beings after all. Sure Phillips is short and might not be able to handle the physical game but why not let him try and maybe he proves you wrong? Is Pelletier a great shooter no but what if he can make others better due to his intelligence/work ethic? Can Zary improve you defensively and free up other lines? This is where Sutter frustrates me. He labels and pigeon holes players too much IMO. A perfect opportunity doesn't often presents itself and other organizations aren't waiting for perfect opportunities to give their younger players a chance.

This is a surprise. Not saying it's wrong, just surprising

I get the buzz on Phillips, i really do and there is a part of me that would like to see him get a shot but Pelletier-Zary-Phillips would be my call up order. I think Zary is right there too. Playing great and I think could plug in anywhere in this lineup. Such a smart hockey player.

Made worse by the fact that there is clearly talent in the A that can help. I don't think there is another organization out there that would rather see guys like Brett Ritchie and Trevor Lewis get ice time over their first round pick who was on the AHL all rookie team last year. I know it's the trade off you get when you hire Sutter, but it doesn't make it less frustrating. Pelletier should have been on this time out of camp IMO.

I just don't think this is a fair conclusion. Small sample size and there was a lot going on at the time, mostly Huberdeau being hurt. I have my doubts Huberdeau-kadri can be an effective pair.

This comes down to expectations. I certainly woudln't argue they've been "great" they've been pretty good so are we ok with pretty good? Can Backlund/Coleman put the puck in the net enough to justify having Huberdeau there? The way the Flames are built i'm just not sure they can afford to have 3 good lines and not having a great one in there somewhere.

And if you are looking for a good news story on Huberdeau here is it. At 5 on 5 he's back to his Florida level of chance production. Looking at his average over 4 season (2017-2021 - I'm excluding last year because of system variations). Average of 2.53 Expected goals for/60. He's at 2.65 this year Avg 27.07 Scoring chances for. He's at 27.75 this year 10.21 High danger chance for. He's at 10.85. All with better defensive metrics then he ever had in Florida. Be a good time to put him back with Lindholm and players who can put the puck in the net.

Huberdeau is a big part of it but it also goes deeper than that. Mangiapane has really struggled (although some data/evidence to suggest a breakout is coming) While Kadri was great early, he's been fighting it I think the last few weeks. Not cheating them on effort but he doesn't look as comfortable. Flames D is not as active as it was last season so your are not getting the rush chances/2nd wave like they did last year As team they are actually playing at a relatively high level. Their goaltending and their top end talent just are not clicking right now. When you have that happen and you have one of the hardest schedules in the league thus far, these results are not as bad as they seem.

Nice bounce back season from Zary who has some good company in this model.

Things may not be as bad as they seem

Extremely well said. one of the few things that are frustrating having Sutter as your coach. Such an archaic methodology to player development. now to be fair, the salary cap is part of this I think but they can make it work now.

I think Kadri wants the puck until it gets to the o zone and then his strength is distributing it. I think you want 1 player who can keep up with him for potential rush chances and then another (or both) who can find open ice because he can get him the puck. Toffoli makes the most amount of sense to me there. Mang should be a great fit with him but he's just really fighting it right now. I personally don't think Huberdeau - Lindholm - Toffoli can work because who carries the puck in transition? That is why that line struggled IMO, so I'm not in a hurry to go back to them.

I don't think you'd need to change his position as once they gain the o zone their wingers are pretty interchangeable. With that amount of adjustments he's already had to make I don't think I'd be adding a foreign position to Huberdeau's list.

Willing to give this lineup a few more games but this is what I would want to see next Huberdeau - Lindholm - Coleman. I think they need to give Huberdeau and Lindholm a shot again. Huberdeau is getting more comfortable, as is Lindholm. The problem I've always seen with this pair is who carries the puck. Coleman can be a Duclair lite I think. Dube - Kadri - Toffoli - Ruzicka - Backlund - Mang. Mang has really struggled so far. Pair him with Backlund for a while who is the king at helping people find their games. Lucic - Rooney - Lewis.

Who can't be? Should be a pretty small list but it be interested to see who meets this criteria.

Flames 3rd period last night at 5 on 5: 67% Corsi 68% Fenwick 10-4 shot advantage 6-3 Scoring Chance Advantage 4-1 High Danger chance advantage the only reason the game was close was Mangiapane giving the Flyers an early xmas present.

long been the knock on him. So talented but his motor comes and goes and it went in this game. I hope he can bust that narrative.

Liked that they came out strong in the 3rd and a desire to push the play and keep the puck away from the flyers. A positive to keep building on and a good two points of course. but Philly is a bad team decimated from injuries. Flames had to be strong in this one.

I get that this has happened this year that’s not what happened on this goal. The puck was right back in the flyers ends after the goal. this was a low danger chance and a lucky bounce. It happens. 2 teams play after all.