cccsberg
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Posts posted by cccsberg
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I wouldn't think Gaudreau or Monahan's contracts are going to effect anything for filling out Stockton. I think it is just another one of those fallout times for seeing who got signed with QOs and who did not. I have a feeling BT is waiting to take advantage.
I guess the only thing I am wondering is if he tries to get another 1-2 players on 2-ways for the Flames, it may impact overall Cap, and he's waiting. As far as our Camp Invites go, you'd think we would have first chance to sign them so unless he's sent out some TC invites and its not announced yet, I'd expect the longer we wait, the less chance any of those guys actually sign with us.
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It will be interesting to see how BT fills out the Stockton roster.
Yes, very definitely. They could use some vets to provide experience and stability, but then again I wouldn't mind if a couple of Development Camp invites got a contract either. And re-signing Arnold and Shore wouldn't be all that bad as well.
I am wondering if all signings have been put on hold until after the Gaudreau-Monahan signings are done? It would make some sense, since they might impact available dollars....
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I agree, I think one of the biggest improvements the Flames have made is transitioning young players. Since the Sutter Regime its been a complete 180. I think the cupboards have been filled with quality prospects quicker than most anticipated and now we have this healthy logjam of prospects. If anything I really want the Flames to finally have a competitive AHL team. It'll make all the difference in creating that winning culture the Flames have been trying to cultivate. It will be interesting to see how this years draft turns out in hindsight it seems like we may have landed some more future pieces.
One of the problems with the Stockton team is so much youth transitioning, and the resultant team that is very young. Of course, massive injuries at key positions, like G don't help either.
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I agree that having guys like Stajan and Bollig on the roster is detrimental because we have kids thst could take the spot.
But I don't think anyone can accuse the modern Flames of not giving youth a chance. We have had plenty of kids make the team in the last couple of years.
The top-level prospects, yes, but I'm not so sure about the mid-level or lower guys. The only ones I can think of are Jooris and Ferland, both who got a chance 2 years ago and last year, respectively. That doesn't really sound like a team "giving youth a chance" There hasn't been a defenceman in years (Hamilton was a 3 year vet when we got him), and goalies? Last year doesn't really qualify as "a chance" for Ortio. It has been especially galling to see many over-the-hill vets brought in which has gummed up the works and saddled the team with temporary contracts, and some of the LT contracts signed a few years back that we are still waiting to clear. Management mis-judged the development and impact of the top-level prospect's we've been able to bring in who have taken off like rockets, dragged down by excess vet baggage that we can't cut loose. I think directly as a result we've lost some pretty useable pieces, like Byron, Arnold, Agostino, Jooris and even Colborne. That's the way it goes, but hopefully management has learned some lessons and it changes going forward. Certainly at this point it appears to be the case, but unfortunately there still is most of the summer and who knows whether BT signs another 2-3 guys?
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Sometimes I feel management is a hindrance leaving no spots in the lineup for kids from the farm to graduate onto the team. Stajan blocked Derek Grant last year. This year, he may block Jankowski. Wideman knocked Nakladal off the team. It also looks like LW is crowded if Shinkaruk and Klimchuk prove NHL ready at camp.
Yes, absolutely correct. And who is Bollig bumping off the roster? Unfortunate but that's the reality. We have to hope BT can make some deals, and hold onto the best of the prospects till things open up.
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Tuulola wasn't even playing in the Mens League in Finland. He played 10 games there last year and has hardly dominated in the junior league over there too. IMO the junior leagues in Sweden/Finland are usual a step behind the CHL so I really think people are getting ahead of themselves with this "Tuulola should play in the A" stuff. Its a huge jump and like I said he's not even dominating or one of the best players in the JUnior league over there so IMO there is nothing to suggest he would even be one of the best player in the WHL if he came over. You are asking way too much of him to play in the AHL IMO, thats a huge step for him and an uncessary one.
I'm not sure where would be the best. However, since he is from Europe and not CHL-restricted, it is worth having the discussion, and for the Flames to investigate and provide input to him where he would be best served. Personally with limited viewings and knowledge, I do note he is physically mature and plays a tough, physical game that is common in NA but not in Europe. I would therefore think he would likely be better served in NA(to advance that game with better competition), and I'm not assuming its the CHL just because that's the normal/required for CHL players here. For him, like Kylington last year, the AHL is an option and needs to be weighed out thoroughly rather that what seems to be jumping to conclusions.
If the CHL wasn't restrictive I am sure we would regularly see guys go straight to the AHL, and I'm very curious about Tuulola in this specific case.
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I'm tempering expectations for all the new prospects, Tkachuk especiallly. Tuulola the same way, it was one scrimmage game nothing to get over excited over however its really rewarding to see the potential is there with such a late round pick. I'm still not comfortable with our goalie prospects, I'm still salty the Flames didn't take Demko over Macdonald, i'm really hoping MacDonald and Gillies can give us a full season of solid goaltending so we could get a real pulse on the Flames goalie situation. It would be a huge boon to finally be able to develop goalies within the Flames prospect system.
I'm tempering expectations too, however certain players have already proven in their past certain things so you take that into consideration as well. Even tempering expectations, I expect Tkachuk will have a very good chance of making the team right out of training camp as he is physically quite mature, emotionally more mature than many and has shown a skill level better than other options. Hopefully he will prove that during the Fall. With Tuulola the scrimmage was good, but getting him to the AHL (my preference) is based on the fact he is very physically mature and has an opportunity to make that jump because he's from Europe and needs to play against tougher/bigger competition to advance his game.
If CHL players were able to make the jump prior to their age 20 year, we would be having this discussion over multiple players every single year, but since they can't, we don't.
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Another draft has come and gone and it looks like the Flames came away with another fruitful couple of days! I'm still fairly surprised we were able to land Tkachuk and it looks like we may have found some potential gems in the later rounds such as Tuulola. Finally the Flames prospect pool has some competitive depth at every position. It would have been nice to see Mangiapane and Prybil but overall it looks like we should have a better AHL product on the ice this season. It will be interesting to see how the new coaching staff goes about training camp with some obvious tough decisions ahead. Very curious to see what the final roster will look like come the fall. Overall i'd give the Flames an A grade as they really covered a lot of bases with this years draft.
I would agree, lots of good guys coming down the pipe and some landing in the AHL as soon as next year. Actually I'm hopeful Tuulola lands there this year, a la Kylington, as he's already physically mature and the competition would do him good. That's going to put pressure on Ferland, Chiasson, Vey, Morrison, Rittich, Kulak, Culkin and Hathaway as RFAs after next season that'll be replaced unless unless they really step up and prove themselves this year and secure a contract going forward.
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BT has got me worried.
The Brouwer deal feels like he was pushed into a corner, (similar to the Engelland contract)
Letting Colbourne walk at 2.5 m. will haunt.
Hopefully he doesn't lose Nakladl like he did Schlemko.
Parsons at 54 HMMMM.
I am a little worried he will spend too much on JG and SM.
He has made some good moves (like elliot) but the pressure is on like the day after eating mamas triple cheese lasagna.
Sounds like you need to just relax. The Gaudreau & Monahan deals require two parties, and they seem to be working on it.
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I don't know how anyone can be unhappy with our current goaltending situation, both Elliott and Johnson are solid for this year. At the end of next season we have a wide open situation, how is this a bad thing. I don't get some people.
I agree. Seems some people have their favorites or a preconceived notion that when not met lead to blind criticism.
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Last year we added two key pieces and just figured everything else the same so playoffs plus. But everything else wasn't. Keeping that in mind let's look at next year.Ballsy prediction...
Well, that's a prediction. You talked about the positive things that improve this club, then you look at last season's results and don't think we can improve by 20 points? League worst goaltending swapped out for a league leader. There's 20 points right there.
A coaching change can happen mid-season and still have great results. Boudreau made a change during Anaheim's goal scoring drought, and they went from being below us to being tops in the Pacific. Having a camp to implement is not that bad.
We need a top 3 RW. Honestly, you could put a plug on that line and they will still lead the team. With a more stable defense core (trade/buy out Wideman and Smid) and decent goaltending, you can expect that we will not lose as many of those 2-1 or 1-0 games.
Definitely we should have a real good chance when we score more than 3 goals.
1. There have been significant changes on the team, nowhere more so than in coaching. I expect the new coaching style to be more conducive to our players, and even though GG doesn't seem to be as much a performance-driver as BH, that should be offset by players doing their best to impress the new coaches and a more effective style. Add in the advance in youngsters with this new coach and I'm expecting a gradual improvement over the season, culminating in a very strong second half. Overall a significant improvement which will get them close to playoffs.
2. Goaltending goes from a goalie who gave up on a city and ended league-worse, to the NHL's top goalie with a chip on his shoulder with something to prove. Add in his work ethic and being a fierce competitor even in practice I expect this to be a huge improvement over last year which could single-handedly drag them into the playoffs.
3. New players: The team swapped out Russell for Jokipakka which is a big improvement, but nothing else on the trade front to date. Additional trades likely to clear space for better prospects. Speaking of which this season will be a continuing story of trying to move out vets and bring in prospects, such as Stajan, Wideman, Bollig, Smid, Raymond and maybe Jooris and Colborne out with Shinkaruk, Poirier, Jankowski, Wotherspoon, Kylington and Pribyl waiting in the wings. Hopefully they will re-sign Nakladal and possibly Grant but we shall soon see. Overall the team will get better the farther BT can push this along, but it's going to take time, especially with the league's renewed focus on cheap players. For the team, a wash with slight improvements as the season goes on.
4. Injuries: This plays a critical factor every year and if it's to key players it could be devastating (I.e Brodie). However given the young guys are likely upgrades in many positions I'm thinking this will likely be a wash.
5. Opposition: Whereas Anaheim's changes are definitely focused on winning this year, and I expect a very strong year from them, the LAK and SJS are likely going to decline and Vancouver is treading water. Edmonton still has no D and are unwilling to pay the price to get some, so not expecting much there and Arizona had our number last year which isn't going to happen again. It's still going to be around 90-94 PTS for the playoffs.
Overall I expect the Flames to improve significantly, with the speed of getting the team up and playing a new style and ability of BT to turn over some over-the-hills guys critical in final results. They should be in the 90-100 point range so right in the playoff mix till the very end.
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I can see this going either way. His prev workload was based on circumstances (backup, platoon etc) when Corey Hirsch was talking about him tonight he mentioned he can definitely handle 60 games.
I think Elliot gets the bulk, and Ortio gets the backup nod. As tempting as grabbing an experienced backup is like Enroth, Montoya etc) I think the flames will use that spot as a development spot. 20-25 games, he starts dropping the ball, he will be easy to replace.
What ive heard about Elliots work ethic and compete level i think will be good for Ortio
Reimer is definitely not in the picture now
In terms of the other options, cant blame Bishop one bit for wanting his 7x7 as reported, hes earned it but glad we chose to avoid it.
I feel sorry for Fleury, but hope Rutherford chokes on his NMC when Vegas takes Murray
In the draft interviews BT made several comments about how he really likes Ortio which seemed to indicate at the least that re-signing him as our backup is a given, unless they can find someone better at a cheap cost.
Having both goalies at a total of around $3.5mm really opens up the possibilities for signing a tough, veteran RW like say a Brouwer, Okposo or even Ericsson. Any of those guys would be a great fit for the Flames 1RW, while Tkachuk/Pribyl learn the ropes and fight it out for 2RW with Bennett.
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I don't see it that way. Can't actually do an extension with him until July anyway and he has a NMC so your likely going to have to speak wth him anyway about waiving that. I think it's a big step from gettkng basic contract parameters to having an extension.
I'm also very confident in the fact that the flames have no plans on using the 6th pick to get a goalie. Only think j could maybe see them doing is trading first rounders with Tampa and even that km skeptical they would do. They want that pick IMO.
Yes, they want that pick but Bishop has got to be one of the top goalies in the league right now and age is OK, so giving up #6OA might be worth it. The problem is getting a commitment on an extension and what that will cost, and getting all this done in the next 23 hours.
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I think if Ortio outplays the new goalie its a situation where 1- you probably didn't give up that good of assets to get that new goalie or 2 - the goalie isnt' good enough to get claimed anyway. Unless you are thinking Ortio is going to outplay someone like Varlamov/Bishop or whatever big name. Stragner things have happend i guess, but I don't think nearly enough of Ortio to think that is reasonably possible.
I think is worth remember only 3 goalies are going to be drafted in the expansion draft. with the amount of goalies who could be out there and with Gilles looking auto protected whare the odds/chances Ortio is one of the best 3 goalies available? pretty slim IMO.
That's not correct. Las Vegas has a fixed number of F(14), D(9) & G(3) they HAVE to draft, totalling 26 players. They still have an additional 4 picks that can be anything, including 4 more goalies. I'd expect them to take at least 4 G to cover their NHL and AHL teams, and possibly more if the options are good and they can then turn around and offer them as trade bait for better Forwards.
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I'd take the risk. Unless Gillies has some kind of record-breaking AHL season this upcoming year, I'd say he's pretty safe. Considering the amount of other goalies on the market who are established at the NHL level already for the expansion team(s) to take. Gillies has the potential to be our Murray/Vasilevsky, but he hasn't had the seasoning in the AHL yet. He's likely 2 years (again, I'll give him 1 if he has the aforementioned record breaking season) before he's ready for the NHL. Murray, Vasilevsky and their ilk were NHL ready this season, and ready for bigger roles as of next season. Gillies isn't there yet, it's unlikely he get's picked up (more likely if it's 2 teams, but still not as likely. There are bound to be 4 better goaltenders exposed and through free agency).
Absolutely not, you NEVER take that risk, especially since we'll know for sure re his eligibility within 12 hours. If he is eligible you also do not take that risk because his history is outstanding and he'd immediately be the future for the Las Vegas team.
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It's not clear that Murray is ineligible from an expansion draft because of his AHL time which would put him over 2years. If so MAF with his NMC could force Pittsburg to trade Murray, and nothing they could do about it. More clarity tomorrow.Oh, sure that is possible. If he was claimed, they lose MAF for nothing.
The other thing is that why would MAF agree to waive his NMC to possibly get stuck in Vegas? Very few expansion teams come in as anything more than a rebuilding team. Would not be a contender for quite some time
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A posting on flamesnation.ca says that Smid is not a buyout candidate as he's not fully recovered. So, I expect that Raymond will be bought out. Wideman should probably be a little nervous.
Edit: the posting was on Darren Haynes' site -> http://www.flamesfrom80feet.ca/
hmmm.... I thought it was still unclear as to Smid's health? OK, I guess its LTIR then.
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OK toss the crystalball to the next guy. LOL
Exactly, but out of my 22 predictions I'm thinking 50% would be pretty solid. I guess the main thing is that the next 10 days are LIKELY to be very hectic.
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Expectations:
Wednesday/Friday: 2x Flames Buy-outs.... (Smid & Raymond?)
Thursday: Coach and Associate Coach announcements....(Rierdon/Gulutzen?)
next Tuesday: 8x RFA qualifications.... (Colborne, Jooris, Shore, Ortio, Hamilton, Arnold, Agostino, Wotherspoon)
next Wednesday(22nd): Expansion announcement.... (Las Vegas)
next Thursday(23rd): 2x Flames Re-signings.... (Gaudreau & Monahan)
next Friday(24th): 2x UFA Re-signings.... (Grant & Nakladal); Goalie Trade Announcement.... (Anderson & Ritchie=Ferland & Switch of 1sts); Pick Trade.... (CBJ's 3OA=Backlund & Hickey & Colborne); Draft.... (3OA-Puljujarvi, 24OA-Pascal Laberge?); Draft Trade.... (3x 2nd Rounders & Wideman=Boston's 14OA-Clayton Keller)
OK, a guy can Dream...
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I don't think i was necessarily right or wrong. Even in hindsight, i may still be wrong about suggesting the Flames acquire Kessel because he may not have helped the Flames get into the playoffs. We will never know. It's just interesting to read through some of the comments from others at the time of the suggestion now that Kessel has his name on the Cup.
You're correct. Now, where are the past comments about Schultz who also has his name on the Cup?
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I'm necromancing this thread because, well, i suggested we trade for Phil Kessel last season and pretty much got laughed at.
What would it have costed us? Maybe Sven Baertschi, maybe the 1st rounder which we turned into Dougie Hamilton (who appears to be quite a work in progress at the moment), maybe more, maybe less. Who knows but watching him basically lead the Penguins to the Cup, what are everyone's thoughts now?
Some may still be against the trade due to the cost at the time, which is fair. but some of you have to at least take back these comments. Especially, MAC331, Phaneuf + Kessel for Thornton + Marleau? Lol got two things majorly wrong at the same time. Only kehatch and Flames111 saw Kessel as a talent the Flames should have been interested in getting.
Hmmm..... must have been on holidays or something to avoid that list of comments..... Actually, I think Kessel is just fine as a player, but not interested as it wasn't a good fit for the Flames, just like Stamkos probably isn't a good fit for us this summer either.
PS: After many "discussions" with my wife over many irrelevant things, I've learned that arguing over who is 'right' and shoving that stuff into another's face doesn't really get you too far in the world, probably not too helpful on blogs either......
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I am not sure how to rationally respond either. I'm aware that my comments may be unnecessarily and unfairly insulting. With age, I've learned that this is the time to stop. In my past, I would often keep adding fuel.
It is, in fact, amazing, when I look back, that I've not been permanently banned, given how much further I took these arguements in younger days, when I didn't have the empathy to understand what I was doing...that there was more to it than who was right.
But one of the reasons I'm still around, is that in my most heated exchanges, they've almost Always, in hindsight, favoured my arguement. Coupled with a good apology, Nearly all of my "ramblings"...eventually, became popular opinion.
I probably don't have the poise and eloquence to convince you where I'm coming from. I really wish I did.
But I do have the track record.
If the Flames acquire MAF without the Pens absorbing the CAP, or if any significant future assets are lost....
It WILL be the undoing of Brad Treliving (if not Burke).
That is an absolute, guaranteed 100% promise that I have no problems staking claim to. It will be horrendously bad. And there is no question about it.
I'll never say "I told you so", because I know where that road ends too. It ends with me wishing I was wrong, because of the negative reaction. But there is Zero doubt in my mind of the sequence of events that would follow such an acquisition.
There is no need for insults in either direction, so I'll apologize on my behalf and quit while I'm ahead. It's just a game, and not worth an arguement. But I'll stand by this as I've stood by many other "unreasonable" statements in the past that sounded a whole lot less crazy over the course of time. With any luck, they won't go this route, and neither of us will ever have to know.
Although I'm not a great MAF fan, I believe he would be a very big upgrade over what we just went through. Considering the likelihood that he would be a reasonable cost, versus say an Anderson who would likely be way more expensive (and a UFA after 1 year) he is certainly at the or near the top of goalie targets for the Flames, all things considered.
JJ, just curious, but could you please name the 2-3 goalies you believe are, or should be our top targets? Might as well discuss actual goalies rather than a bunch of blog bickering....
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re: Rittich
This move changes nothing, as the Flames still need a starter and a backup... Rittich is not a consideration for either...
That's the same way I look at it cross...
Another way for some to look at it is the Flames filled a void without using a draft pick to do it...
Hmmmm... thinking Rittich may be the back-up. Stay tuned folks.
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Since you asked so nicely, both. He signed a 2 way deal. At least that is what is being reported by the talking heads and twitterverse.
Thanks, we'll see how things work out, but he'll likely start with his countryman Pribyl in the AHL. This certainly came out of left field....
Brad Treliving - GM Tracking & Evaluation
in Flames Talk
Posted
Just thinking about the rest of the summer and realized its likely going to be very quiet with the Flames for at least the next 4-6 weeks. Outside of a signing or three and the slim possibility of a trade or two, it likely will be pin-drop quiet till guys start ramping it up for the World Cup in early September, with the odd WJC try-out camp thrown in for good measure.
Time to bring the kids and grandkids up to speed on the basics of fishing.... and get out and enjoy the mountains and trails....