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As the preseason nears its end, the Calgary Flames prepare themselves for a challenging season without familiar faces or star power and enter one with a group of young and inexperienced players. A rebuild, as most would call it. The more I analyze just how things are going for the Flames in said rebuild, I can’t help but notice similar trends between Calgary and a certain Eastern Conference team from Ontario.
Not only does Calgary now employ the Leafs’ former GM, but their organization also holds very similar goals and styles of management as held by MLSE of Toronto - a style of hockey that is both entertaining and profitable. A style of hockey that can cause problems for rebuilding teams who will stop at nothing to ensure they are competitive in this league. While I bounce ideas around in my head, it dawns on me that the Flames organization is likely going to endure a very similar path taken by the Toronto Maple Leafs.
With that being said, I spend a lot of time talking about hockey with respect to several NHL teams and have a few things to say about teams outside of the Calgary Flames, as well. As most of you are aware I have been following the Flames since I was very young, but have also followed the Leafs quite closely since moving out of the Prairies.
Given that we are still in the preseason schedule and there are no games scheduled for the boys until Monday, I thought I’d share a few of my thoughts about the Buds with those who care to read. And don’t worry Flames fans; I won’t be making a habit out of this.
Most recent Flames post found
here.
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With just two preseason games under their belt, the Toronto Maple Leafs brass and fans alike have begun to analyze and constructively debate how things are going so far for the Blue & White. The team has not necessarily had the chance to get a good strong look at all remaining players, and will likely begin making their final cuts next week as they play out the remainder of the preseason.
With only eight total preseason games, six of which remain, head coach Randy Carlyle and the rest of the Leafs brass will start taking a much closer look at certain players who are vying for spots as they test them in different situations of the game. There are certain players such as Morgan Rielly, however, who feels that his fate with the Leafs this year is not all that promising.
“I am not too comfortable just yet with playing pro hockey. I think it is a gradual process. But each day that goes by, I think I am improving.” - National Post
Despite showing a lack of confidence in his own abilities, the young defender has been showing large strides in the development of his game so far this year. Throughout the Leafs rookie camp held in London Ontario, his skating was nothing short of NHL caliber which he’s carried with him into the NHL preseason camp. His teammates and coach have certainly noticed the skill level which he possesses and as a result he could find himself playing with the big club a lot longer than many expected, something which Cody Franson should be worried about.
Notwithstanding his strong skating and offensive awareness, Rielly still shows signs of being underdeveloped when it comes to playing in certain situations at the NHL level. However, Morgan is arguably the Leafs’ most ready prospect of the group and could get a lot of playing time, especially if the team can’t come to terms with Franson and his agent on an extension.
Morgan came very prepared to make this team,” Nonis told Leafs TV during the second intermission. “He is definitely going to be here for a while. I don’t think that he’s a guy that will be shipped out early. He’s a guy that’s going to push us right to the very end to make a decision.” - National Post
With respect to Franson, there does not appear to be any developments with his contract discussion. The latest on the situation from various sources indicates that Franson is seeking a one year deal around the $3M mark, whereas the Leafs are offering him a two year deal in the $4M range. While there was much to say about the Nazem Kadri signing and how many felt that they relate, I maintain that Franson’s situation will end differently. In spite of being an RFA like Kadri, Franson who’s still but 26 years old, has 243 NHL games under his belt and has played four full seasons.
The issue at hand which has been regurgitated over the past week or so is quite simple, and for that reason I will try not to delve into it too much. The Leafs are tight against the cap, with only 22 players signed to the roster, and currently have Cody Franson to get under contract in addition to Mason Raymond who is a strong possibility of also being signed. Aside from the demotions of potential players currently listed against the cap, the Leafs have shy of $2M in cap space remaining.
Franson, however, has recently stated that he understands the situation at hand with respect to the Leafs cap space and has been ready to sign a one year contract for a while. The Leafs appear that they will continue to stick to their offer as they feel it is fair. If Cody truly does want to return to the ice with his teammates, I suggest that he and his agent find a mutual agreement and soon, as the current play of guys like Morgan Rielly and Paul Ranger could start threatening his ice time.
I’d like to digress from the contract talk however, as there is a lot more to talk about with the Leafs at the moment. With respect to the preseason play so far, Leafs fans have had the opportunity to see two different groupings; one with James Reimer as a starter, and the other with Jon Bernier. I have to say - both goaltenders do not appear to be wasting time when it comes to competing for the starting position. After a strong season last year, Reimer is coming into the 2013-14 season with much more confidence than he did previously, and conversely, Bernier is being given the chance to become a starter in the NHL which was not necessarily available to him playing behind Jonathan Quick in LA.
While many fans have already decided that Bernier is the better goalie between the two, I am holding off on any such suppositions. What the Leafs have at their disposal are two young, talented goalies that have yet to really establish themselves as legitimate starting tenders in the NHL. This is certainly a good problem to have for a young Leafs team as both goalies have potential and, in my humble opinion, have neither really ousted the other in their careers so far. Let the battles begin!
Outside of goaltending, Toronto has come a long way with respect to defensive stats, systems, and players in a short time. Many analysts have been predicting a significant decrease in Toronto’s production this upcoming season given that, in their opinion, the Leafs had higher than normal shooting percentages. These same analysts felt that, with a full 82 game season, these numbers would slowly return to normal and as a consequence the Leafs would slowly decrease in productivity. Further to this, the loss of both Mikhail Grabovski and Clarke MacArthur will only add to this notion as they were among the strongest puck possession players for the team.
Although this isn’t far from the truth, these analysts have failed to account for what players like Dave Bolland, David Clarkson, Jon Bernier, and Paul Ranger can add to the team, in addition to specific stats which were just as integral with their success as did their shooting percentages - Hits, and Blocked Shots.
The Leafs were first in both of the abovementioned stats during the 2013 NHL season and ended up surprising many fans by almost knocking out the Boston Bruins in the playoffs. While speed, puck possession, and high shooting percentages is important to winning games, the Leafs have had problems over previous years with their defensive stats which has shown a significant improvement. Being first in blocked shots and hits is a credit to the style of hockey which Randy Carlyle & co. are trying to teach to their team – a physical, defensive minded, 200ft game. This is a style which has been missing from the Leafs organization for quite some time, and one which should yield positive results.
With that being said, I have been impressed with the dedication of Randy Carlyle and his group of players over the past season. They are cultivating a winning environment in which everyone is held accountable for their mistakes and there is no shortage of leadership in the dressing room...something I am hoping that the Calgary Flames are able to do under the leadership of Brian Burke and Bob Hartley.
Furthermore, Toronto has some young players who have been impressive during training camp and preseason such as Andrew MacWilliam, Andrew Crescenzi, and Chris Gibson (to name a few) which shows some organizational depth; another attribute which previous years lacked.
All things considered, the Leafs brass appear to have finally reached a point where they have very difficult decisions to make due to the number of talented young players available to them.
While they still lack a true number one centerman and a strong shutdown defender, the team is quite young and they might be able to fill those roles from within with the likes of Nazem Kadri and maybe even MacWilliam in a few short years.
Thanks for reading!
Calgary Flames Blogger • 
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