Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

On Elliott finding his game, Tkachuk's success, Brouwer's struggles & more

February 20, 2017, 10:59 AM ET [44 Comments]
Todd Cordell
Calgary Flames Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Follow me on Twitter @ToddCordell

1) Glen Gulutzan has gone with a 'win and you're in' mentality of late, and Brian Elliott lost his last start, but I think Gulutzan should go back to him tomorrow night in Nashville.

Brian Elliott has started seven of the team's last 10 games and owns a very solid .922 save percentage in that span. He has looked comfortable, confident and is making some quality saves he simply wouldn't have made a couple months ago.

Chad Johnson, meanwhile, has allowed 18 goals over his last five starts, one of which lasted five minutes, and allowed four goals on 21 shots a couple weeks ago when the Flames were in Nashville.

Stick with the hot hand, the better goaltender, and give Elliott another chance.

2) Matthew Tkachuk leads the Flames in 5v5 points and is averaging more 5v5 assists per 60 minutes than the likes of Sidney Crosby, Patrick Kane, Artemi Panarin and many of the top playmakers in the NHL. I know it's a loaded rookie crop, but Tkachuk really doesn't get enough credit for what he has accomplished this season. He has been fantastic.

3) I didn't like the Troy Brouwer signing when it was made but I didn't expect it to look bad, this soon. It's indefensible at this point.

To date, 282 forwards have logged at least 500 minutes at 5v5. Six of them have fewer points than Brouwer. Six. Some of the many with more 5v5 points than Brouwer: Chris VandeVelde, Derek MacKenzie, Luke Glendening and Tom Wilson. To make matters worse, all of those guys have logged fewer minutes and played with worse linemates. Only three more years remaining after this one!

4) Before the season concludes I'd like to see Brett Kulak brought back up and given a chance on T.J. Brodie's pairing. I think Kulak is better than some of the guys on the pro roster (Deryk Engelland and Jyrki Jokipakka come to mind) and creating that pairing would allow Brodie to play on his off-side, where he seems to be better. This way they'd also be able to properly evaluate Kulak and know if they can confidently pencil him into their top-6 next year. Giving him a game here and there on the 3rd pairing doesn't do much good.

Recent posts:

​Flames left wanting more after dominant performance vs Canucks

On the Bartkowski signing, Bennett's usage, a PP change and more

Pacific Division bold predictions

Pacific Division breakout players
Join the Discussion: » 44 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Todd Cordell
» Three negatives from the Calgary Flames' 2020-21 campaign
» Three positives from the Calgary Flames' 2020-21 season
» Calgary Flames notes - May 19th
» Three things I'd like to see from the Calgary Flames down the stretch
» G52 Calgary Flames vs Ottawa Senators: Low-danger hockey