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The Calgary Flames should benefit from cutting dead weight |
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Follow me on Twitter @ToddCordell
The Calgary Flames have had a very productive off-season.
Not only have they added several pieces that should help them take the next step (Travis Hamonic really solidifies the top-4, Mike Smith will probably be better with a capable roster in front of him, etc.), but they also cut a lot of dead weight.
Deryk Engelland is gone. Dennis Wideman is gone. Lance Bouma is gone. Matt Bartkowski, while still on the roster, probably won't be in the top-6 next season. Alex Chiasson is a solid depth piece but, for the most part, these are addition by subtraction losses.
Take a look at how much worse the Flames were at 5v5 -- in terms of controlling shots and goals -- with those guys on the ice.
All but Chiasson made a negative impact in terms of Corsi and all but Engelland made a negative impact on the Flames' goal differential. In his case, he was only a hair above the team's average.
Today's NHL is built on speed and skill and none of the five players who were let go, or figure to have their role cut (I'm looking at you, Bartkowski), bring much to the table in either category.
Depth matters a lot -- especially come playoff time -- so I'm interested to see how much better the Flames will be without several anchors they had weighing them down last season. I think it'll make a noticeable difference.
Recent posts:
Smith could be a more than adequate solution for the Flames
On Ferland, raising the ceiling, and the potential to add more
On Lazar's two-year extension
On Ferland's two-year extension
On Valimaki and his lofty goal of making the Flames out of camp
The Flames shouldn't bring back Iginla
Jagr could be a fit for the Flames
Breaking down the Travis Hamonic trade
Flames select Juuso Valimaki 16th overall
Calgary Flames Blogger • 
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