Todd Cordell: Calgary Flames: On Shot Assist Numbers & Johnny Gaudreau

Now the million dollar question... does Wideman's offensive ability offset his defensive liability enough to keep him? And if he were paired with a legitimate partner, could he find some confidence and magic again?

Now the million dollar question... does Wideman's offensive ability offset his defensive liability enough to keep him? And if he were paired with a legitimate partner, could he find some confidence and magic again?
- jtommyt

His shot assist numbers are very good.

http://public.tableau.com...RZMPTZ?:display_count=yes

Though his CD60 and GD60 is bad

http://public.tableau.com...DMRZ4K?:display_count=yes

He is one of CGYs best at generating offense both passing and shooting wise

http://public.tableau.com...Z4T42Q?:display_count=yes

However he did spend a majority of his time with Engelland or Russell

http://public.tableau.com...WPTYQW?:display_count=yes

Shelter him and play him with a better partner and he should be very effective.

I'd be rolling

Gio - Dougie
Brodie - Wideman
Jokipakka - Nakladal

I tend to agree that splitting up Gio/Brodie long term probably makes the most sense. You have two pairings that should limit shot attempts while being able to support the rush going the other way. Dougie came around in the latter half of the season last year, and if we are holding onto Wideman, I would rather pair him with a solid defender in Brodie than a rookie...

I'd be rolling

Gio - Dougie
Brodie - Wideman
Jokipakka - Nakladal
- Feds91Stammer

I can't see Nakladal on this team. Wotherspoon, Kylington or Andersson all look as NHL ready at a much younger age.

I tend to agree that splitting up Gio/Brodie long term probably makes the most sense. You have two pairings that should limit shot attempts while being able to support the rush going the other way. Dougie came around in the latter half of the season last year, and if we are holding onto Wideman, I would rather pair him with a solid defender in Brodie than a rookie...
- rmull905

Also splitting them up gives you 2 pairings that should be able to eat up 45+ mins a night allowing you to shelter whomever is on the 3rd pair.

I can't see Nakladal on this team. Wotherspoon, Kylington or Andersson all look as NHL ready at a much younger age.
- tincup

I just really liked what I saw out of him and he would be cheap to re-sign but I would understand if they feel they have someone internally to take that spot.

I'd be rolling

Gio - Dougie
Brodie - Wideman
Jokipakka - Nakladal
- Feds91Stammer

Nah. If they split up Gio/Brodie, it should be to start the Brodie/Hamilton top pair. I would give Wideman/Gio a another look. They looked pretty good together a couple of years ago.

I can't see Nakladal on this team. Wotherspoon, Kylington or Andersson all look as NHL ready at a much younger age.
- tincup

What makes you think that Kylington and Anderssen look NHL ready? Ive seen nothing to suggest that as of yet. I'd like to get Nak resigned.

What makes you think that Kylington and Anderssen look NHL ready? Ive seen nothing to suggest that as of yet. I'd like to get Nak resigned.
- TandA4Flames

I agree on Nak but don't dismiss the fact there's a good chance that one of Kyl or And make the team. Everything I've heard is that they both would be ready to make the jump. And remember when we drafted Kly he dropped out of the top 5. That had nothing to do with his talent.

Nah. If they split up Gio/Brodie, it should be to start the Brodie/Hamilton top pair. I would give Wideman/Gio a another look. They looked pretty good together a couple of years ago.
- TandA4Flames

That works too. Both of those pairs had respectable underlying numbers last season.

What makes you think that Kylington and Anderssen look NHL ready? Ive seen nothing to suggest that as of yet. I'd like to get Nak resigned.
- TandA4Flames

I said as NHL ready as Nakladal. I'm not sold that Nak has enough speed to play regularly in the NHL. Kylington certainly does have NHL speed but he's very young. Still not sure about Anderssen but he might be ready and this is the fish or cut bait year for Wotherspoon. Then there's Kulak. I would say as long as Wideman, Engelland and possibly Smid are around why do you need another slowish veteran depth dman ? Just my opinion mind you but rather see a young guy in there. I'd be happy if Nakladal would take a two way contract which might be what happens.

Only way I can see us signing Nakladal is if we were able to dump one or more of Wideman, Engellund and Smid. One of Kulak or Wotherspoon should be able to step in and play bottom pairing minutes (I'd use Engellund as the 7th dman).

By the end of this season I think there's a good chance that one of Fat Rass or Kylington could be ready to challenge for an NHL spot (my money's on Fat Rass, I think Kylington needs a full year to improve upon his defensive game).

It's a shame because I do think Nakladal deserves another contract, we just don't really have the room on the roster to make it happen.

I agree on Nak but don't dismiss the fact there's a good chance that one of Kyl or And make the team. Everything I've heard is that they both would be ready to make the jump. And remember when we drafted Kly he dropped out of the top 5. That had nothing to do with his talent.
- Clyde334

I don't discount that one of them could make it, I definitly expect Wotherspoon to be up with the big club. But Kylington, despite making huge strides, still has a ways to go. And Anderssen still needs to learn how to be a pro. BT roasted him on his conditioning earlier. Certainly, a year in the AHL wouldn't hurt.

Sign Nak, try to trade Wideman or Engs but either way, have Wotherspoon and Nak there. By next year, if Jokki gets picked up on expansion, we have Gio, Brodie, Hamilton, Nak and Spoon with spots #6 and #7 available.

Only way I can see us signing Nakladal is if we were able to dump one or more of Wideman, Engellund and Smid. One of Kulak or Wotherspoon should be able to step in and play bottom pairing minutes (I'd use Engellund as the 7th dman).

By the end of this season I think there's a good chance that one of Fat Rass or Kylington could be ready to challenge for an NHL spot (my money's on Fat Rass, I think Kylington needs a full year to improve upon his defensive game).

It's a shame because I do think Nakladal deserves another contract, we just don't really have the room on the roster to make it happen.
- Saskabush

I think it would be a mistake to trade Engs! Did you notice no one takes runs at our players. That's not by chance!

I think it would be a mistake to trade Engs! Did you notice no one takes runs at our players. That's not by chance!
- Clyde334

Other option might be to float him to the 4th line if you can get rid of Bollig's dead weight there...

Afternoon gents.

I am hoping Nak comes to training camp. More competition for the young guys. Wouldbbe sweet of Wideman stsrted playing like he bolonged on the 2nd pair again.

I agree with Clyde. Hold ontp Engelland.

Haha...poor Engelland. The guy does everything he's asked and more and he still can't get the respect he deserves. Shame on all of you bashers!!!!

I said as NHL ready as Nakladal. I'm not sold that Nak has enough speed to play regularly in the NHL. Kylington certainly does have NHL speed but he's very young. Still not sure about Anderssen but he might be ready and this is the fish or cut bait year for Wotherspoon. Then there's Kulak. I would say as long as Wideman, Engelland and possibly Smid are around why do you need another slowish veteran depth dman ? Just my opinion mind you but rather see a young guy in there. I'd be happy if Nakladal would take a two way contract which might be what happens.
- tincup

I disagree with you about Naks speed. And whether you're right or not, the #'s prove he is an NHL caliber D man, even if it is only as a bottom pairing D. He only played a few games at the NHL level, so he may actually be better than what we've even seen yet. And as I said before, by next season, there will be plenty of spots open for competition from the young guys. All of Kulak, Kylington and Anderssen are still on ELC's, so why not keep their progress going in the AHL?

Now the million dollar question... does Wideman's offensive ability offset his defensive liability enough to keep him? And if he were paired with a legitimate partner, could he find some confidence and magic again?
- jtommyt

He's also got a backup job ready as an enforcer too now

Haha...poor Engelland. The guy does everything he's asked and more and he still can't get the respect he deserves. Shame on all of you bashers!!!!
- The-O-G

Agreed.

Brodie-Gio
Dougie-Engs
Wide Dog-Joki
Smid

1st call ups: T-Spoon, Kenney Morrison

Kylington has NHL level skating already. That was getting pretty clear in Dev camp. Would it hurt for him to keep getting stronger with top AHL minutes next year? Doubt it.

Would it hurt to keep T-Spoon (23 yrs old) or Morrison(24 yrs old) out of the NHL this year? Probably.

Morrison doesn't get much love, but I'm a big fan. To me he looks like Wideman-lite. Huge shot, walks the line on the PP well, and his skating is good enough.

On top of all of that, we probably made some assurances when he signed as a UFA that he'd get a real look.

What people on here (including Todd) are choosing to ignore (since I've posted it atleast twice) is that we're choosing to relinquish either Kulak or Culkin if we bring in Nak.

Both are great players that we've worked to develop and owe it to them to get them a better look in the show.

Even our third pairing in Stockton deserves a look. Where is there room for Nak Daddy?

Agreed.

Brodie-Gio
Dougie-Engs
Wide Dog-Joki
Smid

1st call ups: T-Spoon, Kenney Morrison

Kylington has NHL level skating already. That was getting pretty clear in Dev camp. Would it hurt for him to keep getting stronger with top AHL minutes next year? Doubt it.

Would it hurt to keep T-Spoon (23 yrs old) or Morrison(24 yrs old) out of the NHL this year? Probably.

Morrison doesn't get much love, but I'm a big fan. To me he looks like Wideman-lite. Huge shot, walks the line on the PP well, and his skating is good enough.

On top of all of that, we probably made some assurances when he signed as a UFA that he'd get a real look.

What people on here (including Todd) are choosing to ignore (since I've posted it atleast twice) is that we're choosing to relinquish either Kulak or Culkin if we bring in Nak.

Both are great players that we've worked to develop and owe it to them to get them a better look in the show.

Even our third pairing in Stockton deserves a look. Where is there room for Nak Daddy?
- fry

How does signing Nak hurt exactly? If we can't trade someone then we run with 8 D (assuming Smid goes to LTIR) until we can. That leaves Kylington, Anderssen, Kulak, Culkin, Kanzig and Morrisson in the AHL to fight for minutes (and that new guy we signed).

It's about creating competition at every level so the cream rises to the top. All of those guys I said are still on ELC's and it's rarely bad yo have D over ripen before hitting the NHL. Nobody is getting passed over.

Edit: also having Engs on your 2nd pair is a bad idea.

Hey Flames fans, I've got a Hudler question for you...

In his tenure as a Flame, did he play mainly LW or RW and more importantly, what wing did he play the season he put up 31 goals?

Hey Flames fans, I've got a Hudler question for you...

In his tenure as a Flame, did he play mainly LW or RW and more importantly, what wing did he play the season he put up 31 goals?
- Rinosaur

Right