Todd Cordell: On the slow start, Hamilton, Tkachuk & more

Agree on Wideman. He doesn't have NHL speed. He was never speedy but he looks slower and the league as a whole is getting quicker. Keep him in the press box and let Kulak play.

Todd Cordell: On the slow start, Hamilton, Tkachuk & more
- ToddCordellCGY

I expect the Flames will get back on track Tuesday night in Buffalo.

They might miss another game since it's sposed to be in Calgary.

I only watched portions of both games against Edm & I know plus minus isn't a great stat but in game 1 Wideman came of plus 1, game 2 even, barely played. Giordano -1, -1 & Wideman scored a PPG in game 1. In game 2 he had to play with Engelland.

Giordano -3, Brodie -3, Hamilton -2, Wideman plus 1.

Sitting Wideman is a mistake. Yes he's not as proficient of defense as offense but he deserves to play.

I have Calgary to be the 2nd worst team in the West behind Vancouver. Which pains me being a season ticket holder for years. They are fun to watch & for the life of me I don't understand how a team with this group of forwards & 1 of the best top 4 D in the NHL can give up this many goals but they do. weird little breakdowns & missed coverage assignments usually by the forwards.

I know people like to blame the goalies but far bigger issues in play in this regard than just the goalies. As we are about to see with Elliott this season.

cancel the flames?

I only watched portions of both games against Edm & I know plus minus isn't a great stat but in game 1 Wideman came of plus 1, game 2 even, barely played. Giordano -1, -1 & Wideman scored a PPG in game 1. In game 2 he had to play with Engelland.

Giordano -3, Brodie -3, Hamilton -2, Wideman plus 1.

Sitting Wideman is a mistake. Yes he's not as proficient of defense as offense but he deserves to play.

I have Calgary to be the 2nd worst team in the West behind Vancouver. Which pains me being a season ticket holder for years. They are fun to watch & for the life of me I don't understand how a team with this group of forwards & 1 of the best top 4 D in the NHL can give up this many goals but they do. weird little breakdowns & missed coverage assignments usually by the forwards.



I know people like to blame the goalies but far bigger issues in play in this regard than just the goalies. As we are about to see with Elliott this season.
- striker777

This is why +/- is the dumbest stat in hockey. Your claim to having Wideman on the ice because he has a better plus minus doesn't make sense. Gio and Brody may have been -3, but they play 12+ more minutes than the third pairing, against other teams top lines. Wideman plays sheltered minutes against other teams 3rd and 4th lines. I also think you are being a bit dramatic. 0-3 and suddenly they are the 2nd worst team in the entire West? Give your head a shake man.

This is why +/- is the dumbest stat in hockey. Your claim to having Wideman on the ice because he has a better plus minus doesn't make sense. Gio and Brody may have been -3, but they play 12+ more minutes than the third pairing, against other teams top lines. Wideman plays sheltered minutes against other teams 3rd and 4th lines. I also think you are being a bit dramatic. 0-3 and suddenly they are the 2nd worst team in the entire West? Give your head a shake man.
- Codes1087

exactly....
if you actually watched the game, you would see how friggin slow and useless Wideman is out there...he literally makes the other defenseman worse, puts them in a worst spot

Gio had to cheat and play down the middle cause ppl were beating Wideman wide cause he's too slow

You say they led late in the canucks game? They only led on pure luck as they didn't actually score a goal. Unfortunately for the canucks it was a weird play there.

exactly....
if you actually watched the game, you would see how friggin slow and useless Wideman is out there...he literally makes the other defenseman worse, puts them in a worst spot

Gio had to cheat and play down the middle cause ppl were beating Wideman wide cause he's too slow
- cpltanto

Wideman is the Calgary Flames version of our Sbisa. Slow, sometimes can make a decent play, primary play in the defensive zone is to get the puck out hopefully without icing it, and change.

Tkachuk is most likely here to stay. I think he's earned a spot, not because he's dominating play, it's just we don't really have any better options right now.

I know lots of guys respect Engellund, but I'd turn him into the 7th dman and play Kulak-Wideman together. Engellund has made some bad turnovers in the parts of the games I've watched and it seems like he's always 2 steps behind the play. If Wideman's too slow for the NHL what does that make Engellund

I'd put him in in games where I'm expecting a little bit of trouble for Johnny (i.e Edmonton with Lucic) but other than that I think he should spend the majority of the time in the press box.

You say they led late in the canucks game? They only led on pure luck as they didn't actually score a goal. Unfortunately for the canucks it was a weird play there.
- rune_74

Doesn't really change the fact that we were leading does it?


We can call it even for the empty net goal Wideman scored on us against the Canucks 2 years ago.

My Canucks make vezina candidates of most goalies in the league. And don't worry about team Oilsands. They will be right there with us battling for 28th overall by April.

I watched the games and got to say plus minus is far more accurate than the scapegoating taking place in this blog.

Gio was terrible but get a free pass??? Why?

Calgary is in blame someone/anyone expendable mode, very common under the circumstances, but I think people just being honest need to say the team defense was lacking last year and is still lacking this year.

Well Anaheim has the same record as us they better fire their coach and hit the panic button as well!! You all need to chill out it hasn't been a week with a whole new coaching staff and new system. We had a brutal training camp missing key players, Versteeg just arrived. I expect a better game Tuesday with a couple practices together under their belt to re group and everyone get on the same page.

0-3 and suddenly they are the 2nd worst team in the entire West?


*tied for 2nd worst with the ducks atm.

Ive liked Chiassons play so far, Should end up being a decent pickup for us.

Good write up Todd.


I listened to Jonhson get interviewed after the loss to Van and he brought up some great points.

His main point was this team is learning new systems. It's not like a lot of other teams where they are just walking into the year knowing their role in each situation. Sports, like life (I am getting all philosophical) is all about confidence, and these guys just need a little time to become confident in the new system.

The first line missed all of training camp. Versteeg and JG did not even get to practice with the team to learn the systems till the first game of the year.

The 2nd line are all learning new systems and learning how to play with each other. One guy has a lot of NHL experience, one guy has none, one guy has a bit.

Frolik, Bqacks, and Bouma have all played together and it shows. They have played pretty well.

As far as the D goes (as Todd mentioned) Grossmann and Wides are getting exposed. Mainly by McDavid.

Anyways, adversity makes you stronger. I expect this team to become much more dangerous after figuring things out.

This is why +/- is the dumbest stat in hockey. Your claim to having Wideman on the ice because he has a better plus minus doesn't make sense. Gio and Brody may have been -3, but they play 12+ more minutes than the third pairing, against other teams top lines. Wideman plays sheltered minutes against other teams 3rd and 4th lines. I also think you are being a bit dramatic. 0-3 and suddenly they are the 2nd worst team in the entire West? Give your head a shake man.
- Codes1087

Codes with the KO!

I watched the games and got to say plus minus is far more accurate than the scapegoating taking place in this blog.

Gio was terrible but get a free pass??? Why?

Calgary is in blame someone/anyone expendable mode, very common under the circumstances, but I think people just being honest need to say the team defense was lacking last year and is still lacking this year.
- Aerchon

I would say McDavid was that good but I guess he is just mediocre and Gio sucks.

0-3 and suddenly they are the 2nd worst team in the entire West?


*tied for 2nd worst with the ducks atm.
- coryberg2

3 games in, tied for 2nd worst in the west does not mean anything. 82 game season and people are hitting the panic button. If Canucks continue this trend they will 82-0, and I am certainly not about to plan any parade.

Codes with the KO!
- DuranDuran

I think the Flames will be just fine. They will still finish 10-20 points ahead of the Canucks I feel. Flames has soo many chances to win against the Canucks that night, you could tell Johnny knew it too and was getting frustrated. Things will pick up and people will start to creep back from the edge.

I would say McDavid was that good but I guess he is just mediocre and Gio sucks.
- DuranDuran

Plus I think Gio was the best dman on the ice in Vancouver. He had a hell of a game IMO.

The Flames are off to a bad start...what's new???

Haha seriously when have the Flames ever had a good start? I would love to see their record in the first 10 games for the past 20 years. This is just par for the course boys!

I think the Flames will be just fine. They will still finish 10-20 points ahead of the Canucks I feel. Flames has soo many chances to win against the Canucks that night, you could tell Johnny knew it too and was getting frustrated. Things will pick up and people will start to creep back from the edge.
- Codes1087

Yeah I think we'll be alright. It was encouraging to see Johnson have a good game. Even if Elliott poops the bed now that he's not with the almighty Blues like many people are predicting/hoping it was nice to know that we will have a reliable backup in Johnson.

Note: I think Elliott is going to do just fine with us and hopefully he rebounds next start so the media won't make a story over it.

Wow Gio and his big money contract has really shown these kids how to win whats the overall record with him as captain? I am really impressed with this team and the direction they are going. Elliot looks like the real deal.... (Sarcasm Font Needed)