How many of you watched Pierre-Luc Dubois tie the game 2-2 — the second blown lead in the game and 11th blown lead in eight games — and thought, “We’ll there goes another one. Eight games it is.…
What a third.
From closing out the five on three against the Flames to start the period, to the sheer effort put in to keep the checking tight enough to limit the Jets to only four shots over twenty minutes.
It’s nice to see the Flames working better as a five man unit on the ice. A few thoughts.
Ruzicka-Lindholm I think most of us were a little frustrated in seeing Adam Ruzicka scratched for 10 of the first 11 games.
That contrast between frustration in seeing that — and the elation of seeing him contributing on both the first and second of the Flames goals is just awesome.
First, he fires a crafty backhand off the side boards that Lindholm gets a stick on. The second goal, he uses his speed to shake the checker and get himself open after a crafty neutral zone play by Lindholm to leave Mark Scheifele in the dust.
It sounds like Darryl intends to keep this line together for a while. Here’s what the Flames head coach had to say of Ruzicka and Lindholm following their 3-2 victory over the Jets.
“Obviously (Ruzicka) scored tonight, but I liked that Lindy likes who he's playing with,…“He was our best forward, Lindy, so maybe we shouldn't be experimenting with him.…
Two goals for and zero against from your first line is really all you can ask. Let’s see if they can keep it going.
Update: Huberdeau is Back
The Flames practiced with new lines this morning. Given that Darryl clearly frequents this space, he took my advice and moved Huberdeau to Mikeal Backlund’s line. You’ll find the new lines posted at the bottom. Note Coleman moving to line four as well and Lucic up to line two.
Speaking of first units dominating.
Andersson-Hanifin These two were also on for the majority of the Flames goals. Rasmus was on for two and Noah was on for all three. Neither of them were on the ice for a goal against. The pairing had a sublime game.
Markstrom That rolling save was an absolute chef’s kiss moment. Jacob Markstrom had his best game of the season last night.
Also, of importance was the fact that he played the puck more aggressively than we’ve seen this season. One has to wonder if that has anything to do with having Chris Tanev back in the lineup.
Penalty Kill The Flames penalty kill looked absolutely astounding. Not only did the Flames go three for three, they actually outscored the opposition while down a man. Game winning shorthanded goals don’t come often. Good on Trevor Lewis and the rest of the PK group.
A couple notes on the Flames.
Winger Incoming? Elliotte Friedman disclosed that the Flames are still looking for a winger. Treliving has been working at it since August. Rumours connect the St. Louis Blues, but there are a number of teams that could fit the bill. For now let’s take a run at a trade with the Blues.
St. Louis Blues While it may not have been particularly enjoyable to be a Flames fan over the last eight games — Blues fans have had it worse this season.
On a positive note, they won their first three games.
Less than positive is that they’re 5-8-0, but they did win their last two.
That eight game losing streak has brought the rumour mill to Blues General Manager Doug Armstrong’s front door. Recently Friedman noted that the team has been close to committing to a rebuild in the recent past. Likely to do with this record.
2020-2022 Playoff Record — Blues: 4-12-0
A rough start certainly might push a management group over the “rebuild… precipice, but is there a fit with the Flames? Particularly with such little cap room currently available?
One idea. Just for fun.
Jordan Kyrou for MacKenzie Weegar and goalie prospect Dustin Wolf. Both NHL players begin eight year contracts next season, so you can classify this idea as “highly unlikely…, but both are on cheaper deals until the end of the year. So the cap works out well enough.
MacKenzie Weegar 2022-23 salary: $3,250,000 2023-24 to 2031 salary: $6,250,000
Jordan Kyrou 2022-23 salary: $2,800,000 2023-24 to 2031 salary: $8,125,000
Kyrou is having an absolutely rotten start to the season. Below Josh Lievo on the depth chart, Kyrou has managed five points and a -16 rating in 13 games.
While that’s not great, the talent is there. He ranked 33rd in even strength scoring last season and 15th in points per 60 minutes of play — a statistic indicating he has +90 point potential with more usage.
2021-22 Regular Season — Jordan Kyrou GP: 74 TOI/GP: 16:35 (13th on the Blues) Goals: 27 (3rd on the Blues) Assists: 48 (2nd on the Blues) Points: 75 (3rd on the Blues)
On a less statistical note, Kyrou is one of the faster two way wingers in the league. If he can get his game going, he’ll be outscoring the opposition with regularity.
MacKenzie Weegar, on the other hand, isn’t having nearly as rough of a season. That said, he’s getting far from the quality minutes he received with Aaron Ekblad in Florida. It was there that he proved he can post solid numbers as a #2 defenceman.
In terms of a fit with St. Louis, we’ll, I don’t think anyone would agree at this point that Nick Leddy should be playing the minutes that he is. They direly need a top four defenceman.
You could argue that this trade needs a piece here or there. Kyrou is 24 and Weegar is 28. The Blues also happened to have volatile starter Jordan Binnington to six years. Here’s the trade.
To Calgary F Jordan Kyrou
To St. Louis D MacKenzie Weegar G Dustin Wolf 2024 3rd round pick
Dustin Wolf, recipient of the Baz Bastien Award for best goaltender in the AHL last year — as well as being named to the AHL All Rookie team, because, well he won the Baz Bastien as a rookie — might be enough to tip the scales on this trade being acceptable.
The Blues are tied to Jordan Binnington for the next five seasons at six million annually. They haven’t won a game with backup Thomas Griess in net. Neither of their goaltenders are saving pucks above a .895 percentage. Certainly Wolf’s ELC cap hit and low mileage would be enticing to Doug Armstrong.
St. Louis would need to run with 13 forwards for the season to make the respective cap hits work, but what does everyone think of this trade scenario?
Coleman Fined Per the NHL Department of Player Safety.
Coleman was certainly guilty. Dubois received a holding penalty on the play as well.
The Flames are back at it tomorrow against the LA Kings. Be sure to stop in for a game day piece.
Trevor Neufeld
@Trevor_Neufeld
Stats via naturalstattrick.com and nhl.com.
Today’s Practice Lines Ruzicka-Lindholm-Toffoli Lucic-Kadri-Mangiapane Huberdeau-Backlund-Lewis Coleman-Dube-Ritchie Rooney Hanifin-Andersson Weegar-Tanev Zadorov-DeSimone Mackey
Markstrom Vladar