The Calgary Flames invited quite a few players to camp on a tryout basis.
Eric Gryba aside, all of those with NHL experience remain on the training camp roster heading into the team’s final preseason game.
While most will undoubtedly be cut loose, I wanted to share my thoughts on their performances to date and handicap each player’s chances of landing a contract with the team.
Tobias Rieder Rieder’s had a strong preseason. By the eye, he’s fit in really well with Calgary’s up-tempo, aggressive system. He’s been disruptive on the forecheck and his speed has really factored in on the penalty kill. In general, its played a big part in his ability to generate chances (he ranks 2nd on the team with nine at 5v5). His numbers paint as bright of a picture as the eyes.
The Flames have controlled 55.41% of the attempts, 57.28% of the expected goals, and 61.90% of the chances with Rieder out there. Even against watered down lineups, those are pretty impressive numbers.
I think Rieder would be useful to have around as a rotational player. At 26, his development isn’t a factor. The Flames don’t have to worry about him being in and out of the lineup or not seeing enough ice time. They can just use him when needed.
I’m not sure if he’ll get a contract – every dollar counts and the Flames generally like to have some grit at the bottom of the roster – but I think he deserves a spot on the roster should the Flames carry 14 forwards.
Devante Smith-Pelly The game is evolving away from players of Smith-Pelly’s archetype and that has shown in the preseason. He struggles to keep up and he doesn’t have enough ability to make plays when the puck comes his way.
He has generated just four shots on goal and two chances over ~45 minutes of 5v5 ice. In that time, the Flames have been out-attempted 46-19 (29.23 CF%) and out-chanced 17-9 (34.62%). Not great!
Smith-Pelly has landed quite a few hits but that’s about all he has contributed. While the Flames do value physicality, they already have Milan Lucic, Sam Bennett, Matthew Tkachuk and Travis Hamonic, among others, on the roster. They don’t need to sign a player who is getting caved in to the extreme in order to get an extra two hits every night. I don’t think they will.
Zac Rinaldo Relative to expectations, Rinaldo has actually had a decent camp. He has piled up the hits, drawn a couple penalties, recorded 5v5 chances at a similar rate as Sean Monahan and Elias Lindholm (I realize it is preseason and Rinaldo has a lot more to play for), and the on-ice numbers aren’t nearly as bad as you’d think. Still under 50% across the board, but he’s at least in the ballpark.
Do I think Rinaldo deserves a spot? No. Do I think he will get one? Probably not. But I could see the team giving him a two-way deal and recalling him at some point if there are injuries or they feel they need a spark.
Andrew MacDonald MacDonald’s puck skills are, uh, limited and he can be frustrating to watch at times. Just ask Flyers fans. His numbers last year weren’t *that* bad, though, and he’s actually put together a decent preseason analytically.
He’s come in a little under even in terms of helping the Flames control the shot share. More importantly, they have had the better opportunities with him on the ice, controlling 58.49% of the chances. Only Mark Giordano and T.J. Brodie have bested MacDonald in that regard on defense.
I don’t know that the Flames would cut the cord with Michael Stone – they love him and it was probably hard enough the first time – but there’s plenty of data to support MacDonald as the better player, both last year and through preseason play.
I’d rather keep MacDonald as the 7th defender, though I’m somewhat skeptical that will happen.
numbers via NaturalStatTrick.com Recent posts: