Over the last few seasons the Calgary Flames have been a mess when it comes to 5 v 5 play.
From 2013-16 the Flames have controlled just 46.9% of the goals (6th last) and 46.3% of the shot attempts (3rd last) at full-strength.
A big reason for that has been anchors like Dennis Wideman, Deryk Engelland, Lance Bouma and co. being spoon fed consistent minutes while Josh Jooris and Jakub Nakladal, among others, get limited minutes when they play despite impressive on-ice results.
Some of the Flames' struggles have been systematic but a big part of it is poor roster evaluation when it comes to depth players.
Despite hiring a new head coach it seems like not much will change.
Wideman, Engelland and Bouma all remain on the roster while it seems all but certain Jooris and Nakladal have played their last games as Calgary Flames.
I think both should be re-signed but, again, that is unlikely at this point.
Over the last two seasons the Flames have controlled 47.4% of the shot attempts and 48.4% of the goals with Jooris on the ice at 5 v 5. Without Jooris on the ice those numbers dip to 46% and 47.3%.
On top of that Jooris is also an excellent penalty killer. Over the last two seasons the Flames have allow fewer shot attempts and goals per 60 minutes with Jooris on the ice than any other player.
He may not score much but he is a very useful player and one the Flames would definitely benefit from keeping around - especially given how little he would cost.
Meanwhile Nakladal killed it during his 27-game audition with the Flames at the end of the 2015-16 season and has not been rewarded with a new deal.
The Flames have a good core in place that will help carry them. Their underlying numbers should also improve under a more forward thinking coach in Glen Gulutzan.
That said, the best teams surround their star players with quality depth players on the cheap.
There is still time, obviously, but as each day passes it appears more likely the Flames are going to throw a couple away.
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