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Calgary Flames quick hits: on Valimaki, backup goaltending & more

September 18, 2018, 11:17 AM ET [17 Comments]
Todd Cordell
Calgary Flames Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
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1) Monday night the Calgary Flames took on the Edmonton Oilers in a preseason game that featured more prospects than veterans (the NHL bent the rules since Calgary has most of their players in China).

With that in mind, you'd like to see the few players who actually have a shot of making the Flames out of camp really stand out.

Despite suffering a 7-4 loss, that was the case vs Edmonton.

Arguably the three skaters most likely to earn a spot – Juuso Valimaki, Andrew Mangiapane and Dillon Dube – posted really impressive stat lines.

Valimaki recorded an assist, five shot attempts, and posted a 64.27 Corsi For% (+10 differential) while leading all Flames in ice time with 23:45.

Mangiapane led the Flames with a 65.63 CF% (+10 differential) and posted game-highs with seven scoring chances and 10 shot attempts. He did manage to convert one of them into a goal.

Dube's underlying numbers weren't as strong, although he still finished with a positive shot attempt differential, but he scored a hat trick and played more than any other Flames forward.

2) I wouldn't be surprised to see Valimaki steal Brett Kulak's spot on the 3rd pairing. Even this year, Valimaki has a much higher ceiling on what he can bring to the team and the Flames don't seem sold on Kulak. A somewhat shaky game vs Boston – particularly in the 1st period – won't help his cause, either. I do like him as a depth guy but if Valimaki is ready, he should be playing.

3) The start of the preseason won't ease the mind of anyone concerned about the team's goaltending after Mike Smith.

Jon Gillies allowed three goals on 20 shots (.850 save percentage) and stopped two of four in the shootout vs the Bruins.

David Rittich conceded six goals on 27 shots (.778 save percentage) vs the Oilers. That's pretty discouraging considering he was going up against mostly prospects and AHLers.

It's only been one game apiece but it'd be really nice if someone could step up and win the job rather than having to decipher which goaltender sucked less.

Recent posts:

Five takeaways from Calgary vs Boston

On Elias Lindholm, Sean Monahan, and prioritizing skill in the bottom-6

Three reasons to be optimistic about the Flames heading into 2018-19

Three Flames question marks heading into 2018-19

One model cautiously optimistic about the Flames in 2018-19

Three players who will benefit from Brouwer's departure

There were positives in Sam Bennett's disappointing campaign

Flames sign Elias Lindholm to a six-year extension

A closer look at the Derek Ryan and Austin Czarnik signings

James Neal a necessary signing for the Flames
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