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Forums :: Blog World :: Todd Cordell: Three Calgary Flames question marks for the 2018-19 season
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Todd Cordell
Location: Barrie, ON
Joined: 02.10.2014

Sep 3 @ 1:03 PM ET
Todd Cordell: Three Calgary Flames question marks for the 2018-19 season
DuranDuran
Calgary Flames
Location: Quito
Joined: 09.29.2015

Sep 3 @ 1:23 PM ET
Goaltending scares me.

So do fruit bats.
Aerchon
Joined: 10.14.2011

Sep 3 @ 1:33 PM ET
I don't like Calgarys goaltending situation at all.

Losing Hamilton is going to hurt now and moving forward significantly.

I wouldn't expect much from Peters, Ryan, or Neal.

Where I would expect some improvement is Harmonic. And Bodie but not as you describe.

I'd split those two up but put them on the second and third pairings. Get Hanafin the partner he needs with Giordano. Develop and play the heck out of that top pairing and give Harmonic and Brodie thier own pairing.
Kevin R
Calgary Flames
Location: E5 = It aint gonna happen.
Joined: 02.10.2010

Sep 3 @ 1:48 PM ET
Todd Cordell: Three Calgary Flames question marks for the 2018-19 season
- ToddCordellCGY

Sorry Todd but I have to totally disagree with a few of your takes.
#1- GG was fired because he was unable to manage his players & get the most out of his lineup with the talent he was provided. Not because of bad puck luck. Sorry my friend but Im a Flames season ticket holder & went to these damn games & the stats did not match the eye test at the game. Too many games we out shot the opposition but we sure as hell did not have the prime scoring chances. Too many games I left the Dome with not a lot to cheer about let alone felt we were robbed because of bad puck luck. I felt we were robbed on several games because of officiating but officiating the NHL cant seem to figure out.

#2- If Peters had Mike Smith & how Mike Smith performed last year, the Hurricanes would have been in the playoffs. Coaching is going to be night & day different this year for the Flames

Goaltending is our biggest unknown but this team is committed to what we have. I stand behind the decision of seeing what we have, especially with Riitch & possibly Gilles. Smith will be playing for a new contract & how he does will dictate whether we will need to go whale hunting in the offseason or extend Smith to a 1 or max 2 year extension & let him back up one of the young guys. Heck Vegas committed to Fleury as their #1 until he's 38-39. Smith as a back up for a few years isnt that big of a stretch.
MaximumBone
Edmonton Oilers
Joined: 06.15.2012

Sep 3 @ 1:55 PM ET
Gonna be curious to follow their progress. The season comes down to three things for me:

Is there something about Peters' defensive structure that surrenders key scoring areas in favour of a better chance at getting the puck to start the attack? It would explain Carolina's goalie graveyard status since he took over as well as his team's strong CF% but weak GF%.

Will an improvement in results a Hanifin- Harmonic pairing has over the Brodie- Harmonic pairing make up for the drop off in results that'll likely come in the drop off from Gio- Hamilton (mid to high 50s in GF%) to Gio- Brodie? Will Gio see any decline that exacerbates this difference?

Will the additions at forward be enough to offset any "Peters effect" and help get the Backlund line back on track to controlling play the way you guys need them to? The additions have historically been in the red as far as team relative goal results despite not playing shutdown roles so this one will be a particularly interesting one to keep an eye on!

Gotta wish you scum the best of luck! The league is better when both our teams are competitive
Aerchon
Joined: 10.14.2011

Sep 3 @ 3:04 PM ET
As mentioned above I think some people don't realize the Flames have gotten worse defensively overall to the extent it's hard to truly predict if the changes will be a net positive or not.

GG imo took a team with an incredible lack of two way ability and got them playing a system that didn't require excessive pinching, odd man rushes, and outstanding stand on your head goaltending.

He got fired for lack of execution by his players no doubt about it.

The Flames have a decent enough team and maybe Peters can find a system that works for the group.
Kevin R
Calgary Flames
Location: E5 = It aint gonna happen.
Joined: 02.10.2010

Sep 3 @ 3:39 PM ET
As mentioned above I think some people don't realize the Flames have gotten worse defensively overall to the extent it's hard to truly predict if the changes will be a net positive or not.

GG imo took a team with an incredible lack of two way ability and got them playing a system that didn't require excessive pinching, odd man rushes, and outstanding stand on your head goaltending.

He got fired for lack of execution by his players no doubt about it.

The Flames have a decent enough team and maybe Peters can find a system that works for the group.

- Aerchon

Ummm....wrong. Hamilton was not that great defensively but he was an offensive juggernaut because he shot the puck & actually has a pretty decent accurate shot. So what did wonderful coach you guys can now enjoy up in Edmonton, he played him on the 2nd PP. Yes Smith did stand on his head early in the season, stats will verify that.
GG system was no forecheck & players worried about playing their box defence.
Players got frustrated trying to execute his peewee league system.
VeryModernMan
Pittsburgh Penguins
Location: Munich
Joined: 06.06.2017

Sep 3 @ 4:07 PM ET
No stone was left unturned in trying to improve upon a disappointing 2017-18 campaign.
- ToddCordellCGY


Thats not true, one Stone was left unmark'ed!
Nucker101
Vancouver Canucks
Location: Vancouver, BC
Joined: 09.26.2010

Sep 3 @ 4:13 PM ET
Gonna be curious to follow their progress. The season comes down to three things for me:

Is there something about Peters' defensive structure that surrenders key scoring areas in favour of a better chance at getting the puck to start the attack? It would explain Carolina's goalie graveyard status since he took over as well as his team's strong CF% but weak GF%.

Will an improvement in results a Hanifin- Harmonic pairing has over the Brodie- Harmonic pairing make up for the drop off in results that'll likely come in the drop off from Gio- Hamilton (mid to high 50s in GF%) to Gio- Brodie? Will Gio see any decline that exacerbates this difference?

Will the additions at forward be enough to offset any "Peters effect" and help get the Backlund line back on track to controlling play the way you guys need them to? The additions have historically been in the red as far as team relative goal results despite not playing shutdown roles so this one will be a particularly interesting one to keep an eye on!

Gotta wish you scum the best of luck! The league is better when both our teams are competitive

- MaximumBone


Mike Smith being a douche combined with Peters'system is gonna be a fun combination to watch.
DuranDuran
Calgary Flames
Location: Quito
Joined: 09.29.2015

Sep 3 @ 4:36 PM ET
Thats not true, one Stone was left unmark'ed!
- VeryModernMan


MaximumBone
Edmonton Oilers
Joined: 06.15.2012

Sep 3 @ 4:58 PM ET
Mike Smith being a douche combined with Peters'system is gonna be a fun combination to watch.
- Nucker101

Definitely potential for some fireworks
Helios
Calgary Flames
Location: AB
Joined: 08.11.2016

Sep 3 @ 4:58 PM ET
As mentioned above I think some people don't realize the Flames have gotten worse defensively overall to the extent it's hard to truly predict if the changes will be a net positive or not.

GG imo took a team with an incredible lack of two way ability and got them playing a system that didn't require excessive pinching, odd man rushes, and outstanding stand on your head goaltending.

He got fired for lack of execution by his players no doubt about it.

The Flames have a decent enough team and maybe Peters can find a system that works for the group.

- Aerchon


I have a funny feeling we'll see just how much better Gio makes his partners this season, especially uf Brodie has a huge bounceback playing with him. Hamilton is an offensive beast but defensively he us questionable. I've never seen a guy that size not use his body like Hamilton does. He might be a beast in Carolina and should definitely keep up the offense there, but we might see his defensive game exposed a lot more without Gio as a partner.

I do agree that GG was fired because his players didn't execute, though. As much hate as the guy got from the fan base, I still don't believe last season was his fault. His player usage was certainly questionable at times, but his system should have won a lot more games than it did. I think the fact that management hired a coach that runs a very similar system to the one GG did is evvidence of that. Luckily Tre addressed the roster issues the team had to.

Goaltending is the only real concern I have about the team, but if Gillies/Rittich don't work as a back up, there are still options out there for us to bring in later.
HonkyTonkMan
Edmonton Oilers
Location: Home to ruined prospects and overpaid slugs', AB
Joined: 06.10.2015

Sep 3 @ 5:51 PM ET
Todd Cordell: Three Calgary Flames question marks for the 2018-19 season
- ToddCordellCGY

The Goaltending situation sucks, Money and Backlund are great middle 6 centres but they need an elite 1C, Brodie had a couple great seasons as Gio’s Wingman, but is declining, Hamonic is spriraling out of the league in a few years, But they have a tone of young depth at forward and defence that if the timing is right, and it might be, they could be entering their primes just before the vets really decline making this team very dangerous for a short window....too bad Goaltending is such a concern.
Flamin_Irishmin
Calgary Flames
Location: Victoria B.C., BC
Joined: 09.15.2015

Sep 3 @ 7:47 PM ET
The Goaltending situation sucks, Money and Backlund are great middle 6 centres but they need an elite 1C, Brodie had a couple great seasons as Gio’s Wingman, but is declining, Hamonic is spriraling out of the league in a few years, But they have a tone of young depth at forward and defence that if the timing is right, and it might be, they could be entering their primes just before the vets really decline making this team very dangerous for a short window....too bad Goaltending is such a concern.
- HonkyTonkMan

Let me get this strait. You’re saying Mony is a middle six pairing centre even though he had a career year whilst needing 4 surgeries the last 2 months he played?!

You just went full re tard. Never go full re tard.... Mo Ron.

Btw good to have you back J.
Helios
Calgary Flames
Location: AB
Joined: 08.11.2016

Sep 3 @ 8:23 PM ET
Let me get this strait. You’re saying Mony is a middle six pairing centre even though he had a career year whilst needing 4 surgeries the last 2 months he played?!

You just went full re tard. Never go full re tard.... Mo Ron.

Btw good to have you back J.

- Flamin_Irishmin


Oiler fans have been vastly underrating Monahan for years now. That's fine though, because it makes it so much better when he proves them wrong.
HonkyTonkMan
Edmonton Oilers
Location: Home to ruined prospects and overpaid slugs', AB
Joined: 06.10.2015

Sep 3 @ 8:29 PM ET
Let me get this strait. You’re saying Mony is a middle six pairing centre even though he had a career year whilst needing 4 surgeries the last 2 months he played?!

You just went full re tard. Never go full re tard.... Mo Ron.

Btw good to have you back J.

- Flamin_Irishmin

No, I’m saying he isn’t the elite 1C the Flames need. He’s really effing good but not that guy on McDavid,Crosby, Malkin, Mathews, Eichel , Tavares, Stamko, Seguin or even Draisaitl level.
If you had one of those guys and and even a top 15-20 goalie you would be an elite favorite to win the cup, sadly you have neither, and are not.

Why do guys have to over react when people don’t think the Flames players are the best in the league? Calm your tits. Your comprehension of my original post was the only thing moronic and retarded, you stupid idiot.
HonkyTonkMan
Edmonton Oilers
Location: Home to ruined prospects and overpaid slugs', AB
Joined: 06.10.2015

Sep 3 @ 8:30 PM ET
Oiler fans have been vastly underrating Monahan for years now. That's fine though, because it makes it so much better when he proves them wrong.
- Helios


Should Oilers fans be rating him among the top 20 NHL centres at this point? Maybe. Top 15 ? doubtful, top 10 ? no (frank)ing way.
Aerchon
Joined: 10.14.2011

Sep 3 @ 9:04 PM ET
Monahan is a great #2 center on most teams. Or a 1B even. On the Flames he is obviously the #1 and on some other teams as well. But he is a elite goal scoring center that isn't particularly fast or defensively strong.

Seems to ride the coat tail of Johnny hockey's creativity a bit although that may just be a misconception.

Great player no question, just not an elite #1 center.
Monyhands23
Calgary Flames
Joined: 04.28.2018

Sep 3 @ 9:07 PM ET
The Goaltending situation sucks, Money and Backlund are great middle 6 centres but they need an elite 1C, Brodie had a couple great seasons as Gio’s Wingman, but is declining, Hamonic is spriraling out of the league in a few years, But they have a tone of young depth at forward and defence that if the timing is right, and it might be, they could be entering their primes just before the vets really decline making this team very dangerous for a short window....too bad Goaltending is such a concern.
- HonkyTonkMan


Eh i think its a fine line. He was rated 69th best player in the league. Making him a top 3 player on every team on average. Of course it doesnt apply to every team. Youre right he isnt matthews, eichel or whoever but hes defenately not hurting anyone by being a 30-35 center. Some teams dont even have that as a 1C. IMO an "elite" C wouldnt boost us that much. We need an elite goalie. Personally would love to have bob
flashfire
Joined: 10.02.2006

Sep 3 @ 9:17 PM ET
No, I’m saying he isn’t the elite 1C the Flames need. He’s really effing good but not that guy on McDavid,Crosby, Malkin, Mathews, Eichel , Tavares, Stamko, Seguin or even Draisaitl level.
If you had one of those guys and and even a top 15-20 goalie you would be an elite favorite to win the cup, sadly you have neither, and are not.

Why do guys have to over react when people don’t think the Flames players are the best in the league? Calm your tits. Your comprehension of my original post was the only thing moronic and retarded, you stupid idiot.

- HonkyTonkMan


lol Oiler fans

Sure Drai has put up points playing WING for McDavid...he has done jack poop centering his own line
flashfire
Joined: 10.02.2006

Sep 3 @ 9:26 PM ET
I don't like Calgarys goaltending situation at all.

Losing Hamilton is going to hurt now and moving forward significantly.

I wouldn't expect much from Peters, Ryan, or Neal.

Where I would expect some improvement is Harmonic. And Bodie but not as you describe.

I'd split those two up but put them on the second and third pairings. Get Hanafin the partner he needs with Giordano. Develop and play the heck out of that top pairing and give Harmonic and Brodie thier own pairing.

- Aerchon


Hanafin/Lindholm are both singed long term

Flames certainly improved long term with that deal...have you ever seen Hamilton play?

Neal is likely gonna play on the top line and score 20+

Honestly sounds like a lot of jealous Oiler fans...Flames were already better last season and improved...Oilers did (frank) all
Kevin R
Calgary Flames
Location: E5 = It aint gonna happen.
Joined: 02.10.2010

Sep 3 @ 9:27 PM ET
No, I’m saying he isn’t the elite 1C the Flames need. He’s really effing good but not that guy on McDavid,Crosby, Malkin, Mathews, Eichel , Tavares, Stamko, Seguin or even Draisaitl level.
If you had one of those guys and and even a top 15-20 goalie you would be an elite favorite to win the cup, sadly you have neither, and are not.

Why do guys have to over react when people don’t think the Flames players are the best in the league? Calm your tits. Your comprehension of my original post was the only thing moronic and retarded, you stupid idiot.

- HonkyTonkMan

Would love to have an "Elite" top 10 league centre but not all of us get a shot at a #1 over all pick let alone a few kicks at it. I dont think Draisaltl is a top 10 centre in the league however, although he is a damn good player no doubt. Monahan is a damn good player as well. But you try to get as many next tier players you can & go at teams in waves. What we are lacking in a McDavid calibre player we make up for with some pretty decent contracts on damn good player tier if that makes sense.

Goalie is going to need to be dealt with but probably not until next year. Bobrovsky will probably be a definite target but at the cost of some of our depth.
MaximumBone
Edmonton Oilers
Joined: 06.15.2012

Sep 3 @ 10:12 PM ET
lol Oiler fans

Sure Drai has put up points playing WING for McDavid...he has done jack poop centering his own line

- flashfire

We've been over this before. He's proved plenty at C- just not to the elite level- and his numbers centering his own line are better than Mony's without Johnny.
Trevor_Neufeld
Calgary Flames
Location: Calgary, AB
Joined: 02.11.2007

Sep 3 @ 11:36 PM ET
I'd say a huge question is "what will become of the 3m line?"

And if it indeed is disbanded, "will we see Backlund's line outchancing the opposition by the margins we became accustomed to?"
Misterbator
Calgary Flames
Location: Monkeytown, NB
Joined: 10.13.2014

Sep 3 @ 11:52 PM ET
This conversation is fn boring
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