Todd Cordell: Calgary Flames sign pair of coveted NCAA defenders

Damn Todd, way to kill my buzz on signing those guys! I thought Mackey looked like a legit player with potential to play next year on our third pairing!

Wow I was really pumped on these signings after reading what everyone else had to say about them. Sounds like a couple wasted roster spots after reading this article. 28 other teams must of been wrong to have interest as well.

What a depressing article

I don’t think poolman has much of a chance and same with Mackey. Issue with Mackey is that he is 23, if he was 2 years number I would be a lot more optimistic for his room to grow. Not saying his season wasn’t a good one but if he put up those numbers at 21/22 in the NCAA I’d have more hope for him improving in the pro leagues. Not many players start making drastic leaps in development at 24/25. Not impossible just not likely.

I like that Todd doesn't buy into the hype and recency bias and just gives us his unfiltered opinions. And they are good ones at that too. Thanks Todd

How many blogs has he written where he only looks and even strength stats and continues to state that it's the most important factor, but now this guy isn't going to be NHL calibre because he's not productive on the PP, even though he led all defenders at 5v5?

And the other guy is a defensive defenceman, but he's only judging him on offensive stats? Analytics guys will tell you that +/- is a useless stat, but then go on to use GF% when looking at a player. GF% is far more useless than +/-. A defensive defenceman is going to be on the PK a bunch, so of course his GF% is going to take a hit.

How many blogs has he written where he only looks and even strength stats and continues to state that it's the most important factor, but now this guy isn't going to be NHL calibre because he's not productive on the PP, even though he led all defenders at 5v5?

And the other guy is a defensive defenceman, but he's only judging him on offensive stats? Analytics guys will tell you that +/- is a useless stat, but then go on to use GF% when looking at a player. GF% is far more useless than +/-. A defensive defenceman is going to be on the PK a bunch, so of course his GF% is going to take a hit.
- Hunkulese

I believe most analytics guys would like to see defensive players be the next to go after the enforcers. I will credit Todd and say he’s better than a lot that are out there, but it’s important that no matter you use analytics or old school stats that you watch the game before determining a players value.

Treliving and most of the GM’s aren’t a bunch off dumb ass’s and if there was a fight for the two prospects it’s because they’ve had scouts on top of them for several years...I mean no defence Todd as you can very well be right but when 3/4 of NHL GM’s we’re trying hard to entice them to join their team that straight up says something...
If anything they’ll be solid pick ups for our farm team and there’s only one way to find out if they have more/a lot more to offer...
And we the Flames are the only team in that position to find out and benefit from it if they do...
Sorry Todd I’m a glass half full kinda guy and there’s no way I’m allowing you to spoil this one especially with everything else going on in this world at the moment...You can never deny the fire an athlete has within them to get to this point and the room for growth when your surrounded by success...And I can guarantee you that Gio and even Ryan (along with many athletes out there...) would not only beg to differ but fckin prove it on the ice!!!
GO🔥GO

Treliving and most of the GM’s aren’t a bunch off dumb ass’s and if there was a fight for the two prospects it’s because they’ve had scouts on top of them for several years...I mean no defence Todd as you can very well be right but when 3/4 of NHL GM’s we’re trying hard to entice them to join their team that straight up says something...
If anything they’ll be solid pick ups for our farm team and there’s only one way to find out if they have more/a lot more to offer...
And we the Flames are the only team in that position to find out and benefit from it if they do...
Sorry Todd I’m a glass half full kinda guy and there’s no way I’m allowing you to spoil this one especially with everything else going on in this world at the moment...You can never deny the fire an athlete has within them to get to this point and the room for growth when your surrounded by success...And I can guarantee you that Gio and even Ryan (along with many athletes out there...) would not only beg to differ but fckin prove it on the ice!!!
GO🔥GO
- Cruzn’Oost

Well said, I am excited about the signings, the guys will be hungry and want to prove they can play in the NHL just like Gio did. Gio took the gamble after D Sutter didn't want to sign him and he went overseas to prove a point. So signing two NCAA players to 1 year entry level deals is a no brainer especially condsidering other teams were in pursuit.

By the way Todd its pretty different to compare a player that was undrafted to somebody like Adam Fox who had no intention of ever playing for any team other then the Rangers.

Well said, I am excited about the signings, the guys will be hungry and want to prove they can play in the NHL just like Gio did. Gio took the gamble after D Sutter didn't want to sign him and he went overseas to prove a point. So signing two NCAA players to 1 year entry level deals is a no brainer especially condsidering other teams were in pursuit.

By the way Todd its pretty different to compare a player that was undrafted to somebody like Adam Fox who had no intention of ever playing for any team other then the Rangers.
- FlamesFan1230

Wow ya I remember that gamble going over seas and I was like nooooo...but he came back on a mission and look at him now...
By the way, here’s a little something for the nah sayers that has posted anything including Todd as I really do truly appreciate your work and wisdom, or those simply reading along, ya might wanna take a look at this...
Really good article putting the spotlight at some really important factors...
I love the fact that he finished his degree quicker then anyone else and from the radio interview I heard yesterday on Sportsnet app, he did summer school two years in a row to graduate 2 years early...
The kids on a mission and I’m really rootin’ for him, not just because I’m a HUGE Flames fan but he’s reminding me of one of my favourite motto’s of all time being it’s sooo frickin true and helped me be top salesman in all of Canada in the home/commercial alarm industry.
If it’s meant to be...
It’s up to me!!!
And this kid seems to have it Imbedded in him...
Enjoy the read😉

https://apple.news/A19upGsdTSw-vR9AxcdAj0g

I was so excited when i saw flames signed those two guys ... and then i read Todd's blog

I like that Todd doesn't buy into the hype and recency bias and just gives us his unfiltered opinions. And they are good ones at that too. Thanks Todd
- zipfel

Stop being so rational ... let us dream

How many blogs has he written where he only looks and even strength stats and continues to state that it's the most important factor, but now this guy isn't going to be NHL calibre because he's not productive on the PP, even though he led all defenders at 5v5?

And the other guy is a defensive defenceman, but he's only judging him on offensive stats? Analytics guys will tell you that +/- is a useless stat, but then go on to use GF% when looking at a player. GF% is far more useless than +/-. A defensive defenceman is going to be on the PK a bunch, so of course his GF% is going to take a hit.
- Hunkulese

When Hunk is being optimistic... I am excited

I was so excited when i saw flames signed those two guys ... and then i read Todd's blog
- hockey4hockey

Todd isnt a GM, he's not a scout, he's a blogger who draws conclusions from stats that cant project future performance of players. All it does is analyse what happens on the ice that game, it doesnt project whether that performance is repeated over & over again by that player.Perspective needs to be had when trying to jump to conclusions about whether a young player actually has an NHL future or not based on some subjective stats.

Todd isnt a GM, he's not a scout, he's a blogger who draws conclusions from stats that cant project future performance of players. All it does is analyse what happens on the ice that game, it doesnt project whether that performance is repeated over & over again by that player.Perspective needs to be had when trying to jump to conclusions about whether a young player actually has an NHL future or not based on some subjective stats.
- Kevin R

Todd has no right to shatter my dream of these guys becoming the next Lindstrom and Chelios

Todd has no right to shatter my dream of these guys becoming the next Lindstrom and Chelios
- hockey4hockey

You bet! Most players in the NHL are inconsistent. Very few perform 82 games a year, year after year. The closest players to that are basically called generational in that their talent is so far above the curve, a bad game for them is like one of Monahan's good games. So to project a player not making an impact, the odds of that are pretty high, but they dont know.How did the Canucks do so well this year when they were predicted to be a lottery team this year?

I personally think using analytics should be best served profiling young players to draft & to try & track consistent weaknesses that coaches identify & work on as part of their development. This Moneyball mentality of the analytics community is a pipe dream in NHL hockey.

On another note, saw that 7 fckn flights from China to Canada happened over the last few days. WTF!!!!!! Why are we allowing flights from China into our country yet. There are some pretty scary conspiracy theories out there. The carnage from all this when the dust finally clears is going to change everyone's life drastically. Not many people will be able to afford to go to an NHL game when the day comes that events & gatherings will be allowed again. The salary cap is going to start looking like the CFL's.

Man, Todd is a numbers guy. He tells the story that the numbers paint. Appreciate it for what it is. One side of the story. Remember when we signed Brouwer? We were all stoked and Todd told us the other story. Same with Neil.

I hate the (frank)ing numbers but they normally do not lie.

He has never seen them play and neither have any of us. Better to not get excited and in the case we get lucky great. We have pretty much nothing in the pipeline and have one of the worst prospect pools in the league. There is a reason these guys are signing with us.

You bet! Most players in the NHL are inconsistent. Very few perform 82 games a year, year after year. The closest players to that are basically called generational in that their talent is so far above the curve, a bad game for them is like one of Monahan's good games. So to project a player not making an impact, the odds of that are pretty high, but they dont know.How did the Canucks do so well this year when they were predicted to be a lottery team this year?

I personally think using analytics should be best served profiling young players to draft & to try & track consistent weaknesses that coaches identify & work on as part of their development. This Moneyball mentality of the analytics community is a pipe dream in NHL hockey.

On another note, saw that 7 fckn flights from China to Canada happened over the last few days. WTF!!!!!! Why are we allowing flights from China into our country yet. There are some pretty scary conspiracy theories out there. The carnage from all this when the dust finally clears is going to change everyone's life drastically. Not many people will be able to afford to go to an NHL game when the day comes that events & gatherings will be allowed again. The salary cap is going to start looking like the CFL's.
- Kevin R

That is (frank)ed. Absolutely (frank)ing (frank)ed!

True enough... then you get players that come out of nowhere and became great players. I always find it interesting the guys who score like 60-70 goals in juniors and then come to nhl...and suck. Don't understand why that happens... and it happens so much. As for Todd stating the numbers, that's only one side of the story... you never know when someone realizes the opportunity they have and get their act together as most of these are young guys learning their way in life.

Ya, I agree with you Duran, our pipelines are pretty dry, doesn't hurt to sign a bunch of people and throw them at a wall and see if anyone sticks sort of say.

The weird thing is out D is looking bad now with Brodie and Hamonic leaving... and we kept them at the trade deadline with hopes of making a push in the playoffs. Oh well, i guess everyone is in the same boat.

Also as I have mentioned to you guys before, if any of you guys are bored download an app called Explorii (it's on iPhone) and people are streaming all sort of movies on there including new ones and tv shows as well If it helps anyone to stay entertained and decreases boredom... go for it

Looks like there isn't gonna be hockey as they are saying this thing can take 2-6 months. Everyone stay safe and stay healthy

Looks like Mandatory Curfew coming in early this week. People are organizing and attending parties and social events thinking this off work is a holiday... No people!!! A 1-month mandatory curfew will likely come in the next couple days... at least it will help as 124 cases in Alberta is from people attending parties and social events. Hope everyone stays safe and healthy

Looks like Mandatory Curfew coming in early this week. People are organizing and attending parties and social events thinking this off work is a holiday... No people!!! A 1-month mandatory curfew will likely come in the next couple days... at least it will help as 124 cases in Alberta is from people attending parties and social events. Hope everyone stays safe and healthy
- hockey4hockey

The math right now does not lie. On March 6 - there was 1 case - as of March 22, there are 259 in Alberta. The growth rate is 40% per day.

If behaviors don't change, the entire province will have been infected by April 21.

Stay home, stay clean and stop going to mother effing parties.

We were out for a walk yesterday, and as much as it was a total aggravation, our family would get off the path to allow others to pass or walk by. It seems insane that this is where we are at, but do your part so we can get through this as quickly as possible.