I look at this team, and I'm not really sure what's wrong, other than maybe some inconsistent goaltending. They should be pretty secure to make the playoffs, but they aren't. I think they've got a defence that noone in the Pacific Division can match, so come playoff time thats gonna be key.
They've got a great top 4 and top 6 defence. I'd argue they have 7 defenceman capable of playing top 4/5 minutes (Kylington being the 7th), and definitely can make pending UFAs Hamonic and Brodie expendable to add on offence if needed. Obviosuly better to avoid moving them, but sometimes you have to move a strength to address a weakness.
That being said, the forwards are mostly pretty good. The main addition I would make is a top 6 RW to play with Gaudreau and Monahan. The other option is a 2C/3C and to move Lindholm back to the middle, which is also a good option. There's been good depth play from Mangiapane, Ryan, etc, but they need one more true top 6 forward to not only gear up for the playoffs, but to make them at all. They seemingly have the depth, they have some tough guys and veterans for the playoffs, but they gotta be able to get the most out of their big guys.
The pacific is very tight as we know, so adding one more forward is going to be key for the Flames. I would think that they could do it without trading one of their pending UFA Defenceman, probably giving up their 1st or second round pick, Jankowski - who IMO is a good depth player that has been scratched -, and a prospect.
Names to watch (I added below):
- Kreider (highest value, probably unlikely)
- Toffoli (lower value, RW, my preferred option)
- Zucker? (IDK if he's available, and he isn't a rental, but he'd be a decent fit.)
- Kapanen/Johnsson (Leafs need the defence, so if they wanna swap Brodie or Hamonic for someone with term...)
- Pageau (good center option if they decide to go that route)
All of these players would fit (even if it's very close) within the cap if the Flames handle it right. There could be some long-term issues, so I would probably go for a rental if I was in charge. That being said, a guy like Kapanen who is pretty cheap and has term would be a great option.
This is pure speculation on my part, but I believe all Canadian teams are on Zucker's 10 team no-trade list. His wife is a prominent media figure in MN and she has said publicly that she will not be able to move with Zucker if he's traded since she has a daughter from a previous relationship. If Zucker is traded to a Canadian team, it will make seeing his family a lot more challenging than if he were traded to a team in the US. Again, I'm just speculating, but that's my belief.
What's wrong with the Flames? They are a one line team. I'm not saying this smugly or anything. Imo Backlund and Derek Ryan are both really just 3C and they are good at that (Backlund more than Ryan). Calgary needs a 2C and better wingers.
Without that, teams will focus their energy on shutting down the first line and play even or better against the rest of the lines.
What's wrong with the Flames? They are a one line team. I'm not saying this smugly or anything. Imo Backlund and Derek Ryan are both really just 3C and they are good at that (Backlund more than Ryan). Calgary needs a 2C and better wingers.
Without that, teams will focus their energy on shutting down the first line and play even or better against the rest of the lines.
Problem 1: need a real 1C Monahan isn’t it. He is a bottom end 1C or high end 2c lindholm is right there too.
Problem 2: need some talented rhw’s
Problem 3: inconsistent goaltending but I think Rittich is the man moving forward.
Problem 1: need a real 1C Monahan isn’t it. He is a bottom end 1C or high end 2c lindholm is right there too.
Problem 2: need some talented rhw’s
Problem 3: inconsistent goaltending but I think Rittich is the man moving forward.
Yeah I wasn't going to go there with Monahan and Lindholm because even though I have watched some Calgary games, someone else (you lol) are a better judge of that.
Yeah I wasn't going to go there with Monahan and Lindholm because even though I have watched some Calgary games, someone else (you lol) are a better judge of that.
They are great players I like them both. Monahan just doesn’t do enough. He doesn’t drive his line. I think lindholm is slightly better at that. Neither is that true 1c.
1 of 2 main things. The team has decent but not elite center depth and/or (dependig kn if Lindholm is C or RW) the team has very little to no RW depth.
Orher then that consistency is the next main factor.
The last 2 games Backlund has looked solid at 3C next to Bennett and Robinson being a right handed shot playing with Gaudreau and Monahan has shown how much that line needs one. Whether the answer is to bring another center in and move Lindholm back to 1RW or find a top 6RW on the market it is the clear gaping hole in this roster
I think a lot of people agree with me on the fact that the main need here is a top 6 forward, either a 2C or a 2RW, it's gonna be interesting to see what happens at the TDL.