Mr. Goalie: Remembering Glenn Hall

 

The hockey world has lost a legend. Glenn Hall was a gentleman, and we truly miss him. I was a huge fan of Mr. Goalie. It was a true honour to watch Glenn play. Here is an interesting fact: Glenn never wore a goalie mask during his entire career.

I will always remember Glenn Hall as the Calgary Flames’ goalie coach during the 1988-1989 season. The work he did for Mike Vernon was flawless. I think Glenn played a huge role in Mike’s progress as a goalie.

His Knowledge

Glenn Hall’s nickname—Mr. Goalie—says a lot about his character. He was the authority on goaltending. His word was the final word on goaltending. He was one of the smartest hockey minds out there.

His Personality

Glenn was known as one of the kindest gentlemen ever. He was always willing to make time for everyone. Glenn was the kind of person you wanted to be associated with. He was so personable.

The Trade

One of the worst trades in Hawks history sent Glenn Hall and Ted Lindsey to the Detroit Red Wings. The Hawks received Hank Bassen, Johnny Wilson, Roy Preston, and cash. It was because of Lindsay’s role in forming the union. Glenn Hall went along for the ride to make sure Lindsay’s trade went through.

His Awards

In 1951, Hall won the Calder Memorial Trophy, commonly known as the Rookie of the Year. Glenn Hall was awarded the Vezina Trophy in the 62-63 and 66-67 seasons. He also won the Most Valuable Player award in the playoffs, commonly known as the Conn Smythe Trophy. This trophy is especially remarkable because the player on the losing team rarely receives it in the playoffs.  

Glenn Hall was on the Chicago Blackhawks for the 1961 season. It was said that Glenn was a key factor in the Chicago’s successful Stanley Cup run.

From PTOs to LOLs: Preseason Humor Ensues

I’m trying to find something to write. It is so boring right now. 

Breaking news: Calgary Flames fans are saving the Flames store from going under. They are showing up in droves, buying Connor McDavid Voodoo dolls. The Calgary Flames were quoted as saying, “Everyone was on pins and needles to see if it was a successful venture.” Yes, it was very nice of the Flames fans to show up in this prickly situation.

In Calgary, firefighters rush to a golf course in response to flames on the course. By the time they noticed it was Flames players instead of fire, they had to resuscitate some of the players. Unfortunately, it became life-threatening for the fireman as the Flames players did not respond well to mouth-to-mouth treatment. Yes, being a firefighter can be dangerous. They need more hazard pay.  

In Vegas, police refuse to comment on pulling over a minor driving a car. The problem was that the driver was Vegas Golden Knight forward Mitch Marner. The only comment the police made was that they did not use unnecessary force in the arrest. There will be an investigation into the incident.

I came in on a conversation between two of my sources.

There was a rash of medical emergencies in Toronto. There was a lot of foaming in the mouth disease as Connor McDavid was seen with Auston Matthews. As it turned out, Connor had gone over on a play date. Of course, there was parental supervision, making sure everything was kosher. Whew, good thing—who knows what damage those kids could have done!

Now for real news. I appreciate your patience. According to my source, the PTOs ( Personal tryouts) will be handed out. Teams like having extra players at camp to rest roster players from playing in preseason games.   As a new season creeps up, it is interesting to speculate about how it may go. I am eager to see how many players get PTOs. 

 

Cornerstones of the Calgary Flames: The Trio Holding the Team Together

Every team has its cornerstones. Without them, its chances of success go down dramatically. Just like a building structure relies on its cornerstones, a hockey team has its cornerstones to hold the team together. Imagine a building without any foundation. What would happen to it? Like a building or organization, every hockey franchise has to have a solid foundation. Ideally, a team’s cornerstone is one goalie, one forward, and a defenceman.

The elite teams have four or five key players, but this is not fantasy; most hockey teams will be happy with three.

I am moving on from the thought of the Calgary Flames trying to tank this season. There are a lot of bright spots to build on with this team. Here are the three players I think can solidify the Flames’ future for years to come.

Dustin Wolf

Dustin is the main reason the Calgary Flames were successful after last season. He was in the top 10 goalies in the NHL, if not in the top five. Some fans would say he was the best goalie in the league last year. That is a debate for another time, but there’s no debating that Dustin was the MVP player of the Calgary Flames. Wolf must be this good for the Flames to make it to the next level.

MacKenzie Weegar

MacKenzie is a strong arm in the Calgary defense. In reality, he is one of the team leaders and might very well be the team’s next captain. He is truly the glue that holds the Calgary defense together. This Defense was sometimes in shambles like a fish out of water. You can see Weegar throwing the fish back in the water. MacKenzie does everything right. He is a great penalty killer. MacKenzie was outstanding in his defensive play, and at times, he was the power-play quarterback.

Jonathan Huberdeau

Last year was the first time we had a glimpse of the real Huberdeau. He showed lots of heart in the previous season and was having fun. Jonathan Huberdeau’s hockey IQ is high, and he is one of the smartest players in the league. If the Calgary Flames use him wisely and do not put too much pressure on him, he has the potential to be their best player. He can be the leader of this team. By far, he is the best playmaker on the roster and has the best vision on the ice. His passing skills are among the best in the league this season.

Clarification by the author

I must admit I could’ve easily used Matthew Coronado as the forward. I use Jonathan because he has to be the leader to justify that contract for the Calgary Flames.

Randy 

The All-Star Break, It's Game On for Managers

Going into the All-Star break, the only people who will have the luxury of taking a break from hockey are the players themselves. The All-Star break is the busy season for managers and team officials; this is what they thrive on. While the players may be taking a break from the physical demands of the sport, Conroy ensures that their paycheques continue to roll in. 

The legwork is probably already done. This week, Conroy will check in on the progress of what teams need. He will discuss the compatibility of Calgary Flames players, such as Lindholm, Tanev, and the player I consider their most crucial asset, Hanifin, with other teams. 

Noah Hanifin

Noah is the best dman on the market. He is a terrific all-around defender. He is very good at pinching in the offensive zone and capitalizing on scoring chances for his team. Teams that could be looking to bolster their defensive lineup with Hanifin's presence include the Isles, Bruins, Leafs, and possibly Canucks. 

Elias Lindholm

In all honesty, Elias has been struggling all season, and the Flames will try to sell him in his previous history. However, Lindholm is a valuable asset for any team needing a solid second-line center. The teams I see as being interested are Sens, Oilers, Canucks, Avs, and Bruins.

Chris Tanev 

Chris is a rock in the defensive zone. He is the picture-perfect stay-at-home defenceman. He is a diehard shot blocker. He is fearless in his performance. Tanev's leadership qualities make him a valuable asset in any dressing room. Teams that might be interested in bringing Tanev's strengths to their defensive lineups are the Leafs, Canucks, and Isles.

Interesting tidbit: The Calgary Flames will be trying to clean up the dressing room, potentially resulting in a few surprise trades. I have no idea what will happen, but a few players could be traded who will surprise us.

Randy 

The Flames' Dilemma

You can bet the Calgary Flames will be one of the busiest teams in the league over the next little while as they potentially transition from contenders to rebuilders. The team must determine their direction for this season, which will be consistently evaluated based on their performance.

The main decision that has to be made is what they will do with the defensive core. Following the Zordorv trade, only Hanifin and Tanav remained. Naturally, the initial inclination is to trade both of them. The problem is, can the Flames make the playoffs? It begs the question: Can you trade your defense if the Flames are aiming for the playoffs? Only time will tell.

The next question is whether the Flames will promote Wolf. Vladar was outstanding in the last game against the Knights. Without him, the Flames had no chance of winning. His consistent performance proved crucial for the team's victories. Meanwhile, Wolf continues to be an All-Star in the AHL. The Flames will have another issue to deal with as the Flame's depth continues to be a story this year. 

The Flames have seen a resurgence in their leaders, with Huberdeau and Kadri stepping up their game of late. Huby played his best game of the year against the Stars. If the kids can continue to bring out the best in Kadri and Huberdeau, the team could be in for a fun couple of months ahead.

All of this goes to say that the Flames have been fun to watch so far this season. I wonder when or if the plug gets pulled on the season. Will the next trade focus on future prospects, or will the team persist in their efforts to enhance their performance this season? So far, it would appear that the Flames have no intention of giving up this season. 

RIP Bearcat Murray

My heart is a little saddened today to hear of the passing of Bearcat. I remember him jumping on the ice, often helping an injured player. That injured player did not have to be a Flame; I saw him jumping off for the other team player if he could get there before their trainer. That was just the man; he was all class. I will never forget his manner, always smiling.  

Bearcat had a heart of gold. He was there for anyone who asked for help. He would have given the shirt off his back. He had his finger in many charities,  offering his time to help in any way he could. He will permanently be attached to the Calgary Flames. The man, the myth, the legend, Bearcat Murray. 

My sympathies to his friends and family. May God be with them at this time. 

Flames: Are They Good Enough

So, did the Flames do enough? 

I know they are probably the best team in the Pacific Division. Apparently, they tried to get a depth defenceman, but couldn't make it work. The reason was there were not many options left by that point. I wonder if the Flames could have started earlier if they had made more cap room? They had to put Richardson on waivers just to be able to tinker in the final hour. 

The Flames could have made a cap casualty trade. Now bear with me—they could have traded Monahan for a cheaper third-line centre. If they are going to use Monahan as a third-line centre, they might as well use an actual third-line player to do the same thing for cheaper.  

One of my contacts has expressed how he feels about their use of Monahan: "They frankly misuse the talented centre."  I know Flames fans are often frustrated with Monahan, but is it his fault? When a team undervalues a player, can he help but think less of himself? 

The second part of this question: Should the Flames have considered making room for the Tkachuk and Gaudreau extensions next season? Could they have made a cap casualty trade without hurting the team? 

One contact explained why they couldn't dump any cap: "When you have the chance at the cup, you have to go for it." I countered about having to lose Tkachuk or Gaudreau next year. Another contact agreed with not changing anything before the playoffs: "You can't mess with a team's chemistry when it is one of the best teams in the League."  

With this discussion, I learned precisely what goes through a General Manager's mind at the deadline. They have to consider every option and then judge the likely result. Who knew?

Randy

Legend Week Continues Hakan LOOOOB

Legend week continues. I hope you have enjoyed reading about these legends as much as I have enjoyed writing them. This week's nominee is Hakan Loob of the Stanley Cup champions Calgary Flames. Hakan Loob is my favourite Flames player of all time. 

I love his speed as he created havoc in the offensive zone. Defencemen would be intimidated by his speed, automatically backing up as he entered the zone. His stickhandling was immaculate, along with his passing, which was among the league's best. He was in on the last goal of Lanny Mcdonald's career.

Hakan was the kind of player who goes about his game without anyone noticing him. Hakan played in all aspects of the Flames game, especially the penalty kill because of his speed. He took pride in his defensive game and was an all-around solid player for the Flames. 

Hakan Loob Scores 50

Hakan Loob was the first Swede to score 50 goals in a season. In the 1987-88 season, Loob led the Flames with 106 points, including 50 goals. He would end his career with style as a Stanley Cup Champion. Hakan had a shortened NHL career, as he chose to finish his career playing at home in Sweden. 

Tale of Two Players

As the Flames prepare to meet the Jets, let's discuss a couple of the players from the Heat. The two players I would like to talk about are the two hardest to spell; this is not a good thing because I can't spell, but I digress. 

Artyom Zagidulin

When the Calgary Flames signed Artyom Zagidulin, I must admit I knew nothing about him. So I had to do some research and here is what I learned. He is a young goalie, rough around the edges. But he has potential. Artyom has fast reflexes going from side to side. He needs to control the rebounds and he goes down too early. There is a consensus that he is rarely caught out of position.

I have fabulous followers on Twitter. One, in particular, is Nicole Watt @NikkiWatt18. I love her quote. With her permission, allow me to share her observation on Artyom Zagidulin.

"He is still developing. The Heat aren't really there yet as a team tbh, so it's harder to gauge, but he really needs to work on his numbers if he wants to make it. He has a lot of potential though."

Alexander Yelesin

When the Calgary Flames signed Alexander, I completely understood why. Alexander has terrific depth and will fit in nicely in that number six defensemen role. He is a solid stay-home defenceman with a solid, rugged game. He is what he is. He will be of use on the penalty kill.

With these two players, I feel Yelesin, in particular, will get a chance to play. Thanks to "players not fit to play,"  the Flames may be forced to play Alexander. I am quite comfortable with him in the lineup.  Zagidulin is there on an emergency basis in case the Flames lose every goalie in the world. Zagidulin will grow tenfold with the Flames. To steal a baseball term, they will teach him what it is like in the big leagues.

Last word

I just wanted to say a few words on Travis Hamonic. I don't think there could be a more exceptional representative of the NHL than Travis. He has done more for the community than most of us will in a lifetime. He is as solid a hockey player off the ice as he is on the ice. I am afraid to say; I think he has played his last game as a Flames, and it is a darn shame.

Calgary Flames Picks

Okay, it is time for me to make a fool of myself. Yes, time for me to put on my imaginary Calgary GM hat and pretend to know what I am doing.  If I were a Flames GM, I would want a top-six forward.  But picking at number 26 makes it difficult to achieve that goal.

So the Flames have to find a diamond in the rough.  The Flames would love to draft Brett Leason, but I have it on good authority he won't be there. The Islanders are in dire need of a power forward, so I am sure Brett will be gone before the Flames' first pick.

So eliminating Leason, what players might still be available?

27. Connor McMichael, Forward/Centre/Wing

Connor is a versatile forward who can play centre and wing. He can be used in all aspects of the game. Connor has great instincts,  great hands and a terrific shot. Connor has some nifty moves and is capable of making a play out of nothing.  The Flames like their forwards to play more than one position and will love his versatility.

88. Nando Eggenberger, Wing

Eggenberger is a big, strong winger.  The Flames need to get bigger up front.  Nando is not the most skilled forward, but he could develop into a solid third line winger willing get his hands dirty.

Here are my other picks without explanation:

116 William Constantinou - defence
150 Mattias Norlinder - defence
214 Brayden Guy - right winger

The Year of Disappointment

That pretty much sums it up in a nutshell. Whatever could go wrong did go wrong. The Flames could not or did not want to show up. It certainly left a bad taste in our mouths; like drinking a full bottle of Buckley's—except that it didn't work.

Where do you place the blame? With every stick except Mike Smith, who came to play but was deserted by his teammates. The defence was playing loosey-goosey, with forwards taking a stroll down the ice and forgetting to return.  And of course, the famous back pass to the other team. It seems the Flames forgot who their teammates were. The Calgary Flames were basically the Keystone Cops.  When it comes down to it, the Flames were not playing off the same page.

From my perspective, the biggest problem was the Avalanche speed. The Calgary defence was often caught flat-footed and did not have the legs to catch up. Too many times, the forwards would lose track of the position in the zone.

There were some bright spots during the year. The first offensive line was at its peak. The second line is led by Tkachuk, one of the best pests in the league, who is going to get paid.  Unfortunately, the Flames may have to pay the piper to keep him. He may very well be the next captain on the team.

Brad Treliving made two acquisitions to be proud of. First, Elias Lindholm, who had a career year 27 goals and 51 assists for a total of 78 points. The second might surprise you:  Derek Ryan, who matched his career points with 38 and had a career year of 25 assists. But he did so much more. Derek was outstanding in the penalty kill, one of the best defensive players on the team.

The defence was led by the Norris trophy candidate Mark Giordano, or as I like to call him,  Mr. Everything.  A career year at the age of 36—who does that?Mark was the leader of this team in every sense of the word. When they needed a play, Mark made it.  Mark had support on the defensive play: Travis Hamonic really came into his own. He arrived this season as a rock in his own zone and soon became the dman the Flames knew he would be. I love the fact that he knew how to stand up to an opposing forward, outstanding in his own zone.

The goaltending was a concern most of the year.  At his best, Smith is one of the unparalleled in the league. Unfortunately, Mike at his worst is a nightmare.  To give Mike credit, he was an anchor in the playoffs. David Rittich is still young as an NHL calibre goalie. My concern is that he is still a little rough at the edges. He is very good at his angles, capable of making the big save as his nickname indicates (BSD). I am just not sure he is experienced enough to take the reins as a number one goalie.

Going into the offseason, finding a number one goalie must be the top priority. Smith was that in the playoffs.  The second is finding a right winger for Backs and Tkachuk. That second line has to be a support for the Flames to be successful.

Fantasy Time

Well, it is that time of year when Fantasy Hockey season rears its ugly head. Why do I say ugly? Because I suck, plain and simple; every year I am king of the last place. I tell everyone I don't care, but they just give me that look. You know, the look of pity. I hate that look. Okay, enough with feeling sorry for myself.

So let's try to pick the best player for each position. Some positions are obvious; well, mostly just one.  Everyone knows who is the best centre, but the other positions are not so apparent.

Centres 
Connor something... I can't remember... his name is on my tip of my tongue... Okay, that was tongue in cheek. McDavid is the best player in the League. He makes everyone around him better. He brings out the best in everyone. What is scary is he has no weaknesses; he does everything well. The best playmaker in the League. He is in a league all by himself.

Goaltending
When you're doing fantasy, this is a position you have to be careful with. You may not pick the best one. You have to consider the team. The goalie with the most wins may not be the best goalie in the League. For example, Price is probably the best goalie in the League, but are the Habs the best team in the League? This is a lot more difficult. I would probably pick Murry from Pit.  The Pens are a contender, and he will get most of the starts.

Best Defencemen
We all know the only thing that matters in Fantasy is points.  And you need to look no further than Ottawa's Erik Karlsson. He is the heart and soul of the Sens. Erik is good for 15-20 goals and 70-80 points.

Right Wing
Patrick Kane in Toronto is one of the best all-around forwards in the game. He does not do anything poorly. Patrick does everything for the Black Hawks. Especially in the special teams; his passing ability makes him deadly on the powerplay.

Left Wing 
As much as my Flames fans want me to pick a certain other left winger; I'm sorry, I must pick Jamie Benn. Jamie is an outstanding player who does everything right. He is one of the best playmakers in the game who can score with the best of them.  It does not hurt to have his buddy Tyler down with him either.

There you have it, my list of the best players at their respective positions.  Each the best in their game.  Bring on the season; I can't wait.

Flames Then and Now

Originally blogged at Flames Scratch Pad

I dare say the Flames'  defense has never been so highly vaunted since 1989. Most people are putting the Flames defense in the top four in the League. Some say as high as second in the League just behind the Preds blue line.  How good is this defense? I think excellent, but only time will tell how good they are.

So, I thought I would compare the 1989 team with this year's defensive corps. Which defense is better? This is obviously subjective, but let's have a look:

1989 Flames Defence

Al MacInnis

Maybe the best dman on the Flames ever.  Al had three 20-goal seasons as a defenceman.  Although this was in a different era of hockey, twenty goals is comparable to fifty goals as a forward.  Al was a consistent all-star while with the Flames.

Gary Suter    

A terrific playmaking defencemen who would have been number one on most teams. But because Al, Gary never got any of the limelight. That suited Gary just fine.

Jamie Macoun

A steady stay home defencemen who you could always rely on. Jamie knew his limitations and rarely got caught out of place. Jamie was the player who blocked the shot when needed.  He was a stable influence on the defense to calm things down.

Brad McCrimmon

Brad was a solid defenceman with some offensive punch. Mostly on the ice to cover up mistakes.  An excellent penalty killer with a no nonsense mentality.

Rob Ramage   

His best years were with the Blues. By the time he got traded to the Flames, he was a service defenceman.  He was mostly there to fill a hole on the defense.  And he did. A solid dman who could be relied on in the defensive zone.

Dana Murzyn

A number six defencemen who played limited minutes.  Nothing more nothing less. He did what was expected of him. The only thing was, there not much expected of him.

Flames 2017

Mark Giordano 

The leader, the heart, and soul of the team.  Mark has been so steady for so long. When the Flames needed a hit, goal, or play, Mark is their man. He does everything well on the powerplay and penalty kill.  Most offensive dmen lack the defensive play. Mark does not.

TJ Brodie

TJ is a gifted young defenceman who can distribute the puck with accuracy. He is a solid, playmaking defenseman who can cover up his mistakes with his speed.  He could be as high as a number two on most teams. In Calgary, he is a three or four guy.

Dougie Hamilton

Dougie can do it all for the Flames.  An excellent, all around defencemen.  Dougie is involved in all aspects of the game, his slapshot highly underrated. He is used as the number one powerplay unit with Gio.  He is a slick, playmaking defensemen who can pass with the best of them.

Travis Hamonic

The highly-touted ex- New York Islander will fit right in.  The key point is Travis does not have the pressure of being the man.  He is a second pairing defenseman. He will flourish in his role. No pressure, and all the glory in the lineup this season.

Michael Stone 

In ninety percent of the League, Michael would be the second pairing defencemen. Unfortunately for him, he is on the Flames, which puts him as a number five defencemen.  Michael is not a flashy player, but he is consistently playing with in his strength. Rarely does he play out of his game, which is the main reason the Flames re-signed him.

Matt Bartkowski/Rasmus Andersson 

Whichever one gets the job will have Stone as a teacher. Matt is the most stable.  Meaning more experienced and more predictable.  Andersson is the more talented but maybe makes more mistakes. Either way, you get what you get in sixth defensemen.

Conclusion

There you have it. I feel the "now" defense is very close to any team in the League.  The only reason I would be leaning toward the "then" team is Al Macinnis.

Calgary Flames and the Expansion Draft

Reblogged from Flames Scratch Pad

Are you excited about the Vegas team?

The only thing that excites me is losing Bouma. The Flames will either lose one of their young defenders or a third line forward. I desperately don't want to lose Alex Chiasson. His offensive contributions come in handy.  I hope it will be Lance Bouma; he is an easy replaceable fourth line forward. But unfortunately, the only way that happens is if the Flames arrange a deal for that to happen. Who do you think the Flames are going to lose in the expansion?

Next, who are my picks? There are many options. I feel it is down to four players. I am sure the experts will give you more options, but they are wrong!  That is my story, and I am sticking to it.

My picks, or who I think the Golden Knights will consider:

Matt Stajan

The Golden Knights may choose Matt for his experience.  He is an excellent penalty killer, who gets the job done.  Matt is a solid fourth line Centre. In fact,  he might be the third line Centre.  He will be a great example for the younger kids.

Alex Chiasson 

Alex was a pleasant surprise in my eyes. I was not expecting his twelve goals.  His size will help the Golden Knights on the powerplay, and he will not let the smaller players get pushed around.  His best quality is the garbage goals he can get in there with the best of them.  He could be a second line winger on the expansion team.

Brett Kulak

A solid chance in the NHL. I honestly believe that Brett will be in the NHL on a regular stint. He is a solid defender who has some spunk.  With the Flames, he is probably a fifth to seventh defencemen.   He could pitch in with some offense skill.  There is lots of time for Brett to develop the perfect fit for expansion team who can be patient with him.

Tyler Wotherspoon

Wotherspoon never truly developed into the offensive defencemen people thought he would. But if you do not make Tyler into something he isn't, you still have a young defenseman with some defensive smarts.  If the Knights are looking for a young, stay-home defenseman, Tyler is their man.

The Flames will be making some changes in the off-season.  So I thought I would pick Dearen's brain to see what some of the solutions could be:

Q: Who will be the Flames starting goaltender next season? 

A: I want to answer this question with two answers. No one will be the Flames legitimate starting goaltender next season and Mike Smith. I would love to say a young goalie like Grubauer or Raanta, but those two goalies are not proven goalies and may not even be available. Treliving and Brian Burke appear to like veteran goalies, and for that reason, I believe Mike Smith will be the Flames next attempt at a #1 goaltender. Smith is 35 years old and has a cap hit of $5,666,667 for the next two seasons. Mike Smith has had some injury woes, and that is why the Flames will bring back Chad Johnson as the backup. You don't like my answer? I don't like my answer either. However, the acquisition cost likely makes more sense than an M.A. Fleury, who may not accept a trade to Calgary. Another name that I will mention is Jaroslav Halak (he showed well in the World Cup). I know he was waived last year and I know the majority of people will tell you he is not a #1 goalie. And they are right. I hope you realize that I am telling you that the Flames will not acquire a #1 goaltender. The Flames will either have to make a trade and take a risk on a goalie like Grubauer, Raanta, or Condon, or acquire/sign a guy like Mike Smith, Steve Mason, Jonathan Bernier or Ryan Miller and hope they find their past success. I predict that Treliving goes with familiarity and acquires Mike Smith and signs Chad Johnson to back him up.

Q: Who will fill the void at Right Wing next season for the Flames?

A: Brouwer!! Oh, wait that was last year when Brad Treliving overpaid a third line winger and expected him to fill in our top 6 roles. I love Ferland, but he does not belong on our top two lines.

If we look at Free Agency, we see names like Radulov, TJ Oshie and after that, it drops to names like Vrbata, Justin Williams, and Patrick Eaves. Radulov and Oshie are both 30 years old and are going to want term and money. I am not convinced Calgary has a realistic chance to land either guy. Radulov will end up back in Montreal while rumors suggest Oshie goes back to Washington. Eaves had a crazy good year and is going to wait for that one team that will overpay him on a 3-4 year deal. I hope Calgary is not that team. I just don't see a legit top two line right winger that can help the Flames in free agency.

The Flames may need to get creative and look outside of the NHL. How about Valerie Nichushkin? I am not entirely sure if he can opt out of his final year with CSKA Moscow, but perhaps you can speak to his agent and work out a deal with Dallas. Nischushkin made it clear he was not happy with Dallas and returned home. Maybe a new coach in Dallas changes that? Nischushkin shoots left but plays the right wing. The 22-year-old has the size and the skill. Other names that I will throw out there are Nikita Gusev and Evgeny Dadonov. The Flames will have to get creative and take a risk, and perhaps they look in Europe to find a crafty winger to play with Gaudreau and Monahan.

Q: Should the Flames consider signing Jarome Iginla?

A: No. I love Jarome just like any other Flames fan. Jarome Iginla will be 40 years old and although he had a little success in LA, his best days are far behind him. The Flames want to play an up-tempo puck possession style game, and Iginla does not fit that style.

As much as we can use a right winger and need a goaltender, I am curious to see what the Flames do on defense. Brad Treliving and Brian Burke have recently been quoted saying that you need to have six very capable defensemen to be successful. Right now the Flames have three legitimate NHL defensemen under contract in Giordano: Hamilton and Brodie. A lot of work needs to be done on the back end.

Flame trade deadline

Reblogged from Flames Scratch Pad.

I understand how everyone looks at the deadline as insignificant.  I can completely understand that it was, well, pretty boring.  But dare I say that if we take a deeper look, it was significant for the Calgary Flames players. What I am getting at is the message it gives the players: "We believe in you."

Most people seem to think that if you don't bring in a stud, you are sending the wrong message. But I think if it's not broke, why fix it? The Flames management believes in this team and its chemistry.   Chemistry is vital to a team's success.

So what do we get in Lazar? We get a young forward with tons of potential. What I like most about Curtis is his speed. He will fit right in. Curtis has a quick release and is an excellent passer. His weakness is in the faceoff circle. For that reason, I think he will be on the wing.   He is worth the gamble. A second rounder plus a dman who never plays is not too steep of a price. This year's draft is pretty weak.

The other thing I am pleased with is the acquisition of Stone to fill a weak spot in the line-up. Before the Stone trade, the Flames were extremely weak on number 4-6.  Think I am overestimating him? Look at their record since he was acquired!  Bringing in Stone to solidify the defense might just have saved their season.

Calgary Flames: there are no words

Reblogged from Flames Scratchpad

There have to be changes made to this team soon. Goaltending is awful. They are not making the saves when needed. The defense is bad at best, and that is being kind. Gio, Brodie, and Hamilton have to be better and play smarter.

They have allowed too many blind passes in their own zone. They have to play smarter and pinch at the right times. Too many two-on-ones. And, of course, stop the merry-go-round with the sixth dman. The Flames need to make up their minds who is in and who isn't.

As for the forwards; don't get me started. We are basically a one-line team. Monahan and Johnny are not interested, and of course, we don't have a  third-line winger. The Flames never faced the issue of getting another top-6 forward and are paying for it now.

Bennett is looking like a confused puppy who has no idea what he is supposed to be doing. Stajan has been pretty good. The problem is the fourth-line centre forward showing no push-back. Where is the emotion? This team looks like they have packed it in for the season and are making plans for the summer vacation.

There has to be urgency in the Flames' play.  Once the first bad goal goes in, the team looks like 'here we go again!'

True, the goaltending has to be better, but the team has to show more heart. I am the first to admit the goalies have given up their share of bad goals. But it is hard to win when you cannot score and do not bother to show up until the third period. There is no emotion once this team falls behind. It's like they say, 'well, that's it. Time to pack it in.'

The management has a whole bunch of holes to fix and a coach that no one likes. Players will not listen to him, and he does not have the guts to make them. Players have to have repercussions for the way they play. They have no one to answer to. Or should I say, the stars have no need to listen, but if you're not the star, that is a different story? The third- and fourth-liners have a whole different standard to live up to than the stars.  And yes, that is adding to the problem. There have to be consequences for everyone, including the leaders.

Oh yes, there are a lot of holes in this ship that cannot be fixed with duct tape.

Flames Needs

Originally blogged at Flames Scratch Pad

Have you seen this person? If seen, please contact the Calgary Flames organization! Okay, it's not that bad, but Shawn Monahan has struggled this year.

Is it the pressure of a big contract? Or maybe it's the system? Either way, Shawn seems to have lost his way to the yellow brick road. I do not know the reasoning, but it sure looks like he has lost his mojo. He has been struggling with the puck, fighting it like a hot potato.

The other elephant in the room that the Flames need to address is the top six forward. It is no secret the Flames are in dire need of a scoring right winger.

I suspect the Flames are mocking the asking price. It seems the sellers are very greedy; there simply are not enough sellers. There are slim pickings right now; this issue might not get filled until the deadline.

So let's try to address the issue of who the Flames should have as the targets. In no particular order:

Brock Nelson 

The Islanders are in trouble, being in the toughest division. Brock is a skilled young cheap forward.  It is no secret that Bennett has been struggling. Maybe moving him to the wing could help.  And penciling in Nelson there.

Patrick Sharp

Might be the best option. Patrick is not exactly having a great year, but he has a ton of skill. His expiring contract makes him expendable; he might be the power right wing the Flames so desperately need.

Martin Hanzal

A skilled young center who is a UFA at the end of the season. Martin is a big skilled forward for the Coyotes who has a ton of potential. He has never lived up to the hype. Maybe a change of scenery would do him some good. Again, I like the idea of moving Bennett to the wing.

Flames progress

I can actually see the light at the end of the tunnel. So tell me, why?  What is making the Flames a better team? I have a theory on that; well, at least, on elements which may have been in play. 

Flames Powerplay 

It looks like Mr. Cameron has all the players on board with him. Monahan has been especially good in the slot. He has been quite the sniper of late. The resurgence of Dougie Hamilton has been a major factor in the powerplay success. One could say the Flames have found their powerplay quarterback. Dougie has finally filled a desperate need, which the Flames have not had in years. The final factor: Mr. Johnny is back; I finally see the fire in his eyes. I don't know where he has been lately, but it so nice to see signs of the old Johnny of late. 

Flames Penalty Kill 

Mr. Stajan has been a workhorse. At times, he has been the best forward on the ice. But he has had help this season on the penalty kill in Deryk Engelland. The steady defender has been the biggest surprise this season. He has been consistent this season, doing everything that has been expected of him. Mr. Mikael Backlund has stepped up his game in the kill; his speed has been an intimidating force in the success of the kill. The major success is Flames are sticking to the box.  There not being caught out of position, keeping an eye on the puck at all times. 

Best line all season: Backlund, Frolik, Tkachuk. 

The heading says it all.  This line combo is really a line three in name only.  The three have been working together like a well-oiled machine. It's like they have been best friends for life. Backlund has found a new lease on life with his mates. He is the perfect distributor for two power forwards. Tkachuk is a beast, the power forward the Flames have been missing since some guy named Iggy. His strength in the corners is amazing. Frolik and Backlund have chemistry, together seems like Frolik knows exactly what Backlund is thinking.  Here is hoping this line continues to carry this team for the rest of the season. 

Conclusion 

Troy Brouwer injury has brought up an interesting inquiry.  Do the Flames jump in and fill a need right away? Or do they dare stand pat? Which leads me to the fan poll question this week: Do we dare bring Iggy back for one last hurrah?    

The Inside Scoop: Leafs and Flames Talks

What really happened during the Leafs and Flames talks?

It has been a long time since my furry spies have reported to me. They have had their rations cut because of it. So, I apologize for the lateness of this Maple Leafs and Flames talk. All names will be redacted for their privacy. This is all hush hush.

A couple of weeks ago, a GM contacted my little furry animals—I mean spies. At the time, my spies claim they never knew there were smart GMs. They thought they were all stupid. So they would like to apologize to Mr. Burke. They would never have spread the word that some hockey player was on the market.

Well, that being said, there had been many discussions between the Leafs and the Flames. My spies have transcribed one of the conversations that caused the trade talks to break down.

Toronto calling Flames: "Hey *****, a stupid GM told me that you lied on TV. He claims the rumors about Hamilton are true. He says you started them."

Flames: "He lies. And I have better hair than him."

Toronto GM: "At any rate, we have a counteroffer to the twenty first-round picks for Dougie Hamilton."

Burke: "What in tarnation could be better than twenty first-round picks?"

Toronto GM: "Trust me; this offer is very good. You will regret it if you discount it before even hearing it."

Burke: "Okay, I guess I am not doing my job if I don't explore our options."

Toronto GM: "First of all, we know you were not serious about the twenty picks."

Flames: "I cannot comment on that. You assume what you want to."

Toronto GM: "Well, I am going on that basis. So, that being said..."

Burke interrupts him and yells: "GET ON WITH IT! I AM A BUSY MAN!"

Toronto GM: "Okay; I think we should do this over supper. Or maybe meet in a spa."

Burke: "What spa? I urgently need to do my nails. Your treat?"

Toronto GM puts his hands over the phone and turns to talk to the Assistant GM: "We got him. Brian never turns down getting his nails done."

The Toronto GM takes his hand off the phone: "Brian, why should we pay for it?"

Burke: "Don't give me that. You want your face done as much as I want my nails done. You have been wanting to do your face for months. You have been dying to find a way to write it off.

Toronto: "How about you dying to find out how I always keep my hair in place."

Flames: "You take that back! That was spread by a stupid GM. You're just dying to know how I still have hair!"

Toronto: "So you're too cheap to pay for the spa. Well, I guess you do not get that special bonus."

Flames: "I guess everyone is going to find out you belong to the Hair for Men Club."

Toronto: "How did you find out about that? They are supposed to be discrete. I—I mean no, I don't."

Flames: "So, what was the offer anyway?"

Toronto: "I'm not telling. But I WILL you tell you the bonus. You just lost a case of Brylcreem."

Well, we can't tell you what else was said, because this is a family-friendly blog. But imagine what could have happened if someone could have compromised. I guess we will never know.

Show me the money!

Reblogged from Flamesjambalaya

So the Flames have played the first 11 games of the season. And what do we know?

OUR POWERPLAY IS, WELL, NOT SO GOOD.

Same old, same old. The Flames cannot even get the puck into the offensive zone. No originality in the powerplays. The Flames are making it too easy to defend. The next problem: no one in front of the net, making it too easy for the goalie. Defense is being too fancy, trying to make plays that aren't there. The Flames have to get back to the basics. Get traffic to the net.

NO FIRST LINE.

Monahan and Gaudreau are clicking. They are like strangers; it's like they are still in preseason mode. They are too comfortable; it's like they got the money and lost the motivation to play. I have heard "split them up" a lot lately. But I say, why split up the other two lines which are playing just fine, thank you? If I was to ask, who is the best line the Flames have right now? Most people would not hesitate: Backlund, Frolic, and Tkachuck. Who is their best Centre? Sam Bennett comes to my mind.

So what is my solution? If Backlund's line is the best line, give them the first line minutes. If Bennett is the best Centre, his line becomes the second line. It may be radical, but I say don't break them up; put them on the third line. Show me the money. Make them earn their minutes.

FLAMES OFFICIALLY LOOKING FOR TOP SIX FORWARD HELP.

The biggest epic failure in the offseason, the Flames failed in getting that extra top six forward. The Flames realize they have to get another forward to connect with Monahan and Gaudreau. The only way to address the issue is by trading one of the big three. They deny that they are going that route. I would like to know how they expect to fill it.