The doom and gloom temper tantrum from Flames fans is crazy right now. Cool off though, they're a notoriously slow starting team that goes through this every single year for the past decade, it sucks but it's cause of the core not the coach. Monahan has the worst shooting percentage he has had in his career, Tkachuk hasn't found it yet and they found another top 6 C in Lindholm. Markstrom is a disgusting human being who I accept as my lord and saviour as well as Tanner Pearson's dad.
Three points back of third with games in hand and two games coming up against the team in third, Win% wise it's even tighter than that. They haven't had a single game against Ottawa yet, Ottawa isn't to be overlooked as they are rounding into form but you should expect to take 12-15 points from those games. 9 games against Ottawa, 9 games against Edmonton, 5 against the Canucks. The Flames have shown that they're a team that either plays up to their competition or down to it, they can compete with Montreal, Toronto and Winnipeg those have been some of their best games of the year, it's when they play down to the level of a Canucks team that they should bury that they get into trouble.
No one is firing a coach when you're expected to compete in a 56 game season, it is hard enough in an 82 game season let alone 56.
Gaudreau is firing right now, Tkachuk need a return to his line from last year, Monahan needs to not play against the other teams top lines and Giordano needs less ice time and reduced special teams time.
NOW, FOR THE SAM BENNETT SAGA. The only reason he is in the line up is because Derek Ryan got hurt. Everyone wants to be a fan of Bennett now because they think he deserves a shot and never got one.. He is bad at hockey, his defensive zone is psychotic bad and he is 39% in the faceoff circle. Everyone wanting him to slot in at 3/4C wants this team to be blatantly unsuccessful, he plays well between Dube and Lucic because they refuse to start them in the D Zone and Lucic can hem a team below the goal line while Dube can retrieve pucks, there is zero Sam Bennett effect on that line. As mentioned elsewhere, he isn't getting traded because teams are likely offering skate laces and pucks for him while he's too valuable in the playoffs, he's also who the Flames will be ecstatic to let Seattle pick, no loss.
Tanev and Hanifin have been fantastic, they need to log more minutes and they need more supported minutes from Valimaki and Andersson. Giordano should shelter Mackey and they should get 80% O Zone starts, it's the only way we see Giordano succeed this year. Ideally for me he goes to Seattle and that cap hit is gone for next year.
Valimaki is showing flashes on the powerplay and likely fits better with the top unit than Andersson because of his skating but he's just not there thinking the game, trying to do too much too soon, Andersson back on that top unit with a bbomb of a shot with Tkachuk in front. Valimaki on the PP2 with Dube, Mangiapane, Lucic is a much more chip and chase system with a bunch of guys that are good at puck retrieval.
They need to get going here and sort it out because we are going to be seeing a lot more Rittich in the coming weeks and they need to score 4 to win a lot of those games.
Honestly, props for making me more optimistic over my morning coffee. I was ready to commit a horrible crime this morning.
Only major things I disagree with are the lines. While I agree getting Monahan especially away from top competition is needed, I we have never seen Johnny and Sean thrive apart, ever. I think Samuel can still offer us something in the bottom six. I do agree he add's nothing on that Dube/Lucic line, they need someone like Backlund/Monahan/Mangiapane who can bury after they put in the work and retrieve the puck.
Honestly, props for making me more optimistic over my morning coffee. I was ready to commit a horrible crime this morning.
Only major things I disagree with are the lines. While I agree getting Monahan especially away from top competition is needed, I we have never seen Johnny and Sean thrive apart, ever. I think Samuel can still offer us something in the bottom six. I do agree he add's nothing on that Dube/Lucic line, they need someone like Backlund/Monahan/Mangiapane who can bury after they put in the work and retrieve the puck.
Fair enough, I think my thought process here is keep Johnny going and get Lindholm to the point that Monahan has been with Gaudreau. Monahan can play a lesser Backlund role and powerplay, I know what you mean about splitting them up. Consistency in line ups is also a problem I will say that about the coaching.
Quoting: ItWasIn
This isn't a very good team and that's not a hot take. Very high highs and very low lows. A very average team.
They may be good enough to make the playoffs, but make no mistake, this isn't a team that's a threat.
I think there are issues in that room as well.
I wouldn't doubt it, it almost seems like Tkachuk has a problem with someone and I wouldn't be surprised if it was Giordano, polar opposite kind of guys, Tkachuk likely in line for the captaincy and Giordano on a slippery slope.
Thanks for your analysis. Just make the playoffs and then take your chances.
You mentioned Ottawa. If Ottawa played the Leafs for entire 82 game schedule they would. have 41 wins. But must say, Ottawa when playing their best seem organized and enthusiastic.
I wouldn't doubt it, it almost seems like Tkachuk has a problem with someone and I wouldn't be surprised if it was Giordano, polar opposite kind of guys, Tkachuk likely in line for the captaincy and Giordano on a slippery slope.
Yes, there are absolutely, 100% issues. If it's because the the leadership group is told Tkachuk to dial it back, it's a bad look.
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