Follow me on Twitter @ToddCordell
With All-Star weekend coming to a close and the (unofficial) 2nd half of the season just about to get underway, I thought it'd be fun to look at the best and worst from the Calgary Flames thus far.
BEST
- Where else could I start than with the Matthew Tkachuk - Mikael Backlund - Michael Frolik line? They have consistently played against the opposition's best players and come out on top. They have been fantastic in possession, been great in terms suppressing shots and chances, all three are on pace for at least 45 points, and they're key cogs on special teams. If not for the emergence of this line the Flames would be nowhere close to a playoff spot.
- Dougie Hamilton was given limited ice at times early in the season (crazy, right?) but is quietly putting together a spectacular year. Averaging almost 20 minutes a night, Hamilton is on pace for 51 points and 230 shots while also posting fantastic 5v5 numbers. In a year where Mark Giordano and T.J. Brodie have taken steps back offensively, particularly at 5v5, Hamilton is more than picking up the slack.
- The Flames stole Kris Versteeg from the palm of the Edmonton Oilers' hands and it sure has worked out for them. The 30-year-old winger is on pace for more than 40 points and has more goals, points, and shots in fewer games than Calgary's prized free agent Troy Brouwer. Carrying a cap hit of less than $1 million, Versteeg has been a steal for the Flames.
- The Flames currently hold a playoff spot. They're not exactly a lock to get in but, despite all the ups and downs, they have to be pretty happy with where they stand this far into the season.
WORST
- Goaltending has to be No. 1 on this list. Though Chad Johnson had a spectacular string of starts early in the season, his save percentage has dipped to .913. Brian Elliott, who has consistently been at or near the top of the league in save percentage, has struggled to put together more than one or two good starts in a row and owns a dreadful .892 save percentage. Combine the two and the Flames have .904 goaltending through 52 games. For comparison sake, Karri Ramo and co. gave the Flames .898 goaltending last season so this hasn't been much better.
- Sean Monahan has been solid of late but he is on pace for ~48 points and has clearly been outplayed by Mikael Backlund this season. I don't think that's what the Flames had in mind when they committed almost $45 million to Monahan over a seven-year deal.
- Brandon Manning, Jonathan Ericsson, Deryk Engelland, Jordie Benn, Marc Methot, Stephen Johns, and Nikita Zadorov, among many others, have more 5v5 points than Brodie this season. He hasn't looked himself and has struggled at times alongside Dennis Wideman. The Flames need him to be better down the stretch.
- Sam Bennett's struggles have been well documented and he does need to be better, especially when it comes to discipline. That said, he is averaging more goals, assists, points and shots per 60 than Troy Brouwer. Maybe we should readjust our expectations for the 2nd year pro on a rookie deal and start paying attention to the 31-year-old making $4.5 million for the next four years.
Recent posts:
On toughness, Brouwer, Monahan and a possible deadline target
Gaudreau leads Flames to OT win over Senators
Predicting the Pacific Division standings
Pacific Division bold predictions
Pacific Division breakout players
Calgary Flames Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»