Trevor Neufeld: Flames Third Period Comeback — Johnny’s 100th — Observations From a 5-3 Win

Thanks for the blog Trevor, good as usual!

Thanks for the blog Trevor, good as usual!
- FlamesFan1230

Thanks!

Gudbrandson ok? He has been playing really well but noticed he has a few knicks piling up. Is sutter giving him some rest for playoff run or is he in the dog house? I cant see how he would be as he is such a leader out there and presence.

Gudbrandson ok? He has been playing really well but noticed he has a few knicks piling up. Is sutter giving him some rest for playoff run or is he in the dog house? I cant see how he would be as he is such a leader out there and presence.
- Papshady

Sutter implied he was banged up and needed a maintenance day or two.

I doubt we'll see Vladar get more than 2 starts the rest of the way. I don't really think it's a fatigue problem. It's more a focus thing. As much as they can try and get up for each game, they still know unconsciously that they really don't have anything to play for and are just playing out the season to get to the playoffs. You give Markstrom too much time off and you risk throwing off his rhythm. He's a professional athlete. He can handle playing every other night. Of course, that's assuming he's healthy. Vladar probably gets Nashville and Winnipeg.

I didn't think that Markstrom was horrible last night-- the entire team was garbage in front of him for two periods.
That said, using Vladar sent a message and Markstrom should rebound fine for the Vegas game.

Playing Vladar as a starter hasn't hurt us much at all. I'd be leaning on him a lot more but I doubt that Darryl would agree. Hope he stays healthy...

Vladar will get at least two starts. Maybe not more, but you have to think he gets NAS and Minny starts. You don't want your starter coming off a bad game going into the playoffs. Beyond that, just keep Marky on a schedule.

I am interested on the new look top line. Bread is an instinctive player and can finish. Tkachuk looked off the last few games, and yes even with 3 goals. He has been a giveaway machine at times. But the more positive thing was he made the Backlund line a little less leaky. Last night was one of Backlund's worst.

Vladar will get at least two starts. Maybe not more, but you have to think he gets NAS and Minny starts. You don't want your starter coming off a bad game going into the playoffs. Beyond that, just keep Marky on a schedule.

I am interested on the new look top line. Bread is an instinctive player and can finish. Tkachuk looked off the last few games, and yes even with 3 goals. He has been a giveaway machine at times. But the more positive thing was he made the Backlund line a little less leaky. Last night was one of Backlund's worst.
- Traveldude

I don't know why you think the Flames would be scared of the Wild. They've controlled them twice already and Markstrom was great in both games. I'm pretty sure they'll be going all out for that game and then sitting half the team against the Jets.

Thanks Trevor. We’ll wifi was so bad and the Flames were to, so I turned the game off after the 2nd. Was I ever surprised when I checked the score in the morning.

Anyone hear Sutters backend compliment of the Golden Knights? Wonder how long til he’s told to keep quiet?
Being 20 million over the cap would make missing the playoffs even better.

Tkachuk is actually on pace to get to 100 pts too....if he plays every game.

Tkachuk is actually on pace to get to 100 pts too....if he plays every game.
- tincup

Funny how contract years can motivate a player, going to cost 20 mil to sign those 2

Give Johnny the C for the playoffs! Sign his dad and Keith T as assistant coaches for next year, then we might get a team friendly discount.

Funny how contract years can motivate a player, going to cost 20 mil to sign those 2

Give Johnny the C for the playoffs! Sign his dad and Keith T as assistant coaches for next year, then we might get a team friendly discount.
- K-man25

It'll probably take Kane and Toews like matching contracts to get them signed. Not sure how I feel about that.

It'll probably take Kane and Toews like matching contracts to get them signed. Not sure how I feel about that.
- tincup

I think it's going to be a lot harder to get Tkachuk to sign. I still think they can get Gaudreau signed for 9 million if they're willing to go 8 years and full NMC.

I think it's going to be a lot harder to get Tkachuk to sign. I still think they can get Gaudreau signed for 9 million if they're willing to go 8 years and full NMC.
- Squeaky

I'd jump at that if I'm the Flames. Gaudreau is a 100 pts player without Tkachuk but I don't think the opposite is true. I also have a feeling it'd be a lot easier to sign Tkachuk if he knew he'd keep playing with Gaudreau.

Sutter implied he was banged up and needed a maintenance day or two.
- Trevor_Neufeld_

Thanks Trevor! I couldnt see it as anything other than letting the big man get a rest. Gub has played some tough, tough minutes for us. I hope we still have him next year but i doubt it.

I'd jump at that if I'm the Flames. Gaudreau is a 100 pts player without Tkachuk but I don't think the opposite is true. I also have a feeling it'd be a lot easier to sign Tkachuk if he knew he'd keep playing with Gaudreau.
- tincup

I am taking a wait and see approach to JG and MT next contracts.

1) Lets see how they perform in the playoffs. Most of us are at least expecting to make it to the conference finals. Thats a lofty goal for a team that has won one playoff series in what.....10 years? What if they are bounced in the first round?

2) Do Tkachuk and JG want to be here? If not then don't let the door hit you on the way out.

3) Are they asking for reasonable contracts? This might depend somewhat on playoffs performance, but a team that is not extremely top heavy can do more damage than a team paying too much $$$ to their top four players.

5) What would a retool look like? No point in going there till playoffs finish.

I am taking a wait and see approach to JG and MT next contracts.

1) Lets see how they perform in the playoffs. Most of us are at least expecting to make it to the conference finals. Thats a lofty goal for a team that has won one playoff series in what.....10 years? What if they are bounced in the first round?

2) Do Tkachuk and JG want to be here? If not then don't let the door hit you on the way out.

3) Are they asking for reasonable contracts? This might depend somewhat on playoffs performance, but a team that is not extremely top heavy can do more damage than a team paying too much $$$ to their top four players.

5) What would a retool look like? No point in going there till playoffs finish.
- DuranDuran

1 if they’re bounced in the first round I’d expect Treliving to be gone.
2 Johnny has said he wants to stay many times and Conroy guaranteed it. Tkachuk is better playing with McJohnny
3 BT seems to surprise us with his contracts
5 Fuk the retool full scale blow it up! just kidding!