Todd Cordell: Calgary Flames notes - May 19th

Thx Todd This team has forever been very poor at giving young players opportunity

Thanks Todd.

I would like to point out that Garnet Hathaway has scored more goals than Sam Bennett in this year's playoffs.

Here's a smoking gun comment out of Sutter - this is as direct of a shot at Bennett, that you'll ever see:

“I think (Dube) and Valimaki are the identical players in terms of where they’re at - their minutes don’t go up unless they become better players,” said Sutter who scratched Valimaki once again for Tuesday’s meaningless 4-2 loss.

“If they become better players this team becomes better. There’s a little bit of entitlement that went on here and that impacts your team in a negative way for sure. You don’t play guys more to help them get better. They have to help themselves get better based on their training, based on their preparation, based on their compete level, not just the skills that they were drafted on.”

So basically, Sam's being called a locker room cancer.

And, you get rid of the entitlement problem which negatively affected the team, talk about Tre or the owners bringing in Sutter, a coach who maximizes player performance - folks, we're going all in on the "underperforming" thesis.

They definitely won't blow up the team this summer.

The Fan was talking about that this am(Basically at the 1:29 mark of the broadcast if you want to listen), specifically Phillips, Sutter basically said the decision was up to Treliving and hockey ops. He's on the taxi squad but would need to be on the active roster.

Phillips in for today's game. That should make Francis happy ! At least they're giving fans a reason to watch.

Here's a smoking gun comment out of Sutter - this is as direct of a shot at Bennett, that you'll ever see:

“I think (Dube) and Valimaki are the identical players in terms of where they’re at - their minutes don’t go up unless they become better players,” said Sutter who scratched Valimaki once again for Tuesday’s meaningless 4-2 loss.

“If they become better players this team becomes better. There’s a little bit of entitlement that went on here and that impacts your team in a negative way for sure. You don’t play guys more to help them get better. They have to help themselves get better based on their training, based on their preparation, based on their compete level, not just the skills that they were drafted on.”

So basically, Sam's being called a locker room cancer.

And, you get rid of the entitlement problem which negatively affected the team, talk about Tre or the owners bringing in Sutter, a coach who maximizes player performance - folks, we're going all in on the "underperforming" thesis.

They definitely won't blow up the team this summer.
- eastcanadAREaholes

Seems like a stretch that it’s only Bennett he’s referring to. I guess when you hate someone as much as you do with Sammy, you can twist it any way to fit your argument.
When I read this I say it’s about a lot of players that were gifted spots in the lineup. How you turn it into a cancer in the dressing room is beyond me.

Phillips in for today's game. That should make Francis happy ! At least they're giving fans a reason to watch.
- tincup

That’s goood news, hopefully it doesn’t cost Ruzicka his spot. I’ve liked what he’s provided so far. More of a player than Buddy.

Thanks Todd.

I would like to point out that Garnet Hathaway has scored more goals than Sam Bennett in this year's playoffs.
- DuranDuran

That’s another player Tre let got so he could dress a team of pillow fighters!

That’s another player Tre let got so he could dress a team of pillow fighters!
- K-man25

I like both Hathaway and Lomberg. Would rather have them in the lineup than Simon and Nordstrom.

As much as it sucks not playing the younger guys when the games are pointless, dressing these vets that signed league minimum deals allows for the vets to showcase their skills. It's a classy move IMO. Not saying I like it, but I understand it.

Lmao that 2nd intermission though. Francis once again going on a 5 minute rant about the team throwing the game, to stajan saying why you won’t see that happen (and looking like he wanted to slap Francis in the face) and Leslie calling francis the hole in the middle of a doughnut.

Francis also should have done some fact-checking before saying we would drop 2 spots with a win when the yotes forfeited their 1st.

Also since I didn’t mention it after the 1st intermission even though he spent most of the time saying good things about Phillip’s just sliding in there that this may be Phillip’s only NHL game ever shows how much of a wiener he is

Chris Tanev played in every game this season. They probably wasted the only season he’ll stay healthy.

Chris Tanev played in every game this season. They probably wasted the only season he’ll stay healthy.
- Ol_Boy_Wop

Shhhh.... don't jinx it. For poop and giggles, and because lets be honest, we have little to talk about. Grade and if they will be on this team in 2021-2022.

Mikael Backlund - C Yes
Dillon Dube - C Yes
Glenn Gawdin - C No
Elias Lindholm - B Yes
Sean Monahan - D No
Matthew Phillips - B (one game I know..) Yes but in Stockton
Zac Rinaldo - C+ No
Adam Ruzicka - B Yes
Derek Ryan - B- No
Dominik Simon - D No
Johnny Gaudreau - C+ No-maybe...
Josh Leivo - C- No
Milan Lucic - B+ Yes
Andrew Mangiapane - B+ Yes
Joakim Nordstrom - C Yes-maybe...
Brett Ritchie - C No
Buddy Robinson - C- No
Matthew Tkachuk - C- Yes
Rasmus Andersson - D Yes
Mark Giordano - C No
Noah Hanifin - B Yes
Oliver Kylington - C No
Connor Mackey - B Yes
Nikita Nesterov- C No
Alexander Petrovic ??? No
Michael Stone - B Yes
Chris Tanev - B+ Yes
Juuso Valimaki - D Yes
Louis Domingue - ??? No
Jacob Markstrom -C- Yes

Oh and Go Jets Go...

Shhhh.... don't jinx it. For poop and giggles, and because lets be honest, we have little to talk about. Grade and if they will be on this team in 2021-2022.

Mikael Backlund - C No
Dillon Dube - C Yes
Glenn Gawdin - C No
Elias Lindholm - B Yes
Sean Monahan - D No
Matthew Phillips - B (one game I know..) Yes but in Stockton
Zac Rinaldo - C+ YES
Adam Ruzicka - B Yes
Derek Ryan - B- No
Dominik Simon - D No
Johnny Gaudreau - C+ No-maybe...
Josh Leivo - C- YES
Milan Lucic - B+ Yes
Andrew Mangiapane - B+ Yes
Joakim Nordstrom - C NO...
Brett Ritchie - C YES
Buddy Robinson - C- No
Matthew Tkachuk - C- Yes
Rasmus Andersson - D Yes
Mark Giordano - C No
Noah Hanifin - B Yes
Oliver Kylington - C No
Connor Mackey - B Yes
Nikita Nesterov- C No
Alexander Petrovic ??? No
Michael Stone - B Yes
Chris Tanev - B+ Yes
Juuso Valimaki - D Yes
Louis Domingue - ??? No
Jacob Markstrom -C- Yes

Oh and Go Jets Go...

- geta02it

I would like to see them trade JG, as I believe its proper asset management. I would also like to see them eat some salary on Gio and Backs. Send them both to chase a cup, they have been good soldiers. Sellng low on Monahan is not a good idea. I would like to see if he can become more of a 2 way player under Sutter.

Going all in on Eichel if you can. If you cannot keep Lindholm and Tanev around to shelter the influx of youth.

Have some facepunchers in the lineup to play Sutter hockey.

I like the idea of Sutter being around to keep the young prima dona's in check and getting them to play a 200 foot game.[

Thx Todd This team has forever been very poor at giving young players opportunity
- cnknut

Exactly, and that will not change anytime soon.

I like both Hathaway and Lomberg. Would rather have them in the lineup than Simon and Nordstrom.

As much as it sucks not playing the younger guys when the games are pointless, dressing these vets that signed league minimum deals allows for the vets to showcase their skills. It's a classy move IMO. Not saying I like it, but I understand it.
- DuranDuran

Hathaway was all-heart players like that do not grow on trees. This team needs heart in the most way.

I would like to see them trade JG, as I believe its proper asset management. I would also like to see them eat some salary on Gio and Backs. Send them both to chase a cup, they have been good soldiers. Sellng low on Monahan is not a good idea. I would like to see if he can become more of a 2 way player under Sutter.

Going all in on Eichel if you can. If you cannot keep Lindholm and Tanev around to shelter the influx of youth.

Have some facepunchers in the lineup to play Sutter hockey.

I like the idea of Sutter being around to keep the young prima dona's in check and getting them to play a 200 foot game.
- DuranDuran[

I suspect Eichel has zero desire to come to Calgary. Although I don't think he has a choice right now (correct me if I'm wrong) but what does that look like? Would be freaking awesome but I just don't know if we have the assets Buffalo will demand. And unless its a blow up not a retool, how do we add the right pieces to support?

Ya i agree on JG but a team starved of offense gives up one of the few offensive pieces? Monahan gets more complicated with the surgery thing. As much as we female dog, he's been consistent in terms of point totals and this year was (frank)ed for so may reasons. Maybe an Eastern conference team?
I think if we get an Eichel or similar, the other pieces will fall. Otherwise, I have no idea what will happen. I like a Rinaldo and Ritchie played that balanced role. I think he's gone of we make minor changes. If we do a blockbuster, he'll stay for that "toughness+".

Who does Seattle take off our roster?

Hathaway was all-heart players like that do not grow on trees. This team needs heart in the most way.
- FLAMESTR

I disagree. I like Hathaway but lets be honest, he is easier to replace than a "skilled" player, what ever the definition of that is. Ritchie to me filled the role of Hathaway, for the most part, at a lot less cost. Hathaway is on a playoff team, Ritchie is not. I think were the Flames pushing for a spot or in a series, Ritchie would be that guy even more.

I would like to see them trade JG, as I believe its proper asset management. I would also like to see them eat some salary on Gio and Backs. Send them both to chase a cup, they have been good soldiers. Sellng low on Monahan is not a good idea. I would like to see if he can become more of a 2 way player under Sutter.

Going all in on Eichel if you can. If you cannot keep Lindholm and Tanev around to shelter the influx of youth.

Have some facepunchers in the lineup to play Sutter hockey.

I like the idea of Sutter being around to keep the young prima dona's in check and getting them to play a 200 foot game.
- DuranDuran[

I think going all in on Eichel is a mistake. You deplete your team to get a guy like that and he can’t win with a lacklustre supporting cast.
I also think there is a good hockey deal to be made to send JG home to Philly. They are looking for a retool of sorts as well after a disappointing season. Konecny coming back would help with the offence lost from JG. make this deal bigger and take Ghosts contract to acquire Frost or Foerster as part of the package. Something like
JG, Valimaki, 3rd for Konency, Frost, and Gostisbere
Monahan: don’t trade unless an A prospect and a middle 6 forward is coming back, otherwise you keep him on the second line and bring in a LW in free agency to be his playmaker. Think Hall, Hoffman, or Nugent hopkins.
Not sure how much better that makes the team, but it shakes up the room while balancing out the top 6. I don’t think the Flames have the guts to go full rebuild

I think going all in on Eichel is a mistake. You deplete your team to get a guy like that and he can’t win with a lacklustre supporting cast.
I also think there is a good hockey deal to be made to send JG home to Philly. They are looking for a retool of sorts as well after a disappointing season. Konecny coming back would help with the offence lost from JG. make this deal bigger and take Ghosts contract to acquire Frost or Foerster as part of the package. Something like
JG, Valimaki, 3rd for Konency, Frost, and Gostisbere
Monahan: don’t trade unless an A prospect and a middle 6 forward is coming back, otherwise you keep him on the second line and bring in a LW in free agency to be his playmaker. Think Hall, Hoffman, or Nugent hopkins.
Not sure how much better that makes the team, but it shakes up the room while balancing out the top 6. I don’t think the Flames have the guts to go full rebuild
- JallHockey

I think its honestly less about guts and more about reality! I think there are some good (core) pieces but we don't have the skill to compete with say a Colorado. I think our depth is better than the Oilers but we don't have a McDavid/Drai.
I think its a bit more than a re-tool but for sure not a gut job.

I think going all in on Eichel is a mistake. You deplete your team to get a guy like that and he can’t win with a lacklustre supporting cast.
I also think there is a good hockey deal to be made to send JG home to Philly. They are looking for a retool of sorts as well after a disappointing season. Konecny coming back would help with the offence lost from JG. make this deal bigger and take Ghosts contract to acquire Frost or Foerster as part of the package. Something like
JG, Valimaki, 3rd for Konency, Frost, and Gostisbere
Monahan: don’t trade unless an A prospect and a middle 6 forward is coming back, otherwise you keep him on the second line and bring in a LW in free agency to be his playmaker. Think Hall, Hoffman, or Nugent hopkins.
Not sure how much better that makes the team, but it shakes up the room while balancing out the top 6. I don’t think the Flames have the guts to go full rebuild
- JallHockey

Thank you.

That’s another player Tre let got so he could dress a team of pillow fighters!
- K-man25

lol the Nucks/Flames could have 4 good lines if they merged clubs!!

lol the Nucks/Flames could have 4 good lines if they merged clubs!!


- LordHumungous

And the whiners would still complain

I think going all in on Eichel is a mistake. You deplete your team to get a guy like that and he can’t win with a lacklustre supporting cast.
I also think there is a good hockey deal to be made to send JG home to Philly. They are looking for a retool of sorts as well after a disappointing season. Konecny coming back would help with the offence lost from JG. make this deal bigger and take Ghosts contract to acquire Frost or Foerster as part of the package. Something like
JG, Valimaki, 3rd for Konency, Frost, and Gostisbere
Monahan: don’t trade unless an A prospect and a middle 6 forward is coming back, otherwise you keep him on the second line and bring in a LW in free agency to be his playmaker. Think Hall, Hoffman, or Nugent hopkins.
Not sure how much better that makes the team, but it shakes up the room while balancing out the top 6. I don’t think the Flames have the guts to go full rebuild
- JallHockey

It depends what we have to give up to get Eichel. If its Lindholm, Dube, and a first why not? Flames have Pelletier and Zary coming up to fill in some holes.

Does Konecky wae this team a contender? I don't think so.

Flames desperately need a 1C and a 1D. They are not getting that by finishing 16th to 20th for the next 4 years.

And the whiners would still complain
- Nucker101