Trevor Neufeld: Split Squad Post-Game Thoughts

Hi

Trevor Neufeld: Split Squad Post-Game Thoughts
- Trevor_Neufeld_

I don't know what Klapka was doing in that fight. From highlights, he has good wheels and is an excellent skater, and nice dangles too. Maybe he doesn't need to fight and he can be a top 6 player someday. That would be amazing for the Flames. He looks raw but has potential from what i saw.

In the game played in Vancouver Mathew Phillips hands down was the best player on the ice.

He sees the ice the way all good players do and made a beautiful pass to set up the winning goal in over time.
He has payed his dues in the AHL and deserves a legitimate shot.

In the game played in Vancouver Mathew Phillips hands down was the best player on the ice.

He sees the ice the way all good players do and made a beautiful pass to set up the winning goal in over time.
He has payed his dues in the AHL and deserves a legitimate shot.
- Fan the Flame

I agree! That pass on the game winner was pure hockey IQ.

Thanks Trevor.

I love that you noticed Sutter's reaction on the bench to his kid scoring a goal! Great little detail.

Seems like there is way more competition for the few open spots than in previous years. Good to see.

Duran's Hot Takes!

1) What to do about Phillips? He has oodles of offense but seems like a defensive liability. What do the fancy stats say about his defensive play and giveaways? If the Flames were rebuilding, Phillips would be a no-brainer to make the team. However, given the coach and the urgency to win, not sure there is no room for a high-risk-high reward project.

What could go wrong with giving-up on an undersized goal scorer?

2) Klapka has got to learn to fight ASAP. Every wanna-be AHL gangsta-goon from here to Timbuctu will be gunning for him. He will have to win a couple of fights with authority before he gets the target off his back.

3) Is Maloche really comparable to Gudbranson pre-Sutter? Trevor mentioned the similarities in a previous blog.

For Zadorv's partner on that 3rd D-pair, would you rather have a mean/slow stay-at-home defenceman (Meloche) or a smooth skating offensive guy like Kylingtonlining up against McDavid? Or does it even matter?

4) With all the face punchers slotted to play for the Wranglers it will be fun for the whole family. Are the Wranglers going to play in the Dome?

Phillips does not appear to have a career +/- that would lend one to believe he has defensive issues.
Last year playing for Stockton in the gritty AHL he recorded 68 points in 65 games with a +14.
Sutter did a remarkable job of transforming Gaudreau, a similar style player to Phillips, into having one of the best +/- seasons ever recorded.
There is no doubt that size and grit help greatly in winning Stanley Cups, but speed and skill are still a bigger part of the equation.
We have a kid in Phillips, with tremendous speed and skill, who has been bypassed for several years, clearly due to size.
BIGGER ISN'T ALWAYS BETTER.

Thanks Trevor.

I love that you noticed Sutter's reaction on the bench to his kid scoring a goal! Great little detail.

Seems like there is way more competition for the few open spots than in previous years. Good to see.

Duran's Hot Takes!

1) What to do about Phillips? He has oodles of offense but seems like a defensive liability. What do the fancy stats say about his defensive play and giveaways? If the Flames were rebuilding, Phillips would be a no-brainer to make the team. However, given the coach and the urgency to win, not sure there is no room for a high-risk-high reward project.

What could go wrong with giving-up on an undersized goal scorer?

2) Klapka has got to learn to fight ASAP. Every wanna-be AHL gangsta-goon from here to Timbuctu will be gunning for him. He will have to win a couple of fights with authority before he gets the target off his back.

3) Is Maloche really comparable to Gudbranson pre-Sutter? Trevor mentioned the similarities in a previous blog.

For Zadorv's partner on that 3rd D-pair, would you rather have a mean/slow stay-at-home defenceman (Meloche) or a smooth skating offensive guy like Kylingtonlining up against McDavid? Or does it even matter?

4) With all the face punchers slotted to play for the Wranglers it will be fun for the whole family. Are the Wranglers going to play in the Dome?
- DuranDuran

Thanks Trevor.

I love that you noticed Sutter's reaction on the bench to his kid scoring a goal! Great little detail.

Seems like there is way more competition for the few open spots than in previous years. Good to see.

Duran's Hot Takes!

1) What to do about Phillips? He has oodles of offense but seems like a defensive liability. What do the fancy stats say about his defensive play and giveaways? If the Flames were rebuilding, Phillips would be a no-brainer to make the team. However, given the coach and the urgency to win, not sure there is no room for a high-risk-high reward project.

What could go wrong with giving-up on an undersized goal scorer?

2) Klapka has got to learn to fight ASAP. Every wanna-be AHL gangsta-goon from here to Timbuctu will be gunning for him. He will have to win a couple of fights with authority before he gets the target off his back.

3) Is Maloche really comparable to Gudbranson pre-Sutter? Trevor mentioned the similarities in a previous blog.

For Zadorv's partner on that 3rd D-pair, would you rather have a mean/slow stay-at-home defenceman (Meloche) or a smooth skating offensive guy like Kylingtonlining up against McDavid? Or does it even matter?

4) With all the face punchers slotted to play for the Wranglers it will be fun for the whole family. Are the Wranglers going to play in the Dome?
- DuranDuran

1 I’m sure management wants to see Phillips succeed. Heck Calgarians want it as well. Mathew has a chance, has to make the most of it. I’d love to see him play top 6 with Kadri and Mang. It will ultimately come down to Sutter.
2 McGratton will be working with Klapka, he’s going to get challenged more than he’s used to. Once he learns who’s who, left or right handed, he may be fine.
3 Meloche over Kylington but I think Mackey might have a thing or 2 to say about that spot..
4. Be nice for Calgary fans to have a cheaper option to watch their players, yes they play in the Dome with the Flames and Hitman.

Klapka fighting brings back memories of Raitis Ivanans.... he better stick to goal scoring or his career will be short lived!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_U3Z92SdG8c