Are They Good Enough

 

So, did the Flames do enough? 

I know they are probably the best team in the Pacific Division. Apparently, they tried to get a depth defenceman, but couldn't make it work. The reason was there were not many options left by that point. I wonder if the Flames could have started earlier if they had made more cap room? They had to put Richardson on waivers just to be able to tinker in the final hour. 

The Flames could have made a cap casualty trade. Now bear with me—they could have traded Monahan for a cheaper third-line centre. If they are going to use Monahan as a third-line centre, they might as well use an actual third-line player to do the same thing for cheaper.  

One of my contacts has expressed how he feels about their use of Monahan: "They frankly misuse the talented centre."  I know Flames fans are often frustrated with Monahan, but is it his fault? When a team undervalues a player, can he help but think less of himself? 

The second part of this question: Should the Flames have considered making room for the Tkachuk and Gaudreau extensions next season? Could they have made a cap casualty trade without hurting the team? 

One contact explained why they couldn't dump any cap: "When you have the chance at the cup, you have to go for it." I countered about having to lose Tkachuk or Gaudreau next year. Another contact agreed with not changing anything before the playoffs: "You can't mess with a team's chemistry when it is one of the best teams in the League."  

With this discussion, I learned precisely what goes through a General Manager's mind at the deadline. They have to consider every option and then judge the likely result. Who knew?

Randy

This is a different kind of team

Yesterday, I talked with my source. I expressed my concerns about the Flames vs Oilers and how the Oilers had owned the Flames in the past. He said, "I wouldn't be worried; this Flames team is a different kind of beast."   

The Flames have had some near-perfect teams. What makes this Flames team much more dangerous than teams from yesteryear?  

Top First Line

Maybe one of the best lines in the game. Believe it or not, there is more than just Johnny Gaudreau to this line. Lindholm might be one of the best playmaking centres going right now. The puck-between-the-legs specialist, Tkachuk, is a highly talented goal scorer who plays with the best of them. Yes, the hated Tkachuk, who gets in teams' heads and gets teams off their game. 

Vezna Goalie Candidate

Markstrom has been outstanding; he gives the Flames a chance to win every night. What makes Marky so good is his vision; his puck vision is one of the best in the League. Markstrom rarely gets caught out of position. 

Supportive Scoring

The Flames have more than just a first line. A few names come to mind... such as Andrew Mangiapane and Tyler Toffoli. Mangiapane has 29 goals, and Toffoli has been fantastic since coming over in a trade with the Habs. 

All of that being said; I hate to be a Negative Nelly, but I don't think the Flames are good enough to beat the major contenders. I think they still are two players away from where they need to be. The problem will be finding an imaginative way to circumnavigate the cap to find a solution that works. 

Randy

What's in Store for this Sizzling Hot Team?

 

Where do the Flames go from here? I have been discussing Johnny Gaudreau a lot lately; how about the rest of the team?

The Flames have shown us that they are "all in." The Flames feel they have an opportunity here to win the cup. From what I have been told, the Flames would love to add another defenseman for depth. Sutter is not completely satisfied with the defense yet. There have still been a lot of mental mistakes in the defensive zone. 

They have scouted a lot of Seattle games, adding to the speculation that they are bringing home their old captain. The Flames would have to do another deal to make room or bring in a third team to make the cap fit. I have a hard time believing that will happen, but you never know. 

The team has signed  Rory Kerins. A skilled playmaking centre from OHL Greyhounds. 

There may be another forward for depth on the bottom six if they don't pick up a defenseman. Sutter would still like to add some scoring. The Flame's bottom six has to pitch in on the offensive game. Again, this will take some maneuvering because of cap constraints. I am not expecting much. Sutter wants to improve this team at the deadline. Cap management will have to come into play to make this work. 

The fans would love to see the Flames bring up Matthew Phillips, who is lighting it up in Stockton. The smooth-skating forward is becoming a star with his playmaking abilities. He is proving that he has what it takes to make in the show. Jakob Pelletier is also showing why he is considered one of the best prospects for the Flames. The two players might be worth keeping track of, as the Stockton Heat is one of the best teams in the AHL. 

The Flames are committed to improving the team, whether they bring up some bodies from Stockton or go the trade route. 

Randy