Dead-Line: The Cup or Bust

Closing in on the NHL trade deadline day, the Calgary Flames have been linked to every offensive forward available. It is common knowledge that the Flames would love to add one more forward and a number four or five defencemen. The main problem is the prices the sellers want. So far, the Flames have been balking at the prices.

The Flames have an extensive list, but you can take one off with the Duchene trade. But the Flames are seriously trying to build up this team. The management feels they are very close to being a Cup contender.

Some of the top players the Flames may be going after:

Mark Stone

The Flames are strong contenders. Stone is a sniper who can do wonders with a powerplay. He is a very good one-timer who would work well with Tkachuk. He is excellent defensively and will work for his goals. He is also a great finisher and probably the best all-around player available.

Chris Kreider

Chris is a physical forward who can mix it up with the best of them. He is not as gifted as Stone. He is number two winger with a touch of grit and reminds me of an older Tkachuck. He would add some offence to the team and add some to the defensive game. He needs a centre who will give him the puck. But the Rangers want your firstborn, and then some.

Mats Zuccarello 

Zuccarello is a fast skater with some playmaking skills. More than likely, he is Calgary's number one target. He may not be the best player, but he will be the cheapest of the players available at the deadline. He would fit nicely in with Janko and Bennett, with Neal being week-to-week.  Zuccarello may be more open to re-signing than anyone else on the market.

Wayne Simmonds

Simmonds is a mean power forward. He is a powerplay specialist who can score the odd five-on-five goals. Again, he would beef up the Flames physically and could very well be put on the front line to help Johnny. But I am not sure the Flames are interested in a rental. They have shown more interest in testing the free agent market.

The Flames are also looking for a left-handed dman maybe to help out with the third pairing, which tells me they don't have confidence in Stone. Look for the Flames to dangle him as trade bait if he can get healthy. I have not heard who the Flames are putting on the market.  I have heard that talks between the Flames and the Isles surrounding Bennett ended quickly. I am not sure they would put Janko on the block either.

The Flames are shopping trying to get a bargain at Tiffany's, which could be pretty tricky.

Flames: What to do?

Buckle up, fans, the Calgary Flames are about to be tested with the big boys. The offence has been successful, and here is a novel idea: defence, stop making bonehead mistakes. The forwards have to commit to helping in their own zone. Too many times this season, the Flames have gone into a game just to add onto their stats. The old saying holds: defence will win cups.

The offence is in high gear, yet the Flames are linked to every forward in the League, from the Devils' Marcus Johansson to Wade Simmons from Philly.  Add the Rangers' too many players to be mentioned. The Flames have made it known they are open for business. Their main priority is bringing in a vet to help in their own zone and add the odd offensive goal. Their next priority is bringing in a number four or five dman to help with the kids. There is little hope in bringing in a goalie under contract.  But the problem with trying to trade Smith is that they cannot find a team willing to take that contract on. Peters has told the media over and over that the Flames can improve. They must improve in playing a full 60 minutes. They must improve their defences lapses. They have to bring in the mentality of a winner.

There are still a few options on the farm. Curtis Lazar has shown fantastic leadership. He feels he is ready and has shown the characteristics of a  team player. He has put off theme mentality and replaced it with team mentality. The Flames would love to add some depth to the farm. They may be willing to take a chance on Hosang. The Flames have mentioned their number one pick is in play. The prospects Dillon Dube and Spencer Foo could be trade bait. How far they will go is anyone's guess, but they feel they can take up the torch. Or should I say, Lord Stanley's Cup?

The Flames are Busy Beavers

The Flames are flying and buzzing, forcing the opposition to make mistakes. They are led by one of the best lines in the League: Monahan, Longholm, and some guy named Gaudreau. I hear Gaudreau is supposed to be pretty good! Their second line seems to be kicking butt with Frolik, Backlund, and Tkachuck, known as the 3M line.

The defence is still weak at times, mostly because the Flames are bringing the 1980s back into the NHL. Gio is really putting up offensive numbers I never saw coming. Every year, I think he is going to slow down, but instead, he ups his performance. He is Superman on the defence back there. I am getting excited with the real Hammer coming back with robust play and monster hits.

The scary thing is this team can still improve their play.  They still have not played a full 60 minutes. Yes, this is a big concern. Despite my friends telling me "just be happy, they are winning," I am here to tell you that sooner or later, it is going to catch up with them. The Knights and Sharks are playing full out, forcing the Flames to win on a regular basis or they will make the Flames eat their dust.

The defence's lapses have to slow down. They are forcing the Flames to score at least four times a night.  Most nights they are, but wouldn't it be nice to win without all that offence? Watching the Flames win is a lot of fun, but I wish we didn't have to see the bad defence to go with it.

This leads me to wonder what needs to be fixed. The Flames are very busy on the phones right now.  Paul Kreischer, one of my contacts, says the Flames are one of the busiest teams in the league. They are building the momentum on getting a new arena built. Stone will be available after his blood clots are gone. Another source says the Flames are all in. No excuses, it is time to take the gloves off. People are going to know this team by the end of the season.

Watch for the Flames to pick up a goalie if they can find one. Is Smith the primary obstacle? What do you think they are going to do with him?

Are the Flames Top-of-West Worthy?

It has been a long time since the Flames have been in first place this late in the season. How have they gotten here? Do they deserve to be here?  Right now, the Flames lead the conference with 40 points. The rest of the division is in inconsistent and the Flames have managed a winning streak.

Why first place?

The biggest reason is the hot first line — Johnny Gaudreau, Shawn Monahan, and of course, Elias Lindholm.  Lindholm might be the best pickup of the year. He has developed into a strong right winger.  Lindholm has 16 goals and 18 assists, totalling 34 points. He is averaging over a point per game. HIs greatest asset is his speed. He is forcing the issues. Teams are having trouble keeping up with him.

I can't remember the last time Flames had four players averaging over a point a game: Johnny Gaudreau, Shawn Monahan,  the nasty Daniel Tkachuk, and Mark Giordano. Giordano is at exactly one point per game.  It has been a long time since this kind of numbers on the Calgary Flames. The offensive style is working to perfection.

The main concern is outside the top five scoring is a little thin. This is where the Flames were hoping James Neal might be able to pop in some scoring. But so far, James's offence has dried up. HIs three goals and three assists make him a very expensive role player.  Michael  Backlund has chipped in with 17 points. We could use a few more from him.

Speaking of Backlund, he went down with what has to be a concussion in the Wild game. Janko is the obvious choice to step in short-term for Backlund. He has to take the ball and run with it. He has to step into the role of second line centre.

Mark Jankowski has to drastically improve his offensive number for the second line to advance.  Four goals and six assists in 28 games is not good enough for his talent. He has the skill and potential to be so much more; this is an excellent opportunity for Mark to shine.

The defensive zone play has to improve; there are still too many giveaways in the defensive zone.  The Flames have really missed rookie sensation Juuso Valimaki. He has been a defensive stalwart. He has maturity beyond his years and he has been outstanding in his own end. The Flames have to improve their defensive play. This is not all on the defence; the forwards have to show more hustle in their zone. The defence cannot do it all.

Another reason the Flames are playing better is that Mike Smith has arrived. Mike Smith has been steady and better of late, so the Flames have a two-headed monster for other teams to contend with. The only problem is that Mike is still giving up a bad goal in his starts when the offence is slowing. It is vital that Smith addresses that issue.

Rittich has to be the story this year as he continues to keep up his outstanding play between the pipes. He might not be the most positional goalie, but he gets the job done. It is key that the Flames play both goalies in order to have a rested goalie in the playoffs.

Amazing what a confident goalie can accomplish

The Flames are flying around scoring in buckets. They  scored five goals in the first period in two games in a row, against the Knights and Jets. The Flames were really using their speed.

Gaudreau snapped out of his slump and is really flying in the recent three-game homestand in which the Flames went undefeated.  The Flames have the confidence that they have a goalie who has their backs if they make a mistake in their defensive zone.

Monahan, Gaudreau, and Lindholm are hitting on all cylinders. The  Flames have finally found their first line right-winger.  They are playing with confidence like they never have before. Lindholm is a smart forward who is on the same page as Monahan. They each know precisely where the other is on the ice and are very responsible in their own zone.

Secondary Scoring

The second line might very well have the best player and the MVP of the Flames. Tkachuk is learning how to make things hard consistently. The second line has been a vital ingredient. All this because the Flames know if they make a mistake they know Rittich has their back.

Defence

The dmen are playing with more confidence. They are not skating on eggshells, they are not worrying about making mistakes, because they know Riitich has their back. It is amazing how not having to worry about making mistakes can help the defence.

Mr. Neal

Neal continues to struggle, but I see a light at the end of the tunnel. I have seen him making strides of late. He is getting involved and seems to be working well with Janko and Bennett. I still have confidence in his abilities.

Do not be too upset with the game against the Stars. Yes, the Flames lost, but they ran into a very hot goalie. Anton Khudobin was outstanding, nothing more than that. Move on, be happy the team was able to get the point.

Moving forward, this team has to continue to play a full 60 minutes. It is time for this team to make a move if they are serious. The Flames have the talent; it is the time to show the will.

Randy

Seriously, what do you say after the Penguins debacle? The deep reality is that this team is not good. In all aspects of their game, the Flames are suspect to awful.  

Mike Smith

Mike Smith must have taken some ugly pills, to put it mildly. Mike Smith's confidence level is at an all-time low. His positioning is struggling, getting caught out the net. He is having trouble controlling the rebounds. Generally, he lets the weak shots handcuff him.  But the biggest fear is his teammates losing confidence in him, which leads to more mistakes and players overcompensating in their defensive zone.

The Power Play (the joke of the League)

This powerplay is awful, lethargic at best. No energy to the puck, no imagination in the execution of the powerplay. Everyone knows what the Flames are going to do. The players are acting like they're on a picnic and have all the time in the world to get the puck in the corners. They are getting outmuscled and outskated for the puck.  They are not getting the loose pucks, which is extremely embarrassing when they have the extra man.

Lazy Play

The Flames continue to try to take the easy way out in their zone.  They seem to spend to much time holding and slashing, instead of getting in front of the opposition.  If they do not put in the work, this team will be a lottery pick contender instead of a playoff contender. You notice I did not say cup contender, because even at their best, they are not a cup contender.

Flames and Jackets have had discussions

The Flames have contacted the Jackets about the availability of Bobrovsky, the Jacket goalie.  The Flames have been told that Bobrovsky is not on the market at this time, but the Flames have an interest in making this happen. The problem is the Russian goalie is going to test the market for making a player rental. How much do they pay for a player who is going to stay for one year?  Are they willing to give up on Smith?  Have they given Smith enough time to turn this around?   How many assets will they have to give up?  Is it worth the price? Even with a goalie, is this team close to being a contender?

Welcome to the NHL

Welcome Dillon Dube and Juuso Valimaki to the NHL!

Juuso Valimaki

No wonder Juuso is on the Flames. He has the ability to pass the puck the forward. He is beyond his years in his ability to stay cool under pressure.  I have never seen a dman keep his cool in his own zone like Juuso. I admire his smarts in the defensive zone.  He understands his responsibility in the defensive role. He has some very good offensive skills. He knows when to pitch in and when not to. Juuso earned his place in the NHL and had to beat out the previous top prospect Rasmus Andersson to do it.  He is a nineteen-year-old who plays like a grizzled vet.

Dillon Dube 

Dillon is a playmaking forward who has skills to burn. His biggest asset is his quick release. He shoots the puck so fast the goalies are often caught off guard.  I love the fact he has the heart of a lion. He will do what it takes to be a winner.

Last year, the Flames were known for their careless attitude. Lazy play was the norm; they were a huge disappointment. No one knew it better than Brad Treliving, who was determined there would be no passengers this year. He did this by bringing in Hanifin and Lindholm. Mr. Neal Hustle and no-nonsense play do not hurt either.

Talking about Ellias Linholm, it looks like the Flames have finally found the right-wing answer to Monahan and Johnny. Ellias made a nifty play to snag the tying goal in Colorado. The major part of that goal was that the Flames were shooting high most of the night, Ellias kept low to even the score. It is the first time he has been looked to as the sniper.  Monahan and Johnny are probably the two most gifted players Linholm has played with it for some time.

The main concern for the season has been the inconsistent play of Mike Smith. He has either been very bad or very good. In the Canuck game, he was simply horrific, yet in that same game, he made the save of the game, a split glove save when it was still tied. In Nashville, he was tested with 43 shots and, of course, the shutout.  He was then awful in St. Louis the next night with a loss of 5-3. To be fair, none of the team showed up until the third period. Too little too late.

The Flames have to put an effort of sixty minutes a night. They gave up two goals because of mistakes in Denver; luckily they tightened their belts and came back. The Avs game was their best of the year; it should not have gone into overtime.  But again, the Flames let up for those first three minutes and were behind 2-0.  The key to success is hard work and playing a full 60 minutes. They have enough talent to win every night, but they can't do it without working. Talent does not always win; the Habs and Sens have been proving that this season.