Post by Calgary Flames on Jun 30, 2022 14:51:18 GMT -6
The Flames had an up and down year, which is fairly common over 82 games plus some post season activity. The Flames style could be characterized as "solid team defense" lead by their best two players in Dahlin and Heiskanen with strong support from Matheson, Lindgren, Maatta, and Van Reimsdyck.
The D was really the strength of this team. The offense came and went a bit. When they were flying high the team won but a mid season swoon left the flames in the final wildcard spot facing the Chicago Blackhawks. After a game 1 blow out the Flames switch to a defense first mentality and magically their offense started to come too. They upset the heavily favored Hawks but then fell to Dallas. It's not uncommon to hit a bit of a low after a very unlikely upset but the Flames played well before being eliminated by Dallas in 7 games. Really they were so close to being in the conference finals so overall the season has to be viewed as a moderate success.
Here is a report card for the teams players and a short blurb on where they sit going into next year.
Forwards
Defense
Goalie
As you can see, the players with the best grades were more of the depth variety in the bottom D pair, Matheson and Tatar. While this is great, the Flames need more from their stars if they are going to take the next step. Losing in rd 2 in game 7 is no embarrassment, but if Dahlin and Heiskanen take the next step and Monahan, Kane, and Lindholm reach their offensive potential the Flames should be in a really good spot next year. The big hole to fill will be in goal if Smith does decide to retire. There are some intriguing netminders expected to hit free agency and there are reportedly a few trade targets that GM McAndrews has already made enquiries into.
Coming from the AHL both Alex Nylander and Filip Zadina are expected to make strong pushes for middle six roles while on the backend Connor Timmins showed he is too good for the AHL and Olli Juolevi might not be far behind.
Here is a look again at the projected lines but all subject to change once the free agency frenzy and trade winds hit.
Line 1: Oshie / Monahan / Kane
Line 2: Tatar / Lindholm / Fabbri
L:ine 3: Nylander / Krejci / Zadina
Line 4: Hathaway / Stepan / Clifford
Extras: Maltsev, Galchenyuk, Kahun
Depending on ratings Krejci could push Lindholm to the wing and Fabbri to line 3. However, Krejci would be an awesome mentor for two young offensive forwards on a third line that could create some scoring depth and give opposing coaches headaches. The 4th line is no fun to play against. You will also notice Maltsev on the extras list. He had a fantastic year after joining Stockton part way through the year and could challenge for a spot out of camp or into the season if injuries arrivel.
D pairing 1: Heiskanen / Lindgren
D pairing 2: Dahlin / Matheson
D pairing 3: Timmins / Van Reimsdyck
Trade Bait: Olli Maatta
Dahlin and Heiskanen played together at times this season but splitting them up seemed to work best to balance out the pairings. Really Pair 1 and Pair 2 are interchangeable but Heiskanen and Lindgren are viewed as the better "shut down" pair while Dahlin and Matheson can be unleashed a little more offensively. Timmins has earned a spot next to Van Reimsdyck making Maatta expendable. By no means has he played his way out of a job, he was great, is a decent age, and on a reasonable contract. It's just his roster spot and cap hit can be used to get a #1 goalie if Smith were to retire.
Goalies Who knows. Smith has a 67% chance of retiring. He is still good enough to play, even with an age based rating decline, but if he walks away from hockey the Flames will have to find a #1.
The D was really the strength of this team. The offense came and went a bit. When they were flying high the team won but a mid season swoon left the flames in the final wildcard spot facing the Chicago Blackhawks. After a game 1 blow out the Flames switch to a defense first mentality and magically their offense started to come too. They upset the heavily favored Hawks but then fell to Dallas. It's not uncommon to hit a bit of a low after a very unlikely upset but the Flames played well before being eliminated by Dallas in 7 games. Really they were so close to being in the conference finals so overall the season has to be viewed as a moderate success.
Here is a report card for the teams players and a short blurb on where they sit going into next year.
Forwards
- TJ Oshie B+. 30 goals 42 assists and played physical hockey. Could have scored more but was one of the most consistent players. Age will start to creep in but still expected to be offensive leader next year.
- Tomas Tatar A. 21 goals and 44 assists was expected to be a depth middle six and was second in the team in points. Likely earned another year in the top 6.
- Elias Lindholm B. 25 goals and 39 assists is nothing to sneeze at and played good two way hockey but it feels like there is more to give. Will play center more consistently next season.
- David Krejci A-. 28 goals and 34 assists from the veteran two way center was a solid return. Age could take its toll sliding him down to 3C depending on the youngsters coming up.
- Sean Monahan C. 20 goals and 40 assists isn't terrible but more was expected of the assumed 1C. Played much better in the playoffs but could be pushed by Lindholm for 1C title.
- Evander Kane C+. 26 goals and 27 assists with a lot of hits. Decent production but definitely more to give.
- Robbi Fabbri C-. 11 goals and 12 assists in 52 games is a disappointing return even from a talented 3rd liner. will have better line mates next season and more is expected.
Defense
- Rasmus Dahlin B. 19 goals and 46 assists, to lead the team, is exceptional but numbers could have been higher if not playing against others teams' top line. Overall great year for a young defender but plus minus suffered due to hard minutes.
- Miro Heiskanen A-. 21 goals and 43 assists and lead the team in minutes. Fantastic season and, like Dahlin, his best years are ahead. Also played very tough minutes.
- Mike Matheson A+. 15 goals and 37 assists have to be WAYYY above expectations. Although benefiting from playing with both superstar young defenders, Mike showed he is a quality player in his own right.
- Ryan Lindgren A+. 7 goals and 27 assists wouldn't normally lead to an "A" grade but Lindgren lead the team in hits, shots blocked, and PIMs. No one on the Flames would discredit his contribution.
- Maatta/Van Reimsdyck A. The duo combined for 49 points but played well together in somewhat sheltered minutes but still racked up an impressive +27 as a bottom pair. Both played PK.
Goalie
- Mike Smith B. Finished the season in the top 10ish in most categories which is pretty good for an old guy on a cheap contract. Let the team down in the series against Dallas where he was the clear second best goalie but was a big reason they beat Chicago. High probability of retirement and even he doesn't retire father time could get his ratings.
- Sergei Bobrovsky B. Played fine in limited minutes and provided reasonable performance when called upon even going on a mini hot streak.
As you can see, the players with the best grades were more of the depth variety in the bottom D pair, Matheson and Tatar. While this is great, the Flames need more from their stars if they are going to take the next step. Losing in rd 2 in game 7 is no embarrassment, but if Dahlin and Heiskanen take the next step and Monahan, Kane, and Lindholm reach their offensive potential the Flames should be in a really good spot next year. The big hole to fill will be in goal if Smith does decide to retire. There are some intriguing netminders expected to hit free agency and there are reportedly a few trade targets that GM McAndrews has already made enquiries into.
Coming from the AHL both Alex Nylander and Filip Zadina are expected to make strong pushes for middle six roles while on the backend Connor Timmins showed he is too good for the AHL and Olli Juolevi might not be far behind.
Here is a look again at the projected lines but all subject to change once the free agency frenzy and trade winds hit.
Line 1: Oshie / Monahan / Kane
Line 2: Tatar / Lindholm / Fabbri
L:ine 3: Nylander / Krejci / Zadina
Line 4: Hathaway / Stepan / Clifford
Extras: Maltsev, Galchenyuk, Kahun
Depending on ratings Krejci could push Lindholm to the wing and Fabbri to line 3. However, Krejci would be an awesome mentor for two young offensive forwards on a third line that could create some scoring depth and give opposing coaches headaches. The 4th line is no fun to play against. You will also notice Maltsev on the extras list. He had a fantastic year after joining Stockton part way through the year and could challenge for a spot out of camp or into the season if injuries arrivel.
D pairing 1: Heiskanen / Lindgren
D pairing 2: Dahlin / Matheson
D pairing 3: Timmins / Van Reimsdyck
Trade Bait: Olli Maatta
Dahlin and Heiskanen played together at times this season but splitting them up seemed to work best to balance out the pairings. Really Pair 1 and Pair 2 are interchangeable but Heiskanen and Lindgren are viewed as the better "shut down" pair while Dahlin and Matheson can be unleashed a little more offensively. Timmins has earned a spot next to Van Reimsdyck making Maatta expendable. By no means has he played his way out of a job, he was great, is a decent age, and on a reasonable contract. It's just his roster spot and cap hit can be used to get a #1 goalie if Smith were to retire.
Goalies Who knows. Smith has a 67% chance of retiring. He is still good enough to play, even with an age based rating decline, but if he walks away from hockey the Flames will have to find a #1.
