Post by Calgary Flames on Jan 25, 2022 16:52:06 GMT -6
The Flames are currently 1st in the Pacific (not jinxing it) thanks in large part to a 13 game stretch where they were unbeaten in regulation. While standings 23 games into the season don't matter a whole lot, it's still better to be leading then chasing the pack. Here is a quick look as to where the Flames can expect to go based on some over and under achievements.
Room for improvement
1. Some of the Flames top six are suffering through miserable shooting percentages. Elias Lindholm (5.67%), Evander Kane (7.87%), Sean Monahan (6.06% despite two recent goals), and Tomas Tatar (3.08%) should all be scoring at a higher clip than they currently are . That's two thirds of the top 6!
2. Defensive play. Some of the teams best defensive players including Dahlin, Heiskanen, Lindgren, and Krejci are all sitting in the minus. Although these guys do some heavy lifting, you would expect them to be on the + on a winning team.
3. The Penalty Kill currently sits 17th in the league around 80% which should be better on a contending team.
Overachievements
1. Three of the teams top five scorers are D in Dahlin, Heiskanen, and Matheson. This may not be sustainable, especially with Matheson but who knows? With Nate Schmidt pulling off his best Bobby Orr impersonation maybe the Flames rearguards can keep pace.
2. The team's top scorer is TJ Oshie with 15 goals but his 22% shooting percentage likely comes down, even with his elite release.
3. Mike Smith's workload has been pretty heavy to date meaning Bobrovsky will have to take his turn between the pipes more regularly. Although there are teams that have ridden their starter heavier, Smith is really old.
With all of this in mind, Eric Francis, widely regarded as the absolute worst beat writer in the NHL, had a brief interview with GM Sean McAndrews. Here's the transcript:
Eric Francis: Sean, you've had a good start to the season. Who has been a real surprise for you to this point of the year getting you to where you want to be?
Sean McAndrews: I've got to say there aren't a lot of surprises so far. I've liked what I've seen. I'd say the one bright spot has been the production of David Krejci. He has more in the tank than expected at his age. We expected a solid 200 foot game and leadership but he has been sniping pretty regularly for us.
Eric Francis: Speaking of older players, aside from Krejci, Oshie has been one of your better players. Which young players have impressed to date?
Sean McAndrews: Obviously all of our young D has impressed. We wanted to give Zadina and Nylander some pro chances on forward but they look to need more seasoning. With that in mind, they have been excellent in the AHL as has Connor Timmins on D. Victor Soderstrom and Grigori Denisenko have been really good for first time pros.
Eric Francis: With all this in mind, are there any moves you are looking to make immediately?
Sean McAndrews: Nothing immediate but you always pick up the phone. If we could nab a young forward or defenseman that could move between the AHL and NHL to cover for injuries we would certainly listen. However, we are not looking to tinker too much with the pro roster as the chemistry in the team seems to be really solid.
Eric Francis: Are there any teams in the west that really scare you with their form or rosters?
Sean McAndrews: Scared? That is kind of a weird question. Only 2 things scare me in life and those are nuclear war and carnies. In the Pacific obviously the Kings are nipping at our heals and the Coyotes and the rest of the Central appear to have real quality.
Eric Francis: What about the Canucks? Do you think they can mount a challenge?
Sean McAndrews: No, they don't have what it takes. (Not jinxing it). Tone at the top is not good. If Girard or Fox wanted to come over though I wouldn't kick them out of bed if you know what I mean?
Eric Francis: In the inaugural season of the PFHL is there anything that has surprised you?
Sean McAndrews: Nothing huge so far. I suppose the lack of big deals with futures on one side and established players on the other. After a dispersal draft you expect teams to be fairly even but I still would have expected some teams to start selling older pieces at this point but it hasn't really happened.
Eric Francis: You're a known Flames fan. Are there any real life Flames that you are targeting?
Sean McAndrews: We are pretty happy to have drafted Lindholm and Monahan. Would love to add Gaudreau but he is likely outside of what we want to pay. Love Tkachuk but his rating was a little disappointing in PFHL and the ask has been astronomical so far. Hanifin would be another target but our D group is fairly set so unlikely to be a real priority. Markstrom would be a great longer term target as Smith continues to age (as we all do) but Vince Gibbons is a real tight ass and never plays ball.
Eric Francis: What do you hope to see out of the Flames for your next 23 games?
Sean McAndrews: Keep giving 110%. Pull on the rope in the same direction. The name on the front is more important than the name on the back. Your attitude determines your altitude. Take it one shift at a time. Whether you believe you can or cannot you will be right.
Eric Francis:
?
Room for improvement
1. Some of the Flames top six are suffering through miserable shooting percentages. Elias Lindholm (5.67%), Evander Kane (7.87%), Sean Monahan (6.06% despite two recent goals), and Tomas Tatar (3.08%) should all be scoring at a higher clip than they currently are . That's two thirds of the top 6!
2. Defensive play. Some of the teams best defensive players including Dahlin, Heiskanen, Lindgren, and Krejci are all sitting in the minus. Although these guys do some heavy lifting, you would expect them to be on the + on a winning team.
3. The Penalty Kill currently sits 17th in the league around 80% which should be better on a contending team.
Overachievements
1. Three of the teams top five scorers are D in Dahlin, Heiskanen, and Matheson. This may not be sustainable, especially with Matheson but who knows? With Nate Schmidt pulling off his best Bobby Orr impersonation maybe the Flames rearguards can keep pace.
2. The team's top scorer is TJ Oshie with 15 goals but his 22% shooting percentage likely comes down, even with his elite release.
3. Mike Smith's workload has been pretty heavy to date meaning Bobrovsky will have to take his turn between the pipes more regularly. Although there are teams that have ridden their starter heavier, Smith is really old.
With all of this in mind, Eric Francis, widely regarded as the absolute worst beat writer in the NHL, had a brief interview with GM Sean McAndrews. Here's the transcript:
Eric Francis: Sean, you've had a good start to the season. Who has been a real surprise for you to this point of the year getting you to where you want to be?
Sean McAndrews: I've got to say there aren't a lot of surprises so far. I've liked what I've seen. I'd say the one bright spot has been the production of David Krejci. He has more in the tank than expected at his age. We expected a solid 200 foot game and leadership but he has been sniping pretty regularly for us.
Eric Francis: Speaking of older players, aside from Krejci, Oshie has been one of your better players. Which young players have impressed to date?
Sean McAndrews: Obviously all of our young D has impressed. We wanted to give Zadina and Nylander some pro chances on forward but they look to need more seasoning. With that in mind, they have been excellent in the AHL as has Connor Timmins on D. Victor Soderstrom and Grigori Denisenko have been really good for first time pros.
Eric Francis: With all this in mind, are there any moves you are looking to make immediately?
Sean McAndrews: Nothing immediate but you always pick up the phone. If we could nab a young forward or defenseman that could move between the AHL and NHL to cover for injuries we would certainly listen. However, we are not looking to tinker too much with the pro roster as the chemistry in the team seems to be really solid.
Eric Francis: Are there any teams in the west that really scare you with their form or rosters?
Sean McAndrews: Scared? That is kind of a weird question. Only 2 things scare me in life and those are nuclear war and carnies. In the Pacific obviously the Kings are nipping at our heals and the Coyotes and the rest of the Central appear to have real quality.
Eric Francis: What about the Canucks? Do you think they can mount a challenge?
Sean McAndrews: No, they don't have what it takes. (Not jinxing it). Tone at the top is not good. If Girard or Fox wanted to come over though I wouldn't kick them out of bed if you know what I mean?
Eric Francis: In the inaugural season of the PFHL is there anything that has surprised you?
Sean McAndrews: Nothing huge so far. I suppose the lack of big deals with futures on one side and established players on the other. After a dispersal draft you expect teams to be fairly even but I still would have expected some teams to start selling older pieces at this point but it hasn't really happened.
Eric Francis: You're a known Flames fan. Are there any real life Flames that you are targeting?
Sean McAndrews: We are pretty happy to have drafted Lindholm and Monahan. Would love to add Gaudreau but he is likely outside of what we want to pay. Love Tkachuk but his rating was a little disappointing in PFHL and the ask has been astronomical so far. Hanifin would be another target but our D group is fairly set so unlikely to be a real priority. Markstrom would be a great longer term target as Smith continues to age (as we all do) but Vince Gibbons is a real tight ass and never plays ball.
Eric Francis: What do you hope to see out of the Flames for your next 23 games?
Sean McAndrews: Keep giving 110%. Pull on the rope in the same direction. The name on the front is more important than the name on the back. Your attitude determines your altitude. Take it one shift at a time. Whether you believe you can or cannot you will be right.
Eric Francis:
?
