FLAMES TRIVIA | FLAMES AUDIO | FLAMES DIRECTORY | Peter Maher's Blog | Mike Rogers's Blog | Bryn's Blog | Pat's Blog
First off, I’m coming away from Calgary’s 3-2 shootout loss in Anaheim with a very positive vibe surrounding the team. Once again, the team came to play in the 3rd and were able to force this thing to extra time. But it also left you wondering just how good this team could be if they played like that for a full 60.
Again, a ton of positives in this hockey game. They extend their road point streak to 7 games and up their record to 7-1-3 away from home. They started strong, scoring the first goal of the hockey game for the 17th time this season in 22 games (11-3-3). They Flames have also opened the scoring in 9 of 11 road games this season. Calgary fired a season high 43 shots on net, and they weren’t pansy perimiter shots…they were legit shots for the most part. And of course, the Flames came to play in the third period.
For the third time this season, the Flames were able to score late in a hockey game with the goaltender out. The first was in Edmonton, the second in Dallas and now this…plus, Calgary had a hell of final frame period. They fired 18 shots on the Anaheim net, which is the 2nd highest shot total in a period all season. And they controlled things and were rewarded for it with Iginla’s goal with 18 seconds remaining. For the captain, he know has 14 points, and 12 goals, in 10 November games.
But you wonder just how good this team could be if things were like that on a more stretched out basis. Calgary stopped skating a bit in the second period, and as a result, took 3 second period penalties. Now, the PK was very good, but Anaheim controlled the middle frame regardless. And the 68 second lapse Calgary had in the first was very similar to the 38 second span they had on Saturday in LA. The Flames are still working on getting their game at the right level on a consistent basis.
I do wonder about the powerplay…they’re now 6 for their last 50 over 12 games, including an 0-4 on this night. I think it’ll get there, but you certainly wonder why there hasn’t been as much success when the team is a man up. I’ll say this much though, they moved the puck nicely and got some shots on the PP…so I do think it’s getting there.
The Flames take on Phoenix on Wednesday. Follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Steinberg960.
Pat. I’m going to take issue with you on a previous topic….trading Dion Phaneuf. Now, I realize that since Sutter coached him in Red Deer and both Sutters think the world of him they are not likely to trade him. But having said that, I will take issue with you on him being “an extraordinary talent”. I listened to you on the post game call in show after the LA victory. You were talking with a fan about Phaneuf and both of you couldn’t shower him with enough praise. The only thing you wished was that he was more consistent. The caller thought he was God and was the “best passer on the team”. Well, I just about hit the roof. Phaneuf is not only NOT the best passer on the team, I believe he is the worst passing d-man on the roster. I commented to my Dad after watching Bouwmeester’s slap pass to Iggy for the second goal that Dion “doesn’t have that pass in his repetoire”. What I mean by repetoire isn’t necessarily his skill set. When I say “repetoire” I mean his intelligence. He is not a cerebral hockey player. He doesn’t think. It’s ALL instinct. And, from what I can tell, he doesn’t learn quickly from his mistakes. He is so used to doing things a certain way, that he can’t stop.
While talking to the caller, you mentioned that you couldn’t think of many 24 year old d-men in the NHL of Phaneuf’s calibre. Well, I saw two d-men on the Hawks that make Dion look like a second tier defencman. Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith showed me just how good they are. They do ALL the little things right and make the simple plays. They rarely get caught out of position running around looking for the big check or hit. Cause to me, it’s the little things that Dion is struggling with. I could give you a great list (starting with the two Hawks……Shea Weber, Mike Green) and that doesn’t include the guys who are younger than Dion who are making impacts in the league (Doughty, Tyler Myers). In watching Doughty in LA the other day I saw a kid that is playing at the same level that Dion is playing at and at 19, has far more upside to him than Dion. Phaneuf seems to have hit a wall in my opinion. Some of the other d-men that I refer to aren’t spectacular, but that’s the point. I’m not looking for spectacular from Phaneuf, I want him to do the little things right and stop making errors that remind me of a first year defenceman.
This is not a “so there” opinon Pat. Just an opinion.
Thanks,
Darren
PS: Look man, I completely understand where you’re coming from. I don’t know if I agree that he’s the worst passing defenceman on the team, but you make some good points. I agree that he doesn’t show the vision that a player like Jay Bouwmeester does…few do. BUT his natural skill set and God-given ability is very, very high…that’s why I believe his ceiling is as high as I do. Brent Sutter is a teacher, and he is the right coach to help Phaneuf with the cerebral nature of the game.
Phaneuf has the ability to be an impact defenceman each and every game…he’s physical, he’s got great offensive instincts and he’s a very gifted skater. But decision making and stuff like that aren’t always going to be at a high level right from the get-go, sometimes it takes time and teaching. To me, Phaneuf is still in the same caliber of young defenceman as the guys you’ve mentioned.
- DarrenPat, I’m going to do something I seldom do…I’m going to disagree with you and side with Darren. Phaneuf does have grat upside and great instinct and god-given talent. I agree with Darren that we have not seen Dion learn and grow since coming into the league to the extent that others have. Other guys such as Seabrook, Keith, Weber etc. get better because they watch, learn and know they have room for improvement.
Darren mentioned that Dion is not as Cerebral as the others. Something else he has not done…mature. Both as a professional and as a person. He is only 24 and does have time to change. But this guy had an huge ego at age 20 and it’s only grown in the 4+ years since (part of it is upbringing, part of it from playing). Will he be better and more mature and “cerebral” at age 28 or 29. Possibly, but some guys don’t.
That is were I will give you props for your one point. With any luck, Brent will make him grow up and we will see a difference in him both on and off the ice. If not…then maybe we do see him go elsewhere. Time will tell.
- Bob in the Abbey