Posted by The THW Flames season preview will take a different direction than some of the other previews that are out there.
- Greg Wyshynski (Puck Daddy – Yahoo Sports) Introduces the 2009-10 Flames
- TSN’s Flames Season Preivew
Here, let’s highlight 10 questions to monitor as the season progresses (This article features 6 through 10).
{For Questions 1 through 5 to monitor click here}
6. Do the Flames have the best 4th line in hockey?
Eric Nystrom (Justin Yamada - Flickr)
Eric Nystrom centers wingers Brandon Prust and Fredrik Sjostrom.
Energy? Check.
Speed? Check.
Toughness? Check.
Pace-changing? Check.
Tenacious forechecking? Check.
Ability to chip in offensively? Check.
Nystrom is starting to show that he is a chip off the old block, and that the Flames did not make a mistake in selecting him in the first round a few years back. The energy, passion and occasional timely offensive contribution he displays is reminiscent of his father, Bob Nystrom. The Flames actually traded Brandon Prust last season in a deal that brought Olli Jokinen from the Phoenix Coyotes at the trade deadline. They were able to bring the feisty, energetic, sparkplug forward back to Calgary in the offseason in a deal that sent Jim Vandameer and his 2 plus million dollar contract to the desert. Freddie Sjostrom was signed as a free agent this past offseason and finds his way back to the city where he played in the WHL – for the hometown Hitmen. The former 1st rounder is a speedy, good-sized winger who excels in a 4th line role and is a valuable penalty killer. The 26 year old hasn’t been able to score regularly at this level, but still might have some untapped offensive ability within, given his scoring prowess back in his junior days. The three have displayed great chemistry for such a short time together as a unit. They will prove to be a valuable commodity over the long haul of a NHL season. At the moment, I challenge you to present a superior 4th line on another NHL squad.
7. Is adding another Sutter to the mix good for the hockey club?
The population of Sutter-ville went up by one in the offseason. The Brothers Sutter are even further entrenched in the Flames organization – GM Darryl brings in Coach Brent to go along with brothers Duane (player personnel) and Ron (scout), with son/nephew Brett (prospect) rounds out the Sutter presence in Stampede City. From shaking up player placements in the dressing room to implementing his own precise positioning system, this additional Sutter is a breath of fresh air to the hockey club situated at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. Not that the new Sutter on board is a pushover or easy-going comedian. Rather, players will like the frankness Sutter gives you and the fact that they know what their defined role is and their part within his implemented system. As mentioned in Questions #1, now ex-coach Keenan surprisingly seemed to have no true system at all if you talk to players such as Robyn Regehr and Craig Conroy.
8. Who will be this year’s breakthrough player?
Last season, Rene Bourque, David Moss and Curtis Glencross were all revelations. Nigel Dawes seems to be a popular pick after the Flames claimed him off waivers in the offseason. The acquisition of Dawes and the afore mentioned Sjostrom appear to be steals reminiscent of GM Darryl Sutter nabbing Bourque and Glencross last season. Dustin Boyd is another seemingly perennial breakthrough player candidate. McElhinney is another candidate in his sink or swim year. My pick for this season’s edition of breakthrough player of the year is Mark Giordano, who I raved about in Question #1. His mobility, agility, high hockey IQ and puck poise will all finally come together this season for the undrafted free agent signed in 2004.
9. Do the Flames have enough fire power?
Nigel Dawes (AC4o - Flickr)
Can the Flames make up for the loss of 39 Mike Cammalleri goals? The Flames were 7th in the league last year with 251 goals for. Of course, gone are Cammalleri’s 39 tallies. But now the Flames also have Jokinen for the full year. They also have the added presence of Bouwmeester on the blueline, which should help improve the 17th ranked powerplay. Hopefully injury-free seasons for Langkow, Giordano and Bourque will further help the cause. Expect the emergence of at least one of Nigel Dawes and/or Dustin Boyd as well. Couple that with the fact that Brent Sutter implements a more defensive conscious system and with the horses they have on the blueline, the Flames are poised to cut back significantly on the 246 goals scored against them last season – an even more determinant on how they will fair this season.
10. Should the Flames have signed Theoren Fleury?
I covered Fleury’s comeback quite extensively in the article “Fleury Comeback With A Fury – Realistic, Fantasy or Ploy?” Since then, a lot of events have unfolded in such a short time. Fleury averaged a point per game in preseason action and posted a plus 4 rating. Just when many fans and hockey media alike thought he was poised to sign, at the very least, a deal to go to the Flames new AHL affiliate in Abbotsford, BC, the Flames outright released him. Initially, I have to say I was caught by surprise. But hearing more from local sports media, Flames personnel and Fleury himself, the move was not at all that shocking and actually makes perfect sense.
The Sutters revealed that the agreement between the Flames and Fleury was a tryout on the basis he had to make the team as a top 6 forward or…bust. No Abbotsford conditioning stint, no powerplay and shootout specialist. When it came down to it, Theoren did not have the legs he once did. In the end, it was more about Fleury leaving hockey on his terms. Despite not playing in any regular season games or even signing a contract at all, he got what he wanted. He got reinstated by the NHL and will now retire as a Calgary Flame. As an aside bonus, he gets some publicity for his upcoming tell-all book. For Theo, this was about closing a dark chapter in his life and he could not have done it in a classier fashion.
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Christopher Ralph, aka "The Hockey Spy", is a freelance hockey writer from Calgary via Newfoundland. His own blog at The Hockey Spy covers hockey in general with a focus on prospects and the NHL Entry Draft. He also covers the Chicago Blackhawks Paint It Blackhawks. Click here for more of his THW articles, focusing on the Calgary Flames, prospects and the draft. "A good hockey player plays where the puck is. A great hockey player plays where the puck is going to be." - Wayne Gretzky
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What ever happened to Defence first Sutter system? Last I checked a good defence limits the shots/scoring chances the goalie faces. After two games, the Flames have been out shot 2/2 games. I worry Kipper is being shell shocked early in the season. I think the first and foremost question should be, can Sutter get the players to just clear their own blue line?
Well in, okay bluejays!
The positive is that Kipper is not off to that horrible start we’ve seen the last few seasons.
As for the defense 1st system – well it is only 2 games into the season. They’re basically going from a “non-system” of Keenan to a precise positioning system that will take some adjusting to. The Flames will take the 2 early victories, but no doubt will be closely monitoring the shots allowed, or more importantly, quality shot allowed.
Another thing they’ll be striving for is consistency. At times, they are authorative in their clearing the puck out of their zone, while other times they seem simply lackadaisical.
Great matchup tomorrow night with the Habs! Both teams allowing plenty of shots early in the season. I’ll be attending that one live at the Saddledome.
Thanks for the 4th line recap Chris.
Being in the east we usually only hear about other team’s stars and not a lot about the plumbers. Habs are playing the Flames tonight, I’ll keep an eye on that 4th line and see how disturbing their forecheck is.
Thanks Bruce!
Now…what do you think of that 4th line! Hat-trick for Nystrom, donnybrooks for Nystrom and Prust and ferocious forechecking! Again, the best line for the Flames tonight! I was live at the ‘Dome for this tilt and great to see those guys flying live. Nystrom was one assist short of a Gordie Howe Hatrick to go with the natural hat-trick. Now, I don’t expect that type of offensive output every night from that line, but I think they’ve proved my point tonight!
Okay – so not the hattrick for Nystrom that I reported earlier, but he once again shos he’s a class act. He went to the scorekeeper at game’s end and stated he didn’t touch Kronwall’s shot from the point. Still…2 goals and a spirited scrap from the energy line centerman. All in all, a great night!
[...] (Click here for questions 6 through 10) [...]