• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
Calgary Flames

Potential Studs and Duds in Hartley’s System

By Thomas Strangward June 8th, 2012

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Bob Hartley is now firmly at the helm as head coach of the Calgary Flames, as evidenced by the dismissal of assistant coach Craig Hartsburg by the organization this past week and the hiring of his replacement Jacques Cloutier. General Manager Jay Feaster is definitely expected to be active at the upcoming NHL Entry Draft in Pittsburgh as rumors have been flying over the Flames no longer shelling out a cap-capacity payroll, with a big ticket player expected to be on the block. The Flames cannot help but give off a sense of transition and change as they look to return to relevancy in the Western Conference, a welcome sight in the eyes of many fans. However, while the organization is seemingly making moves that look appealing on paper one cannot forget that the actual game is played on ice.

While speculation gives way rumors, it is truly impossible to evaluate how the Flames will perform this upcoming season. Numerous players will be lost to free agency and predicting how successful a rookie campaign Sven Bartschi has is next to impossible as he technically has still yet to solidify a permanent spot on the roster. There are a few certainties that can be made though, and they can be explored to a certain extent.

By his own admission, Hartley promises to change the style of play. Employing a less than enthralling dump-and-chase and defensive oriented hockey the last few seasons under former head coach Brent Sutter, the incoming Hartley employs hard-working hockey that emphasizes puck possession. Should he still don a Flames jersey next season, beleaguered defenseman Jay Bouwmeester may prove to be the greatest beneficiary of this new system. One of the few aspects of his game that has not come under fire in Calgary are his smooth skating and hockey sense which are the two primary ingredients utilized to successfully carry out a puck possession style. To say Bouwmeester has struggled offensively since leaving the Florida Panthers is a massive understatement and hopefully Hartley finds a way to awaken the defender’s offensive potential.

Jay Bouwmeester Flames

Jay Bouwmeester may have a better offensive output under Bob Hartley. (Warren Wimmer/Icon SMI)

While Bouwmeester may prosper in a puck possession system, the same implication is difficult to apply to Calgary’s top offensive forwards. In particular Jarome Iginla has essentially been playing the same on-ice system, or a close variant of it, for nearly a decade since Darryl Sutter took over behind the bench midway through the 2002-2003 season. It will certainly be interesting to see if Iginla can adapt to the new system successfully, as despite being in his mid-thirties he will undoubtedly be counted upon to supply another 30-goal campaign or better. To successfully adapt, Iginla may have to revert to a tertiary role on the Flames top line that is similar to his primary role on the Flames power play. Iginla’s one-timer is vastly underrated and one wonders if his career in the Western Conference deterred its reputation in the press. If the Flames captain is consistently given quality line mates that can focus on gaining the offensive zone, Iginla blasting heavy pucks from the circle could be a common sight this coming season.

The biggest casualty to the new system in the forward ranks is most likely to be gritty winger Curtis Glencross. While he is coming off back-to-back 20-goal seasons, Glencross has simply flourished due to a dump and chase system and some ample power play time. With the arrival of a player of Sven Bartschi’s caliber should the Swiss rookie make the team, it is difficult to imagine Glencross still managing to maintain a top-6 forward position. Glencross could still manage a gritty 20 goals, but will likely be hard pressed to hit the 50-point plateau for the first time in his career after managing 48 in 67 contests last season. He will still have a serviceable role on the team’s penalty killing units and expect his time to increase when the Flames are down a man. Hartley has always loved to rely on his advanced skill players, from Joe Sakic to Peter Forsberg to Marian Hossa to Ilya Kovalchuk, and Glencross is best suited to a third line role that can sparingly play 2nd line minutes should the need arise.

Another Flames roster hopeful who could fit into this new up tempo system is forward Paul Byron, who may prove to be the key acquisition to come out of the Robyn Regehr trade to Buffalo last summer. The speedy forward is incredibly skilled with the puck on his stick, and a puck possession game could allow the blooming playmaker to replicate feats such as this. While diminutive in size, Byron has scored at a respectable level for the Portland Pirates and Abbotsford Heat of the American Hockey League and has showcased his speed at the NHL level. Should his defensive acumen stand at an NHL level, Byron could quickly find himself in good favour with the new Flames coach.

The season has yet to play out, but these are a few candidates who could find themselves to either undergo drastic changes or adapt to drastic success.

  • Tags
  • Bob Hartley
  • Curtis Glencross
  • Jarome Iginla
  • Jay Bouwmeester
  • Jay Feaster
  • Paul Byron
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 26th 4:40 PM
Archives

The NHL’s Best Farm Systems Ranked – 2020-21 Season Update

Jan 26th 4:32 PM
Archives

Jimmy Howard’s Red Wings Legacy

Jan 26th 4:25 PM
Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins Not Playing to Full Potential in Comeback Wins

Jan 26th 4:15 PM
Colorado Avalanche

Mediocre Avalanche Road Trip Plagued by Inconsistency

Jan 26th 4:05 PM
Buffalo Sabres

Sabres Coach Ralph Krueger is a Jack of All Trades

Jan 26th 3:55 PM
Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights’ Cap Issues Look Less Problematic After 6 Games

Jan 26th 3:45 PM
Women's Hockey

Metropolitan Riveters Impress In Lake Placid With Undefeated Weekend

Jan 26th 3:25 PM
Column

Prospects News & Rumors: Kravtsov, Bracco & ECHL

Jan 26th 3:15 PM
Commentary

NHL Should Eliminate the Shootout & Finish Games With 3-on-3 Overtime

Jan 26th 3:05 PM
Editor's Choice

Senators’ Nick Paul Has Been the Biggest Surprise This Season

Editor’s Picks
Wayne Gretzky - The Great One's 10 Most Unbreakable Records

Wayne Gretzky - The Great One's 10 Most Unbreakable Records

Test Your Wayne Gretzky Knowledge With Our Quiz

Test Your Wayne Gretzky Knowledge With Our Quiz

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information