Around the Dome: Flames News 2024-25 Season

[Darth Vladar]

this is in part why I like Bishop for the 4th line, he may be a lefty but his game translates well to being a defensively reliable 4C

It’s a kinda small sample size, but his face off % has been on a severely steady decline over the past five or so seasons since his Carolina days. Was high 50’s at one point, whereas he is barely over 40% in his six games with us this season.

 

[Lunatik]

He could be the 13th guy or on the wing. I think this season has shown the Flames how dire the need is for a right handed center to take and win draws.

I was more referring to teh rest of this season.

This is also a reason I have always been willing to take a flyer on Colin White, although I have to admit I haven't really watched him since he left Ottawa. But I remember him being a defensively reliable RHC. Even with his decline since, worst case he's a league minimum that doesn't work out.

It’s a kinda small sample size, but his face off % has been on a severely steady decline over the past five or so seasons since his Carolina days. Was high 50’s at one point, whereas he is barely over 40% in his six games with us this season.

I've watched almost every game Bishop has played the past 3 years, I wasn't basing it on his NHL play alone.

 

[Zirakzigil]

I was more referring to teh rest of this season.

This is also a reason I have always been willing to take a flyer on Colin White, although I have to admit I haven't really watched him since he left Ottawa. But I remember him being a defensively reliable RHC. Even with his decline since, worst case he's a league minimum that doesn't work out.


I've watched almost every game Bishop has played the past 3 years, I wasn't basing it on his NHL play alone.

Sorry got confused with Bishop and Kirkland. Was thinking next season because obviously Kirkland is out with injury.

 

[Lunatik]

Sorry got confused with Bishop and Kirkland. Was thinking next season because obviously Kirkland is out with injury.

I'd like to say that I haven't made the same mistake before... but alas, I have

 

[Darth Vladar]

I've watched almost every game Bishop has played the past 3 years, I wasn't basing it on his NHL play alone.

I didn’t dig too deep, just perused puckpedia, and they only show the advanced stats for the NHL games played.

 

[hockeyguy0022]

I'm still upset Vladar hasn't played better, not that he's been bad, good backup quality, but not 2022 playoffs against edmonton good.

I was hoping and im sure Craig was wanting to flip him here at the deadline to a contender with soft goaltending.

 

[Volica]

Probably for the best, he was miserable his last start.
I know he's a big team-guy, but it only goes so far, especially with guys like Solo and Yan Kuznetsov knocking on the door.

 

[SaintMorose]

Have to think this means Solo is going to be in the lineup for 75%+ the rest of the way and Kuznetsov may get a look if Bahl isn't back.

Neither of those guys should be sitting the majority of games Hanley, Bean, and Miro might be rotating on a single spot, or just to give Solo a break.

 

[Darth Vladar]

Have to think this means Solo is going to be in the lineup for 75%+ the rest of the way and Kuznetsov may get a look if Bahl isn't back.

Neither of those guys should be sitting the majority of games Hanley, Bean, and Miro might be rotating on a single spot, or just to give Solo a break.

The fact that they won’t say whether Bahler will be in the lineup Sunday vs. the Sharks clearly means he’s that close. Weegar can play both sides, Hanley has been slotted on every single pair at some point this season, and we already kinda know what we have in Solo.

Yan Kuzy is the wildcard. If he can bring even half the stability to the Flames corps that he does to the Wranglers, there might just be some quality hockey yet to be played.

 

[Lunatik]

The fact that they won’t say whether Bahler will be in the lineup Sunday vs. the Sharks clearly means he’s that close. Weegar can play both sides, Hanley has been slotted on every single pair at some point this season, and we already kinda know what we have in Solo.

Yan Kuzy is the wildcard. If he can bring even half the stability to the Flames corps that he does to the Wranglers, there might just be some quality hockey yet to be played.

It's also telling that the Flames only made 1 blueline move too... a healthy Bahl would give us 9 defensemen. I'm thinking they are waiting until they know he'll return and then place Miromanov on waivers. Or maybe they are trying to trade him for a forward... a trash for trash kind of trade with us taking on extra salary to get the better piece of trash

 

[Darth Vladar]

It's also telling that the Flames only made 1 blueline move too... a healthy Bahl would give us 9 defensemen. I'm thinking they are waiting until they know he'll return and then place Miromanov on waivers. Or maybe they are trying to trade him for a forward... a trash for trash kind of trade with us taking on extra salary to get the better piece of trash

That, and they could also want to get a good sense of how Yan Kuzy will either fit into the corps or not, to know whether to waive LHD Bean or RHD Miro next. If Kuzy plays well, Bahl-Solo-Kuzy-Hanley suddenly doesn’t look terrible on that left side, which would leave Raz-Weegs-Patches-Miro on the right. If Kuzy ends up not being the missing piece, they’ll be glad to have hung onto Bean just in case I think.

 

[Lunatik]

That, and they could also want to get a good sense of how Yan Kuzy will either fit into the corps or not, to know whether to waive LHD Bean or RHD Miro next. If Kuzy plays well, Bahl-Solo-Kuzy-Hanley suddenly doesn’t look terrible on that left side, which would leave Raz-Weegs-Patches-Miro on the right. If Kuzy ends up not being the missing piece, they’ll be glad to have hung onto Bean just in case I think.

I really don't think it has anything to do with Kuznetsov, if Bahl is healthy we'd still have 8D if we waived someone and would give lots of time to see where Kuz fits and where to ease him in. Waiving Miro is no loss IMO, we could easily replace him next time a defenseman is placed on waivers as IMO Cholowski who was waived today is a better player than Miro, but that doesn't say much, a traffic cone would be a suitable replacement for Miro

 

[Darth Vladar]

I really don't think it has anything to do with Kuznetsov, if Bahl is healthy we'd still have 8D if we waived someone and would give lots of time to see where Kuz fits and where to ease him in. Waiving Miro is no loss IMO, we could easily replace him next time a defenseman is placed on waivers as IMO Cholowski who was waived today is a better player than Miro, but that doesn't say much, a traffic cone would be a suitable replacement for Miro

Miro does appear to be the odd guy out. I just meant that if Kuzy ends up being the second coming, we’d suddenly have five NHL capable LHD on top of Weegs who typically plays on his off side, basically leaving Raz and Patches on the right if they were to indeed move Miro. But you’re right, guys are put on waivers all the time; it’s just that what the Flames need is a legit top four to compliment Weegs, Raz, and Bahl, not a guy capable of logging top-four minutes in a pinch like Hanley and Miro have. That’s why I kinda figured maybe they might want to see if Yan Kuzy can slot into that spot with Weegs before deciding whether to waive a LHS or RHS. It will most likely be Miro though, Bean has been marginally better than him, and Weegs can always switch to whatever side they need him on.

Edit: Cholowski would actually be a decent pickup, can’t see him clearing. Would definitely be an upgrade on Miro.

 

[Zirakzigil]

Steinberg seemed confident that Kuznetsov goes back down for the Wrangers road trip this weekend, for what thats worth. Guessing Solo lines up with Weegar on Sunday if Bahl is healthy.

 

[Darth Vladar]

Steinberg seemed confident that Kuznetsov goes back down for the Wrangers road trip this weekend, for what thats worth. Guessing Solo lines up with Weegar on Sunday if Bahl is healthy.

Probably just to give him a chance to practice with the boys since they were waiting for Raz to get back anyways. Suffice it to say, he’ll likely be the first guy up if anyone else gets moved. I’m sure Solo is up for good now.

 

[Flames Fanatic]

Probably just to give him a chance to practice with the boys since they were waiting for Raz to get back anyways. Suffice it to say, he’ll likely be the first guy up if anyone else gets moved. I’m sure Solo is up for good now.

Plus a healthy paycheque bump/reward I think potentially too.

 

[Darth Vladar]

@Zirakzigil

 

[Darth Vladar]

Matvei Gridin is having a tremendous first season in the QMJHL - The Win Column

Marvel Gridin progress report:

“Not only has Gridin been one of the QMJHL’s best players at 18 in a league full of 19 and 20-year-olds, he has a very real case for being the very best D+1 player in the league. As mentioned, he ranks 11th in the QMJHL for points right now. Of the 10 players that rank above him, just one is a fellow 2024 draftee. The remaining nine players are either older or top prospects available for the 2025 draft.

The only player drafted in 2024 that has more points than Gridin is Jeremie Poirier’s younger brother Justin who went in the fifth round to the Carolina Hurricanes, but comes with a plethora of defensive concerns. In fact, if we look back at previous QMJHL D+1 players in the Flames organization, Gridin is among the very best this century. His current full-season pace of 86 points would top Jakob Pelletier’s D+1 total of 82 and would fall just one point shy of Emile Poirier’s 87 points.”

 

[Ace Rimmer]

You'll forgive me if the Pelletier and Poirier (yes off ice stuff) comparisons don't get me super excited.

 

[Darth Vladar]

You'll forgive me if the Pelletier and Poirier (yes off ice stuff) comparisons don't get me super excited.

Man I had some high hopes for that guy when we drafted him. I remember thinking we hit pay dirt with Mony, Klimchuk, and Poirier in that 1st round. Crazy looking back on it now.

 

[Zirakzigil]

@Zirakzigil

View attachment 980339

Matvei Gridin is having a tremendous first season in the QMJHL - The Win Column

Marvel Gridin progress report:

“Not only has Gridin been one of the QMJHL’s best players at 18 in a league full of 19 and 20-year-olds, he has a very real case for being the very best D+1 player in the league. As mentioned, he ranks 11th in the QMJHL for points right now. Of the 10 players that rank above him, just one is a fellow 2024 draftee. The remaining nine players are either older or top prospects available for the 2025 draft.

The only player drafted in 2024 that has more points than Gridin is Jeremie Poirier’s younger brother Justin who went in the fifth round to the Carolina Hurricanes, but comes with a plethora of defensive concerns. In fact, if we look back at previous QMJHL D+1 players in the Flames organization, Gridin is among the very best this century. His current full-season pace of 86 points would top Jakob Pelletier’s D+1 total of 82 and would fall just one point shy of Emile Poirier’s 87 points.”

I am really curious about Gridin. I think the Flames had a home run draft with 2024.

 

[Lunatik]

I think it's prudent to note that Gridin, is a QMJHL rookie, the level of play between the Q and USHL is is definitely notable and he just started breaking out last season. Also off the ice, Gridin's summer of '24 sounds like a bit of a whirlwind. In July he found out he wasn't going to the NCAA and then went #1 in teh import draft... but it was known immediately that Gridin would have his rights traded and none of that was official until after his Flames camp.

Also, as always we have to factor in circumstances when it comes to players we compare him too as well.... Pelletier lost half a season of development to Covid and then was a top AHL producer until he sustained multiple shoulder injuries and started playing a little scared and was finally showing improved production in teh NHL at the time of the trade and had started knocking on teh door of 0.5ppg after starting his NHL time on teh 4th line.... Poirier, we all know about his demons and he was also one of the older players in his draft year so he was more developed in his D+1 season than Gridin or Pelletier.

Also, Gridin was a late 1st, statistically speaking, we're more likely to add a 3rd liner there than a top 6 player, so expectation should be tempered