Calgary Flames 5 Best Performers In November
Nov 28, 2015; San Jose, CA, USA; Calgary Flames line up for the national anthem before the game against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
For the Calgary Flames, the month of November hasn’t exactly been brilliant, but in finding a silver lining, five players performances have stood out.
With a record of five wins and seven losses across the month, the Calgary Flames haven’t exactly been in the sort of form that’ll see them making the play-offs.
A combination of poor defense, questionable (at times) goaltending and a rather dull offense (outside of the first two lines) has gotten them there and it seems unlikely to change.
Even more concerning is the fact three of those five wins came in overtime. Say what you like, this holds a somewhat increased element of luck since it became a three-on-three contest; luck and having a speedy stick handler like Johnny Gaudreau leading your overtime lines.
Certain players have massively underperformed, not just in November but the Calgary Flames season so far; not least the captain, Mark Giordano who may be seen as resting on his laurels after signing his six-year contract at the end of last year.
Jiri Hudler is another, who after a career best last year has dropped back to normal production levels, whilst Dougie Hamilton, the summer’s big arrival from the Boston Bruins and a player seen to give the Calgary Flames the best blue-line corps hasn’t quite settled in, still.
Should this group hit form, alongside our five best performers from the month gone by, who knows whether the Calgary Flames can force themselves into contention, at least for a wildcard spot?
Next: Number #5: Kris Russell
Say what you like about Kris Russell, he has played significantly better on the Calgary Flames blue line in November than he did in October.
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Russell has seemingly settled into a better routine and stronger defensive partnership; nothing on the level of his partnership with Mark Giordano last year, but he’s performing much more steadily now.
In November, this showed as he went from a downright dreadful -14 plus/minus score the previous month to a far healthier +4. It may leave him on a running season score of -10 but it’s a positive number at the very least.
On top of that, he’s finally managed to provide assists against stronger teams, notching up a pair across two games with the reigning Stanley Cup champions, the Chicago Blackhawks and another pair in the Calgary Flames 5-3 loss to the Anaheim Ducks.
So, they weren’t game-changers but they certainly were against high calibre opposition and show that Kris can be a useful asset to the Calgary Flames organisation.
Possibly the biggest difference maker for him this month has been ice time that has trended down on the previous month. Spending less time on the ice has allowed him to skate that little bit harder when he is on the ice and Calgary Flames head coach Bob Hartley deserves dome credit for finally realising this.
The hope is certainly that Russell can continue the upwards trend in his game that has been on display in November.
Next: Number #4: Sam Bennett
Sam Bennett is a youngster on a very much upwards trajectory; shining as one of the few beacons of hope thus far this season for the Calgary Flames.
The youngster shows zero fear in tussling with defensemen far his senior and that’s just one of the components of his game starting to shine through.
He’s backed up this obvious talent in attack with four goals and four assists, despite averaging much less ice time than the likes of Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau, who achieved similar numbers for the month.
A 50% winning percentage on face-offs will only continue to improve as he gains a bit more experience in the big leagues. That and the Calgary Flames entrusting more puck drops to him (he only challenged 22 times all month).
There’s definite hope that he continues his remarkable 22.2% shooting average, achieved in November. This highlights the fact he trends to resist shooting when there’s no option, instead taking time to find a chance – if he can continue to show this kind of skill and patience, he should have no issues maintaining a better-than-average percentage.
It’s clear that his skill lends itself to stronger linemates than Mikael Backlund and Michael Frolik, and one can only imagine what he might be able to do if paired with some elite talent.
However, for now that’s the best the Calgary Flames can offer to him and he’s still performing impressively – let’s hope the form continues into December.
Next: Number #3: Karri Ramo
Very few Calgary Flames fans would’ve believed that Karri Ramo could be seen as a top performer at any point this year, based on his October performances.
However, the Finnish goaltender has laid claim to the crease admirably following Jonas Hiller‘s late-October injury.
The month has been somewhat of a turning point for his confidence; coming into it, he’d played four games with an awful 4.27 goals against average and 0.868 save percentage. He found himself dropped to the Calgary Flames AHL affiliate, the Stockton Heat and was having a miserable time all-round.
In November, he’s shown an impressive resurgence in form; bringing his goals against average back to a far more respectable 2.63, in doing so dragging his save percentage up to 0.909, representing a far safer player to have in the Calgary Flames net.
This almost certainly wasn’t going to happen had Jonas Hiller not succumbed to injury, and that’s what makes Ramo’s form so remarkable. Here’s a player told he wasn’t good enough this season to even sit on the bench in the National Hockey League, yet as November ends, he’s the clear first choice between the pipes.
Should the form continue, it’s a dead certainty that he’ll hold onto his spot and keep Jonas Hiller on the bench. Should it drop off; who knows. Joni Ortio would surely like another chance!
Next: Number #2: Johnny Gaudreau
Johnny Gaudreau isn’t a new name to anyone, not least Calgary Flames fans. They will however be delighted that he is showing zero signs of the usual sophomore slump.
He showed absolutely no inhibitions on the ice against the Chicago Blackhawks, against some of the biggest names in hockey in Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. In fact, he chose the reigning Stanley Cup champions to net the game-winning goal on overtime against.
His point tally of 4 goals and 5 assists compares well with team mates, Sam Bennett and Sean Monahan and represents the second-best goal total for a Calgary Flames player in November.
As always it’s his speed, stick-handling and all-round vision for the game that shines through and the three-on-three overtime rules seem almost tailored for him.
His coach and team-mates know they’re lucky to have him; should he continue as he is currently his season is being projected as a 75 point year. That in a Calgary Flames team that is struggling massively to dish up more goals than it’s opponents thus far this year.
Not half bad for the short guy that went unclaimed until the 4th round in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.
Next: Number #1: Sean Monahan
Nov 27, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Calgary Flames center Sean Monahan (23) carries the puck during the third period against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
A five goal month was the best of anyone wearing Calgary Flames colors, so Sean Monahan has to be seen as the top performer.
Johnny Gaudreau scored more points for the month, with nine all-up but it’s Monahan’s five goals that make good argument for him as the number one guy for November.
Sean has headed up the first line alongside Johnny and Jiri Hudler for the most part this month; Jiri hasn’t exactly been delivering but Sean and Johnny have shown some impressive chemistry.
Monahan took on a huge workload in terms of face-offs in November, contesting 271 and admirably winning 141 for a face-off win percentage of 52.03 showing the maturity level usually seen from a player several years his senior.
The Calgary Flames expected this of him when they selected him in the first round in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft but are likely surprised to reap the rewards so soon.
Heading into December, the only negative against Sean Monahan is his season plus/minus score of -8 but that statistic is reflective of his team-mates as much as it is of his individual performances.
Next: Hiller Struggles In Loss To Sharks
Do you agree/disagree with out top five November performers? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
Stats courtesy of ESPN.com.