Calgary Flames Monday Roundtable: Defencemen Edition

Welcome to another edition of Monday Roundtable! Today, we’ll be talking everything about the Calgary Flames defencemen and seeing how next season could pan out.

Who says Mondays have to always be the worst day of the week? Especially when you get to talk about hockey! Today, we the writers here at Flame for Thought had a virtual roundtable discussion about the Calgary Flames defencemen.

There were a few issues with the defencemen this season. Of course, we all already know about the whole Dennis Wideman contract and how excited Flames fans were for this season to end so his contract would expire. But there were also some positives! Like the dynamic duo of Mark Giordano and Dougie Hamilton. And when Michael Stone came to Calgary and basically replaced Wideman on that second unit with T.J. Brodie which sparked a Flames ten-game win streak.

I decided to ask the writers some questions about the defencemen and seeing how everybody felt. Here are the results:

Question 1: Should Dennis Wideman be re-signed?

Hahahahahhahahahahahahaha ok sorry that was a joke one to start off. Moving on. Here are the real questions:

Question 1: We saw Michael Stone come in and somewhat replace Dennis Wideman. Is Stone a good enough top four defenseman to play alongside T.J. Brodie or was just anything better than Wideman?

Jonathan Boulanger

Personally, I think Stone is perfectly adequate. I’ve heard some people knock him and his underlying stats, but I think he would a solid #4 as he seemed to have good chemistry with Brodie and has a great shot which could be of use on the powerplay. He boxes forwards out beautifully along the boards and in front of the net. My only critique for him is his occasional lapses in coverage.

Alex Hoegler

It’s too early to tell if Stone’s going to blossom into a top-four defenceman or if he was simply better than Wideman. But based on what we say this season, Stone has earned the shot at getting second-pairing minutes in 2017-18. No reason to move him down the depth chart.

Dan Raicevich

I think that Michael Stone is a pretty good comparable defenseman to TJ Brodie. Look at the statistics for TJ Brodie, before and after the Stone Trade.

Before Michael Stone was acquired:

• T.J. Brodie: 59 GP, 4-19–23, -25

Brodie’s plus/minus statistic was alarming. He was being left exposed to the poor play of his usual partner of Dennis Wideman, and it showed on the ice. These are significantly poor numbers from one of the NHL’s more underrated and consistent defenseman. His goal output was significantly down, as well as his point total.

After Michael Stone was acquired:

• T.J. Brodie: 23 GP, 2-11–13, +9

Hey! Brodie’s play took off…well I wonder why. Michael Stone is a relatively good skater, and a good complement to the swift skating Brodie. His plus/minus stat significantly increased while playing alongside Michael Stone. Stone helped clean up the Flames defensive end and was also playing a significant role in their ten game winning streak down the stretch. Brodie benefitted from playing with Michael Stone.

Related Story: Five Reasons the Flames Season Turned Around

Ramina Shlah

Dennis Wideman was definitely an anchor for T.J. Brodie. We all saw how well Brodie performs even when the team doesn’t and he’s able to fix his own mistakes. But it’s somewhat hard constantly having to fix the mistakes of your defensive partner so Michael Stone coming in not only replaced Wideman, but somewhat boosted the morale of Brodie and the entire team. Is he good enough to be a top four defenceman alongside Brodie for the entirety of next season? It may be too early to tell right now. But I think he should be given a shot.

Question 2: That being said, should Stone be re-signed? (Keep in mind the Flames will lose a 2018 5th round pick, which I know isn’t a huge deal, but something worth mentioning).

Jonathan Boulanger

I think so. He’s one of if not the best option out there (Barring a steal).

Alex Hoegler

Yes, just re-sign Stone and play the odds that the 5th round selection probably won’t develop much into anything. Stone’s value is higher than a 5th round pick, so don’t treat him like he is one.

Dan Raicevich

With the weak UFA market, I would look to retaining Stone for the right price. A cap hit north of $3-3.5 Average Annual Value would be the limit I would pay for his services. Stone is a Calgary guy, where he met his wife while playing his junior hockey for the Calgary Hitmen. He is familiar in the area, he fits in with the teams age demographic (26 years old). Him and Brodie can solidify the second defensive pair, as both seem to play very well with each other on that pair. Stone can skate, he can throw hits and he can chip in offensively as well.

In order to win in the Western Conference, you need a sound top four. Michael Stone solidifies the top four for the Calgary Flames.

Ramina Shlah

Like I said above, I think he should be given a shot. Like Alex said, the fifth round pick will most likely not develop into anything better. And the Flames can probably sign Stone on a one or two year contract for maybe 6-7 million (if two years) which I think is an awesome price for a top four defenceman. Like I said, it may be too early to tell, but he should be given a shot.

Question 4: We already know that Dougie Hamilton had a career-high season this season. With an article that Sportsnet put out a couple months ago with stats showing that Dougie and Mark Giordano were basically the best defensive duo out of all Canadian teams (and one of the best in the league), how excited are you for this duo next season?

Jonathan Boulanger

Very excited. High expectations but I think Gio, Brodie and Dougie are all exceptional and have the ability to stay elite. Who knows, maybe future Norris candidates?

Alex Hoegler

It’s going to be a joy to watch Giordano and Hamilton lead the Flames blue line for years to come. The former put up a Norris Trophy caliber season two years ago, whereas Hamilton is now emerging as a top-10 blueliner . There’s a lot to love about the scoring and toughness each guy possesses, and the Flames will go as far as these two take them.

Related Story: Dougie Hamilton's Career-High Season

Dan Raicevich

I cannot wait to see what this pair brings next season. These are two elite defenseman who play well while being out there together. Dougie Hamilton is only going to improve, as he is still at the ripe age of 23 years old (turns 24 in June).

Dougie Hamilton is solid in his defensive end, as well as he is stellar on the offensive side. He is a towering presence out there, at 6 feet 6 inches tall. He skates like a deer as Brian Burke once stated earlier in the season.

In my opinion, he is the best defenseman on the Calgary Flames blueline. And he hasn’t even scratched his potential.

Ramina Shlah

Man, I am SO excited for Gio and Dougie. Like Alex said, Dougie is already a top-10 blueliner in the league right now and the Flames basically got him as a steal. Definitely future Norris candidates, like Jonathan said, and he brings that height along with a hard shot. He’s been very consistent this season and he’s been extremely effective on the powerplay as well. He credited his season turning around to being paired with Gio and even said Gio is somebody he looks up to. Them two together is dangerous.

Question 5: Matt Bartkowski’s on a cheap two-way deal. Would you like to see him stay as a bottom two defenceman, or should he be sent down and the Flames give a chance to one of the younger guys like Oliver Kylington or players like Brett Kulak and Tyler Wotherspoon?

Jonathan Boulanger

Not a big fan of Bartkowski. I liked him at first, but once he started to show his true colors, I wasn’t a fan of his play. I think they should consider a free agent or maybe give ice time to the kids, but my problem with that is the ice time is minimal. In the AHL they will be able to develop better.

Alex Hoegler

I think it’d be nice to see a younger defenceman get the chance over Bartkowski, who hasn’t found any consistency at the NHL level. It doesn’t matter if it’s Kulak or Wotherspoon or someone else; but it’s worth bringing up a young player in the system to get the NHL feel.

Dan Raicevich

Matt Bartkowski is a great depth option. He is a smooth skater, offensive minded and undersized. He kind of reminds me of Kris Russell in a way. But then again, he possesses minimal upside here. Give Kylington or Andersson or Kulak more of an opportunity to solidify their roles in the organization.

Brad Treliving talks about “growth in the organization”. Let these AHL prospects take a gander in the big leagues and if that means a few nights sitting in the press box for Bartkowksi, then it means that.

Ramina Shlah

I definitely think the Calgary Flames can find someone better than Bartkowski. Letting these AHL guys have a chance with the big league would be smart, but like Jonathan said, there’s that risk of not giving them the ice-time they’d be getting in the AHL to develop. This is a tough one, but I think someone like Wotherspoon or Kylington even should be given a chance.

Question 6: Should the Flames bring back the elite Nicklas Grossmann?

Hahahahahahah ok sorry last joke.

Question 6: If you could see any defenseman in the league be TJ Brodie’s defensive partner on that second unit, who would you like to see? (Realistically, don’t pick like PK Subban) (I mean, that’d be nice though).

Jonathan Boulanger

Michael Stone. I think he’s one of the best available. Realistically, as a dream candidate I guess Kevin Shattenkirk but he will cost a fortune.

Alex Hoegler

I think Chris Tanev of the Vancouver Canucks would be a great option. He’s only 27 years of age and the stats show he’s among hockey’s and most reliable stay-at-home blueliners.

Tanev doesn’t have much offence, but the high-flying Flames don’t really need it from him. Another true defensive defenceman could be the final link in their championship aspirations, and Tanev fits the bill perfectly.

Dan Raicevich

I would still prefer Michael Stone because of their compatibility, but I would like to see Jacob Trouba play alongside TJ Brodie. Both are offensively skilled, as well as solid in their defensive end. Trouba is a younger defenseman, and he has still not even tapped his potential either. He could benefit from playing with Brodie, as Brodie can do the same for Trouba.

Ramina Shlah

Shattenkirk hadn’t even crossed my mind, but I can definitely see that fit, so thanks Jonathan for bringing that idea! I know I said not to pick someone like P.K. Subban, but ideally, I definitely wouldn’t mind someone like P.K. Subban who’s an excellent skater and has a rocket shot. But realistically, the Flames wouldn’t be able to afford someone like Subban.

Realistically, I wouldn’t mind John Carlson. He has a right-handed shot to play alongside Brodie’s left-handed shot. He’ll also be a free agent after next season and he’s just at a $4 million salary anyways right now, which I’m sure Brad Treliving can convince Brian MacLellan to retain some of his salary since the Washington Capitals will be looking to make some trades this off-season, I’d assume. He’s a quality powerplay option with a hard shot. The only thing is he led the Capitals in ice-time per game and even-strength ice-time per game this season, so I’m not sure how he would feel about being demoted to the second unit. But that’s a guy I’d like to see paired with Brodie.

Next: Flames Fans Hop on the Predators Bandwagon

That’s all in this Monday’s roundtable! Is there anything here you disagree with? If you could pick any defenceman in the league to play with Brodie, who would you pick?