NHL Mid-Season Grades: Pacific Division Breakdown

CALGARY FLAMES

Current Record: 23-20-3 (49 points)

The Calgary Flames overcame a putrid start thanks to Chad Johnson taking over the number one goaltender role for Brian Elliott. Rookie Matthew Tkachuk has exceeded expectations and helped make up for the struggling Sean Monahan. The Flames are in the thick of the playoff race and will need to keep pushing the throttle throughout the remained of the year.

FORWARDS: B-

, and Michael Backlund are picking up the slack.

Sam Bennett has not been able to up his game following an impressive rookie season, but he’s too skilled to stay this quiet for that long.

A healthy Kris Versteeg would go a long ways, but he has been in and out of the lineup. The Flames need his stability in the lineup.

Troy Brouwer has struggled in his first year with the Flames, but he is still a stud veteran player that should up his game as the Flames head through a playoff race.

DEFENSE: B

Deryk Engelland seems to have discovered a new gear to his game to the point that he has the best plus/minus on the Flames’ blue line.  While that stat line isn’t exactly the most credible, it’s still worth noting.

Dougie Hamilton has put the trade rumors behind him and played some of his best hockey in his career. Hamilton’s great season has helped make up for a less-than-stellar Mark Giordano and an absolutely horrid TJ Brodie.

Expect youngster Brett Kulak to see more ice time as the Flames try to shed Dennis Wideman‘s contract.

GOALIES: B

Chad Johnson gets an “A”, and Brian Elliott gets a “D”. The grade averages out because Johnson’s “A” has led to enough credit to make up for Elliott’s “D”.

Many will say this is a surprise, but Johnson has always been a good goaltender, and this was just the opportunity he needed. I expect Elliott gets dealt back to St.Louis before season’s end.

BIGGEST SURPRISE: TKACHUK’S ROOKIE SEASON

Matthews. Laine. Dubois. Puljujarvi. Juolevi. Tkachuk.

How much do you think Columbus, Edmonton, and Vancouver are wishing they picked Tkachuk now?

Matthew Tkachuk was almost guaranteed a nine-game audition in the NHL, but almost nobody expected he would play this well in his 18-year-old season.

Tkachuk is scoring at a 50-point pace while still being an agitating hockey player. Everybody in the league will grow to hate him except for Flames fans who will love him forever.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT: SEAN MONAHAN’S PRODUCTIVITY

I was expecting Brian Elliot to falter.

I didn’t think Brodie would play this poorly.

However, I pegged Monahan to become a 70-point player consistently. Monahan has struggled immensely throughout the season and is largely to blame for the Flames’ early season struggles.

Monahan caught fire for an eight-game stretch, but has tailed off once again.

Monahan will still finish with 50 points, but that will be considered a very poor year.

OUTLOOK:

The Flames are like a coin flip every game. They can be dominant and they can be floor mats.

The Flames, however, will keep pecking away and stretching out every Bettman point possible to get into the playoffs with the last wild card playoff spot.