0.73 The number of points per game scored by Flames defenseman Mark Giordano last year, which would translate to 60 points in a full 82-game season. Projected Roster HEAD COACH: BOB HARTLEY LW C RW 1st Line: Curtis Glencross Matt Stajan Jiri Hudler 2nd Line: John Gaudreau Sean Monahan Mason Raymond 3rd Line: Paul Byron Mikael Backlund David Jones 4th Line: Brian McGrattan Joe Colborne Lance Bouma D D #1 Mark Giordano T.J. Brodie #2 Kris Russell Ladislav Smid #3 Dennis Wideman Deryk Engelland G Starter Jonas Hiller Backup Karri Ramo Scoreboard 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 PLAYOFF FINISH DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ REGULAR SEASON RECORD 35-40-7 19-25-4 37-29-16 41-29-12 40-32-10 POINT TOTAL 77 42 90 94 90 SHOOTOUT RECORD 7-3 0-3 3-9 9-7 3-7 GOALS SCORED 209 128 202 250 204 GOALS ALLOWED 241 160 226 237 210 POWER PLAY % 15.7 20.0 17.7 19.5 16.0 PENALTY KILL % 81.7 81.5 84.3 81.2 82.3 of being on a top line. This offense lacks top talent and is going to struggle to score goals again in the 2014-15 season. Defense By far the best thing about the Flames season was the rise of Mark Giordano to becoming one of the best two-way defensemen in the NHL. Giordano was fantastic on offense, scoring 14 goals and 33 assists in just 64 games from the blue line. He was terrific on defense as well, pairing with T.J. Brodie to be Calgary’s most reliable penalty killing and lock-down unit. Giordano earned a +12 rating despite Calgary’s struggles and earned Norris Trophy consideration for the first time in his career. Brodie was also very good as a defender, playing 81 of his team’s 82 games and playing an average of 24 minutes per game. Brodie is a very fast skater and that helps him quickly close him on opposing puck handlers. While Brodie has never been known for being a prolific scorer, he is a decent passer and is placing a focus on shooting the puck more in the upcoming season. A midseason trade for Ladislav Smid also bolstered the team’s defense although Smid is an offensive liability. Dennis Wideman is a good two-way defenseman at his best, but slumped last year on both ends of the ice; injuries limited Wideman to just 46 games played. Kris Russell was solid both ways for Calgary, scoring 29 points and playing capable, if not dominating, defense. The group will be joined by Deryk Engelland, formerly of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Engelland struggled on defense for Pittsburgh but likely won’t be asked to do too much as part of the third pairing for the Flames. Overall, this is a good group of defensemen led by Giordano. The captain probably shouldn’t be expected to repeat his spectacular season from last year, but on a team struggling to rebuild, this group is probably the best thing the Flames have going.
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