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Flames reports cards: grading each defenceman and goalie through November
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Photo credit: © Aaron Doster-Imagn Images
Robert Munnich
Dec 3, 2024, 12:00 ESTUpdated: Dec 2, 2024, 22:49 EST
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Yesterday we gave out letter grades for each Flames forward for their performance during the month of November.
Today we move on to the defencemen and goaltenders. Let’s dive in!

MacKenzie Weegar: A

15GP – 0G – 8A – 8P

MacKenzie Weegar really turned things around in November. I thought he was just ok in the first month of the season.
But he was the Flames best defenceman in November. He was back to being more of a threat offensively. He and Daniil Miromanov started to look like they did at the end of last season.
In the month of November when Weegar and Miromanov were on the ice at 5-on-5, the Flames outscored their opposition 8-4. Shot attempts were 240-196 in the Flames favour. They have really settled down as a pair, and I think Weegar has played a large role in that.

Rasmus Andersson: B+

15GP = 1G – 3A – 4P

Rasmus Andersson came back down to earth after an incredible month of October. What we saw from him in November is more of the Andersson we’ve come to know during his time with the Flames.
Even though he couldn’t live up to what he did in October, he was still rock solid for this Flames team. He led the Flames in average ice time by almost two minutes per game. He played the most minutes short handed. And he was 2nd in blocked shots. He even scored a goal in the shootout to help secure an important point in the standings.
You would like to see a little more offence from Andersson. The Flames need him to put up points because of the lack of scoring from their forwards.

Kevin Bahl: B+

15GP – 0G – 5A – 5P

It was another solid month for Kevin Bahl. The Flames shut down defenceman played an integral role in the Flames having the 7th best goals against per game in the NHL.
There are a couple elements of Bahl’s game that stand out to me. First is that I didn’t realize how mobile he is for such a big guy. He does not look like he’s ever behind the play or the game is too fast for him. And second is his smarts. Bahl makes a lot of good plays with the puck and doesn’t get caught out of position much in his own end.
He’s been impressive and arguably the most surprising story in a positive way for the Flames.

Daniil Miromanov: B+

15GP – 1G – 3A – 4P

Daniil Miromanov got back on track during the month of November. October did not treat Miromanov kindly as he was a healthy scratch a couple times and did not look like a NHL defenceman on a lot of nights.
But give him credit. He has completely turned his game around. In November you saw a more confident, smarter, and better skating version of the former Golden Knight defenceman.
His puck moving is where ehe’s made the biggest improvement. He’s making quicker decisions with the puck and it’s leading to less turnovers and chaotic play in his own end.

Brayden Pachal: B

15GP – 0G – 0A – 0P

It was another solid month for the Flames third pair defenceman. Especially prior to the four game road trip to end November.
Before that eastern swing, the Flames outscored their opposition 5-4 with Pachal on the ice at 5-on-5. High danger chances were even. And he was an even in +/-.
It was a tough end to the month as the Flames third pair got caved in during that road trip to Ottawa, Detroit, Columbus and Pittsburgh. But overall, it was another solid month for Pachal.

Jake Bean, Joel Hanley, Tyson Barrie: B

The three headed monster of Bean, Hanley, and Barrie were alright in November. Barrie played the most games (6).
It’s hard to evaluate these three players when they are constantly in and out of the Flames lineup. Because of that I’ll give them an average grade (B). None of them stood out in a positive or negative light. They are all pretty average.

Dustin Wolf: A+

8GP – 5W – 2L – 1OTL  .925 SV%  2.23 GAA

Dustin Wolf saved the month of November for the Calgary Flames. Without his heroics in net, this team would have played themselves to the bottom of the NHL standings.
Prior to the four game road trip at the end of the month, Wolf won five games. He was 2nd in the NHL in goals saved above expected,  3rd in save percentage, and fourth in goals against average. And he recorded his first NHL shutout.
The Flames players can thank Wolf for being a major reason why they were able to have the 8th best record in the NHL last month.

Dan Vladar: A

7GP – 2W – 3L -2OTL   .903 SV%  2.66 GAA

A lot of what I said about Dustin Wolf can be applied to Dan Vladar. I know his record wasn’t great in November, but a lot of those losses had to do with the poor play by his teammates in front of him.
Prior to the road trip, Vladar had a .913 save percentage and a 2.16 goals against average which ranks him 18th among 47 goalies to play in at least four games.
He’s putting up those types of numbers against a lot of high quality competition.
I really hope Flames players are buying the two goalies dinners and drinks on the road because without them, the Flames would be in the bottom of the NHL standings.
What grades would you give the defence and goalies? Let me know in the comments section!

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