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1) Since Johnny Gaudreau was on the receiving end of a big hit from Leo Komarov a lot of people, especially in the mainstream, have been clamoring for the Calgary Flames to add toughness and/or bring in an enforcer. Personally, I think that is a ridiculous idea and the last thing the Flames need right now.
To start, fighting is pretty near dead. Occasionally you see one after a big hit but a lot of times now it is useful players fighting useful players. It's not like we're seeing, say, Jared Boll target Sidney Crosby and forcing him to fight. It just doesn't happen. Speaking of Crosby, the Penguins never fight, dress skill on all four lines and it seems to be working out pretty well for them. Maybe the Flames should try that instead of worrying about toughness.
On top of all else, the Flames have Deryk Engelland, Troy Brouwer and at least two of Micheal Ferland/Lance Bouma/Garnet Hathaway in their lineup on a nightly basis. Do you really need more designated grit players?
To add to that, if Brouwer can't help take care of guys like Gaudreau then why was he brought in to begin with? He's on pace for ~30 points so it surely isn't because of his dynamic offensive ability. The fact that a lack of toughness is being made an issue in Year 1, when I guarantee part of the reason he was brought in was to address this, speaks volumes about how bad of a signing Brouwer was. It just wasn't necessary and those dollars could have been spent better elsewhere.
Look at Michael Frolik. He was signed as an unrestricted free agent, makes less than Brouwer and is a significantly better/more important player. Kris Versteeg almost had to play overseas(!) in order to get a job, signed for less than a million and has been much better as well. It isn't hard to find guys who can bring as much, if not more, to the table than Brouwer at a much cheaper price point. There are two examples on the Flames alone.
2) Over the last 25 games, the Flames are 5th in the NHL controlling 52.28% of the shot attempts at 5v5. Unfortunately, they've had just .906 goaltending in that span and haven't piled up as many wins as they should have as a result. If they continue to drive play at 5v5, and at least play even at special teams, they should be able to hold onto their Wild Card spot if they can get a save or two. The goaltending just has to be there.
3) Sean Monahan has six goals and 34 shots over his last nine games, which is the highest total he's put up over any nine-game span this season. It's no coincidence the goals are coming now that he's shooting at a high rate. The Flames need him to keep going because they haven't had much in the way of consistent scoring outside of the Mikael Backlund line, which has probably been leaned on too heavily (not that they haven't been spectacular).
4) One possible deadline addition to improve depth scoring and push Alex Chiasson out of the top-6/top-9: New Jersey's P.A. Parenteau. He has spent time on both wings for the Devils this season and is on pace for 20 goals and 40 points. His cap hit of $1.25 million would be easy to fit in and he could probably be had for a very reasonable price. Just thinking out loud.
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