CP Radio Poll of the Week - which Flames has been the biggest surprise this year

[JiriHrdina]

A good tie-in to MMF's mid-way season projection thread:
http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=67908

[Pagal4321]

I remember when we acquired Bourwue, some people were outraged that we sent over such a high pick. Some people hated the move, some people loved the energy he would bring. But no one could have seen this kind of prodcution coming.

I remember in game two or three of the season, we were witnessing his stone hands. My how he's changed since then.

I was tempted to go with Pardy because who could have imagined him playing so well so quickly. Quite the 6th rounder.

Glencross, some people has first line aspirations and some people had 4th line expectations. But I think everyone knew he'd be a good fit with the team regardless.

Gio as we all know was the second coming of the Messiah by some around here, and he's played up to my expectation.

Moss is another real surprise, kid's just got a nose for the net.

Damn...maybe I should have thought of this more...but this is a GREAT problem to have for this team. Something we haven't seen in a long long time.

[JiriHrdina]

Bourque was a guy that I knew somewhat and liked in Chicago - felt he had 15-20 goal potential and could be an "adequate top 6 guy" in a pinch. He has surprised me in terms of how good he has been but not the style of play - I knew he was a balls to the wall kinda guy.

Adam Pardy though - boy - I figured he at best would be a #7 guy that could fill in when absolutely necessary. And after the first couple of games I figured Sutter would have to go out and get a guy until Vandermeer was back. His play this season and improvement has COMPLETELY caught me off guard. So that's why I picked him.

I'd rank them
1. Pardy
2. Bourque
3. Glencross
4. Moss

[8sPOT]

Went with Pardy here. I didn't even expect him to take a regular shift let alone creep up towards 14-17 minutes a game.

Thinking back to that first game in Vancouver his play has come a LONG ways, it really is night and day. I feel comfortable with him on the ice now. He also has the ability to rush the puck into the offensive zone from time to time.

Bourque has been dynamite as well but I actually would have pegged him for 20-25 goals this year anyway.

I remember when Regehr was breaking into the league and he was sat in the press box on numerous occasions to have a better look at the flow of the game.

Halfway through the season Pardy has adjusted extremely well, what a pleasant suprise.

[flip]

Pardy. He's more of a surprise, although Bourque has been great too I kind of expect it of him.
Pardy came out of left field.

[Save Us Sutter]

Had to go with Pardy.

Bourque has been a great surprise, but Adam Pardy came out of no where to play like a top 4 dman and that has to be the bigger surprise.

Remember at the beginning of the year it was "if 1 or 2 of our depth players surprise, we could be good". No one dared suggest that they would all play so well!

[JiriHrdina]

On Wednesdays show we will likely also talk about who has disappointed. In the interest of not complicating things I won't create a second poll but feel free to discuss that here as well.

For me Lombardi has been a big disappointment - though he may be starting to come around. I'm not even looking for point production from the guy - but he hasn't been strong even defensively.

Dion Phaneuf and Iggy are two more obvious choices.

[Bingo]

Pardy for me ....

I was scratching my head in September as to why Bourque was being discounted so easily by media etc, since he pretty much averaged 15 per season. This year he's going to exceed those numbers, but still ... Pardy as a 15-18 minute guy per game before Xmas? Nope

[Flame4Ever]

The thing that surprised me with Bourque is just how much offense he generates. Bourque is the perfect complementary third wheel player. He plays D, he forechecks like a madman, his strength along the boards is impressive. Add that to his good shot and he's pretty awesome. When paired with a decent finisher, all he has to do is generate a turnover and feed him the puck.
Glencross I had high hopes for and he's also lived up to them. I love that 3rd line energy. If Moss adapts and becomes just like them, that's 3 guys who play in that middle six who are the type of players that will consistantly help you to win hockey games.

[edn88]

I am surprised at how well Bourque has played and that Chicago let him go.

[Pagal4321]

On Wednesdays show we will likely also talk about who has disappointed. In the interest of not complicating things I won't create a second poll but feel free to discuss that here as well.



Chris Chucko for not being Travis Zajac!!

Post-injury Boyd hasn't been the same as pre-injury Boyd. But I'm not sure how much of that is on the coaching staff and how much is actually on him. He's doing what he can with his 4th line/no PP minutes.

[Daradon]

Went with Pardy. Both him and Bourque wildly surprsing.

I think it's just that we didn't know as much about Bourque.

What a lovely list, it's been a long long time since we've had so many pleasent surprises. :)

[MrMastodonFarm]

If Bourque had 5 less goals, I'd pick Pardy... but it's hard to go against Pardy.

[PYroMaNiaC]

It was a really tough choice. Pardy makes excellent decisions, uses his size well, and seems cool under fire. A couple of gaffes to be sure, but then works his butt off to repair the damage. He'd be a good choce for the biggest surprise.

But I went with Bourque. He just seems to fire everyone up. His hands are good, much better than I thought. He's on pace for 30 goals - record numbers for him. He's fast - almost Lombardi fast. But he's big, so his speed his deceiving. He's being used in every situation - his PK is amazing, but his 5 on 5 time isn't suffering, and Keenan has been slowly working in some time on the PP as a reward for good behaviour. He's been used on every line now, I think, and he always contributes.

The more I thnk about it, the closer I get to choosing a Bourque jersey.

[Locke]

Moss. I didnt think he had it in him. I tend to underrate our prospects in order to combat 'rose-coloured glasses' syndrome, but he has impressed me.

[Orange]

For me it's Bourque, on pace for 30 goals is awesome by itself, but he brings so much more, second out of the forwards in time on the PK (only behind Conroy) in which our PK is currently 4th in the league. Even more impressive is how well he is 5 on 5, with 14 of his goals on it (with his other short handed) and +/- of 14 that leads the team.

[Machiavelli]

Went with Pardy. He has been the biggest "surprise" by far. Bourque has been great, but closer to my expectations pre-season than the ones I had for Pardy.


For me Lombardi has been a big disappointment - though he may be starting to come around. I'm not even looking for point production from the guy - but he hasn't been strong even defensively.

Oh, please talk about disappointments on the next radio show. I could probably call-in and go on for 30 minutes straight about Lombardi.

[Robbob]

It was close but I went with Bourque. Its not just his goals that has surprised me it's how he plays. I seriously don't know why Chicago gave up on him. Size, speed, defensively responisble and he scores. If his hands were a little better he'd have more goals. He is just constantly putting himself in the right places and creating scoring oppurtunities.

Regarding Pardy, no player has improved as much as he has since training camp. At the end of the year he very well might be the biggest surprise but at the half way mark its Bourque.

I also want to give Boyd some props because he's been doing a great job in what ever role he is asked to play. Rob Kerr had a great line on the radio calling him the swiss army knife hockey player, he can do anything he is asked.

[Canada 02]

I picked Bork, but the biggest surprise has been the PK. 4th best in the league so far; 21st last year

I guess a big part of that is due to Bork, but Conroy, Boyd and Primeau (when healthy) as well

[transplant99]

I went with Moss...had never been that impressed with him until this season.

[flambers]

For surprises, for me its Bourque he has had a great first half of the season.

As for dissapointments Lombardi for sure is my choice. The more I see him the more I think he is a checking centre.