Dec 16 Practice. Jooris in for Frolik.

[sureLoss]

Looks like Jooris slots in for Frolik.

Derek Wills @Fan960Wills
New #Flames lines at practice:
Gaudreau-Monahan-Jones
Bennett-Granlund-Hudler
Raymond-Backlund-Jooris
Ferland-Stajan-Colborne

Bollig and Bouma were in blue jerseys indicating they likely would not be playing tomorrow.

[dammage79]

Jooris is the best option of a bad situation. He's been bad this season. Hopefully this press box tour has woken him up a bit.

[sureLoss]

Derek Wills @Fan960Wills
#Flames pairings at practice:
Giordano-Brodie
Russell-Hamilton
Smid-Wideman
Goaltenders:
Ramo
Hiller

Derek Wills @Fan960Wills
Engelland and Smid are rotating on third pairing with Wideman. Would be surprised if Hartley changed his line-up after last night's win.

[handgroen]

looks like backlund is back to playing with inferior (IMO) wingers again. flanked by jooris and raymond while granlund pulls the bennett hudler assignment. I've really liked granlunds play, and am not saying that it's unfair in any way, just kinda crappy for backlund is all.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by handgroen

looks like backlund is back to playing with inferior (IMO) wingers again. flanked by jooris and raymond while granlund pulls the bennett hudler assignment. I've really liked granlunds play, and am not saying that it's unfair in any way, just kinda crappy for backlund is all.

Backlund had the lowest ice time on the team last night. Might be back in the dog house.

Or Hartley just doesn't want to switch up the top 6 because it's had a pretty good run here.

[CroFlames]

I've not been thrilled with Backlund's play in any zone this season.

Don't mind Granlund getting to play with Bennett and Hudler, and presumably the additional ice-time that comes with that.

[madmike]

Originally Posted by handgroen

looks like backlund is back to playing with inferior (IMO) wingers again. flanked by jooris and raymond while granlund pulls the bennett hudler assignment. I've really liked granlunds play, and am not saying that it's unfair in any way, just kinda crappy for backlund is all.

Backlund has had his chances this year. He just hasn't taken advantage of them. At this point I can't blame Hartley for playing Backlund where he is.

[sureLoss]

Roger Millions @RogMillions
Hartley adds he does not expect Bouma to play on road trip. "Big bodies need time to get ready to play" #Flames

[Monahan For Mayor]

They already said Bouma probably wouldn't be ready until closer to Christmas, Frolik injury should my change that. I think that 3rd line will be very effective tomorrow, book it!

[polak]

I think Backlund has been great in this stretch. Just going by the eye test but he seemed to be involved in a lot of the shifts where the Flames controlled the offensive zone.

Bennett needs to stop trying to go outside-in on every defenseman. It worked once man. Stahp.

[Komskies]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Roger Millions @RogMillions
Hartley adds he does not expect Bouma to play on road trip. "Big bodies need time to get ready to play" #Flames

Ie. he's fat and out of shape.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Komskies

Ie. he's fat and out of shape.

No, I think it means he's a hitter and those type of players can't be tentative and scared of contact when they return so they take a bit longer so they can be confident in dishing out huge hits when they are ready to come back.