[GDT] GTD - Sharks vs Flames - 7:00 - SNet-W

[codynw]

I'll be at the game tonight. I haven't been to a Flames game for probably four years. I am excited.

[Bingo]

So do you guys think McGrattan in the lineup makes everyone play a little bigger? Is that still an issue in 2013? I like the guy, and I hear he's great in the room, so is that the angle?

Otherwise all I see is a fourth line that stalls the progression of the other three lines which is frustrating to watch.

[Bingo]

So do you guys think McGrattan in the lineup makes everyone play a little bigger? Is that still an issue in 2013? I like the guy, and I hear he's great in the room, so is that the angle?

Otherwise all I see is a fourth line that stalls the progression of the other three lines which is frustrating to watch.

[Husky]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Looks like Stempniak will draw in:

Randy Sportak ‏@SUNRandySportak 9s #Flames lines:
Galiardi-Stajan-Jones;
Cammalleri-Backlund-Hudler;
Baertschi-Monahan-Stempniak;
Bouma-Colborne-McGrattan.

Reinhart and Jackman out

Be nice when Glencross is back, bump Galiardi down to the 4th line and McGrattan out of the lineup...or one would think...

[saillias]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Otherwise all I see is a fourth line that stalls the progression of the other three lines which is frustrating to watch.

Agreed. The playoff teams are laughing at us for icing a goon 82 games a year.

[Anduril]

Wait what? Normal looking lines? Interesting that they took Hudler away from Monahan, but I guess Backlund could use the talent on his wings. Can't wait to see Smid in action/

[codynw]

Originally Posted by saillias

Agreed. The playoff teams are laughing at us for icing a goon 82 games a year.

At least McGrattan is a decent 4th line player. I wouldn't say he's nothing but a goon. Jackman on the other hand, is not an overly great player and he sucks at fighting.

[Cheerio]

Originally Posted by saillias

Agreed. The playoff teams are laughing at us for icing a goon 82 games a year.

[TurnedTheCorner]

Originally Posted by Bingo

So do you guys think McGrattan in the lineup makes everyone play a little bigger? Is that still an issue in 2013? I like the guy, and I hear he's great in the room, so is that the angle?

Otherwise all I see is a fourth line that stalls the progression of the other three lines which is frustrating to watch.

I'd like to see Hartley try and roll four lines more. If that means McGrattan can't play more than he has been (~5 mins or so a game), double shift some of your other wingers in the top 9, or roll through them. Surely it's do-able.

Not sure on how the other forwards on the team feel or play with an enforcer around. It seems like it's a hard thing to talk about on a player by player, case by case basis without turning into a fighting debate.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by saillias

Agreed. The playoff teams are laughing at us for icing a goon 82 games a year.

The thing is last year we were the smallest team in the NHL.
We're improving on that but we still need to protect a number of players. McGratten serves that purpose. Sure it would be nice to have a tough who could take legitimate minutes but they're hard to find so until we get bigger and tougher, we need an enforcer.

[868904]

Originally Posted by Bingo

So do you guys think McGrattan in the lineup makes everyone play a little bigger? Is that still an issue in 2013? I like the guy, and I hear he's great in the room, so is that the angle?

Otherwise all I see is a fourth line that stalls the progression of the other three lines which is frustrating to watch.

I've noticed that the Flames have not been roughed up this year, whereas last year, teams were physically, and some might say, bullying the small Flames. None of that has happened this year, can that all be because McGrattan is in the lineup? or is the team just a little bit bigger?

When I watch highlights of other teams games, I see lots of fights, and brawls, and physical play, yet you never really see too much of that when the Flames play. The Leafs game was about as much of that stuff as we saw and it was basically McGrattan beating up on Mclaren and then SOB beating up on Ashton for a cheap hit.

[Willi Plett]

Originally Posted by JobHopper

The record speaks for itself, just being realistic here.

Are you?

Wow.

I'm not responding more specifically other than that because I think that says it all.

[FlamesAddiction]

I'd like to see Jones with Monahan and Baertschi again at some point.

[Phaneufenstein]

Maybe we can score a PP goal?

How long has it been?

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I'd like to see Jones with Monahan and Baertschi again at some point.

I agree. Perhaps once Glencross is back they can reunite Glencross-Stajan-Stempniak and slide Jones to the kid line?

[djsFlames]

Jones hasn't played the same since returning from his injury. He definitely was a bigger presence, stronger on the puck and fighting for those garbage goals more before. It's too bad cause his style, like Galiardi's made this team tougher to play against.

He needs to get back to that crashing and banging.

[Flames Fan, Ph.D.]

Originally Posted by 868904

I've noticed that the Flames have not been roughed up this year, whereas last year, teams were physically, and some might say, bullying the small Flames. None of that has happened this year, can that all be because McGrattan is in the lineup? or is the team just a little bit bigger?

When I watch highlights of other teams games, I see lots of fights, and brawls, and physical play, yet you never really see too much of that when the Flames play. The Leafs game was about as much of that stuff as we saw and it was basically McGrattan beating up on Mclaren and then SOB beating up on Ashton for a cheap hit.

I've not noticed it too much in general, but did notice that in the first SJ game of the year we were visibly outmuscled (not roughed up). Dressing McGrattan won't address that problem.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by Bingo

So do you guys think McGrattan in the lineup makes everyone play a little bigger? Is that still an issue in 2013? I like the guy, and I hear he's great in the room, so is that the angle?

Otherwise all I see is a fourth line that stalls the progression of the other three lines which is frustrating to watch.

I think it is a combination of things:

1) Other than one BIG mistake, McGrattan hasn't been a liability this year. If he was, I think you would see him benched much more regularly.
2) The Flames are still one of the smallest teams in the league - I think in the bottom 5 or so, IIRC from some list I saw early this season.
3) Flames are a younger team - sometimes you need that kind of support to your youth as they can be bullied out there, and vets especially sometimes get a bit angrier when they see a rookie playing rough.
4) The Flames' system is based on a hard forecheck and work ethic - sometimes can rile up an opponent (though they aren't throwing out the big hits).
5) Hartley loves having an enforcer in the lineup. If he thinks there is real value there (as do other coaches and players - i.e. Iginla always wanted one on the team) then there is a reason for it.

Worst case scenario is that McGrattan gets stapled to the bench all game, and some other player who is running hot gets a few extra shifts as a reward. I never thought that dressing an enforcer means that he needs to come out every shift on the 4th line - though McGrattan seems capable of that somewhat, though offensively challenged. He does take the body and hits harder with more regularity than any other Flames forward at this point.

McGrattan doesn't seem to be any more of an offence killer out there than Galliardi. Galliardi brings hard work and a very good forechecking ability, and also a bit of an instigator out there that annoys the other teams. McGrattan is a guy who 'calms down' the other team somewhat and provides a bit of courage to a young team that is still one of the smallest in the NHL. Until there are legitimately better options, I don't see the point. I wouldn't really want a reasonable scoring line (by today's scratches, Reinhart) having to play against a rugged 4th line that the opposing coach sends over to run guys through the boards to create 'energy' for their team. I would rather Hartley keep utilizing McGrattan to not only help stop that from happening, but to provide a little bit of energy for the Flames.

However, I am probably in the minority. Most people seem to want to see a 4th line of Bouma - Knight - Reinhart or something similar.

[Flames Fan, Ph.D.]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

3) Flames are a younger team - sometimes you need that kind of support to your youth as they can be bullied out there, and vets especially sometimes get a bit angrier when they see a rookie playing rough.

I think we can dispense with that notion now. It was part of the rationale for keeping MacDonald, and that didn't turn out. Plus, MacGrattan isn't the only vet on this team.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by Bingo

So do you guys think McGrattan in the lineup makes everyone play a little bigger? .

I have heard interviews on the Radio with Flames players on the above topic, they state having McGratton does make them all play bigger.