[News] Flames recall Markus Granlund

[sureLoss]

Every single time Bennett played for Team Canada at the u18s or Ivan Hlinka or u17s or World Junior summer camp he has been moved to LW.

Sportak a few weeks ago on 960 reported that had an interesting talk with Bennett's Kingston coach Todd Gill during training camp(who is now an assistant in Stockton) and he said that Gill would not say that Bennett is a natural center. It was something he had to work on very hard at in junior. Will likely take some time for him to learn at the NHL.

[GranteedEV]

When Bennett has played center in the NHL this season (vs Ottawa, vs Edmonton, vs Avalanche) I thought he looked more comfortable, quicker, more explosive, and more defensively present than any center we have other than Backlund.

He has some rough areas he needs to iron out though. Faceoffs and positioning-wise sometimes he got burned but those are natural occurances for a guy learning a new system in a brand new league. The leash was too short as he was showing signs at center that the team probably has not had since Nieuwendyk or prior.

His natural talent has allowed Hartley to cut corners and put him at wing for now. But really, the best thing for Sam's development would have been a year in the AHL learning center at the pro level. That wasn't possible as it meant wasting another year in Kingston first where it was IMO obvious he wasn't going to learn much. His birth date prevented him from getting the AHL treatment.

In Granlund's case, he spent his first year in NA in Abbotsford and pretty much knew the ins and outs of center as a pro before he really made his debut last year. But he just doesn't have what it takes to succeed at the NHL level at the position. I don't think Sam's played his best hockey at LW for us. He's been a good LW on the Backlund line - but I saw a much more dominant player in all three zones at C.

It's still my opinion that Granlund is better suited to wing and Bennett to center, but I understand Bennett at wing just due to pro experience. Granlund at center however makes no sense to me as it is actively putting the player in a position to fail.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

With Treliving bringing up faceoffs as an area Markus needs to improve on, it seems to me the org views him as a center. Maybe there's a reason they don't want him on the wing? I don't know what it would be, but they seem very reluctant to put him there for whatever reason.

[Moneyhands23]

I hope that the flames play him steady for the rest of the year. Give him time/opportunity and see what he is and if he can fit in on the team.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Moneyhands23

I hope that the flames play him steady for the rest of the year. Give him time/opportunity and see what he is and if he can fit in on the team.

I don't see that happening until Treliving taps Hartley on the shoulder and tells him the playoffs are a pipe dream and it's time to see what they have in some of their older prospects. Granlund is going to have to play not as good but much better than say Jooris to stay in the lineup as that's just how Hartley rolls with the younger players.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

Put me in the boat that doesn't want to see Bennett playing wing. He's played great as a centre this year, both offensively and defensively. He back-checks as hard as anyone except maybe Backlund.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I don't see that happening until Treliving taps Hartley on the shoulder and tells him the playoffs are a pipe dream and it's time to see what they have in some of their older prospects. Granlund is going to have to play not as good but much better than say Jooris to stay in the lineup as that's just how Hartley rolls with the younger players.

Treliving could just Billy Beane it and trade away, waive or demote anyone he doesn't want playing!

Have to imagine it's not a big deal, the younger players will get more ice time as the season progresses I'd imagine. Frustrating as a fan, always want to see the kids, especially when you're losing but they'll play. Hartley doesn't warm up to knew players quickly.

[dammage79]

They should be coaching and playing like the playoffs are out of reach. Take the pressure off, roll out a bunch of kid with something to prove.

I figured Granlund was going to ride the press box train for his stint but Hartley surprises me and gives him 4th line minutes. At least with Hartley we know the lines get shaken up every 7 minutes or so during a game. So Granlund will probably not be 4th line all night.

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by dammage79

They should be coaching and playing like the playoffs are out of reach. Take the pressure off, roll out a bunch of kid with something to prove.

You really shouldn't have to rely on the playoffs not being a realistic possibility for the chance to insert some youth in though. It should be a merit of rewarding their performance when one or more of the vets are not playing up to scratch.

Derek Grant got put in and made a great impression. Granlund might also make a good impression. I'm hoping this opens the doors up more to recalling bodies from the AHL in the future, because it's produced good results so far.

[dying4acup]

Originally Posted by dammage79

They should be coaching and playing like the playoffs are out of reach. Take the pressure off, roll out a bunch of kid with something to prove.

I figured Granlund was going to ride the press box train for his stint but Hartley surprises me and gives him 4th line minutes. At least with Hartley we know the lines get shaken up every 7 minutes or so during a game. So Granlund will probably not be 4th line all night.

Ummm, Hartley changes lines less than our last 3 coaches.

Hartley has left the lines more or less intact more than any coach I remember.

[Da_Chief]

Lol lowest ice-time at 6 minutes and 14 seconds. Thats lower then what the likes of Bollig and Raymond get.

Carry on Jack Adams.

[Petert]

Preparing for Raymond to draw in and automatically "earned" his PP times already.
Must be killing it during practices.
Probably should slot in with Sean and Johnny too.

We have to "change" something, according to some posters' justifications.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by Da_Chief

Lol lowest ice-time at 6 minutes and 14 seconds. Thats lower then what the likes of Bollig and Raymond get.

Carry on Jack Adams.

What a joke. I can't imagine too many of our farm hands are overly enthusiastic about their chances with Hartley around.

[1_Flames_Fan]

If we are winning and fighting for a playoff spot fine give him 6 minutes. If not let him play and learn. Hartley is starting to frustrate me.

[Petert]

Clocked at 13:02 in the San Jose game.

Players with fewer minutes:
Backlund 10:53
Jooris 11:24
Ferland 11:57

Next higher player:
Colborne 13:16

18 shifts count is still the second lowest to only Jooris' 17.
Backlund, Colborne and Ferland all tied at 19.

[dammage79]

Move Backlund, give his spot to Granlund. He seems to be able to gel well with any of the younger players the Flames deploy Bennett, Gaudreau, Ferland, Jooris. He's just got a bit more to offer offensively which is what the Flames need. Please Hartley, feed this guy some good ice time.

[MoreDrank]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Move Backlund, give his spot to Granlund. He seems to be able to gel well with any of the younger players the Flames deploy Bennett, Gaudreau, Ferland, Jooris. He's just got a bit more to offer offensively which is what the Flames need. Please Hartley, feed this guy some good ice time.

They aren't even in the same discussion. Granlund is a far inferior player in all aspects of hockey than Backlund and it's not close.

[Monahan For Mayor]

Didn't watch the game last night. First time I skipped a game in two years, thank god. How did he play tho ?

[flame^thrower]

Originally Posted by MoreDrank

They aren't even in the same discussion. Granlund is a far inferior player in all aspects of hockey than Backlund and it's not close.

Considering how much more experience Backs has, I think it's a little closer than you seem to. Granlund has earned a spot IMHO .. at least on this version of the club, which seems to have completely gone back into the rebuild mode .. give him icetime!! I like Backlund but he seems to be fighting it a bit this year.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by flame^thrower

Considering how much more experience Backs has, I think it's a little closer than you seem to.

Backlund at the same age was a better two-way centreman than Granlund is now.

However, I do think Granlund has better offensive skills. Which is why I think he's a better winger. Granny and Backs are not competing with ice time in my eyes because they should not be playing the same position.