General Heat discussion thread

[getbak]

Kolanos has 4 goals and 2 assists after 2 games and leads the AHL playoff scoring race.

[Freeway]

Only saw the third, but the Heat managed the period very well, even with a couple PKs.

It bodes well for the third game.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by getbak

Kolanos has 4 goals and 2 assists after 2 games and leads the AHL playoff scoring race.

Could he go down as the best AHL'er to not make the show for more than a cup of coffee? I imagine there must be other guys like this out there

[devo22]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Could he go down as the best AHL'er to not make the show for more than a cup of coffee? I imagine there must be other guys like this out there

Alex Giroux, Jason Krog, Keith Aucoin and Corey Locke are some guys that come to mind.

[Roof-Daddy]

Good job Heat.....still gotta snag that third win though.

Not to put the cart before the horse, BUT so far so good as far as the playoffs go IMO.....and not just because the Heat are up 2-0 in their series, but also because the way things are looking the Heat might be able to avoid facing the powerful Oklahoma team in round 2.

That's because the #6 seeded Rampage are up 2-0 in their series with #3 seeded Chicago.

As of right now all 4 series have one team up 2-0 (OKC is playing game #3 right now against Houston). If all those teams go on to clinch, the second round would have:

#1 Oklahoma vs. #6 San Antonio
#2 Toronto vs. #4 Abbotsford



Amirite?

...or is different in the AHL?

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

#1 Oklahoma vs. #6 San Antonio
#2 Toronto vs. #4 Abbotsford



Amirite?

...or is different in the AHL?

You are correct.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Could he go down as the best AHL'er to not make the show for more than a cup of coffee? I imagine there must be other guys like this out there

I know you are talking about now but back in the old six team NHL, good players were banished to the AHL or old pro WHL for looking the wrong way. Often these players would settle in with one team and get NHL type salaries, players Phil Maloney in Vancouver or Guyle Fielder in Seattle. Heck even Andy Bathgate played in Vancouver while I believe still a capable NHL player.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

I'm looking forward to 4000+ fans at the Heat playoff games now that the Canucks are done. Now people from around the Lower Mainland can come watch some Men's Hockey.

Go Heat!

[JiriHrdina]

Why is Taylor playing instead of Irving (sorry if already asked)

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Why is Taylor playing instead of Irving (sorry if already asked)

According to Ward, strictly merit.

Taylor has been HUGE for the Heat down the stretch whereas Irving was a little shaky. The excuse right now, whether valid or not, is that Irving has had a tough year because of the constant back-and-forth between Abby and Calgary as well as the birth of his first child a few weeks ago. He's been very distracted this season, essentially.

So Ward's riding the hot hand right now. I wouldn't be surprised to see Irving in the playoffs yet though.

[Freeway]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

According to Ward, strictly merit.

Taylor has been HUGE for the Heat down the stretch whereas Irving was a little shaky. The excuse right now, whether valid or not, is that Irving has had a tough year because of the constant back-and-forth between Abby and Calgary as well as the birth of his first child a few weeks ago. He's been very distracted this season, essentially.

So Ward's riding the hot hand right now. I wouldn't be surprised to see Irving in the playoffs yet though.

If Taylor loses or looks shaky, Irving slots in I think.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by Freeway

If Taylor loses or looks shaky, Irving slots in I think.

Absolutely. It's definitely a good problem to have if you're Ward.

[BloodFetish]

Originally Posted by devo22

Alex Giroux, Jason Krog, Keith Aucoin and Corey Locke are some guys that come to mind.

Jason Jaffray would fit that bill

And way to go Heat. Me and a buddy were going to head to the game on Friday, but now we might have to go Wednesday instead!

[MyFlamesFirst]

Does anyone know where I can find highlights of these games? They aren't up on the Heat sight or their youtube channel.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by MyFlamesFirst

Does anyone know where I can find highlights of these games? They aren't up on the Heat sight or their youtube channel.

Go to think link: AHL Live

Click on Free Highlights.

From the drop down menu select "Abbotsford" and they should be there.

[devo22]

Excellent choice by the Heat to play the first two games on the road - good thing they have been so good on away ice this year. Kolanos seems to have found yet another gear.

[thymebalm]

Originally Posted by devo22

Excellent choice by the Heat to play the first two games on the road - good thing they have been so good on away ice this year. Kolanos seems to have found yet another gear.

He found that gear about a month ago and has been absolute dynamite on the scoresheet ever since.

Danny Taylor continues to impress, and Irving is once again unseated by a newcomer in Abbotsford. Think David Shantz two seasons ago. Tough break for a kid who was on an NHL roster just over a month ago.

Chris Breen () seems like he's been pretty darn good so far, too.

[GreenLantern2814]

Pierre, you're probably the best person to answer this, but has Breen shown ANY indication that he could be a Hal Gill-level player?

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

Pierre, you're probably the best person to answer this, but has Breen shown ANY indication that he could be a Hal Gill-level player?

No. Not yet.

He'll likely be one of those late bloomers if Calgary cares to keep him in the farm for a few more years.

He's got a decent foundation to work on (especially size), but if he can continue to work on his skating/quickness and some other small aspects of his game, I could see him being a decent 5/6 shutdown d-man by age 26 or 27 (unless he really really makes huge strides this offseason and into next season).

Right now he's a key part of shutting down top players and is on the first PK unit (even ahead of Piskula who is considered a shutdown guy as well).

He's definitely a project at this point, but I suspect he'll be a late bloomer.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

In his last 10 games, Krys Kolanos has 15 goals and 9 assists for 24 points.

Yeah, I think his new training program is working...