Not sure how he can be penciled in when training camp has not even started yet. Seems like speculation based on past behavior. I also do not see Gulutzan as the type of guy to have a goon on the roster, just because.
I know many people have said that Gazdic will most likely not even get an NHL game and play all year or the majority in the AHL. I agree that he will spend the majority of time in the AHL but I think he surprises with how many games he will start.
Listening to a few podcasts their has been some speculation that he may play opening night and I'm one of those people that agrees. With the loss of Engelland and Edmonton having Maroon, Lucic, Kassian I can not only see Gazdic playing opening night but also Hathaway.
Thoughts?
Hathaway and Gazdic? What do your lines look like with both playing?
Hopefully those three "tough guys" play a d try to start something and it lights a fire under Brouwer's butt a s inspires him to play like the guy we want him to be.
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Seems super unlikely. Gulutzan hasn't shown anything in recent history to suggest he thinks goons are valuable and can take a regular shift.
Only way he sees the NHL is if we sustain a ton of injuries and happen to be playing a really tough team. IMO about a 1% chance he sees any time with the big club all of our next year.
I think he was signed to protect our youngsters down in the minors. Make them feel bigger and tougher. Show the fighting ropes to guys like Smith and Carroll. Zero chance he makes the opening night roster in the NHL on merit.
I believe the Flames got Gazdic for a reason, and that reason was probably not to play regularly against teams like Edmonton. I would be shocked if the Flames dressed Gazdic for opening night unless there was some big bruhaha during the pre-season and there is a chance of it carrying over.
That's Gazdic's role. To come an dress only AFTER something happens to prevent something else from happening next time. I would assume that the intended number of games for Gazdic to play in the NHL this season would be zero, and will only be inserted when the Flames 'expect' trouble.
It will be interesting to see how the Flames manage without Engelland against Edmonton physically. I am sure a lot of players in Calgary were much more comfortable and willing to hit McDavid every chance they get knowing that Engelland has their backs. It probably won't change much, but Edmonton is a fairly big and fairly bruising team. Lucic, Nurse and even Kassian have all shown instances in the past where they will go after another player even if that player doesn't want to fight. That should be somewhat of a concern going into this season, but not enough of one to dress Gazdic 'just in case'.
Aren't the teams allowed to carry a few extra players right at the start of the season? If so then he will probably dress as a nuclear deterrent at least for the 2 Edmonton games
I think he'll play the first game in Edmonton... in the preseason.
It's a split-squad game and you always send your weaker line-up to the road game and keep the better players for the home game. Also, he qualifies as an NHL veteran to meet the 8 veteran minimum for all preseason games. It's tougher to make that minimum when you have a split-squad.
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The quality of player that we would potentially lose on waivers to make this happen would make heads explode around here.
No one?
Right now (assuming Bennett signs), the Flames have 12 forwards who ended last season in Calgary, so there's still two open spots for the start of the season (plus any openings that result from preseason injuries). The only AHL forwards who require waivers are Shinkaruk, Poirier, Hathaway, Gazdic, and Hrivik.
None of them should be at risk of being claimed off waivers. If any of them has a strong enough preseason that there is concern they'd get claimed, it also means they were likely good enough to make the team and won't be put on waivers.
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Originally Posted by 442scotty
Aren't the teams allowed to carry a few extra players right at the start of the season? If so then he will probably dress as a nuclear deterrent at least for the 2 Edmonton games
No. You have to be at a 23-man roster to start the season.
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I know he doesn't drop them much lately, but a quick chat with Ferland could be all the Flames staff need to do. He's not as big but seems to hold his own against anyone in the league.
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Let us not befoul this glorious day with talk of the anal gland drippings that are HERO charts.
We need scoring to go up and discipline to as well.
Less time in the box after stupid penalties please and since when did we need to stoop to the levels of dumb oilers ducks and other teams that try and beat us playing the heavy game ?
We are a helluva lot better off winning games with speed skill and discipline.
The Penguins just won another Stanley cup without playing that style so why the hell should we.
If the Flames stick together and when it's time to scrum it up and face wash and trash talk then so be it. If not then beat them on the score board.
I like watching heads get busted as much as the next guy but unless we are winning it doesn't mean much. No Gadzic please.
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Even if (big if) he does play, what does he get? 4 minutes a night? And if that 4LW spot is taken up normally by Matt Stajan or a kid, what are they going to average per night?