Should Dougie sit out next game?

[Par]

Originally Posted by memphusk

No. Don't sit him. On top of it he probably doesn't want to sit. He makes big money. Play him, and make him play big minutes.

If he is injured, than it does not matter, how he makes. I say sit him out a game.

[Matty81]

Yeah totally depends on the injury which none of us will know and I bet the flames docs and Dougie considered.

Stitches and skin wound? Probably no harm in playing other than pain. Significant damage to his muscle or tendon and maybe you could make things worse.

[Hockeyguy15]

Dougie said he has no tendon damage.

[Buff]

He'll be fine. It's just stitches. He'll get used to it.

[Savvy27]

Well I thought it would be best to have him rest against the Jets and to get Andersson in, but then he went out and assisted all three of the team's goals. If it were possible to get Andersson in as the 6th D without having to move Wideman into a top 4 role against Crosby and Malkin, then I would be more supportive of sitting Hamilton out. However, since that is not the case, if he can go then he should play. No way the doctor's would be clearing him to play if he could aggravate the injury.

Monday vs Pittsburgh is a statement game. It would be thrilling if the Flames could keep the streak going against the defending Stanley Cup champions and a team that (depending on the Capitals result Sunday in Anaheim) could take over first place in the league with a win at the dome. They should take on this challenge with their best line up.

[dying4acup]

I maintain my position. Rassmus is too green, and putting him in just to have a look puts him in a position to fail.

If he must play, due to injury, shelter him for 10-11 min and give him Engelland for protection.

Do not throw him in against the penguins just for a look, and take a chance that their 3-4 lines dominate him and destroy his confidence.

It seems like a lot of people want to just see this kid on the ice for a look, and right now is not the time.

If Wideman fails it doesn't cost this organization going forward. If the prospect does, it's different.

[dammage79]

Hamilton's not going to sit out until he is ordered by doctors to do so. It's the time of year when players gear up and gnash their teeth and battle. It's game on from here on out.

[megatron]

I would monitor him day by day and hopefully it will heal a bit more in the next 2 days.

That's still not a lot of time to heal up, but he has such an impact on the game even at 50-75%. He has 3 assists vs the Jets and looked ok.

My 2 cents.

[Snuffleupagus]

If the wound didn't re-open he plays.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

Playing with some pain tonight. I want him 100 percent in the stretch.

Now, with the new team record in the bag, the pressure's off.

Throw the kid in against the Pens.

Depends what the injury is, if it's a strain or pull then maybe. But if it is indeed a cut, sitting him won't do any good.

[Erick Estrada]

It's just a skin laceration is it not? It's not like a muscle injury where continuing to play could delay healing or make it worse. More of a pain thing than anything else and I imagine it's going to get better on a daily basis.

[Sylvanfan]

Going forward there are no breaks in the schedule. It's every second day to the end. So it might be worth giving him a night off now to let it heal up.

[Azure]

I'm sure if there was a chance of it getting worse he wouldn't be playing.

[GioforPM]

Just painful? Let him play. Chance of extending rehab or making it worse? Sit him. I suspect it's the former or he wouldn't have played at all.

[EVERLAST]

One thing that comes to mind

Look at the history of players allowed to play injured in Edmonton because the doctors decided it was okay or players said "no coach, I'm good to go"!

Ladislav Smid comes to mind.....protocols have changed and Hamilton has to be prepared to sit until healthy. He's going to be here for years and we need him healthy.

I hate to say it but Wideman needs to play and Anderson as well until we get back a healthy Hamilton and Stone.

Gio, Brodie, Engs, Bart, Wideman need to step it up and already have .

Better safe than sorry. Don't want to end up looking like the Greasers medical staff.....nor do I wish to see Hamilton at any less than 100% playing hockey or away from hockey .

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by EVERLAST

One thing that comes to mind

Look at the history of players allowed to play injured in Edmonton because the doctors decided it was okay or players said "no coach, I'm good to go"!

Ladislav Smid comes to mind.....protocols have changed and Hamilton has to be prepared to sit until healthy. He's going to be here for years and we need him healthy.

I hate to say it but Wideman needs to play and Anderson as well until we get back a healthy Hamilton and Stone.

Gio, Brodie, Engs, Bart, Wideman need to step it up and already have .

Better safe than sorry. Don't want to end up looking like the Greasers medical staff.....nor do I wish to see Hamilton at any less than 100% playing hockey or away from hockey .

I recall Gulutzan stating that both Stone and Hamilton already sought medical opinions from outside the organization regarding their respective injures.

[Red_Baron]

If he is hurt, let him play, if he is injured, keep him out.
Unless there are signs of infection or the bleeding can't be controlled it is game-on.

[cracher]

'cept the injury will get chopped at enthusiastically in the 1st round. I'd rather see it healed properly once we are closer to a lock on a spot (the percent chance is in the 90's for playoffs at this point, isn't it?).

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by cracher

'cept the injury will get chopped at enthusiastically in the 1st round. I'd rather see it healed properly once we are closer to a lock on a spot (the percent chance is in the 90's for playoffs at this point, isn't it?).

That some injuries are painful, but playing doesn't affect the healing process, is the point.

[Alberta_Beef]

In the post games interviews last night Hamilton confirmed it was just a cut and there was no tendon damage. So it's just a matter of managing the pain as it heals.