General Heat discussion thread

[devo22]

down 2-0 thanks to two goals by Puustinen

[Johnny Rotten]

nm...wrong thread

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Great interview by Ryan Pinder with PL3 tonight. He sounds like a really great team guy. He said he loves his job as an enforcer and says he loves to protect his teammates. He said if his fighting will open up ice for his teammates so they can win games, then he's going to do just that. He also said he's very fond of the Flames organization because they take great care of their players by continuously checking up on them.

Also, to the Leblond haters, he's had 13 fights in his 30 Heat games this season; most of those fights coming in the last 15 or so games. I'm glad he's found his niche on this team. Hope he can get a permanent 13th forward spot with the Flames next season.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

I've been very impressed with Estoclet since he's joined the Heat. He now has 7 points in 6 games. He arrived at just the right time for the Heat to give them some offence.

The best part is that he's only 22 years old and you can bet with all the contracts coming off the books on July 1st, Ward and the guys are definitely taking notice of his play.

The best way I can sum up the way Estoclet plays is a Carter Bancks with more offence.

[Svartsengi]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

I've been very impressed with Estoclet since he's joined the Heat. He now has 7 points in 6 games. He arrived at just the right time for the Heat to give them some offence.

The best part is that he's only 22 years old and you can bet with all the contracts coming off the books on July 1st, Ward and the guys are definitely taking notice of his play.

The best way I can sum up the way Estoclet plays is a Carter Bancks with more offence.

I noticed him in the boxscores alot since Abby got him. I hope he continues his scoring. Flames may give him a two way deal like Bancks. do you think that is possible from watching him play?. I know he hasn't been there long it may be an unfair question.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by Svartsengi

I noticed him in the boxscores alot since Abby got him. I hope he continues his scoring. Flames may give him a two way deal like Bancks. do you think that is possible from watching him play?. I know he hasn't been there long it may be an unfair question.

It's tough to say. First, he hasn't been around long, so it's a small sample size. Secondly, he is shining on a team with few stars on it and maybe that's helping.

It'll be interesting to see how he does when/if Kolanos, Bouma, Horak, and Rheault come back.

If he can still play like he is now, I think he could be an awesome 3rd line energy guy with good offensive upside.

[flames_fan13]

Estcolot seems to be a good surprise for the Heat. Small sample with the Heat so far but may earn a contract with his good play, especially if he can keep it up.

Also Nemisz is on fire since coming back from his injury. I think he's had a point in all but 1 game since coming back, including an assist tonight.

[flames_fan13]

Heat lose in a shootout 4-3 to Peoria. Escolot with a pair and Nemisz with the other. Irving stopped 36 of 39 shots.

[devo22]

wow, Estoclet is really a great pick-up by the Heat. Kudos to whoever found this guy - he didn't exactly lit it up for the Griffins, so either the Heat's scouting is excellent or they just got lucky. Also the lone Heat player who scored in the shootout tonight.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Just found out that Lanny Freaking McDonald will be doing a meet and greet in Abbotsford for the Thusday, March 29th game vs. the Chicago Wolves! When the season ticket holders were suggesting the Heat bring in some Flames alumni to help fill the seats, I thought "bullcrap, that will never happen". But, to my pleasant surprise, Ryan Walter really pulled through and got Lanny to wander around the arena for the night signing autographs and shaking hands.

I'm pretty excited about this haha.

[mennoknight]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

Just found out that Lanny Freaking McDonald will be doing a meet and greet in Abbotsford for the Thusday, March 29th game vs. the Chicago Wolves! When the season ticket holders were suggesting the Heat bring in some Flames alumni to help fill the seats, I thought "bullcrap, that will never happen". But, to my pleasant surprise, Ryan Walter really pulled through and got Lanny to wander around the arena for the night signing autographs and shaking hands.

I'm pretty excited about this haha.

oh man oh man oh man oh man

I am bringing my Lanny doll and my son and my ugly Lanny sweater and I'm going to cry

[hansmoleman]

Originally Posted by mennoknight

oh man oh man oh man oh man

I am bringing my Lanny doll and my son and my ugly Lanny sweater and I'm going to cry

Whats your deal? The guy likes Lanny give him a break, I think Pierre is one of the best posters on the site. If you have ever ran into Lanny around town you cant say you dont get a little excited, the guy is a legend.

[mennoknight]

Uh, i actually have a Lanny doll. I am being 100 % genuine. I almost pooped when i heard the news.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Just listened to an interview between Ryan Pinder and Heat assistant coach Luke Strand. It turns out that Luke Strand was the mastermind behind acquiring Adam Estoclet.

Estoclet has been skating and training with Strand for the last couple of offseasons. Strand said he really likes what Estoclet brings to Heat because, like Kolanos, he'll shoot from anywhere and everywhere. Plus he's got a wicked wrist shot. He's especially happy with the kind of chemistry the Jessiman-Walter-Estoclet line has. Jessiman brings toughness and is impossible to knock off the puck. Walter has very good hockey IQ and is one of the best playmakers in the league. And Estoclet is a high energy sniper.

If Estoclet keeps this kind of play up, I could see him getting an invite to Flames camp next season. No question.

[LockedOut]

Howse get's his 2nd goal tonight.

[flames_fan13]

Originally Posted by LockedOut

Howse get's his 2nd goal tonight.

And the shootout winner. 3-2 Heat final.

[Roof-Daddy]

Is Kolanos out with an injury?

I realize he may have hurt his ankle in his last game against Phoenix, but I thought you couldn't waive an injured player?

Pretty sure if he was healthy he'd be dressing for the Heat right now....

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Is Kolanos out with an injury?

I realize he may have hurt his ankle in his last game against Phoenix, but I thought you couldn't waive an injured player?

Pretty sure if he was healthy he'd be dressing for the Heat right now....

Apparently Kolanos is listed as day-to-day. Maybe they can send him down when it's not a really bad injury. Not sure about why he didn't play tonight, but it may have something to do with that whole AHL veteran rules thing. Since signing Jessiman, maybe Kolanos was unable to play. Who knows.

What I'm more worried about is the fact that Byron didn't dress tonight. I didn't catch the pre-game show, so he may be injured as well. I can't imagine the kind of fire power this team would have with Rheault, Kolanos, and Byron back in the lineup combined with the way Estoclet and Nemisz have been playing.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

Not sure about why he didn't play tonight, but it may have something to do with that whole AHL veteran rules thing. Since signing Jessiman, maybe Kolanos was unable to play. Who knows.

I don't think that the Heat have a problem with the veteran rule ... you can use six vets with 260+ games and one more with 320+ games. The only players on the Heat who fall in that category are Laing, Walter, Kolanos, Wilson, Desbiens and Jessiman, so I think they can all play at the same time. Piskula will fall in that category next year, but ahead of this season, he had "just" 258 games. Other vets like PL³ and Henry also don't have 260 games yet.

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

If Estoclet keeps this kind of play up, I could see him getting an invite to Flames camp next season. No question.

I have no doubt he'll get invited. At least give him an AHL deal with the possibility of an NHL deal later, couldn't hurt given the way he has played for Abby.

Good news on Howse getting the goal and the SO winner. @ Pierre, how is he playing in general at the moment?

[mennoknight]

Mr. McGuire - re: the Lanny thing - have the Heat made an official announcement for this game yet? I want to make sure I book the next day off work if it's really happening on the Thursday, and not the Friday night. Do you have a link? I can't seem to find anything on the team's site.