Stockton Heat 2015/2016 General Discussion

[cracher]

^Awesome. If the signing was with the team he was talking about a couple weeks back, then he would be playing throughout southern Austria, near the Italy border. I can only imagine getting paid to hang out in that paradise.

[Drury18]

It may be similar as upon further research, the team he signed with is actually based in Italy but in the Austrian league: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/HCB_South_Tyrol

...sounds like pure torture to play there...

[united]

Heat have signed Michael Kirkpatrick to a deal, per @rinkrant.

[sureLoss]

Schedule is out:
http://stocktonheat.com/gameday/schedule/

[cznTiburon]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Schedule is out:
http://stocktonheat.com/gameday/schedule/

I find it crazy that they don't even play every team once. I know with re alignment and west/east coast it was going to be harder, but to only play 9 other teams all season makes for a small sample size. They won't even play utica, a team they have a built in rivalry with as Canuck farm team

[sureLoss]

Potential Flames/Heat trips?

March 25 Heat @ Reign
March 26 Heat @ Reign
March 28 Flames @ Coyotes
March 30 Flames @ Ducks
March 31 Flames @ Kings


Feb 11 Flames @ Sharks
Feb 13 Reign @ Heat

Nov 27 Condors @ Heat
Nov 28 Flames @ Sharks

[druetetective]

Originally Posted by cznTiburon

I find it crazy that they don't even play every team once. I know with re alignment and west/east coast it was going to be harder, but to only play 9 other teams all season makes for a small sample size. They won't even play utica, a team they have a built in rivalry with as Canuck farm team

YEAH NO KIDDING!

They play San Diego 12 times!! WTF

Why couldn't they go on 2-3 like 5 or 6 game eastern road trips? San Diego and San Antonio alone account for almost 1/3 of the entire schedule? Now imagine those teams are real creampuffs, I mean like AHL incarnations of the Oilers -How would beating up on them every third game translate to better player development? which was the theme they were pushing heavily when this was announced.

More like better for the owners' pockets me thinks.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by druetetective

YEAH NO KIDDING!

They play San Diego 12 times!! WTF

Why couldn't they go on 2-3 like 5 or 6 game eastern road trips? San Diego and San Antonio alone account for almost 1/3 of the entire schedule? Now imagine those teams are real creampuffs, I mean like AHL incarnations of the Oilers -How would beating up on them every third game translate to better player development? which was the theme they were pushing heavily when this was announced.

More like better for the owners' pockets me thinks.

I think since this is the first year of the new division, the league itself doesn't have the experience to plan out a proper schedule. I imagine having a nation-wide league scheduling is quite the undertaking.

Perhaps next year it'll be a little more even.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by druetetective

YEAH NO KIDDING!

They play San Diego 12 times!! WTF

Why couldn't they go on 2-3 like 5 or 6 game eastern road trips? San Diego and San Antonio alone account for almost 1/3 of the entire schedule? Now imagine those teams are real creampuffs, I mean like AHL incarnations of the Oilers -How would beating up on them every third game translate to better player development? which was the theme they were pushing heavily when this was announced.

More like better for the owners' pockets me thinks.

Originally Posted by CroFlames

I think since this is the first year of the new division, the league itself doesn't have the experience to plan out a proper schedule. I imagine having a nation-wide league scheduling is quite the undertaking.

Perhaps next year it'll be a little more even.

The AHL has had a rivalry heavy schedule for a long time now. The only East/West match-ups they ever have is if there is a bit of a rivalry. Our rivals are now the other Cali teams and the Texas teams. I am surprised there is as many games as there is outside of those other 6 clubs.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by druetetective

YEAH NO KIDDING!

They play San Diego 12 times!! WTF

Why couldn't they go on 2-3 like 5 or 6 game eastern road trips? San Diego and San Antonio alone account for almost 1/3 of the entire schedule? Now imagine those teams are real creampuffs, I mean like AHL incarnations of the Oilers -How would beating up on them every third game translate to better player development? which was the theme they were pushing heavily when this was announced.

More like better for the owners' pockets me thinks.

1) more practice time

2) less travel (keeping them healthy for practice and gym)

3) the AHL is pretty consistent - not as much parity as the NHL, but pretty good.

[420since1974]

Looking at the roster, Stockton has to hope that two of Byron, Granlund, & Shore are sent down to the AHL as the only other centers are Arnold and Grant.

[Caged Great]

I can't wait to watch more AHL action. Hopefully the camera work is better in Stockton.

[David Struch]

8. Hunter Smith: Right Wing / Centre – 6’7” / 208 lbs
Drafted: 54th overall in second round 2014 draft by the Flames.

Hunter had a breakout season playing a prominent role with the Oshawa Generals, helping them to a Memorial Cup Championship. He improved his game, going from a big physical winger to an offensive contributor, and was dominant on draws after being moved to centre. He is the son of Brad (motor city Smitty) Smith and like his old man, he loves to hit and fight, but is a better skater and goal scorer. The big man has huge potential.

http://www.mynhltraderumors.com/2015...-10-prospects/

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by David Struch

http://www.mynhltraderumors.com/2015...-10-prospects/

That'd be fun.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by David Struch

http://www.mynhltraderumors.com/2015...-10-prospects/

I'm pretty sure that is inaccurate as Cole Cassels centered that 2nd line for Oshawa all year. He may have played some LW after McCarron arrived on the scene though.

[tvp2003]

Outdoor game announced (Stockton at Sacramento): http://theahl.com/heat-condors-to-head-outdoors-p199326

Nice treat for the boys on the farm to play one of these...

[Racki]

nm

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

Outdoor game announced (Stockton at Sacramento): http://theahl.com/heat-condors-to-head-outdoors-p199326

Nice treat for the boys on the farm to play one of these...

I might check that out. Thankfully it's in Sacramento and not Stockton.

But Sacramento is no Beverly Hills either.

I read and heard stories that the Stadium Series at Dodger Stadium was one of the best outdoor games in NHL history because the temperature at night in January was basically the same temperature of a normal NHL rink. They say the ice was basically perfect, and the atmosphere was great. I scoffed at the idea of an outdoor game in CA, but I wish I went now.

[Finger Cookin]

Originally Posted by 420since1974

Looking at the roster, Stockton has to hope that two of Byron, Granlund, & Shore are sent down to the AHL as the only other centers are Arnold and Grant.

Granlund is a guarantee to start in Stockton IMO. I could see Shore getting assigned as well, though I'm not as certain that he clears waivers.

[The Eliminator]

Heat have signed Ryan Lomberg who was at Flames development camp, Blair Riley and Michael Fitzpatrick to AHL contracts: http://stocktonheat.com/news/heat-si...o-of-forwards/