[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by New Era

Surprise, surprise, I have a much different perspective than what most have posted here. Looked like the same Flames from last season to me. Same "possession" darlings who spend most of the night in the offensive zone, but get owned when they don't play a perfect game. Same Flames special teams who rely on the junior-esque drop pass to enter the zone. Same Flames who give up great scoring opportunities right after scoring. Flames gave up way too many odd man rushes and high danger scoring opportunities. I really felt bad for Gillies during the first period, as the team just committed brain fart after brain fart, leading to odd man, high danger scoring opportunities. The Bruins were very good at getting the goaltender moving and never allowing Gillies to square up to make a save. I really hope the Flames take a look at this tape and learn what to do, because Halak was allowed to square up most of the game. Breaking the lines/players down.

Gaudreau-Monahan-Lindholm

Gaudreau was Gaudreau and Monahan was Monahan. Lindholm just isn't a good fit on this line. I like Lindholm a lot, but he just doesn't play at the same level as his linemates. He's more of a Backlund/Frolik player and would likely be a much better fit on that line.

Bennett-Jankowski-Hathaway

Worst line on the ice for the Flames. Jankowski struggled with the puck at times, waiting for his linemates to get to open ice. Hathaway missed the first, but didn't look any different from last season. I don't see a NHL player there. Bennett was Bennett. The guy just can't make a pass to save his life, and his shot is never on net. When he had an opportunity, he missed the net. When he had an opportunity to make a pass, he put it in the guys skates or just flat out missed him. Most disappointing game on the ice for the Flames.

Tkachuk-Backlund-Neal

Really missing something. I think that something is a center with some skill to move the puck. Backlund just isn't a high skilled center wgo can distribute the puck. Tkachuk struggled a bit in his own right, but it is tough when your center can't create offense and space for his linemates. Neal looked just as advertised, a guy who reads the play well and finds himself in positions to convert chances.

Frolik-Ryan-Czarnik

A double edged sword on this line. They generated some chances, but I don't think they were a sum of their pieces. Frolik was out of sorts with these two. Definitely not the offense first line that Ryan and Czarnik were focused on. Not sure how you make these guys work.

Giordano-Brodie


Looked fairly solid throughout the game. A work in progress, but looked good. Brodie looks much more comfortable in this config.

Hamonic-Hanafin

Solid throughout. Nothing to rave about, and nothing to complain about. Hanafin was very surprisingly solid.

Stone-Kulak

Looked solid. Don't know why anyone was concerned about either of them.

Coaches and Systems

Don't see a helluva lot different from last season. Same special teams with the same tired drop pass to gain the zone. Nothing that would focus on getting the goaltender moving. The system still allows to get the goaltender square and that is something that needs to be changed.

First game of the preseason and nothing that made me believe this version of the Flames would be better or worse than last season. I would look to some minor changes in the lineup and see how these guys perform together.

Gaudreau-Monahan-Neal
Bennett-Jankowski-Tkachuk
Frolik-Bennett-Lindholm
Klimchuk-Ryan-Czarnik

I see potential from this club, but I'm not certain I see enough to make believe this team can challenge for anything. They played a squad that was half of the Bruins regular team to pretty much a draw. It was a good start, but nothing to write home to mother about.

I did not see the game, but I do like your lines for next game, particularly double shifting Sam. I think that will show confidence from the coaching staff in his game, which may unleash his full potential.