[united]

First chance getting to see a couple guys live in Flames colours.

Derek Ryan looks to be as described: quite the utility player. Overall a good game - showed some flashes of offence and mostly solid defensively with a couple questionable decisions mixed in. Good work ethic away from the puck. Will need a couple more viewings for sure.

Buddy Robinson looks like a freaking giant out there even knowing how big he is. I was actually pretty surprised how much I liked his game. Didn't do anything remarkable just kept noticing him doing many right things. I think he's a good AHLer and possible depth call-up.

Dillon Dube was the Flames' best forward, and despite what the counting stats say I thought he was better than he was against the Canucks. His skating through the neutral zone and cycling in the offensive zone is something to watch. Some evident defensive warts but his first few steps help him mitigate them and he's just 20 so what do we expect? He has to be on the opening night roster and someone who can play a depth role in all three forward positions and really push the pace against other teams' depth lines.

Andrew Mangiapane was excellent again in all three zones. Terrific work ethic and ability to anticipate plays. He demolished the AHL last season so really should be a fulltime NHLer this season...I just don't know how the Flames fit him in even though they should find a way. Curious to watch things play out.

Spencer Foo is much quicker than I was expecting and like his linemates has a non-stop motor. Don't think he's quite ready for fulltime NHL duty though and didn't do as many things to drive play as his linemates. Curious to see how he does in his second season of pro in the minors. Have to remember he's 24 so doesn't have as much ceiling as most others, especially a year or two from now.

As all know, Noah Hanifin can sure fly. He reminds me of vintage TJ Brodie with more offensive ability. The opposite of Foo (who is older than most think), have to remember Hanifin is only 21 years old despite looking more seasoned. Some defensive shortcomings still there but given how hard it is to play defence at the NHL level I don't doubt those will slowly begin to disappear. I thought him and Hamonic read well off each other - a welcome change after last season's second pairing.

Love seeing Brodie back on the right. It's evident how much better he sees the ice from that side, how much better his escapability is from that side, and how well Giordano is able to read off Brodie's skating to present himself for Brodie to quickly shift flanks with the puck allowing for all important speed through the neutral zone. From him playing the right quite a bit in junior, saying he prefers the right, and having success on the right previously, it's insane he was forced to the left.

Valimaki again looked like he was thinking the game a step slow. He needs a year in the minors, maybe two. He has all the physical attributes just seems a bit tentative and like he doesn't quite trust his skating at this level causing many poor gaps.

Andersson didn't play as well this game but is so confident in transition. Will no doubt get burned by his pace every now and then but is learning to be more efficient in his positioning. Setting aside contract status, no doubt in my mind he's the Flames' third-best option on the right side of defence but may be forced left with Stone remaining in the picture. Definite top four potential in the next year or two.

I like the guy and made a point of watching for him but just don't see Klimchuk making it with the Flames' depth on the left. Good guy, tries hard, loves the game etc.

Alan Quine seems like the classic tweener: not good enough offensively to make it and not good enough defensively to make it. A couple okay plays offensively but mostly anonymous defensively.

Oddly I didn't notice Lindholm much at all. Will have to make a point watch better for him next time as my own miss disappointed me.