[News] Berra to start, Stemp possible for Tues tilt vs. Sharks

[TurnedTheCorner]

http://flames.nhl.com/club/news.htm?...id=DL|CGY|home

Originally Posted by calgaryflames.com

“It’s a really big step in my career to play in the Saddledome -- a real game, not just an exhibition game,” said Berra, who started a pre-season game on home ice against the Phoenix Coyotes in September. “I’m really excited and happy I can play. My goal is to try to just play my best and give the team a chance to win.”

Originally Posted by calgaryflames.com

For a second straight day, Stempniak participated in full practice with teammates and could be cleared in time to tackle San Jose.

“I feel good out there, I just don’t know,” he said. “I need to talk to doctors and coaches obviously need to make a decision. I’m just taking it day-to-day right now. I feel pretty good out there but a lot of it is waking up and seeing how it is the next morning.

“I’ll talk to the medical staff after and talk to the coaches and ultimately make the decision.”

[FlameZilla]

We've missed Stemper! What has our record been since he got injured?

[TurnedTheCorner]

Originally Posted by FlameZilla

We've missed Stemper! What has our record been since he got injured?

Near as I can tell, 2-5-0.

[Vinny01]

Adding Stempniak and Smid to the lineup tomorrow will be big boosts to the Flames. I really hope we get to see this team fully healthy one of these days

Cammalleri-Backlund-Hudler
Glencross-Stajan-Stempniak
Baertschi-Monahan-Jones
Bouma-Colborne-Galliadri
Mcgratten

Giordano-Brodie
Russell-Wideman
Smid-Butler
SOB

Berra
Ramo

Definitely not the strongest lineup but Hartley could run 4 lines, 3 pairs and alternate goalies to keep the team fresh and competing hard.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Adding Stempniak and Smid to the lineup tomorrow will be big boosts to the Flames. I really hope we get to see this team fully healthy one of these days

Cammalleri-Backlund-Hudler
Glencross-Stajan-Stempniak
Baertschi-Monahan-Jones
Bouma-Colborne-Galliadri
Mcgratten

Giordano-Brodie
Russell-Wideman
Smid-Butler
SOB

Berra
Ramo

Definitely not the strongest lineup but Hartley could run 4 lines, 3 pairs and alternate goalies to keep the team fresh and competing hard.

I like that line up, but a bit of a wet dream IMO that Smid will kept out of our top 4. Fantastic if it happens, but I can't really see him being out played by our existing line up for top 4 minutes. Plus he's exactly the type of guy out top 4 is missing.

[Vinny01]

I agree but it is just so hard to pull Russell out of the top 4 the way he has been playing. Gio and Wideman are solidly in the top 4 and Brodie is playing great as of late. I can see Smid pushing Russell to the bottom pair but not the way they have both been playing this year

Smid is going to log heavy PK minutes that is for sure

[kyuss275]

I guess if Stemniak is back for tomorrow then Reinhart gets sent down. To bad, would have liked to seen a couple more games from him.

[TurnedTheCorner]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

I agree but it is just so hard to pull Russell out of the top 4 the way he has been playing. Gio and Wideman are solidly in the top 4 and Brodie is playing great as of late. I can see Smid pushing Russell to the bottom pair but not the way they have both been playing this year

Smid is going to log heavy PK minutes that is for sure

Bang on. I could see Russell and Wideman or Brodie not seeing PK minutes when (if?) the D group is healthy all at once.

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

I agree but it is just so hard to pull Russell out of the top 4 the way he has been playing. Gio and Wideman are solidly in the top 4 and Brodie is playing great as of late. I can see Smid pushing Russell to the bottom pair but not the way they have both been playing this year

Smid is going to log heavy PK minutes that is for sure

How do you account for the Flames going 2-7 (21 Goals for and 33 goals against) over the last bit with Russell, Wideman and Brodie exceeding expectations.? Even Butler has been doing as good or better than expected.

Without Gio the Flames defense is near the bottom of the NHL.

Over the season the Flames have given up the 3rd most goals against in the league.

Smid will get as much ice-time as he can handle on this squad. A GAA of 3.5 is a sign of a weak defense.

[BACKCHECK!!!]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Adding Stempniak and Smid to the lineup tomorrow will be big boosts to the Flames. I really hope we get to see this team fully healthy one of these days

Cammalleri-Backlund-Hudler
Glencross-Stajan-Stempniak
Baertschi-Monahan-Jones
Bouma-Colborne-Galliadri
Mcgratten

Giordano-Brodie
Russell-Wideman
Smid-Butler
SOB

Berra
Ramo

Apparently you haven't been paying attention to Hartley. Given a full healthy roster, you'd see lines like:

Cammalleri Colborne McGrattan

and

Jackman Monahan Stempniak

There's plenty of reason to like him as a coach.

But the man's forward lines make no sense at all.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by BACKCHECK!!!

Apparently you haven't been paying attention to Hartley. Given a full healthy roster, you'd see lines like:

Cammalleri Colborne McGrattan

and

Jackman Monahan Stempniak

There's plenty of reason to like him as a coach.

But the man's forward lines make no sense at all.

What I take in his line making, is that he's trying to put some size and sandpaper on every line, especially when playing a big team. We've got to find someone better than Jackman though. Ferland can't get here soon enough.

[SeanCharles]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Cammalleri-Backlund-Hudler
Glencross-Stajan-Stempniak
Baertschi-Monahan-Jones
Bouma-Colborne-Galliadri
Mcgratten

Giordano-Brodie
Russell-Wideman
Smid-Butler
SOB

Berra
Ramo

If we get some stability in net I actually think this is a pretty good lineup.

[Flames Fan, Ph.D.]

Too bad for Ramo... I didn't think he had a bad game against Colorado