Notes from Dec 28 Practice - Smid ready to go? Hiller starts against LA

[sureLoss]

Some Smid news:

Randy Sportak @SUNRandySportak
#Flames D Ladislav Smid and his wife celebrated the birth of their twins - one son, one daughter - on Christmas Eve.

Aaron Vickers @AAVickers
Sounds like Ladislav Smid is good to go off his upper body injury. He's at home with his wife and newborn twins, who came early. #Flames

Jooris is still questionable against LA:

Randy Sportak @SUNRandySportak
#Flames plan to have Jonas Hiller in goal tomorrow vs. LA Kings. C Josh Jooris not likely to return from injury. Close but not yet.

Hartley had high praise for Gaudreau:

Aaron Vickers @AAVickers
Hartley: "As a fan I look at his goals. As a coach I look at his overall game. I’ve rarely seen a kid improve his overall game that quick."

[AC]

Congratulations to the Smids!

[DionTheDman]

And condolences to the kids who will live their lives getting 'Christmas/birthday' combination gifts.

[Drury18]

Glad to hear the kid's are well, I was concerned after he had to rush home for "personal reasons". I believe he said they were due in Feb so they are a little early but twins can be like that.

[mrdonkey]

Originally Posted by DionTheDman

And condolences to the kids who will live their lives getting 'Christmas/birthday' combination gifts.

If only they had a father worth millions of dollars to help ease the pain. I weep for these tiny angels.

Congrats to the Smids nonetheless!

[smiggy77]

Originally Posted by Drury18

Glad to hear the kid's are well, I was concerned after he had to rush home for "personal reasons". I believe he said they were due in Feb so they are a little early but twins can be like that.

definitely good to hear. Hate seeing the missing games and practices for personal reasons, its seems like such a gloomy term. Congrats to them!

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Regarding Smid coming back, I actually haven't been all that unhappy with the way Diaz and Egelland have been playing. The last four or so games have probably been their best all season.

It'll be interesting to see who sits when Smid's ready.

[neo45]

I think Smid should sit. Diaz/engelland have actually been good since Smid got hurt, and before that our third pairing was terrible (whoever was on it). When Smid is paired with Engelland they have a really hard time moving the puck

Both Diaz and Engelland have really improved their game

[Vulcan]

With Diaz getting regular playing time, his game has improved.

[btimbit]

Agreed on Diaz/Smid and Engellend. While the rest of the team had a poor month, they had their best of the season so far. Interesting to see who sits.

[smiggy77]

agreed. Diaz's game has been looking better game by game.

[Racki]

Originally Posted by btimbit

Agreed on Diaz/Smid and Engellend. While the rest of the team had a poor month, they had their best of the season so far. Interesting to see who sits.

I have confidence that Hartley will go with the two best guys regardless of term or salary.