Chris Butler Appreciation Thread - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Husky · 03-07-2013, 10:54 AM

Sure hes not a legit top 4 D (yet) but hes fought back IMO and putting up a nice season so far on the 3rd pairing. Lately, hes rushing more, making some decent passes and showing hes a great skater. Still prone to mistakes and the odd penalty but definately improving.

18 games played, 5 assists, +0, averaging just over 16 minutes a night.

Trojan97 · 03-07-2013, 11:01 AM

He seems more engaged in games where he's rushing the puck. I thought last night was his best game in a while.

blankall · 03-07-2013, 11:06 AM

He's playing well.

He should never have been on the top pairing. JBo needs a partner with offensive skills, which Butler does not have.

Regehr has now become a 4/5 d-man on the Sabres. Butler play makes the whole deal look a lot better, although giving up that 2nd was bad.

SOMBRI2 · 03-07-2013, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blankall

He's playing well.

He should never have been on the top pairing. JBo needs a partner with offensive skills, which Butler does not have.

Regehr has now become a 4/5 d-man on the Sabres. Butler play makes the whole deal look a lot better, although giving up that 2nd was bad.

We had to give them Kotalik.

HELPNEEDED · 03-07-2013, 11:32 AM

Erick Estrada · 03-07-2013, 12:00 PM

As I said in another thread Hartley is increasing his ice time and he seems to be playing better. Had a great game last night and has been pretty solid since his last stint in the pressbox. It's important that he keeps his level of play up as it means less ice time for Giordano who looks to be somewhat affected by the burden of too many minutes.

1_Flames_Fan · 03-07-2013, 12:02 PM

He still makes me cringe once in awhile but he has been playing better lately.

Huntingwhale · 03-07-2013, 12:12 PM

Strong gameplay last night. TBH I haven't found him to be that bad this season, other then a few gaffs here and there. Hatley has found a suitable role for him, and news flash to B. Sutter, it ain't as a top pairing defender.

I loved the article the other day about how Hartley wants Butler to join the rush and use his offensive skills more. He is a good skater and underrated passer. I'd like to think that Hartley and his staff can mould him into a more complete defender.

Bertuzzied · 03-07-2013, 12:41 PM

I thought he made a great play when he backed out from a 2 on 1 during a penalty kill when we were already up 2 goals. No need to risk an odd man rush the other way.

He played a lot better after the first other until the "HEEEEEEE'sSSSSSSS BACKKKKKKK" play!

SuperMatt18 · 03-07-2013, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bertuzzied

I thought he made a great play when he backed out from a 2 on 1 during a penalty kill when we were already up 2 goals. No need to risk an odd man rush the other way.

He played a lot better after the first other until the "HEEEEEEE'sSSSSSSS BACKKKKKKK" play!

Made a couple great plays using his speed last night. Led to Comeau's goal and to Hudler's chance on that short handed play.

Love seeing how active our defense is this year and how they are actually using their mobility to help generate offense.

I've said this since last year but as long as he is not paired with Bouwmeester he will be fine. The pairing just has identical weaknesses and teams punish them for it. If you use him to his strengths Butler can be a Bouwmeester lite, has similar strengths with just a few more brain farts.

timbit · 03-07-2013, 02:16 PM

Butler is playing a solid and consistent game. Good value defenseman.

Frank MetaMusil · 03-07-2013, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timbit

Butler is playing a solid and consistent game. Good value defenseman.

Definitely good value. Makes half of Babchuk's salary.

Flash Walken · 03-07-2013, 02:21 PM

Best part about Butler this year is an adoption of a physical game.

Both him and Bouwmeester are at least making contact now, and Butler specifically seems to be taking it to heart.

blankall · 03-07-2013, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Best part about Butler this year is an adoption of a physical game.

Both him and Bouwmeester are at least making contact now, and Butler specifically seems to be taking it to heart.

Yeah, it was very frustrating last year to watch our top pairing 200lbs+ d-men play like figure skaters. Butler has 17 hits and 34 blocked shots this year. More blocked shots per minute of play than any other player on the Flames.

SuperMatt18 · 03-07-2013, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Best part about Butler this year is an adoption of a physical game.

Both him and Bouwmeester are at least making contact now, and Butler specifically seems to be taking it to heart.

Bouwmeester as well.

They still struggle with the big physical power forwards but if a smaller skilled guy is in the corner they will hit them now.

Bouwmeester specifically has been going after the Sedin's so far this season.

return to the red · 03-07-2013, 02:44 PM

Guy has one good game and all of a sudden he has an appreciation thread, What's next an 'I like Comeau' thread?

It seems as though he has played better with a different partner, Kudos to the coaching staff for mixing it up trying to find something that works better.

GreenLantern2814 · 03-07-2013, 03:35 PM

I've not seen a more undeserved three star selection all year. Butler made no fewer than five awful plays, including one that led to kipper's highlight reel stick save. He displays no composure with the puck and he plays small.

He's part of the problem, and the sooner he's gone, the sooner the healing can begin. I would rather give 17 an 8 year extension than see Butler on this team next year

moon · 03-07-2013, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by return to the red

Guy has one good game and all of a sudden he has an appreciation thread, What's next an 'I like Comeau' thread?

I wish he had one good fame he was at best okay lady night if not his usual garbage self.

I know fans are looking for positives wherever they can get them but Butler is terrible and deserves a permanent seat in the OB or in the bench in Abbotsford not an "appreciation thread."

Zarley · 03-07-2013, 05:56 PM

His plus minus is certainly improving but I can recall at least 3 cringe inducing plays he made in his own zone last night. Luckily Kipper was there to bail him out.

Heavy Jack · 03-07-2013, 06:19 PM

I wonder if this is a guy who try's arbitration in the off-season. What would you guys be willing to pay?? Considering his age and the fact that he was part of a big deal I wouldn't mind seeing a Burrows type deal -- 4 years 8 million. Locks up a solid 5-6 d-man and he becomes a UFA when he is 30 and could cash in depending on how he develops a lot like Burrows (now 31) who is going to start earning his 4 year 18 mill extension next year. I think he could be a good investment if the Flames take the time with him, he had a frustrating start this year but hasn't looked as out of place the last 5 or 6 games now which is why I think we haven't seen Sarich.