[Game Takes] Panthers 4 Flames 3

[Bingo]

http://www.calgarypuck.com/2015/11/g...rs-4-flames-3/

[Flames Fan, Ph.D.]

Similar to you, I would not be horribly disappointed with a high draft pick this year if the team doesn't manage to make the playoffs. But the bigger issue is how they miss out. Play hard, have some bad luck, and miss the playoffs by 2 or 3 points... fine. But if they miss out on the playoffs playing this type of hockey, I really think it sets the rebuild back a significant step.

[combustiblefuel]

I agree with the comments on David Jones. He comes as asvertised and plays to his strengths. He is a good support type player. If the Flames can get him at a better value contract later on I wouldn't be opposed to the decision.. It was that type of contract (at the time) that a team needed to take on for that deal to work for either side of that trade.

For the goat the first line was hemmed into their own zone by Floridas' 4th line too frequently.

[nickk382]

Disregard.

[Jetfire]

I've been a fan of Jones for a while now, solid, reliable 3rd line forward. He's really standing out this year because he's one of maybe 5 guys not having a horrible season, and he's stepping up as much as you could feasibly ask a role player such as him to do. I'd definitely extend him a couple years at the right price.

[Vulcan]

I have no problem with getting another high draft pick but where it goes wrong for me is that we are wasting our confidence of being winners for a losers. It's harder to turn it around when you have a team that expects to lose.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by combustiblefuel

I agree with the comments on David Jones. He comes as asvertised and plays to his strengths. He is a good support type player. If the Flames can get him at a better value contract later on I wouldn't be opposed to the decision.. It was that type of contract (at the time) that a team needed to take on for that deal to work for either side of that trade.

For the goat the first line was hemmed into their own zone by Floridas' 4th line too frequently.

I rather trade Jones for a pick at the deadline. Flames have enough bottom 6 players. Even if you don't think the flames have enough bottom 6 players, picking up a guy like Jones on the UFA market is not that tough.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by combustiblefuel

I agree with the comments on David Jones. He comes as asvertised and plays to his strengths. He is a good support type player. If the Flames can get him at a better value contract later on I wouldn't be opposed to the decision.. It was that type of contract (at the time) that a team needed to take on for that deal to work for either side of that trade.

For the goat the first line was hemmed into their own zone by Floridas' 4th line too frequently.

Yeah. Gaudreau and Co. were way closer to goat than clutch. Bennett and Colborne were excellent.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Quite the paltry crowd in Florida for this one, and I guess all of them in the past few seasons. For the team it has to be one ugly vicious circle. You want more people to come but the crowd is so thin I know I’d be reluctant to sign up and sit in that atmosphere. The only way to clean this mess up is to win and win a lot. People will show at that point, but its going to be ugly until they’re convinced.

I 100% agree with your assessment, but it's also a Tuesday night against a Western Conference opponent from Canada. Unless there are a lot of transplanted/snowbird Western Canadians in the area to fill the arena (spoiler: there aren't, I've been trying to find them) it will likely remain pretty empty. Throw in the fact the team just came back from a horrible road trip through California and hadn't won in 5 games, yeah...not that many people are going to show up. Plenty of the early games this year had a pretty full arena. No sellouts since opening night, but still probably 75% full, which is good for this team.

It's been almost 20 years of below average to downright terrible teams. Any prospective fans have tuned this team out until they win regularly.

[Bingo]

I wonder if it's time to try Monahan and Hudler apart and see what happens. We've only really seen two periods (Bennett joined Monahan and Gaudreau) against Philadelphia and that's been it.

Monahan hasn't been good, no doubt, but Hudler is at least as guilty of a terrible start. He just doesn't seem to have a clue in his own zone right now.

Weak attempts to get the puck out, not watching his dman to see if they are creeping up in the play.

I think it's time to demote him and see what a top six looks like with say Ferland in his place.

The Flames are rebuilding they don't need to "fix" Hudler

[Flamescuprun2018]

Already resigned to the fact that playoff situation looks marginal at best (6 pts out of 3rd in Pacific today). If that number reaches 10 I think we can make it official.

If they turn it around great (which they seem close to doing, if they got stellar goaltending). I do like the line combinations much more now than earlier in the season (at least the offense is coming on). Good chemistry developing on the 2nd and 3rd lines especially.

If not, Tre has total freedom to make the asset management moves crucial to building a championship team.

We still need alot more skill on the wing by the draft or prospect trade. 1RW, 2RW, 2LW. Not convinced Frolik, Colborne or Ferland are top 6 long term. Frolik can play up to 2nd line if needed. Colborne too but more a 3rd liner for cycling and shutdown. Ferland too injury prone so far.

Trade deadline or earlier moves if we are on the outside looking in at playoff spot. Mostly UFAs although Wideman should also be in the conversation if retained salary. We have enough depth to throw in a 2nd tier prospect too:

Hudler - late 1st round pick
Wideman +/- 1-2M retained salary - 2nd round or late 1st round pick
Russell - 2nd round pick or higher if he improves his +/-
Jones - 2nd or 3rd round pick
Ramo/Hiller - 4th or 5th round pick as insurance to playoff bound team with goalie injuries.

[Two Fivenagame]

How many point do you the flames need to make the playoffs this year? 90-95?
That's a winning percentage of well over .600 for the rest of the season.

How can there be any hope now?