QOTD: Who would you scratch up front? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Bingo · 02-11-2015, 06:41 AM

Flames relatively healthy again with Bollig and Byron expected to be available tomorrow night in Los Angeles.

For this and games coming up next week who would your healthy scratches be?

I'll take Gaudreau, Hudler, Monahan, Backlund, Glencross and Bouma off the list but leave the others though I think many are highly unlikely candidates.

So scratch 2!

Poe969 · 02-11-2015, 06:45 AM

like physically??? Cause I'm not down with that. Not that there's anything wrong with that....

Bollig and Byron for me.

flambers · 02-11-2015, 06:50 AM

Bollig and Bryon are my picks as well, basically I would go with the same line up as the previous game.

crapshoot · 02-11-2015, 06:51 AM

I can't believe how difficult this is, as opposed to previous seasons where you could probably scratch half the team on any given night. Bollig is a given, but outside of him I'd like to see them all on the ice. I also chose to sit Byron for another game, just because everyone had a good game last game and should get the chance to repeat.

Cali Panthers Fan · 02-11-2015, 06:55 AM

Bollig. Just doesn't bring enough to the lineup despite his size and "truculence" (I feel dirty now).

Byron is fine and I never mind seeing him in the lineup because he does a lot of little things well, but he hasn't been a significant factor in a game in such a long time that for now I think he should sit. Not a permanent decision for me.

Wolf has an element to his game that this team sorely needs, and that's aggression and tenacity. He does everything else pretty well except pure skating skill, but he makes up for it with effort. Still needs to learn where to be on the ice at times, but he'll learn that as he plays.

Poe969 · 02-11-2015, 07:01 AM

I agree Cali, Wolf is the kind of player that most of us wanted Bollig to be. He seems like a bigger stronger version of Byron who's meaner. He doesn't have the hockey IQ yet but it'll come.

The only way I don't scratch Byron is if it's possible to scratch Bollig twice.

Mike F · 02-11-2015, 07:04 AM

Went with the easy answer: go back to the same team that looked so good in SJ and scratch Bollig and Byron.

Cali summed up my feelings on Byron as well. The only thing I'd add, though, is that taking Byron out in favour of Glencross/Wolf leaves the team down a penalty killer and relying more on guys like Backlund and Bouma. Don't get me wrong, they are good in the role, but the fewer one-timed point shots they need to throw themselves in front of, and the fresher they are 5-on-5, the better for the Flames in the long run.

saillias · 02-11-2015, 07:11 AM

Right now Jooris and Wolf.

Erick Estrada · 02-11-2015, 07:19 AM

I picked Bollig because Wolf right now seems to bring more jam with his game. Jooris has hit hard times in his last 20 games and would probably benefit from sitting in the press box for a few games.

BigRed · 02-11-2015, 08:01 AM

Wolf's skating is getting exposed at this level. Not so terrible when he's mucking in corners but he doesn't have the agility to react quickly in the D zone. My guess is he'll go down with specific instructions on what to work in and replace Bollig next year.

So scratch Wolf and Bollig. Byron hits as much as Bollig does, and does so much more. His 'truculence' is a non factor.

kyuss275 · 02-11-2015, 08:02 AM

For tonight's game I would scratch Bollig and Byron. Going forward Wolf will have to continue good play or Bollig comes in. Any other player that has a stinker game goes to pressbox and Byron comes in.

I really like what Byron brings, but I could see him traded in a package , as a nhl contract player, along with a prospect/picks for help on D. Granted that's only if Wolf can show he belongs in NHL for rest of the year.

burn_this_city · 02-11-2015, 08:13 AM

I didnt read the instructions and only scratched one..

bubbsy · 02-11-2015, 08:14 AM

jooris and wolf were my picks.

Jooris because i think he's still "iffy" as a top9 forward, and wolf simply because i think Bollig/Wolf should split time as the 12th/13th forward, and i'd still give bollig a bit of an edge as he's been better lately, and his experience down the stretch could be useful

genetic_phreek · 02-11-2015, 08:17 AM

I picked Bollig and Jooris at this point. Bollig is a no brainer because Wolf seems to have a better hockey IQ but can still be a physical presence. I think having Byron on the 4th is more valuable than Jooris because Byron has better speed, greater at the PK, and better conditioning.

genetic_phreek · 02-11-2015, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyuss275

For tonight's game I would scratch Bollig and Byron. Going forward Wolf will have to continue good play or Bollig comes in. Any other player that has a stinker game goes to pressbox and Byron comes in.

I really like what Byron brings, but I could see him traded in a package , as a nhl contract player, along with a prospect/picks for help on D. Granted that's only if Wolf can show he belongs in NHL for rest of the year.

Who we playing tonight?

Vulcan · 02-11-2015, 08:24 AM

I voted to sit Byron and Bollig. Byron because he hasn't done much lately. I thought Bollig has looked pretty good the last little while but I'd like to see more of Big Bad.

Erick Estrada · 02-11-2015, 08:28 AM

Surprised about Byron getting so many votes. IMO he's been an integral part of the team's success this season.

Samuelsson · 02-11-2015, 08:31 AM

I went for Bollig, didn't realise you could vote for 2 but my second would've been Byron.

Would like to see Wolf given more opportunities, and by given I mean, I don't think he's NOT earned them, any less than the other 2 I've scratched.

kyuss275 · 02-11-2015, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by genetic_phreek

Who we playing tonight?

Forgot it's only Wednesday.

Imported_Aussie · 02-11-2015, 08:31 AM

I want Bollig in the lineup tomorrow - he played well before his illness and against the Kings he was very solid. He matches up well here.
That means scratching Wolf, which I am OK with - he needs to get more fitness, so rotating him in and out is a good idea. Worst thing would be playing him and then having him gassed in the third period again.
Byron I want in for this game for his puck pressure and ability to disrupt. Looking over the other forwards, I see Raymond coming into form, Stajan being dependable as always, and Colborne and Jones playing well. That makes Jooris a victim of the numbers game. He hasn't been horrible, but I am in favour of using the depth the team has to take young guys out of the lineup to observe and refresh. it is going to be a tough run home with all the teams fighting for points, and the younger guys aren't used to a full NHL season being competitive right down the stretch.

So my scratches are Wolf and Jooris, though Jooris was VERY hard to leave out.