Flames - Boxing Day Practice

[hockey.modern]

@AAVickers:Flames back at it today. Rolling these:

Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler
Ferland-Backlund-Colborne
Bouma-Stajan-Jones
Bennett-Granlund-Raymond

[GranteedEV]

Would like to see Jooris back in some time. But eh, this lineup has played well. If they're the fourth line I'd like to see Sam back at centre.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Have to say, I'm not really impressed with how Hartley's been handling Bennett this year. He should be getting 15+ minutes every game and a regular spot on the 2nd PP. He's been much better than Monahan was in his rookie year but he gets none of the leash Sean had. What gives?

[FiveSeven]

Maybe with the higher skill level he expects more from Benny. At the same time like you said it's his rookie season and give him his sheltered minutes 15. Especially if you're not going to play him at centre.. I don't see him as a liability. Hartley always does head shakable things that make you wanna scream but then things always seem to work out in the end so who knows.

[DropIt]

Let Bennett earn his way up. Always earned, right?

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Fire of the Phoenix

Have to say, I'm not really impressed with how Hartley's been handling Bennett this year. He should be getting 15+ minutes every game and a regular spot on the 2nd PP. He's been much better than Monahan was in his rookie year but he gets none of the leash Sean had. What gives?

Our depth on LW is better now than the depth at Centre when Monahan broke in. But Monahan was sheltered a lot at times in his first year. I don't think he's handling Bennett that different.

Bennett will be fine. Young players don't have to be handed ice time without earning it, he's getting his shot with skilled players. I think Hartley's handling of Gaudreau, Monahan, Brodie, etc shouldn't make anyone worried about Bennett's long term future.

The kid is 18, people shouldn't be expecting him to be a fully developed top two line player already. He's a work in progress that shows a lot of great traits and signs. Nothing to be worried about there.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

The kid is 18, people shouldn't be expecting him to be a fully developed top two line player already. He's a work in progress that shows a lot of great traits and signs. Nothing to be worried about there.

Actually 19, but he missed almost a full year of development thanks to that shoulder surgery. In the circumstances, I can't fault the coaches for bringing him along slowly.

[sureLoss]

Darren Haynes @DarrenWHaynes
Well, you can cross two names off the #Flames eligible bachelor list. Both TJ Brodie and Kris Russell got engaged over the holiday break.

Likely not to each other, not that there is anything wrong with that.

[The Yen Man]

Feels like forever since the last game for some reason. I'm already going through Flames withdrawal. Guess 3 days without NHL hockey whatsoever will do that.

[chubeyr1]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Darren Haynes @DarrenWHaynes
Well, you can cross two names off the #Flames eligible bachelor list. Both TJ Brodie and Kris Russell got engaged over the holiday break.

Likely not to each other, not that there is anything wrong with that.

If they did get engaged to each other we need to re-sign Russell right now longterm!

Where is the paper bag emoticon? Ah there it is

[midniteowl]

Originally Posted by The Yen Man

Feels like forever since the last game for some reason. I'm already going through Flames withdrawal. Guess 3 days without NHL hockey whatsoever will do that.

I feel the withdrawal as well, on came AC to the rescue, I re-watched the video compiled by AC on the Flames come back win last season. It helped me deal with the withdrawal. Thanks again, AC

[Sylvanfan]

Kevin Lowe would have had them practicing yesterday. Hartley does have a lot to learn when it comes to handling players.

[dieHARDflameZ]

Originally Posted by DropIt

Let Bennett earn his way up. Always earned, right?

Depends who we're talking about...

[Gaskal]

Ferland-Backlund-Colborne is hopefully going to be a good defensive line with Frolik on the shelf. The stats from last game reflect that. They were put in tough circumstances with Hartley and came out well enough.

Colborne - 14.3 OZ%, 51.9% CF
Backlund - 25 OZ%, 55.9% CF
Ferland - 25 OZ%, 57.1% CF

It seems as if Bennett lost a bit of trust with Hartley and is now being sheltered more on a scoring line with Granlund and Raymond. I expect that line to have 75% OZ% or better.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

Ferland-Backlund-Colborne is hopefully going to be a good defensive line with Frolik on the shelf. The stats from last game reflect that. They were put in tough circumstances with Hartley and came out well enough.

Colborne - 14.3 OZ%, 51.9% CF
Backlund - 25 OZ%, 55.9% CF
Ferland - 25 OZ%, 57.1% CF

It seems as if Bennett lost a bit of trust with Hartley and is now being sheltered more on a scoring line with Granlund and Raymond. I expect that line to have 75% OZ% or better.

Except it's not a scoring line because every play dies on Raymond's stick.

They were together last game and it was the worst game in a while for both Bennett and Granlund.

[IgiTang]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Except it's not a scoring line because every play dies on Raymond's stick.

They were together last game and it was the worst game in a while for both Bennett and Granlund.

Raymond needs to be a on a line with Stajan and another vet on the right side.
He is making other players look bad and that can have a huge impact on young guys trying to break into the league.

Grnalund and Bennett need to be with someone who can cycle or make a play and be able to be responsible in the other two zones.

[BigRed]

I'd have Jooris in for Raymond in a heartbeat, especially on that line. Tireless digger who makes space for the skill guys, vs Raymond who just fades around the perimeter hoping for a pass


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[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Our depth on LW is better now than the depth at Centre when Monahan broke in. But Monahan was sheltered a lot at times in his first year. I don't think he's handling Bennett that different.

Bennett will be fine. Young players don't have to be handed ice time without earning it, he's getting his shot with skilled players. I think Hartley's handling of Gaudreau, Monahan, Brodie, etc shouldn't make anyone worried about Bennett's long term future.

The kid is 18, people shouldn't be expecting him to be a fully developed top two line player already. He's a work in progress that shows a lot of great traits and signs. Nothing to be worried about there.

Yep. Bennett is 18.

82 games against full grown men is a big step from where he was last year.

More seasoned guys get worn down over the course of the year and this is a coaching opportunity as well as a marathon.

I have confidence in Bob's handling of Bennett.

As much as the team has to focus game to game, Bob has mid term and long term strategies as well

[Finger Cookin]

Bennett turned 19 over the summer. But the points made by FDW and DM stand.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Originally Posted by IgiTang

Raymond needs to be a on a line with Stajan and another vet on the right side.
He is making other players look bad and that can have a huge impact on young guys trying to break into the league.

Grnalund and Bennett need to be with someone who can cycle or make a play and be able to be responsible in the other two zones.

Sub in a healthy Frolic for Raymond and we have 4 really solid lines. Love the idea of running with 4, responsible, relatively equal TOI lines