[News Roundup] October 27th, 2017

[Cheese]

Flames could benefit by keeping Sam Bennett on wing

The overall body of work for the Calgary Flames has been just average through their 5-5-0 start to the season. Head coach Glen Gulutzan continues to tinker with his lineup, and for good reason: the team’s bottom six isn’t contributing as much as it needs to.
But at least one of those lineup tweaks needs to turn into a permanent thing.
This week saw the Flames move Sam Bennett to left wing from centre, and it should stay that way. As it stands right now, Bennett isn’t effective down the middle, even sitting at No. 3 on the depth chart. With the extra responsibilities a centre has at both ends of the ice, Bennett has struggled creating anything offensively and thus has spent too much time defending.
GameDay: Dallas Stars at Calgary Flames

Two of the brightest minds in the game collide. Hitchcock, a veteran of 1,463 NHL games. Gulutzan, a veteran of 222 NHL games. One is a creative, savvy veteran. The other, a balance between disciplined and player-friendly. Both are operating teams that need to improve early in the 2017-18 NHL campaign.

Calgary Flames Daily: Special teams costing them games… again

It’s still early on in the season, but the Calgary Flames are returning to old habits. Not only are the Flames inability to remain out of the penalty box an issue, but in the past few games, their special teams haven’t been all that great.
In the game last night against the St. Louis Blues, they allowed two powerplay goals against on three Blues PP opportunities. And while the Flames came close to scoring a powerplay goal in their second PP attempt, they went 0/2. In the game the night before against the Nashville Predators, the Preds went 2/3 on their PP while the Flames were 0/4. Let’s hope this trend doesn’t continue.

[Insane_Flame]

I say that today will be the turning point. This team I still believe is better than last. I think with one more year of experience their belt that this team is capable of stopping a skid much better than last year. I think it's just a matter of tightening things up a bit and gaining a little confidence. despite the outcomes, I like our game right now. It is just lacking a little consistency. look for a 4-2 Flames win tonight with a decided advantage in the shot column.

GO FLAMES GO!

[FanIn80]

How are they "returning to old habits?"

I thought they were one of the most disciplined teams in the league after the all-star break last season, and they were top-10 in PP and PK (again, after the all-star break)? If that's true, then wouldn't we be relieved that they were "returning to old habits?"

[joejoe3]

Two of the brightest minds in the game collide. Hitchcock, a veteran of 1,463 NHL games. Gulutzan, a veteran of 222 NHL games. One is a creative, savvy veteran. The other, a balance between disciplined and player-friendly. Both are operating teams that need to improve early in the 2017-18 NHL campaign.

I'm confused... which one are they referring to for Gulutzan?