Practice notes Jan 29th

[sureLoss]

Looks like Frolik is very close

https://twitter.com/user/status/958084316306771969


Mangiapane is a place holder for Gaudreau who is returning home from the all star game.

[Gaskal]

Well, Brouwer should be in better form and state of mind now to hopefully not drag the Bennett line down. Although, Sam and Mark haven't exactly been inspiring as of late themselves...

Should be interesting to see.

[killer_carlson]

I think Hathaway needs the kick in the pants to get his energy on that 3rd line back up.

I don't see Brouwer there that long.

[Toonage]

Hoping Lomberg is in for Lazar on that 4L

[Old Yeller]

Hathaway hasn't done much of anything lately to deserve to stay on the 3rd line.

.... as long as Troy ain't out in OT taking faceoffs I don't mind him on the 3rd line.

[SuperMatt18]

I want Tkachuk and Bennett swapped.

Team needs more balanced scoring and Tkachuk is the best bet to carry his own line at this point. Also I did't overly mind how him and Brouwer worked together in the offensive zone, we know Bennett/Brouwer doesn't seem to work though.

[TheIronMaiden]

Kulak has been a great addition to the Flames this season. I can't remember a more stable 3rd pairing on the Flames. At 24 Kulak will continue to be an asset for this organisation.

[DJones]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

Kulak has been a great addition to the Flames this season. I can't remember a more stable 3rd pairing on the Flames. At 24 Kulak will continue to be an asset for this organisation.

Considering he's a snake bitten rookie that occasionally makes mistakes I am completely happy with him.

I think he has lots of room to improve.

[djsFlames]

[insert speech about powerplay and goal scoring here]

*virtual stick toss*

[AC]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

I want Tkachuk and Bennett swapped.

Team needs more balanced scoring and Tkachuk is the best bet to carry his own line at this point. Also I did't overly mind how him and Brouwer worked together in the offensive zone, we know Bennett/Brouwer doesn't seem to work though.

I wouldn't split up Tkachuk and Backlund personally. This team is struggling to score again and they have legitimate chemistry.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

Well, Brouwer should be in better form and state of mind now to hopefully not drag the Bennett line down.

Brouwer stinks. He drags down every line he's on... they should try Mangiapane on that line.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Parallex

Brouwer stinks. He drags down every line he's on... they should try Mangiapane on that line.

They could actually try a literal breadstick and likely get better results than Brouwer.

[The Boy Wonder]

Originally Posted by Locke

They could actually try a literal breadstick and likely get better results than Brouwer.

A figurative breadstick would also likely be better for what it’s worth

[Bingo]

I'm hopeful that Brouwer picked up a bit of confidence with Tkachuk and Backlund and will be better for it with Jankowski and Bennett ... can't say I'm predicting that however.

Lazar has been quite good lately in my mind, so I don't get the calls to scratch him. I'm getting worried that he'll never have the hands to play up the roster, but his overall game has certainly progressed.

[Kovaz]

I'd be tempted to try a Bennett-Backlund-Tkachuk line at some point if we continue to struggle with depth scoring. Frolik's offense had really dried up before he got hurt, and we really need more out of the 2nd line offensively. Bennett's had good chemistry with both Backlund and Tkachuk individually, and the 3rd line hasn't been as good lately.

I think bumping Hathaway down to the 4th line should give them a good jolt of energy. Stajan centering two fast wingers who forecheck hard is usually pretty effective.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Parallex

Brouwer stinks. He drags down every line he's on... they should try Mangiapane on that line.

After going pointless in six games leading up to January 4, and accumulating a grand total of 9 points to that point in the season.

In the ten games this month, Brouwer has 5 points.

Now all of that is the result of Backlund and Tkachuk. Nobody would deny that. BUT. Backlund and Tkachuk can turn Troy Useless Brouwer into a 0.5 PPG player.

That's something.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Kovaz

I'd be tempted to try a Bennett-Backlund-Tkachuk line at some point if we continue to struggle with depth scoring. Frolik's offense had really dried up before he got hurt...

He was on pace for a down-year relative to his career average, but had scored four points in his last ten and a goal and an assist in his last three games prior to being injured. I don't know if I would say his offence had "dried up," but his numbers were certainly better than Bennett's most recent rate of production. He has but one goal in his last 10 games.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Hoping Lomberg is in for Lazar on that 4L

I don't.

Lazar continues to improve and has been effective for a few weeks now. Keep the kid rollin'.