2012/13 General Heat Discussion Thread

[Ashasx]

When you look at the Heat's goals against compared to the rest of the league, it's almost unbelievable.

The current GAA for the entire league is around 2.9, or 46 total goals against. The Heat are at 1.69 with 27 goals against. The only other team even close is Springfield, and they are a game behind. Without Abbotsford and Springfield, the league's GAA would be around 3.0.

The goalies have a lot to do with it, but I think the players just aren't giving the opposition many chances.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Yep. One of the Heat games I watched the defensive zone coverage for a lot of the time looked less scrambly than the Flames defensive zone coverage has been. Its a great thing for Brodie in particular to be a leader and minute cruncher in a successful defensive system and perhaps we'll see a guy like Breen make the jump at some point as well.

[edslunch]

For those who have been watching the Heat closely - how good has Sven been? Obviously really good, but I'm interested in some more in depth opinions.

[StrykerSteve]

Originally Posted by edslunch

For those who have been watching the Heat closely - how good has Sven been? Obviously really good, but I'm interested in some more in depth opinions.

At times he tries to do too much, but he constantly creates chances through his creativity. He's been terrific and is due for a big game.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by edslunch

For those who have been watching the Heat closely - how good has Sven been? Obviously really good, but I'm interested in some more in depth opinions.

Very creative, but I think he's starting to learn that his continuous creativity that he displayed in the WHL won't fly 100% of the time anymore. Like StrykerSteve said, the creativity that does work creates chances for his team.

What's surprised me the most about Sven (that I didn't know about it before) is his toughness and tenacity. If he gets hit, he'll let the guy know about it by giving him a whack on the ankle or a small spear to the back of the leg. Sometimes, he'll even mix it up in front of the net if he feels he took a cheap shot.

He's probably the fastest guy on the team along with Byron, Sylvester, and (surprisingly) Aliu.

Other than his craftiness and feistiness, not much else to tell. Everything else is what you'd expect. His vision is so superior to everyone on the ice that his teammates sometimes miss passes because they don't expect him to feed a pass through a three sets of legs and three sticks haha.

[Ashasx]

Sven is still adjusting to the pro league and he's still the top scorer on the best defensive team in the AHL. That is impressive.

He's going to get better as the season progresses.

[868904]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

Other than his craftiness and feistiness, not much else to tell. Everything else is what you'd expect. His vision is so superior to everyone on the ice that his teammates sometimes miss passes because they don't expect him to feed a pass through a three sets of legs and three sticks haha.

I think it's going to be a very interesting free agency for Iggy next year.

Baertschi and Gaudreau might be two of the most creative playmakers this team has had (up there with the likes of Tanguay, and they are both young and growing). It might be worth it to Iggy to stick around and see his career extended by playing with these kids. They'll need a shooter to make all these crazy passes to and there doesn't seem to be anyone in the system who fits that bill.

Next season, if Iggy stays, he'll get to play with Tanguay on one line and Baertschi on another. By the next season, Gaudreau might be ready to make that jump.

Iggy could tack on another 3 or 4 seasons of 30 goals with this trio of playmakers.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Didn't know where else to put this, but...

Interesting fact: Lou Jankowski (Mark's grandpa) ended Johnny Bower's shutout streak, the same shutout streak that Barry Brust just beat last night.

[MyFlamesFirst]

Is it bad that I think the Heat need to start putting Kolanos in the line-up. We have been winning games on solid goaltending and great defense. I don't think Kolanos is ever going to be an NHL player because he is too slow and cheats too much offensively but he has the potential to be an all-star AHLer. He would add another level of offense to the heats game and makes the 2nd pp unit a lot stronger.

[Robbob]

Anyone heard of anything on additional televised games (sportsnet)?

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by MyFlamesFirst

Is it bad that I think the Heat need to start putting Kolanos in the line-up. We have been winning games on solid goaltending and great defense. I don't think Kolanos is ever going to be an NHL player because he is too slow and cheats too much offensively but he has the potential to be an all-star AHLer. He would add another level of offense to the heats game and makes the 2nd pp unit a lot stronger.

I was thinking the same, but I would go further and put him on a line with Baertschi as Kolanos is the only real sniper they have. With how much they have struggled scoring recently it wouldn't hurt to shake up the entire forward lineup, especially when Nemisz returns.

Beartschi - Street - Kolanos
Byron - Walter - Nemisz
Sylvester - Reinhart - Horak
Laing - Olson - Bancks (Rotate in Ferland, Ruegsegger, Estoclet as needed or desired)

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Robbob

Anyone heard of anything on additional televised games (sportsnet)?

no more scheduled currently. the only games added involve Toronto since Sportsnet is part owner

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

no more scheduled currently. the only games added involve Toronto since Sportsnet is part owner

Yeah, I've been checking out TVA, a French sports channel that broadcasts some of the Hamilton bulldogs games and they don't have anything listed for this weekend when they play us. I guess they only do Hamilton home games.

[Freeway]

Ryan Pinder just shared this Heat rundown from the Cascade via Twitter.

http://ufvcascade.ca/2012/11/22/goal...first-quarter/

[J epworth]

Good work with your articles PMM! Didn't think about looking them up until Freeway posted that latest one.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Freeway

Ryan Pinder just shared this Heat rundown from the Cascade via Twitter.

http://ufvcascade.ca/2012/11/22/goal...first-quarter/

Unless there's going to be a run on Barry Brust tattoos in the Fraser Valley, I assume that Mike is our very own PMM.



It's funny how much Breen towers over everyone else on the bench.

[MyFlamesFirst]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

I was thinking the same, but I would go further and put him on a line with Baertschi as Kolanos is the only real sniper they have. With how much they have struggled scoring recently it wouldn't hurt to shake up the entire forward lineup, especially when Nemisz returns.

Beartschi - Street - Kolanos
Byron - Walter - Nemisz
Sylvester - Reinhart - Horak
Laing - Olson - Bancks (Rotate in Ferland, Ruegsegger, Estoclet as needed or desired)

I hadn't really thought of that but totally agree. I don't think that Baertschi has developed very much chemistry with his line mates. Baertschi played so well last year in Portland I think because of the chemistry of him and Ty Rattie. Ty Rattie knew how to get open and shoot the puck. I don't think him and Horak are good fits. Most of Horaks goals have been rebound goals, because Horak has good hockey sense and knows how to be in the right place at the right time. What Horak isn't is a sniper or a play maker. Kolanos knows how to sneak past coverage and snipe the puck. It's unfortunate that we don't really have an other top line talent in the prospect pool, so I definitely agree that Kolanos is the next best thing.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by MyFlamesFirst

I hadn't really thought of that but totally agree. I don't think that Baertschi has developed very much chemistry with his line mates. Baertschi played so well last year in Portland I think because of the chemistry of him and Ty Rattie. Ty Rattie knew how to get open and shoot the puck. I don't think him and Horak are good fits. Most of Horaks goals have been rebound goals, because Horak has good hockey sense and knows how to be in the right place at the right time. What Horak isn't is a sniper or a play maker. Kolanos knows how to sneak past coverage and snipe the puck. It's unfortunate that we don't really have an other top line talent in the prospect pool, so I definitely agree that Kolanos is the next best thing.

Horak scored alot of goals to start the year, but he is naturally a playmaker, so is Walter. It makes no sense to keep them together.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Since Freeway shared one of my articles. It's only fair to reciprocate the favour.

Here's Freeway's excellent article on Danny Taylor: http://thehockeywriters.com/taylor-m...-danny-taylor/

[868904]

I really think Vancouver's reluctance to support the Heat because they are the Flames farm team is just a lazy excuse for them.

Chicago hates the Canucks, but the Chicago Wolves seem to get really good support from Chicago "hockey fans". Maybe Chicago is just a better hockey town than Vancouver?