[PGT] Flames 4 - Senators 2 - We Win!

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by saillias

Ok so haven't seen anyone really mention him lately, so I'll say it. Gaudreau has not been very good the past few games. It may help him to watch another game from the press box. Other teams get on him before he can make plays, and he is giving up the puck or throwing it to nowhere often. Sven looks better right now.

Really? I've been quite impressed with his game. He's learning to do all the little things right on the defensive side of the puck while still creating offense. I don't know how many times a defenseman has stepped in off the blueline and it has been Gaudreau rotating back to take that position so we don't get out numbered. He has also been very disciplined on coverage in his own zone and doesn't leave his point, no matter how tempting is has been to jump on a loose puck. As mentioned, if his linemates could cash in on some of the passes he's made, Gaudreau would have a few more points and the summary watchers would be all happy.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Gaudreau has been playing well still, it's just not relating to points the last few games. Maybe he hasn't been quite as good, and I'm not against players sitting, but not every minor up and down requires press box time. Also, don't discount how impactful teams now paying closer attention to Gaudreau has helped create space for his team mates, like Byron for example. I'm sure other teams are paying much closer attention to Johnny now and other lines are getting more of the B squad.

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Yeah, even though he hasn't scored in a few games, Gaudreau has been fine, and I don't necessarily agree that Beartschi looks better right now. Guardian has not been sensational, and I expect that is the problem here: one day, he will be one of those players who dazzles and succeeds EVERY game. But he is still just 21-years old, and with only 20 NHL games on his resumé. He'll get there. And I don't think he needs another night off.

[Hammertime]

Glencross is fine, I think some people's expectations of him are skewed based on the bar he raised a few years ago on a different team with a different system.

I've been to a few games this year, and have noticed the complete opposite of "laziness" that some folks on here attribute to his game. The guy is constantly moving, moving his legs, working the forecheck, hitting, etc.

I think moreso the game has changed from years past - he used to be the fastest guy on the team when we snagged him from Edmonton (he won the Flames skills competition that year if i recall correctly) and he was noticeable as a speedster, but now he's playing on a team and league with younger, faster, smaller guys playing a more up tempo transition game. His speed isn't the same advantage as it once was, but his game has evolved to where it is now.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Where ru Chris O'Sullivan

...He was ok, not great, that "thing" he did to Hudler ,to leave him all alone in front is worthy of more games until guys get healthy...

Uh, I don't know what the hell you are going on about, but Gaudreau is not still "auditioning" for a spot here. He is on the team, and that doesn't change when everyone is healthy.

[Flames Fan, Ph.D.]

Originally Posted by Gaudfather

The upgraded swarm strategy - a swarm on defence, then a swarm on offence!

I think I remember B. Sutter calling it a wolf pack. Looked great in that home opener against Vancouver many years ago.

Good times.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Flames Fan, Ph.D.

I think I remember B. Sutter calling it a wolf pack. Looked great in that home opener against Vancouver many years ago.

Good times.

I remember thinking exactly the same thing in that very game. It was a system that the team clearly did not have the overall speed and skill to maintain. The reason it works now is because everyone on this team can skate, and quite a few of them skate ridiculously well.

[OzSome]

Originally Posted by Hammertime

Glencross is fine, I think some people's expectations of him are skewed based on the bar he raised a few years ago on a different team with a different system.

I've been to a few games this year, and have noticed the complete opposite of "laziness" that some folks on here attribute to his game. The guy is constantly moving, moving his legs, working the forecheck, hitting, etc.

I think moreso the game has changed from years past - he used to be the fastest guy on the team when we snagged him from Edmonton (he won the Flames skills competition that year if i recall correctly) and he was noticeable as a speedster, but now he's playing on a team and league with younger, faster, smaller guys playing a more up tempo transition game. His speed isn't the same advantage as it once was, but his game has evolved to where it is now.

A lot of people are thinking if the player's point production is low, he is not doing his job. Glencross scored some nice goals before but his point productions in the past few seasons went down because he is playing more as a defensive forward in his line. I agree with you, his game changed but I won't consider it negatively. I don't know how many players in the NHL these days that are willing to go in front of the net and even tries to block shots game in and out. I just don't get the hate on the guy.

[Gaudfather]

Nice little story here on last night's game with a focus on Josh Jooris - by Darren Haynes.

I like his opening line to the story "It’s easy to forget that Calgary Flames centre Josh Jooris is a rookie."

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sport...ticle21604610/

[Where ru Chris O'Sullivan]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Uh, I don't know what the hell you are going on about, but Gaudreau is not still "auditioning" for a spot here. He is on the team, and that doesn't change when everyone is healthy.

***playing in more games until guys get healthy,

I have no idea who fills the pressbox when those 3 return, but I assume it will be a rotation of some sort.

[Arya Stark]

One play that really stuck with me is when Byron got the second mini breakaway shorthanded and how he was the first guy back up the ice as well.

He stopped on a dime instead of going for a little loop and was in full stride back checking and passed another fast forward in Jooris easily up the ice.

Byron is so awesome to watch.

[Arya Stark]

The 2:20 mark in the highlights. Hockey school 101.

Edit: It was Granlund he beat back up the ice.

http://video.flames.nhl.com/videocen...674037&lang=en

[GioforPM]

JG didn't get any points, but he was still better than Sven last game, even though it was Sven's best game. Gaudreau created more, they just didn't wind in the net, and he was better defensively, especially in the 2nd half. Sven's game and Bouma's game were opposites. Sven started strong and then was less noticeable. Bouma started without a bang, but finished a monster. Maybe they shouldn't have given him that shot to the jaw.

[Arya Stark]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

JG didn't get any points, but he was still better than Sven last game, even though it was Sven's best game. Gaudreau created more, they just didn't wind in the net, and he was better defensively, especially in the 2nd half. Sven's game and Bouma's game were opposites. Sven started strong and then was less noticeable. Bouma started without a bang, but finished a monster. Maybe they shouldn't have given him that shot to the jaw.

Disagree. Sven was much better than Gaudreau and I don't think you'll find a bigger Gaudreau fan than me.

Especially defensively. Gaudreau had 4 giveaways last night.

[Roof-Daddy]

I get that Smid and Engelland both bring that size/physicality/toughness element to the team, and they both seem like great team guys and all that, but they are IMO a real weak spot on this roster.

They are both really slow, and have a terrible time moving the puck up the ice in a way that the Flames can retain possession.

I'd love to see one of them moved out, ideally Smid, and bring Wotherspoon up. Tyler has good size and is no shrinking violet, and he's also a good skater with some puck moving ability.

I doubt that will happen anytime soon, but it's something I hope management is thinking about. IMO there is no way both Smid and Engelland should finish their current three year contracts in a Flames uniform.

[GioforPM]

It wasn't his best game, clearly, but I thought JG created a lot, and more than Sven (in less shifts). Sven wasn't that noticeable after the first - no mistakes, but no big plays either, whereas JG had at least 4 plays that were near goals. 2 to Hudler, one for himself and one other. He also set up a bunch of nice point shots with great passes through the zone. He could've had 2-3 points easily. Certainly he had 4 giveaways, according to the stats sheet, but I only saw one that was a clear mess up, as opposed to a pass that wasn't received well.

[Da_Chief]

I only saw the third period and there were 2 bad giveaway by Gaudreau. Sven didn't play much but he was out there late in the game. Not a good game by Gaudreau.

[GioforPM]

I'd add that JG had a big possession game. Third on the team in zone entries, after Monahan and Jooris, with a huge 85% carry versus dump average (the next highest were Brodie and Byron at 66.5%). That's gonne lead to the odd giveaway, but also to creating more offence.

[RyZ]

Sven was better than Johnny last night and probably in the game before against Phoenix as well, which I think is great news. Not as an knock on Gaudreau at all, but rather that Sven might be picking it up and again becoming a major part of the prospect base for the team moving forward. Hopefully, as a side effect, it lights a fire under Gaudreaus ass that there are a number of other prospects/players on this team that are a similar age as him that are playing and producing at a similar level, at least in the short term.

[Psytic]

Originally Posted by Itse

It's Markus Granlund btw. (Proncounces the same obviously.)

I have to admit I was a huge doubter of Markus. Mostly I think I really underestimated his hockey IQ. I guess it's just that he plays a deceptively simple game. Mikael Granlund is the type of guy who can wow you with Gaudreau-like vision and hands. As others have said, Markus is more of the quiet type, like Langkow or something. Just very, very reliable. Has to be well liked by coaches.

I also think his defensive game and speed have taken important steps,

Anyone see parallels between the Granlund and Koivu brothers. We got Mikko they got Saku.