April 1 Practice - Hiller starts vs Blues

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

I've agreed with everything Hartley has done this season except for giving Raymond a free pass, I just don't understand it. He's the weakest Flames forward battling for the puck, he's poor on the back check and doesn't block shots, and he routinely turns the puck over when trying to enter the offensive zone. He's a useless plug right now and I'd rather have any of Colborne, Granlund, or Ferland in the lineup over him

Not saying he's been great, but really on a team that lacks finish past the first line, who do you replace him with. He also isn't hurting the team right now, even player in his last 5 games, and likely has the best chance of anyone in the bottom 6 forwards or scratches of catching fire and actually putting up some points.

In terms of expectations or salary, he's likely underachieving much more so than some of Hartley's other options, but I actually don't see an option for Hartley that he can replace him with that makes us a better team right now down the stretch. And we are down to the last 5 games of the playoff push here trying to make it, you ice your best squad, and even though we all want more from Raymond, I don't think we have anyone to replace him that makes us better, especially if Byron is hurting.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by genetic_phreek

This years Flames were supposed to be cellar dwellers but are holding on to the last playoff spot which is quite remarkable.

With this success and every player contributing in different ways into the magical season, why be negative nancy's all the time. Instead of praise for all the good things they do, CP constantly likes throw guys into the lions den. I'm paraphrasing what I could remember but here are some examples:

Stajan - He makes too much money, get rid of him
Byron - He should get benched because he can't score on breakaways
Bollig- He's terrible, bring up Wolf (I was part of this too)
Raymond - He's so soft and does nothing for us
Engelland - He's useless on D
Diaz - He can't hit the net
Colborne - has been such a trainwreck lately, plays and possession just dying on his stick left and right.

Did I miss any?

I think you pretty much covered all of the whipping boys.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by genetic_phreek

This years Flames were supposed to be cellar dwellers but are holding on to the last playoff spot which is quite remarkable.

With this success and every player contributing in different ways into the magical season, why be negative nancy's all the time. Instead of praise for all the good things they do, CP constantly likes throw guys into the lions den. I'm paraphrasing what I could remember but here are some examples:

Stajan - He makes too much money, get rid of him
Byron - He should get benched because he can't score on breakaways
Bollig- He's terrible, bring up Wolf (I was part of this too)
Raymond - He's so soft and does nothing for us
Engelland - He's useless on D
Diaz - He can't hit the net
Colborne - has been such a trainwreck lately, plays and possession just dying on his stick left and right.

Did I miss any?

Not to the same extent but: Jones is not tough enough, Glencross (when he was here) is lazy, Smid is no good, and Ramo/Hiller (depending who is playing) lets in softies/loses the net.

On the other hand, Poirier/Ferland/Bennett/Wolf/Ortio/Wotherspoon are automatically better then the current regulars.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by genetic_phreek

I'm paraphrasing what I could remember but here are some examples:

Stajan - He makes too much money, get rid of him
Byron - He should get benched because he can't score on breakaways
Bollig- He's terrible, bring up Wolf (I was part of this too)
Raymond - He's so soft and does nothing for us
Engelland - He's useless on D
Diaz - He can't hit the net
Colborne - has been such a trainwreck lately, plays and possession just dying on his stick left and right.

Did I miss any?

a couple:

McGrattan - He can't skate with this team, it's time to waive him
Smid - He is a nightmare this season, way too slow
Setoguchi - He's useless out there, waive him
Sven - He's not posting PPG while playing bergeron defense let's get rid of him ASAP

[stemit14]

I'm not as big of a fan of trying to match the size and physicality of teams like the blues and kings by bringing in guys like bollig. I think these teams are bigger and more physical either way and instead of trying to play their game and try to match up size vs size, I would rather try to focus on a speed vs size game. If Byron was healthy I would have him instead of Bollig.

LA struggles with the speed the flames have especially. St. Louis is tougher though cause they're a fast team as well.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by genetic_phreek

This years Flames were supposed to be cellar dwellers but are holding on to the last playoff spot which is quite remarkable.

With this success and every player contributing in different ways into the magical season, why be negative nancy's all the time. Instead of praise for all the good things they do, CP constantly likes throw guys into the lions den. I'm paraphrasing what I could remember but here are some examples:

Stajan - He makes too much money, get rid of him
Byron - He should get benched because he can't score on breakaways
Bollig- He's terrible, bring up Wolf (I was part of this too)
Raymond - He's so soft and does nothing for us
Engelland - He's useless on D
Diaz - He can't hit the net
Colborne - has been such a trainwreck lately, plays and possession just dying on his stick left and right.

Did I miss any?

Hillers goaltending is vomit inducing etc etc etc.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

a couple:

McGrattan - He can't skate with this team, it's time to waive him
Smid - He is a nightmare this season, way too slow
Setoguchi - He's useless out there, waive him
Sven - He's not posting PPG while playing bergeron defense let's get rid of him ASAP

a. and b. were correct.

c. is a complete fabrication. No one wanted a PPG. No one wanted bergeron defence - just some defence and some 200 foot effort. No one said get rid of him, they just said he didn't deserve a roster spot in the bigs.

[saillias]

Colborne has 1 goal in the last 29. But he still gets plenty of ice time, including PP time. He could definitely use the wake up call.

[colbym72]

Sometimes the whipping boys get a bit too much but i think its fair to criticize when its warranted. Cant always be sunshine and rainbows. I think its fair to say Diaz has made some questionable shot attempts but he redeemed himself last game. But I also think when we run down players, we have to understand what our roster is and remember its year 2 of a rebuild and we are not a Stanley Cup contender. Colborne's one goal in 29 games isn't acceptable and it's fair to say he needs to put a couple in soon.

I feel Bollig has played not bad lately when he hasn't been scratched. He has figured out his role is a physical game and to turn momentum with fights. I also think Raymond has played better the last few but before that played very poorly.

All in all, it's a lot easier to see a player's mistakes than when he doesn't because a bad play sticks out way more than a good pass or good positioning etc.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by colbym72

Sometimes the whipping boys get a bit too much but i think its fair to criticize when its warranted. Cant always be sunshine and rainbows. I think its fair to say Diaz has made some questionable shot attempts but he redeemed himself last game. But I also think when we run down players, we have to understand what our roster is and remember its year 2 of a rebuild and we are not a Stanley Cup contender. Colborne's one goal in 29 games isn't acceptable and it's fair to say he needs to put a couple in soon.

I feel Bollig has played not bad lately when he hasn't been scratched. He has figured out his role is a physical game and to turn momentum with fights. I also think Raymond has played better the last few but before that played very poorly.

All in all, it's a lot easier to see a player's mistakes than when he doesn't because a bad play sticks out way more than a good pass or good positioning etc.

All true. I've no issue with criticism of a specific play or pefromance in a game with examples. It's the repeated stuff, relying on cliche and outdated assumptions that bug me. And you are right about the bad plays sticking out. I've watched players have great shofts and then one one play make a mistake - I have often said to myself "I know what they will talk about on CP".

[Sylvanfan]

I guess you keep going with the guy who's been winning. Although Hiller has started both games against the Blues this year and the results haven't been great. I personally would have gone to Ramo who I thought was pretty good in his previous two starts to Hillers current run just to give the Blues a different look.

I can see why it's not an easy decision as a coach. I like Ramo's visuals better. But I suppose outside of wins and losses, the other numbers don't really support it.

[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by saillias

Colborne has 1 goal in the last 29. But he still gets plenty of ice time, including PP time. He could definitely use the wake up call.

... or the view of the game from the pressbox. Hartley has picked the right moments to scratch certain youngsters this season. They've always come back with strong performances afterwards.

I like Colborne but he's still connecting the dots on how to use his abilities effectively. Lately he's been trying to play physical, but as a result has taken a couple of penalties he normally wouldn't take. Was it the 1st Dallas game last week where he clobbered someone in the corner and got a boarding call? To me that's just bad luck.

All that being said, if Jooris and Byron aren't good to go tomorrow I suspect Colby will play.

[hockey.modern]

Hudler & Tarasenko both have 71 points this season. Definitely a huge loss for them.

Any word on Steen playing Thursday?

[sa226]

The season has been too random goalie wise for me to remember, but I wonder if how the team plays in front of each goalie plays into Hartley's decision.

They are both very different goalies, so I wonder if the team reacts or has more confidence in certain situations with one guy over another.

I prefer Ramo. But you can't deny that Hiller has given us some huge games this year.

[Komskies]

Originally Posted by hockey.modern

Hudler & Tarasenko both have 71 points this season. Definitely a huge loss for them.

Any word on Steen playing Thursday?

Steen and Tarasenko are both supposed to miss the game.

[thymebalm]

Originally Posted by sa226

The season has been too random goalie wise for me to remember, but I wonder if how the team plays in front of each goalie plays into Hartley's decision.

They are both very different goalies, so I wonder if the team reacts or has more confidence in certain situations with one guy over another.

I prefer Ramo. But you can't deny that Hiller has given us some huge games this year.

Hartley just goes by his gut.

Which is to say, he takes the opponent, the goalie style, their own defensive style, and how the goalies are performing into account before each opponent.

Blues seemed to have Ramo on the ropes last time if I remember rightly. Ramo being more acrobatic but prone to losing the net after the first couple of strong passes.

Hiller sits deep in the net, and lets go some rebounds, but is positionally sound and not prone to overcommitting like Ramo. I think the decision has to be based on how opponents move the puck in the offensive end. If are a behind the net / down low team, I think Hiller has an advantage.

[hockey.modern]

Though Hiller was sloppy in the first period with his two starts, he has been the one that helped shut down the door during the final period against Dallas when we simply couldn't get the puck out of our zone.

[OzSome]

Originally Posted by hockey.modern

Hudler & Tarasenko both have 71 points this season. Definitely a huge loss for them.

Any word on Steen playing Thursday?

I heard Steen and Tarasenko are not going to play tomorrow. I hope they play their backup goaltender also and sit their top two D Okay, i guess i am asking too much.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by OzSome

I heard Steen and Tarasenko are not going to play tomorrow. I hope they play their backup goaltender also and sit their top two D Okay, i guess i am asking too much.

Jake Allen is starting tomorrow.

[dino7c]

Hiller was the 1st star last game for a reason