April 6 Practice - Bollig, Shore, Bennett, Wotherspoon likely scratches

[dieHARDflameZ]

Originally Posted by northcrunk

I'm not happy either with Raymond being slotted in constantly regardless of his play out there. The guy is pretty much useless 70-75% of the time with the odd time he will shoot and hit a post or score. I really am not liking his game this year. Too much on the outside, not enough getting the puck to the net. He is really good at speeding in a doing a quick circle though. Almost as good as Jokinens swoops.

I would argue that Raymond was playing very well before suffering the injury, but would agree with you he hasn't been great lately... At all.

[GioforPM]

I can see why people say it with Bennett but Wotherspoon a deal breaker in a PO series? Nothing he did here last year says that. And he was pretty good in Addie but more like solid, not spectacular I thought.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by AC

I seem to recall he left after that season because he wanted to be with his family.

I seem to recall a story about his family encountering visa problems-the team paid to get his wife and one of his twins over, but couldn't get the second twin over. Something like that.

Too bad-he would have been a good player IMO.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I can see why people say it with Bennett but Wotherspoon a deal breaker in a PO series? Nothing he did here last year says that. And he was pretty good in Addie but more like solid, not spectacular I thought.

Oh for sure Wotherspoon can be a game breaker. I for one think his poise and patience and smarts would be a spotlight in a PO series. It's usually the steady eddies who get noticed more for their composure in a playoff series. I just feel that stability would shine.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by dieHARDflameZ

I would argue that Raymond was playing very well before suffering the injury, but would agree with you he hasn't been great lately... At all.

Yet he's top 6 in goals among forwards (along with Jooris) with 20 fewer games than most (Jooris is about the same). Sorta like you'd expect out of a 3rd line winger. There's been a lot of games lately where people here have said "he's ok tonight but I still don't like him". I just don't see Hartley moving him out.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Oh for sure Wotherspoon can be a game breaker. I for one think his poise and patience and smarts would be a spotlight in a PO series. It's usually the steady eddies who get noticed more for their composure in a playoff series. I just feel that stability would shine.

I think he'd be skating beside Schlemko for 6-7 minutes a game.

[Harry Lime]

I wouldn't worry about entitlement issues concerning Wotherspoon. He has been solid all year in the role he was asked to assume, and is probably looking at the current 5-6, and feels that he could be more effective.

Someone who feels that the best team that can be iced includes them, isn't a problem. Once he in, if he then complains about icetime, that's a completely different issue.

[868904]

Those of you wishing to see Bennett this year will get your wish when the Flames lose a game. Otherwise, Hartley is unlikely to tinker with a winning line up.

I for one, hope we don't see Bennett at all, cause that will mean the players and team is finding success.

[dieHARDflameZ]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Yet he's top 6 in goals among forwards (along with Jooris) with 20 fewer games than most (Jooris is about the same). Sorta like you'd expect out of a 3rd line winger. There's been a lot of games lately where people here have said "he's ok tonight but I still don't like him". I just don't see Hartley moving him out.

A big reason he's top 6 in goals is because of his start which was fantastic. I just don't see him playing the same type of game he was earlier on in the season.

[868904]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Yet he's top 6 in goals among forwards (along with Jooris) with 20 fewer games than most (Jooris is about the same). Sorta like you'd expect out of a 3rd line winger. There's been a lot of games lately where people here have said "he's ok tonight but I still don't like him". I just don't see Hartley moving him out.

Other than the first line, Raymond is the only creative player with skill that can drive any offense. He hasn't put up points but he has driven possession and does make zone entries. His problem is that he has a weak shot and little hockey sense.

I think he and Colborne need to play to their strengths. Raymond can weave his way into the zone, wait for Colborne to get to the front of the net, and then put a low shot into the goalie's pads for Colborne to wack him. That is the best use of their skills.

The constant cycling is pointless because they aren't strong nor creative enough to generate a prime scoring chance off of it. Just keep it simple, get in the zone, get in position, score an ugly rebound goal.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by AC

I seem to recall he left after that season because he wanted to be with his family.

What I recall is that he was bypassed for a call up by Sutter when injuries occurred. There were family problems (wife?) as well. One poster from Omaha made it her business to defend the player saying how badly he was done by. Could have been a combination of Russian entitled player and Sutter not understanding the situation or not really giving a ......

[MissTeeks]

Here's an old Taratuhkin interview for anyone curious:

http://www.russianprospects.com/publ...article_id=546

And one with Darryl:

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL...71133-sun.html

I forgot him and Gio left the same year.

[BigFlameDog]

Originally Posted by edslunch

In Wotherspoon's case he's been called up what, five times this season without making it into a game. Has he earned a spot or not - must be confusing to him let alone us.

He can wipe off his tears with his NHL pay stub.

I'm sure he is fully looped on his situation buy the team.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by Bourque's Twin

Hartley is sending a message not only to Bennett but also to the rest of the Flames team that currently sits in a playoff spot against all odds. In other words, he's rewarding the team for its hard work through 79 games and showing Bennett that he gets no special treatment because of his pedigree. Always earned, never given.

In 10 years we will all look back and laugh that Bennett was out of the line-up instead of pretty much anyone. As a fan, I desperately want top see Bennett fill in for Raymond on the 2nd line and on the 2nd PP unit. However, the kid is 18 years old and has never played in an NHL game.

I trust Hartley's decisions, 100%. He's a Jack Adams favourite. The rest of us are just fans.

Random CP Poster #1 in April 2025: If Bennett is to take the Flames scoring lead for a 2nd consecutive year, he'll have to come up big in the last three games in April to surpass John Gaudreau and Sean Monahan. That said, he scored 8 points in his last three games last season, but does anybody remember when he was a healthy scratch for the last four games of the season?

Random CP Poster #2 in April 2025: Trick question

Random CP Poster #3 in April 2025: Healthy scratch? Bennett? Gimme some of those drugs

Random CP Poster #4 in April 2025: Yes, 10 years ago this week. He was called up after his OHL team was eliminated from the playoffs. He didn't get into a game and plenty of fans on this site were upset they didn't get to seem him, but he was the Flames 2nd of 5 consecutive Rookie of The Year winners.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by 868904

Other than the first line, Raymond is the only creative player with skill that can drive any offense. He hasn't put up points but he has driven possession and does make zone entries. His problem is that he has a weak shot and little hockey sense.

I think he and Colborne need to play to their strengths. Raymond can weave his way into the zone, wait for Colborne to get to the front of the net, and then put a low shot into the goalie's pads for Colborne to wack him. That is the best use of their skills.

The constant cycling is pointless because they aren't strong nor creative enough to generate a prime scoring chance off of it. Just keep it simple, get in the zone, get in position, score an ugly rebound goal.

I might grant you hockey sense - he doesn't do area passes well, and doesn't anticipate his line mates well. But I can't agree that his shot is weak. He's blistered a few.

As for his start versus now - I think his game is about the same. His points have tended to come in bunches. Luckily, he's gotten a few in the last 10.

I think the time he gets from Hartley reflects his streakiness and how he's playing at the moment. Crap against Dallas = 9:47. Decent against Oilers = 14:34. Good against philly = 19.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Wotherspoon is so far from a person who would complain about sitting in the press box, it's not even funny. He's not going to pout and whine because he hasn't played an NHL game yet this season.

I'm like the rest of you, I want to see him play permanently on the third pairing, but speculating that he has a negative attitude towards not being there is wrong.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Yet he's top 6 in goals among forwards (along with Jooris) with 20 fewer games than most (Jooris is about the same). Sorta like you'd expect out of a 3rd line winger. There's been a lot of games lately where people here have said "he's ok tonight but I still don't like him". I just don't see Hartley moving him out.

I think it's less that Raymond has been bad, and more than people believe that Bennett can bring more. More aggressiveness, more energy, and more talent. Raymond and his mehness is OK, but there's the potential that Bennett can not only keep up, but boost the team. And while it's understandable some take the devil you know, being optimistic about his impact is not pie in the sky.

[indes]

I'm sure he's happy to be rewarded with an NHL paycheck and being in practices and getting geared up to make the jump next year.

[btimbit]

Forget Spoon and Bennett, the real question is who starts in net?


I'm hoping green text isn't nessesary

[Vinny01]

Wortherspoon had a very solid 14 games down the stretch last year before he got hurt. He then given the new number which isn't a given but also indicates the organization thinks he is close.

To get called up a couple times and never see game action is likely frustrating. I doubt he is angry or wants to be traded here. It is okay to be a little frustrated that things are maybe not coming as soon as he hoped. He will be fine and is still a really good prospect