[GT] Jets at Flames

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by dammage79

I said this with confidence last season and I feel right now I am more confident that Jokipakka is our Hjalmersson. I really like everything he does out on the ice.

Yep, he was showing great signs of being a top 4 defender last year and looks like he's already taking another big step this year.

That said, he's unfortunately a one year player for us as he's basically the perfect pick up for Vegas. The timing is really unfortunate as that trade would have been incredible if he turned into a long term, top 4 D-man for us.

[Rejean31]

Well that was a complete waste of time!!

[dieHARDflameZ]

I liked Backlund, Bennett, Kevin and Gillies. That is pretty much all this evening.

[1qqaaz]

At least the Flames got 31 shots on net. Albeit none of the chances were really that great.

Actually, the chances were okay. There was just too many players that simply cannot take advantage of offensive opportunities. Too many stone handed people that crack when they have wide open nets. Too many bad passes in the offensive zone.

Not enough Gaudreaus.

[TheScorpion]

I take it this game didn't go well? I've been watching SNF. Have the Flames been the Chiefs?

[djsFlames]

Farewell to the washed up PTOs.

Not a standout game from even one. What a stinker of a game.

[JurassicTunga12]

Well that was kinda crappy.
Can we cut Bollig and Wideman too?

[dieHARDflameZ]

Originally Posted by JurassicTunga12

Well that was kinda crappy.
Can we cut Bollig and Wideman too?

Oh if only this was possible.

[jg13]

The biggest pro to come out of this game is the fact we don't live in winnipeg.

[djsFlames]

Problem is few of any of these forwards playing have any finish.

It worries me when it's made obvious that Mony, Johnny and Gio are this team's crutch for offense. More than a third of the team's goals last season from just those guys.

[GranteedEV]

Despite the score and the penalty parade, that was a better-played game than the Canucks game. The process is getting there. Just gotta tweak some of these mistakes and make some cuts. I think Matt Stajan is done as a centre.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

But we lost......?

[btimbit]

Well, some positives at least

Kulak - Looks almost Brodie-esque

Gillies - Had the one goal that went by him, but got thrown into the game in the middle of a PP, and had Bollig and Grossman on the PK. Not going to hold that one agianst the goalie. Looked good after that. Solid positiong, good rebound control.

Jokipakka - Could be a legit #4 Dman

Tkachuk - Going to be a beast once he puts on some weight

Bennett - Going to have a breakout year.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Problem is few of any of these forwards playing have any finish.

It worries me when it's made obvious that Mony, Johnny and Gio are this team's crutch for offense.

Which isn't too bad because that's three players that can combine for 160 - 180 points, combined with other contributors like Bennett, Backlund Hamilton, Brodie etc.

I'm not concerned about offense at all. It wasn't an issue last year and won't be this year, goaltending and defense (likely because of goaltending) is what killed us last season and that will likely be greatly improved.

Oops, that's another opinion, the third or fourth of the day, sorry Cecil I'll go back to never having an opinion on anything.

[FiveSeven]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Problem is few of any of these forwards playing have any finish.

It worries me when it's made obvious that Mony, Johnny and Gio are this team's crutch for offense. More than a third of the team's goals last season from just those guys.

Yeah for sure, take anyone's top 3 players out and they'll be in trouble xD

[CsInMyBlood]

Backlund looked good tonight.

[gvitaly]

I thought Backlund, Frolik, Bennett, and Jokipakka had a strong game. As for Brodie he took a couple of periods adjusting to playing on the left side, but was decent in the 3rd. Everyone else was pretty bad.

The difference was that Pavelec stood on his head meanwhile missed coverage really cost the Flames. The D were noticeably slow today, especially Grossmann,Wideman, and Grigorev. Kulak made some good plays, but at the same time had a couple of turnovers.

As far as the forwards, aside from the trio I mentioned the others were either invisible, or not playing that well. Edit: Tkachuk was noticeable around the paint a few times, but was a bit manhandled throughout the game.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by FiveSeven

Yeah for sure, take anyone's top 3 players out and they'll be in trouble xD

True, but you want depth that isn't going to be shut out by an opponent's depth players/prospects.

Hopefully the group gels over the games this week and starts to figure it out...after some massive cuts.

[flamesfever]

Their goalie was hot, and the Jets seemed more and more confident as the game went on.

Backlund seemed to be the best Flames player.

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by gvitaly

I thought Backlund, Bennett, and Jokipakka had a strong game.

Agreed.

Kulak stood out for me in a good way, I wonder if he gets some consideration to play with Hamilton.

First time seeing Tkachuk in person. I think he needs a year of junior and probably some time in the minors next year. He's not ready to play with the big boys just yet and I don't think 'development' is worth burning a year off of his ELC.