[GDT] Flames @ Stars, 6:30 PM MST. Sportsnet West, Fan 960

[the2bears]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

Something else on your mind today?

Ugh you might be right about those, but let's call a spade a spade here... Baffling top line assignment for the big Chris Stewart. I was a fan of the pickup because it cost nothing, but it's going to cost us something if Glenn wants to see him work out with the big guns

Baffling indeed. Unless you read through this thread which includes reasonable arguments for it, including the coach's own words.

[Azhouse]

I see both sides of the argument. Don't care that Stewart is on the top line to start...Bennett will be alright and could even be a factor tonight. I am jacked for this one. GFG.

[WhiteTiger]

Go Flames go!

[gamesaver]

Flames win 5-4, goals by Tkachuk, Hamilton, Stewart hattrick. Calling it now.

[Fischy13]

Bennett had a goal and an assist vs the Coyotes... No points vs the Avs. He did play with some jump however anyone getting bumped up to the top line would. I don't get why so many think he's had this long standing impressive stretch where it's unfathomable he is removed from the top line. Maybe GG didn't like his D game? Maybe GG is playing the odds that Stewart will get a jolt from the opportunity to play top line and that will go a long ways in Stewart playing hard the rest of the season. Bennett is also a C/LW. The position on the top line available is RW. He was there as a band aide solution IMO. If he's doing as well as most think, being on a different line helps with balance. I'm more than willing to see how these proposed lines play out. It was bound to happen at some point, this just gets Stewart engaged right away.

[camm13]

Originally Posted by Joborule

Let's break up the first line that has been doing well with a developing player for the past two games for a player that was on the waiver wire due to having a terrible season. That surely will be successful!

Gulutzan logic. Good grief.

Oh my let's clean out the players stalls now, the season is clearly over cause we're breaking up a line that has been together for 2 whole games!

[The Fonz]

What's so hard to understand about fans being frustrated that Bennett has seemingly been bumped down the lineup by a waiver wire pickup? Regardless of how long Stewart is in that spot, it's frustrating all the same.

The top lines fancy stats were better with Bennett up there than they were with Ferland... and Bennett gets replaced? The only logic being that he's not as intimidating/truculent as Stewart?

As was the case with Brouwer on the PP, and Hamilton not on the PP, unorthodox coaching decisions do not equal genius. They're just as stupid as they appear.

[The Boy Wonder]

Originally Posted by camm13

Oh my let's clean out the players stalls now, the season is clearly over cause we're breaking up a line that has been together for 2 whole games!

No one is suggesting that the season is over but apparently questioning GGs line combos and a general dissatisfaction with his personnel selections is the same as wanting to blow the whole thing up.

[The Boy Wonder]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

What's so hard to understand about fans being frustrated that Bennett has seemingly been bumped down the lineup by a waiver wire pickup? Regardless of how long Stewart is in that spot, it's frustrating all the same.


The top lines fancy stats were better with Bennett up there than they were with Ferland... and Bennett gets replaced? The only logic being that he's not as intimidating/truculent as Stewart?

As was the case with Brouwer on the PP, and Hamilton not on the PP, unorthodox coaching decisions do not equal genius. They're just as stupid as they appear.

This won’t go over well in this thread. Most believe ferkland is a better player and the sample size is too small.

[The Fonz]

Originally Posted by The Boy Wonder

This won’t go over well in this thread. Most believe ferkland is a better player and the sample size is too small.

I really like Ferland, and thing he did great in the #1 RW spot, so it wasn't a shot at him. Was merely stating that Bennett was doing well up there himself.

[flamesfan1297]

Flames Win 3-2. Goals by Tkachuk, Bennett and Stewart scores his first as a Flame

[The Boy Wonder]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

I really like Ferland, and thing he did great in the #1 RW spot, so it wasn't a shot at him. Was merely stating that Bennett was doing well up there himself.

I’m with you. I am not one of the people who would attack you for that. Bennett should be up there IMO

[The Fonz]

I also have a hard time buying the logic that Stewart is there because Benn took liberties on Johnny last time these teams met, as if Bennett can't defend Johnny. I'm sure Manson, Trouba, and Johansen could all vouch for Bennett's toughness and willingness to defend his teammates.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

What's so hard to understand about fans being frustrated that Bennett has seemingly been bumped down the lineup by a waiver wire pickup? Regardless of how long Stewart is in that spot, it's frustrating all the same.

The top lines fancy stats were better with Bennett up there than they were with Ferland... and Bennett gets replaced? The only logic being that he's not as intimidating/truculent as Stewart?

As was the case with Brouwer on the PP, and Hamilton not on the PP, unorthodox coaching decisions do not equal genius. They're just as stupid as they appear.

Sample size, and one of the opponents was Arizona. I thought Bennett did fine up there, but I'm not going to overstate it. It's the kind of analysis that says Joni Ortio is a goaltending whiz.

[Max Cow Disease]

I've always been kind of curious about the prospect of Stewart in a Flames jersey despite his warts and assuming the price was right, so I'll take "free" any day of the week (even though some are now interpreting the acquisition cost of Stewart as being the mental stability and career prospects of Sam Bennett...).

The outcry at what's literally just a starting line-up sheet - and therefore something that's likely to change within a period or two or even a few shifts - is a little over the top, particularly when the decision's been lended context by an explanation on the part of GG that this is just part of an ongoing shuffle in the pursuit of chemistry (not, as some have assumed, part of an ongoing campaign to spite Sam Bennett). As has been mentioned, I wouldn't be surprised if he's out there to help protect Johnny as well, and I also concur with Textcritic's point that this change doesn't necessarily need to be viewed as a demotion for Bennett.

The perception that this would sewer his development strikes me as a concoction of pure fan paranoia and hyperbole. Or, who knows, maybe this will be the night that resonates in his memory this summer when, furiously and after three bottles of Big Bear, he calls up Treliving to ask for the trade.

[camm13]

Originally Posted by The Boy Wonder

No one is suggesting that the season is over but apparently questioning GGs line combos and a general dissatisfaction with his personnel selections is the same as wanting to blow the whole thing up.

It's a bit ridiculous that everyone is getting worked up over it. GG's player utilization has always been questionable, however I read this as all the other lines already have chemistry. Whose to say that Stewart will stay there the entire night? Guy's first game as a Flame, he's going to be pumped up. He has the best chance at a point or two, boost his confidence here on out and it's a win win. If he looks out of place, then bump him down. Or who knows he could be a surprise.

[Ryan Coke]

Well, I have come to grips with my desire to have GG fired, but I’m not particularly outraged at this move.

Of course, maybe it’s just that if I let my head spin every time GG did something that makes no sense I’d be falling down all the time. So instead I just hope that it works out.

I am interested to see how Stewart does on the top line. He has shown some impressive ability at times, but has also looked like a lazier and more disinterested Rene Bourque at other times.

Should be interesting to watch.

[The Boy Wonder]

Originally Posted by camm13

It's a bit ridiculous that everyone is getting worked up over it. GG's player utilization has always been questionable, however I read this as all the other lines already have chemistry. Whose to say that Stewart will stay there the entire night? Guy's first game as a Flame, he's going to be pumped up. He has the best chance at a point or two, boost his confidence here on out and it's a win win. If he looks out of place, then bump him down. Or who knows he could be a surprise.

Or stewart will get burned by Benn on the first shift for a breakaway and we’ll realize why he should’ve stayed on waivers

[bubbsy]

Just heard the news that Stewart going to be playing 1st line time immediately after being scratched and waiver fodder.

My opinion is that it is plain stupid. This team has no real interest in Sam Bennett, that much is clear. The 21 year old hasn't done himself any favors by failing to get points playing a 3rd line role, to be certain.

This orgs decision making has been a joke for a lot of this year. Jankowski not making the team out of camp, Bartkowski even being on the roster, Brouwer/Stajan utilization, pp personnel and leaving Hamilton and Giordano off the top unit for half the year.

I don't know if it's on the gm, the coach or both but it needs to change this offseason.

[Gaskal]

Let's give it a game folks.




Heck, not even a game, actually - just the first few shifts at least.