Practice notes Oct 14

[MikeMc]

Sutter and the Flames were always going to give Gudbranson and Valimaki the opening day slot. They just signed Gudbranson and Vali is supposed to be their next 'guy' on the backend.

I think the hope is that the leashes are short and Kylington get's in if they have a rough start. I think it will be a couple games at least though.

Also Kylington is still not by any means a perfect player, people on this board are giving each other HJs about him a bit too much (I guess cause of the found money and potential thing).

[CroFlames]

Kylington is better than Gudbranson.

It's just that simple.

[Burning Beard]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Kylington is better than Gudbranson.

It's just that simple.

Says fans who have casually watched him play in preseason games vs an almost entirely new coaching staff who has seen him play in the same games and also in every practice of the year so far.

[Toonage]

The players obviously have different skill sets and serve different purposes.

Playing a speed game against the Oilers who won't have their "thug" in the lineup? And have last change?

Gudbranson is a bad choice.

I trust Darryl, but I don't like this particular move.

[sureLoss]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1448707341738643456

https://twitter.com/user/status/1448707614997504000

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Burning Beard

Says fans who have casually watched him play in preseason games vs an almost entirely new coaching staff who has seen him play in the same games and also in every practice of the year so far.

Gudbranson is one of the worst defensemen in the league. He's on an NHL roster today because one of the 32 coaches in the league wanted him. I wouldn't worry about Kylington starting the season on the bench as it's probably only a matter of time until Gudbranson plays himself into being a press box regular. Darryl will give him some rope because he hand picked him but at the end of the day he knows he has to win games and make the playoffs.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Gudbranson is one of the worst defensemen in the league. He's on an NHL roster today because one of the 32 coaches in the league wanted him. I wouldn't worry about Kylington starting the season on the bench as it's probably only a matter of time until Gudbranson plays himself into being a press box regular. Darryl will give him some rope because he hand picked him but at the end of the day he knows he has to win games and make the playoffs.

I think it is a reasonable assumption that Gudbranson had outside interest from other teams—it explains why his contract came in as high as it did. But I also think that outside of the first couple pre-season games he was fine, and not the unmitigated disaster he is made out to be by many posters on this board.

[Toonage]

There you go, the Caps just claimed Cholowski from Seattle. Trade them Kylington for the 4th they sent for Pitlick.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Toonage

There you go, the Caps just claimed Cholowski from Seattle. Trade them Kylington for the 4th they sent for Pitlick.

I am hazardling a guess here that the Flames have no interest in trading Kylington.

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I am hazardling a guess here that the Flames have no interest in trading Kylington.

Or any real interest playing him it would seem.

I kid, I kid.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Or any real interest playing him it would seem.

I kid, I kid.

Ooooooh. So edgy.

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by Bingo

That's not the whole story though.

They played the hell out of him early when Hanifin was out, and did very well against lesser NHL lineups.

I thought he kept that momentum against the Oilers in Edmonton, but then really struggled against the Jets to wind up the preseason schedule.

Good step for sure ... but I don't know if I'd say clearly or a big step.

Bottom line is they kept him, so they see something. If they wanted him in the AHL they would have waived him this week before games started as you can usually get guys down.

So they want him playing, or they don't want to lose him, ... either way they saw something.

I don't disagree, but the point should still be why is a bum like Gudbranson taking away his path to playing time? The answer - simply because Tre handing him a truckload of money for being bad at hockey.

You cannot convince me that this player is in any way shape or form an upgrade over Kylington at this point. Infact, he's a certain downgrade based on his track record and pretty lackluster preseason. Why not continue the momentum Kylington built by playing much improved hockey until he proves otherwise?

[topfiverecords]

I think management is committed to giving Kylington the chance to swim or sink the first 1/4 of the season. They need to either find out if he can play well and stick, and if not then he’s either waived or traded. Needs to be sorted out for good.

[monkeyman]

I'm a big Kylington fan, always have been. Having said that, we know from Sutter's and the players comments that Sutter genuinely cares about these players and wants them to succeed. He's honest, open and constantly working with players to make them better on and off the ice.
Knowing all that, I'm confident that Kylington will get his opportunity, and when he does, it'll be at a time when Sutter feels he's most likely to succeed.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by monkeyman

I'm a big Kylington fan, always have been. Having said that, we know from Sutter's and the players comments that Sutter genuinely cares about these players and wants them to succeed. He's honest, open and constantly working with players to make them better on and off the ice.
Knowing all that, I'm confident that Kylington will get his opportunity, and when he does, it'll be at a time when Sutter feels he's most likely to succeed.

It may be as simple as wanting to shelter Kylington from playing in the pressure-cooker of a season opener—something that every one of the other defensemen has experienced. I wouldn't be surprised if the plan is to ease him in on the first Eastern road trip.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

It may be as simple as wanting to shelter Kylington from playing in the pressure-cooker of a season opener—something that every one of the other defensemen has experienced. I wouldn't be surprised if the plan is to ease him in on the first Eastern road trip.

I would far rather they shelter Gudbranson from playing in the pressure-cooker of a season opener, especially against McDavid.

[Macindoc]

Originally Posted by monkeyman

I'm a big Kylington fan, always have been. Having said that, we know from Sutter's and the players comments that Sutter genuinely cares about these players and wants them to succeed. He's honest, open and constantly working with players to make them better on and off the ice.
Knowing all that, I'm confident that Kylington will get his opportunity, and when he does, it'll be at a time when Sutter feels he's most likely to succeed.

Agreed. Plus, I think Sutter is trying to play the intimidation card a bit for this game.

[TheIronMaiden]

I'm really not stressed about whether of not Kyllington will play the first game. In an 82 game season injuries aren't an if but a when. He will get his chance and if he really is that good he will keep his spot ntil he is ready to retire.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

https://twitter.com/user/status/1448707341738643456

https://twitter.com/user/status/1448707614997504000

Still too early?

Today is the last practice before the game.

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Still too early?

Today is the last practice before the game.

Are you really expecting Sutter to sit down and spill his game plan? That is a Sutter answer.