Exactly Why was Blair Jones in the Doghouse?

[irrevocable]

Originally Posted by Chingas

Something jones said last night rubbed me the wrong way.

I sort of thought he got dealt a bumb deal last year but I sensed some of the attitude undertones in his intermission interview.

Yeah I heard/felt the same things. I had to rewind the video a couple times. I like the guy but I think he's a total dink.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Well, there was that 'fight' he had on the ice with Hartley during practice last year. Nobody really heard much of what was said, but he was sent down that day (or the next day?). What people speculated was that Blair wasn't doing what the coaches asked of him - to play that tough, physical in you face game. He was looking like a much softer player before that, so perhaps there is some truth in that speculation?

Regardless, all that matters now is what he brings forward to this team. If he isn't working hard and contributing well, he will just be sent down again. He is a decent 4th line option when he is playing his game though, but I don't see him as being an option on any other line, outside of maybe injury replacement on the 3rd line.

[FAN]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

A bit of an ironic statement given you've drawn your own conclusion already, despite the praise from the coaches that Jones has changed his attitude and conditioning.

Originally Posted by strombad

This post is even better when you can't see the quoted post and just assume the last line is linked with everything else.

Huh? Read my post. I outlined why I think Blair Jones is a player who simply doesn't get it. I drew my conclusions based on my observations of him having some good games and then completely disappearing and Blair's demonstrated history of not sticking in the NHL lineup despite plenty of opportunities. If you're insinuating that I drew my own conclusions too quickly then I disagree. Like I said, this is a player who played his first NHL game in 2006 and since then has not found a way to stick in the NHL for a full season. Since this thread asks why Jones is in the dog house, it only makes sense to assume that Jones has NHL talent in the first place and deserves to be here and I'm saying it isn't talent that is holding him back but the consistency of his effort on the ice from shift to shift and game to game.

You don't think that given Jones' history, it's a bit too quick to come to the conclusion that Jones is somehow a different player with a changed attitude and commitment?

Originally Posted by Papa Gino

For what its worth, I went to the Flames season ticket holder meeting in May at the dome, and had a chance to talk to Feaster for a few minutes after, as our cars were in the same direction.

One thing that he said during his address was that they needed to find "a quality fourth line center". I told Jay he had a fourth line center in Blair Jones, but Feaster responded that Hartley simply doesn't think he has the hockey IQ of an NHL player. So it seems like a real Hartley/Blair thing.

I'm actually serious. And I haven't been to Orange Julius in ten years, so take that for what its worth.

I believe you but it's a head scratcher. So Feaster tells you this in May and then re-signs Jones for two years to a one-year contract in June?

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by FAN

I believe you but it's a head scratcher. So Feaster tells you this in May and then re-signs Jones for two years to a one-year contract in June?

He re-signed Jones the year before, that was before Hartley was brought on board.

Jones is a UFA this summer, as he's now in year 2 of that 2 year contract.

[EVERLAST]

they asked Troy G Ward ...head coach of the Heat this week what Jones needed to do to get back up to the Flames and he came out and point blank said even Blair thought he was a NHL player and has the tools to do so but needed to be reminded of what it takes to be an NHL player.

Troy said he needed to prove that he could earn another shot at the AHL level by becoming a leader.

So in the off season he worked hard to come into camp in shape and have a better attitude.

It wasn't just that but he was also involved in a bit of a numbers game and merit played a part in it as well.

2 days later he was called up.

Id say hes on a very short leash however.

I like B. Jones when he plays balls to the wall all out hockey but all of this meritocracy talk has me believing he wont be able to cut it.

He and Galiardi are going to have to be really good from now on and will likely be bumping each other off the roster allot.

[Itse]

Originally Posted by EVERLAST

He and Galiardi are going to have to be really good from now on and will likely be bumping each other off the roster allot.

While true, I think Blair Jones has the inside track, because he's a big body and Galiardi is not. It's a big deal on this team, since we have so few big guys.

Plus Jones has the possibility of playing that fourth line center role, which would seem to be his most natural spot.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by Itse

While true, I think Blair Jones has the inside track, because he's a big body and Galiardi is not. It's a big deal on this team, since we have so few big guys.

Plus Jones has the possibility of playing that fourth line center role, which would seem to be his most natural spot.

So the guy who was on the outside looking in has the inside track over the guy who made the cut? Interesting.

I know first impressions are important, but man, that one game where Jones scored the 1-0 winner really has a long shelf life at CP.

The guy earned his demotion, indicates a sense of entitlement on his return, and likely better put it together this time, but really if commitment is the issue, sometimes you have a guy who can't commit consistently enough to stick. We shall see.

[Itse]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

So the guy who was on the outside looking in has the inside track over the guy who made the cut? Interesting.

Remember all those games where they put Jackman into the lineup for some size, no matter how crap he had been? Well, Jackman is gone, so that role goes to Blair Jones until/unless they bring in another big body.

Or to put it another way, Blair Jones can take Jackmans role or Galiardis role, but Galiardi can't take Jackmans role.

[Enoch Root]

I wouldn't mind seeing a 4th line of Bouma - BJones - Galiardi

[Stay Golden]

JMO That was a statement game from Jones to Hartley as were his comments. Good for Jones i'm all for any player proving a coach wrong by playing well. It means they have fixed what was wrong with their game. Jones didn't just play well in his first call up he mattered on the ice and was a difference maker, Keep it up Blair.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by Itse

Remember all those games where they put Jackman into the lineup for some size, no matter how crap he had been? Well, Jackman is gone, so that role goes to Blair Jones until/unless they bring in another big body.

Or to put it another way, Blair Jones can take Jackmans role or Galiardis role, but Galiardi can't take Jackmans role.

Burke arrives, Stempniak loses teeth, Jackman does nothing, Jackman is traded.

Jackman couldn't fill Jackman's role.

Roster spot opens up, Jones is called up. Not sure what Galiardi has to do with anything other than being scratched once, like Sven and Backlund.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Doesn't fit perfectly in this thread since it is a Jones thread, but Galiardi looks to be making a spot available for tomorrow at least..

Chances are slim that Hartley will have TJ Galiardi at his disposal against Chicago.

The 25-year-old left practice on Monday with back spasms and wasn't on the ice on Tuesday. In fact, Galiardi didn't even make it down to the rink, according to the Flames' coach.

"He's at home," Hartley said. "He's still seized up. Right now he feels like an old Chevy 1958. He's totally seized up.

"Our medical staff went home to see him. (He's) tangled up like a pretzel.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I wouldn't mind seeing a 4th line of Bouma - BJones - Galiardi

This is the ideal 4th IMO

[calumniate]

Haha.. not good news regarding injury of course but that was pretty funny

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Hartley sure makes the media's job a lot easier with his good quotables. What a difference from Sutter (both of them).