Why is there so much hate for B.Jones?

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Anduril

I'll certainly second this. At most he would be one of multiple choices on the 4th line but there's not much that he offers or has shown to be able to offer that warrants anything overall positive.

And on a semi unrelated note, still no idea why Monahan is still 'top 6 or bust'. Is there something wrong with giving him 3rd line minutes in the best league in the world?

I think with Monahan this year it's top 9 or bust personally. But in the long term he has the tools to fit in any role IMO.

[DeluxeMoustache]

3rd line centers are often slotted in to a role where they are expected to neutralize the other team's top line starting in their d zone - strong on faceoffs, tenacious checkers, and asked to move the puck up ice, where the top 6 guys can take over.

Monahan is expected to be top 6, Jones is 4th line at best, and the hope is for Knight to fit that job description, I am speculating.

Jones was only good enough to be a 4th line grinder. He exceeded expectations with that game where he scored the 1-0 winner, and had a handful of decent showings thereafter, but an NHLer's best way to stay an NHLer is to do the job at a high enough level every night

[Stormchaser]

Originally Posted by Karl

Eh? McGrattan on the 3rd line and D. Jones on the 4th?

I looked at how soft the line was with Bart and Horak and thought it needed Mcgrattan. The bottom of the roster is going to be something else this year!

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by gilligans_off

You realize I was on his side right? Should we move on to Sarcasm now? Leave out the personal attacks and stick to the topic.

What, that 'Grammar 101' crack wasn't a personal attack? I'll stick to the topic if you will.

[kehatch]

Sutter seemed to like Jones. Hartley doesn't. I have no issues with the player. If he earns a spot on the team then great. I just don't think this coaching staff sees him as much of a prospect. In fact I wouldn't be surprised to see an AHL player for AHL player shuffle (ala Aliu) just to give him a chance on another team.

[kirant]

Originally Posted by stormchaser

Glencross - Stajan - Cammy
Galiardi - Backlund - Stempniak
Baertschi- Horak - Mcgrattan
Jackman - Bouma - D. Jones
Reinhart - B. Jones

Did Hudler get sucked into a black hole again?

[dying4acup]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

We certainly could have used Jones last year. Hell i had to watch Tanguay play center for half a year and even Comeau for a bunch of games. Both were awful. I dont think Jones is anymore than a 4th line/ pressbox guy and for some reason spends a lot of time falling down.

His main downfall was the conversation he had with Hartely that got him kicked off the team. My only guess is that he questioned Hartely's "keeping players accountable" speech. At that point in time half of our top 6 were doing their own thing when they wanted and still got ice time.

He certainly is in Hartely's dog house and i doubt he can get out of it unless he has an "uber-camp". He would have to out play Horak, Reinhart, Knight and Bouma. I could see him outplaying a couple of them,he has experience, but i doubt all of them. I do think Horak is way better than him and i rather have Horak over Jones.

The reason we saw Tanguay at centre was that he is an excellent playmaker. The reason we saw Comeau at centre was that he was an above average defensive player and PKer.

And for op sake the reason that Blair jones is not given a shot to play on a blow average team is (ignoring the fact he hasn't been claimed off waivers) is that every team would rather give that chance to a guy with higher upside (Reinhardt).

[Stormchaser]

Originally Posted by kirant

Did Hudler get sucked into a black hole again?

And its bedtime!

[Cheerio]

Because of the time he was injured and wouldn't get off the ice which lead to Doan scoring in OT

[FAN]

Jones is exactly the player he was when he was in Tampa all those years. He would have some games where you would notice him every shift and then he would simply disappear. For a guy who is suppose to be an energy player, he is simply way too inconsistent.

[Deegee]

All I remember from Jones is missed open nets and posts. He reminds me of Tony Amonte except with less skill and less consistency. Don't think he adds anything to the team, to be quite honest.

Next up? Grammar 101

Did you mean to have a period to finish your thought?

[TurnedTheCorner]

We 'ate 'oo 'artley tells us to 'ate.

[Bertuzzied]

52 posts in and no one has mentioned that he was a diving bitch 2 years ago. 3 dives in 4 games is Canuck worthy. good riddance.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by kehatch

Sutter seemed to like Jones. Hartley doesn't. I have no issues with the player. If he earns a spot on the team then great. I just don't think this coaching staff sees him as much of a prospect. In fact I wouldn't be surprised to see an AHL player for AHL player shuffle (ala Aliu) just to give him a chance on another team.

In a nutshell. There was a falling out with he and Hartley and I don't know if the fences are mended or if he's good enough to make a roster where some prospects will likely get a chance. I assume he will be an injury call up at the most.

[bubbsy]

i like jones, seems like a decent 4th line C.

however given the fact that he seems to be butting heads with the coaching staff, not sure he's got a place with the big club.

[moon]

Originally Posted by Eric Vail

Jones reminds me of Duane Hay. He doesn't score. He doesn't fight. He really isn't that tough and doesn't play exceptional defense.

What does he do that is great? I have never seen it.

He is a bottom 6 player on a bottom 5 team not sure we should expect him to do anything great. The guys he is competing against certainly don't do anything that great either.

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

No disputing that he hasn't played a pro game. The comment was about the style of play. Kudos to the team for recognizing the need.

And Jones filled no particular need.

Last year he certainly filled the need of competent center who at least had a chance at draws. This year it doesn't really appear that the Flames have a abundance of NHL ready centers either. Horak spent a lot of time playing wing last year, Bouma has been a winger throughout his career, Knight has shown zero to indicate he is ready for full time NHL duty.

[puckluck2]

Originally Posted by calumniate

Ask puckluck or Hartley. The truth lies in between

not sure what this is supposed to mean.

I've never had a huge hard on for Jones, but have always liked him. Thought he played exactly the way he should be playing. I have no idea about his off ice activities or if that led to the problems he had with Hartley but on the ice I thought he was just fine and played with heart.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by moon

I know you asked the OP and not me but I put Jones ahead of Begin (much, much, much, better player), Bouma, Horak (I see both as wingers at NHL level and he is better than Horak), Knight (shown 0 in the NHL and little in his NCAA career to indicate he will be anything). I probably put him ahead of Monahan because I would rather see Monahan play top 6 or OHL than 3rd/4th line center but if they want Monahan in top 6 and say Backland/Stajan as the 3rd line guy then obviously Monahan is above Jones.

I would have it ideally (meaning Monahan plays well enough to be a top 6 guy) center depth:

Monahan
Stajan
Backland
Jones

No Monahan:

Stajan
Backland
Jones
Bouma/Knight

Fair enough. I certainly don't rate Jones as highly as you do under nominal circumstances, but given we're in a rebuild, I would rather those minutes go to someone who might have a future with this team. Jones doesn't, and he doesn't bring anything significant enough to warrant a look ahead of the kids. One should also through TJ Galliardi into the mix since the Flames seem intent on looking at him as a centre as well.

[Enoch Root]

Wish I knew why he ended up in Hartley's doghouse.

I thought he was a serviceable 4th line C.

However, I am not sure that he has enough game to earn his way back out of the doghouse. And with Knight, Reinhart, and Monahan entering the scene on the C front (not to mention Galiardi), I suspect Jones' window with the Flames is rapidly closing.

But I do not mind having him in Abby as a call-up.

[PlayfulGenius]

Originally Posted by KevinKlineReadingABook

Yeah, I feel that there is more to this story than was released publicly. B. Jones went from being picked as the first shooter in a shootout to being waived and demoted less than two weeks later...

I think something happened in the dressing room...it all happened so fast, and I recall a mention by Feaster hinting at attitude.

I hope he gets back to his tenacious ways, he's a good 4th C when he plays that way.