I always rolled my eyes and took offense when Feaster trotted out: "Ferland can be the next Zach Kassian". Ferland will be so much more. He seems to be just scratching the surface as to what kind of a player he will be. Even I had my doubts that he was top-line material, but he may end up being a great fit on that top line after all. After watching him with Monahan and Gaudreau, is it really that out of the question to say that the Flames have their top-line RW'er? Premature, but no longer 'crazy talk'.
Hamilton really looks good out there. I was expecting very good, but his performance and how he fits on the team really seemed to exceed my expectations.
Frolik and Backlund will just be awesome together. Two guys who skate like the wind and just control the ice so well.
There is just so much to like about this team again.
+ 1 on the Engelland comment earlier - as much as people seem to dislike him, I think he is a valuable part of the team. He is a sheriff out there, but also plays a decent game. I think he helps to settle the Flames down and keeps the opposition honest, and he is just steady back there.
Above all, Sieloff really impressed me today. He actually looked like a legit NHL'er tonight for the most part. I have to say I pretty much wrote him off, but boy did he prove me absolutely wrong. Not bad for a kid who has barely played in the last 2 or 3 years.
Ok, I will stop now. I can keep on going on pretty much every Flame tonight. This team is not only good, but also so fun to watch play. I haven't been this in love with this team since the late 80's.
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I can't get over the look of the Flames D - and that's without Brodie in the lineup.
At times, when the Flames are in full flight, it looks like they have 5 forwards on the ice.
At other times, mostly on the PP, the 2 D look so in control of the offence that the 3 forwards almost look like extras in a movie.
It's just an embarrassment of riches on the blueline, and with guys like Kulak, Andersson, Kylington, and the still-largely-unseen Hickey coming down the pipe, there's no end in sight to it.
The Flames may have to move to a 3-2 formation just to be able to keep them all. Would a starting 5 of Giordano-Brodie-Hamilton-Monahan-Gaudreau be that bad?
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I think the coaches may split up the top line. Add more size on each; Ferland or Bouma on the top line, probably Ferland. It should help to protect Bennett, Gaudreau and Monahan.
Our defense is ridiculous, Hamilton just makes it obnoxious. If someone can replace Engelland and be a more consistent contributor as well as play physical we'll go a long ways this year.
Like the looks of that and add Byron and Shore as extras to rotate in and out of the lineup. Bring up Granlund if Backlund or Stajan or Bennett go down and you are pretty much set.
Ferland is fun to watch, just before he set up Sean with a great pass he looked Dorsett right in the eye and said "I'll break your f'n face". We have a serious beast with this guy.
Hamilton and Gio together is like peanut butter and jelly, each one would just knod and one was gone on the rush, just amazing how good that pairing was.
Bennett had some passion in his stride, and Bouma, Sieloff and Shore stuck out as unsung players.
On the other side Swen was trying but nothing was happening, for a kid born in Calgary I didn't even know Shinkaruk was playing until he was sitting in the penalty box right in front of me...he sucks bad.
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Those Messier-McDavid commercials are just plain stupid. He went to Edmonton not Alberta.
Can you imagine Lanny calling Bennett etc and welcoming them to Alberta? No? I couldn't either cuz it would be stupid.
Alberta is a big province ... they are trying to associate themselves with the best part of this province , which is not Edmonton , or even close to Edmonton .. they are trying hard to sell themselves as a Calgary , but they are not , its just a perception they are trying to create ....
A lot of the young guys looked really good to me, a lot to like. Shore, Agostino and Sieloff all could easily see NHL time this year and not look out of place. Glad to see Sieloff step it up, cheering for that kid.
The canucks are going to be abysmal soon. Nothing of significance coming up the pipe. Some decent forwards but nothing to get excited about. I thought they reached on Virtanen in the draft and I still feel that way now. He has skills but needs that hockey IQ to develop.
I felt Ferland was a better player than Hudler on the top line because he helps win board battles. His forechecking also creates panic and therefore turnovers.
Seiloff did everything right except for his lack of getting pucks through traffic. Like Ferland, he has a physical element that the Flames need on the blueline. But he's also got the potential to be more than just a checking defenseman.
Shore belongs in the NHL. His energy is there, so he could be at least a 4th liner. I felt him and his linemates didn't gel on the cycle though.
Some very difficult decisions for the group. I think the Flames have signed Raymond, Smid, Engelland, and Stajan, for 1-2 years too many.
A lot of the young guys looked really good to me, a lot to like. Shore, Agostino and Sieloff all could easily see NHL time this year and not look out of place. Glad to see Sieloff step it up, cheering for that kid.
Hmmm. Maybe it's just me, but I see nothing from him. I don't think he'll ever be in the NHL. Not really impressed with his play at all.
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Hmmm. Maybe it's just me, but I see nothing from him. I don't think he'll ever be in the NHL. Not really impressed with his play at all.
I agree, Agostino's play is very underwhelming. Maybe he'll improve with another full season in the AHL, but I would bet he plays less than 100 games in the NHL in his career.
And if that wasn't inspiring and anticlimactic enough for you:
The best part is at 0:13 when Mess sends Connor a dick pic.
Absolutely painful to watch. Not even talking out of jealously or hate. Like do they think or review any of this #### before releasing it as a commercial??
Hmmm. Maybe it's just me, but I see nothing from him. I don't think he'll ever be in the NHL. Not really impressed with his play at all.
Maybe a bit harsh to judge from tonight, when he wasn't actually in the game until after the line-up card screw up. The kid might have already had a pint in him before he got into the game!
In seriousness, I liked what I saw in NHL game action 2 seasons ago, and from all info, he was more than just SOLID at the AHL level last season.
Second game of the season for me, and I must say the dome was much more rockin' than the first game. Just came to reiterate some comments already made. You knew when Ferland was on the ice. He just has that extra jump and weight that makes him a force every shift. If he can maintain that over 82 games, what a player!
Sieloff stood out to me in a good way. Kept seeing 51 making an impact and had to know who was behind the number. Grant also made some good plays and almost had himself quite a goal.
Johnny and Monny were their usual selves. Frolik and Hamilton will be looked back on as better contracts than Wideman or even Hudler, calling that right now.
