Practice notes Oct 1 Lazar with team. Mangiapane & Gillies missing. Rittich is backup

[GullFoss]

Mike Keenan also had a crazy deep roster.

[ST20]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Yeah, plus IMO Neal is a guy who needs bigger minutes to be effective. I'm quite surprised if he is lower than line two. If this ends up being the case, I predicted badly, as I'm sure someone would have pointed out eventually.

I think he will still get around 16-18 mins a game. Kadri plays on the "third" line in Toronto and is able to play minutes. The problem is Kadri also kills penalties but I think Neal will get plenty of time on the power play with the first and second unit and also as someone previously mentioned he could get offensive zone starts with the top two lines.

I'm not too worried, Neal hasn't played on the top line in many if not most of his stops. His appeal is being able to light the lamp in many different situations.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by ST20

I think he will still get around 16-18 mins a game. Kadri plays on the "third" line in Toronto and is able to play minutes. The problem is Kadri also kills penalties but I think Neal will get plenty of time on the power play with the first and second unit and also as someone previously mentioned he could get offensive zone starts with the top two lines.

I'm not too worried, Neal hasn't played on the top line in many if not most of his stops. His appeal is being able to light the lamp in many different situations.

I didn't slot him top line. I thought he'd fit in on the second. I agree he will be on PP1. I think his production will drop if his centre is Jankowski or Ryan, as opposed to Monahan or Backlund.

[Enoch Root]

I think people need to let go of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th line concepts. On this team, there is a 1st line and then 3 other lines, which will get their ice-time determined by game situations as well as who is running well that night.

With the PP time, Neal will get his minutes.

[Mike F]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I think people need to let go of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th line concepts. On this team, there is a 1st line and then 3 other lines, which will get their ice-time determined by game situations as well as who is running well that night.

With the PP time, Neal will get his minutes.

Agree with Neal, but I'd put money on the Backlund line getting more time than either of the other non-1st lines game-in and game-out.

[savardandjokinen]

Lazar was definitely rushed into the NHL. Missed a year or two of developing that would've been better at a lower level

[Machiavelli]

Originally Posted by Fire

I like his attitude and I agree he should be playing in Stockton to start the season. Hopefully gets some goals and gains some confidence for a potential call up.

I wish him well, but I don't see it for him. Never did.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Leo

Soo does anyone know what happens to mangiapane?

I think its finally legalized this month

[1Nite]

You like your bread toasted?

[CF84]

Originally Posted by N26

Stephane Yelle

He was an absolute warrior.

[ST20]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I didn't slot him top line. I thought he'd fit in on the second. I agree he will be on PP1. I think his production will drop if his centre is Jankowski or Ryan, as opposed to Monahan or Backlund.

I think Peter's is just playing it safe for now. With all of the changes to the line up he probably doesn't want to try too many new things at the same time. The 3M line had a down year with really an abnormally low shooting percentage but still drove possession so I don't mind seeing frolik there to start the season. It's nice to have options!

I do agree that Neal needs to be put into a good position to succeed though. With his term and contract things can go south really quickly.

[SeanCharles]

Originally Posted by ST20

I think Peter's is just playing it safe for now. With all of the changes to the line up he probably doesn't want to try too many new things at the same time. The 3M line had a down year with really an abnormally low shooting percentage but still drove possession so I don't mind seeing frolik there to start the season. It's nice to have options!

I do agree that Neal needs to be put into a good position to succeed though. With his term and contract things can go south really quickly.

As much as I like Neal on the team his contract is the one that worries me the most.

However, overall I think he should perform fine for the bulk of his deal as he only just turned 31. There are examples of numerous players that still play well in their early-to-mid 30's and he still has a high-end shot.

[activeStick]

Damn, Neal's not gonna like playing on that line...

[combustiblefuel]

Originally Posted by colbym72

Wes Gilbertson @WesGilbertson
31s
Really strong stuff from #Flames forward Curtis Lazar after clearing waivers today. Says he is willing to go to AHL if it means playing more: “I’m kind of fed up of being that so-so guy that’s just plugged in here and there. I want to rebuild my game, re-establish myself.”

Ottawa rushed him . I think the biggest thing was Mono . Seriously depending how bad it hits you can take years to recover.

[red sky]

Originally Posted by SeanCharles

As much as I like Neal on the team his contract is the one that worries me the most.

However, overall I think he should perform fine for the bulk of his deal as he only just turned 31. There are examples of numerous players that still play well in their early-to-mid 30's and he still has a high-end shot.

Yeah, I know it is preseason and all but he looked painfully slow and lost on the ice. Obviously too early to anoint him as the new whipping boy as apparently Bennett has solidified that position, but I hope he can have a strong start to the season and pot some goals like he did early for Vegas last year.

[Icon]

Originally Posted by activeStick

Damn, Neal's not gonna like playing on that line...

He won't like being with two of the quickest and great hockey sense guys on the team who had a great preseason and are itching to prove themselves this year? Ok.

[boogerz]

It's a shame that Neal's not on Backlund's line, seeing as how the only element missing from that line is a sniper and second net presence to distract people from keying in too much on Tkachuk

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by boogerz

It's a shame that Neal's not on Backlund's line, seeing as how the only element missing from that line is a sniper and second net presence to distract people from keying in too much on Tkachuk

I think he’ll get there sooner than later. However, I think the hope is to create two additional lines that can come close to the second line in production. I like how Neal’s presence on the third helps to distribute scoring.


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[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by GullFoss

Mike Keenan also had a crazy deep roster.

And then Gio got hurt against Minnesota, the team had to play short handed because they were capped out and lost the division to Vancouver so they had to play an ascendant Blackhawks team instead of the Blues, Dion Phaneuf was playing on one leg and Regehr didn't even dress in the post season.

Blaming Keenan for 08/09 always struck me as the beginning of Darryl's downfall.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

And then Gio got hurt against Minnesota, the team had to play short handed because they were capped out and lost the division to Vancouver so they had to play an ascendant Blackhawks team instead of the Blues, Dion Phaneuf was playing on one leg and Regehr didn't even dress in the post season.

Blaming Keenan for 08/09 always struck me as the beginning of Darryl's downfall.

"I'm not firing you, the owners are."