I Really Don't Hate Bouwmeester

[Bertuzzied]

3 years of history has not been wiped yet to give him a "I like" or "fricken" title, but man is he great this year.

I think this is what everyone had in mind when he first signed here. Who would have thought that if he was paired with Giordano, that Meester Bouw would be the dominant one out there?

I see playoff hockey in your future Bouw!

[puckluck2]

Go home Bertuzzied, you're drunk.

[bluck]

Originally Posted by Iginla

Go home Bertuzzied, you're drunk.

I just spilt coffee all over myself lol

[you got PHANUEFED]

J-Bo has been solid and has thrived under a new system with that being said either the Flames can now keep him as a main piece on the back end or watch his stock increase for a trade down the line.

[vilzeh]

so, Sutter was the one to blame, guess we were right.

[kyuss275]

Really have liked his game this year. He still has to show that he has another gear when crunch time during playoff push happens. Hopefully he brings it.

[JD]

He's been better, but still clumsy as hell.

That play on the last Columbus goal last night where he fell down awkwardly in the offensive zone, leading to the rush. It was just ... so ... Bouwmeester. He skates so smoothly and effortlessly, but his upper body is just a flailing mess of limbs.

No matter what the new coaches do with him, he'll never live up to his contract. But I would be content if he continued to do what he's done for most of this season and we could rely on Wideman to be our offensive catalyst instead.

[sven]

Jaybo has been a casuality of taking advantage of signing for more money than he is worth.
If he was paid 4.5 to 5m, most people would love him.
He's defensively steady, great skater (rarely seen him get beat on the outside), long reach.

Now that Hartley has transformed the team to more of a run and gun offense, he's looking better.

[jlh2640]

I never saw what most people complained about the last few years anyways. He was still our best defender for most of the last 3 seasons but looked like a player who had no confidence. 5 points in 8 games is a huge improvement. But its not all about the stats, he does so much more for this team and there is a reason he was yet again named an A. He isn't worth 6.8 Million, however if he plays at the level he is this year he is for sure worth 5-5.5 million. I am just happy he got a chance in a different system.

[Ruttiger]

Originally Posted by Iginla

Go home Bertuzzied, you're drunk.

Not even noon and we have the post of the day.

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by JD

He's been better, but still clumsy as hell.

That play on the last Columbus goal last night where he fell down awkwardly in the offensive zone, leading to the rush. It was just ... so ... Bouwmeester. He skates so smoothly and effortlessly, but his upper body is just a flailing mess of limbs.

No matter what the new coaches do with him, he'll never live up to his contract. But I would be content if he continued to do what he's done for most of this season and we could rely on Wideman to be our offensive catalyst instead.

To be fair, I watched that play again on PVR a couple times to see exactly why Bo couldn't get back into the play. It happened right in front of the players bench in the neutral zone. When Bo falls down his face slides right into the refs knee (who was sitting on the boards) which caused him to flail about. It was a total fluke, otherwise he would have been right behind the play. Unfortunately I deleted the game from my PVR when it was done so I can't upload a picture. But it wasn't his fault. Total fluke play.

[Stay Golden]

Bouwmeester is playing much much better since game 3 or 4 of this season. Coincidentally after the Sun finally roasted him in an article and the local media started to point the blame finger at him and rightfully so.
I will reserve judgement on weather Bouwmeester has turned a page after 25 games. More importantly down the final 15 games as that has been when Bouwmeester has cost the Flames many games since he has arrived.

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by Iginla

Go home Bertuzzied, you're drunk.

Crap. I never knew the hate for Jaybo was this strong. He doesn't have a lot of puckluck on his side.

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by Ruttiger

Not even noon and we have the post of the day.

low expectations for low IQs i guess.

[genetic_phreek]

JBo flourished in Florida because he had the freedom to roam the ice. He had the green light to play the whole ice. IMO I think Sutter's system killed his game. Now that Hartley is here, we're finally getting see the true Bouwmeester. Whether we make the playoffs or not, I think with this new coaching regime JBo will continue to improve.

[dissentowner]

I have to give props, he has looked much better this season. I don't know if it was Sutter's system or what it was but I am glad he is playing this way.

[squiggs96]

Originally Posted by genetic_phreek

JBo flourished in Florida because he had the freedom to roam the ice. He had the green light to play the whole ice. IMO I think Sutter's system killed his game. Now that Hartley is here, we're finally getting see the true Bouwmeester. Whether we make the playoffs or not, I think with this new coaching regime JBo will continue to improve.

I have liked JBo since he started here. Yes, I wish they went better, but I still value what he brings to the team. That said, he is so much more valuable to the team this year than he has been in the previous three years. I love him jumping up in the play more often, taking some chances, and he's getting points. He's also been super solid defensively for most of the season.

I see this all happening because of three things.

1. Hartley is giving him the confidence and freedom to make good decisions
2. He has a better defenceman paired with him
3. The team is looking for him to jump in the play

When paired with Butler all of last year, he was always in D first mode. He'd be scared to commit to the puck, as he didn't want to leave Butler alone on a two on one, and Sutter would have yelled at him for not being a defensive defenceman. With Gio back there, he's not as worried. We saw it in the first few games that he was timid to jump up, but after doing it a few times and there not being any goals going the other way, he's gotten more confident. I also like how Hartley has gotten whoever is left on the point when one D man jumps up to be in better coverage and helping keep the puck in.


When JBo did jump up in years past, he didn't get the puck that much. He'd circle in, not be looked at, and head back to the blue line. I wonder if he just got frustrated at not getting the puck. I remember one time he jumped in and scored against Toronto. Many people were shocked he scored, but I was more shocked someone passed him the puck.


Whatever the reasons are, I really like seeing him play. That Edmonton game was outstanding this year.

[Brannigans Law]

I don't know what lit a fire under his arse this season but I hope it stays there. I wasn't a huge Bouwmeester fan either but only because his play was so bad and his cap hit so high. I want to see him lift a cup over his head a Flames jersey damn it.

[cznTiburon]

The goal against Chicago is a perfect example of what bouw can do and why he will have a better season when we have players with the skill to get him the puck

[Sainters7]

...so are we saying I can finally wear the Bouwmeester jersey I bought in '09 within city limits again without getting chirped? Too soon?