2012/13 General Heat Discussion Thread

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Heat PP in their last 5 games: 42.1% (8/19)

[The Swedish Flame]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

Heat PP in their last 5 games: 42.1% (8/19)

That's insane

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by The Swedish Flame

That's insane

With no Horak, Sven, Brodie, Reinhart. It's been all Walter and Ruegsegger.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

With no Horak, Sven, Brodie, Reinhart. It's been all Walter and Ruegsegger.

Speaking of Walter. Do you think he will be back next year? I don't think the Flames offer him an NHL deal, but do you think he would sign an AHL deal to stay in Abbotsford?

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

Speaking of Walter. Do you think he will be back next year? I don't think the Flames offer him an NHL deal, but do you think he would sign an AHL deal to stay in Abbotsford?

Absolutely not. I just can't see it. The guy's an elite AHL player and has been for the last 5 years. I think he loves Abbotsford as a city, so if the Flames are giving him an NHL contract, he'll take it.

Whether he'll back next year or not, I have no idea. He's definitely a true leader, he's clockwork with putting up points and he's an excellent core player for any AHL team. So personally I'd like to see him back.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

Absolutely not. I just can't see it. The guy's an elite AHL player and has been for the last 5 years. I think he loves Abbotsford as a city, so if the Flames are giving him an NHL contract, he'll take it.

Whether he'll back next year or not, I have no idea. He's definitely a true leader, he's clockwork with putting up points and he's an excellent core player for any AHL team. So personally I'd like to see him back.

So about hte only chance is if no one offers him an NHL deal.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

With no Horak, Sven, Brodie, Reinhart. It's been all Walter and Ruegsegger.

What's the deal about Ruegsegger, PMM? I always see you rave about that guy, but looking at his stats doesn't scream "wow" to me. Good bottom six guy? Do you think he has a shot at an NHL contract?

Also, what do you think are the odds of keeping Bancks, given that his contract will be up?

Thanks in advance, always enjoy your updates.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by devo22

What's the deal about Ruegsegger, PMM? I always see you rave about that guy, but looking at his stats doesn't scream "wow" to me. Good bottom six guy? Do you think he has a shot at an NHL contract?

Also, what do you think are the odds of keeping Bancks, given that his contract will be up?

Thanks in advance, always enjoy your updates.

If there's any justice in this world, Ruegsegger should be offered a one-year NHL deal. He's a junkyard dog out there. He's a wild man. He's probably got worst skating style I've ever seen. He chugs his legs like crazy and with both hands on his stick he pumps his arms like he's rowing a kayak. He's the ugliest skater I've ever seen haha. But he's got speed and an endless supply of energy and physicality. He's also got a very deceiving shot. He'd definitely be a fourth liner in the NHL if he ever gets there.

If he can provide that every game in the AHL, I'd like to see what he could do in the NHL.

I'd like them to re-sign Bancks and I think they will. I feel like he's going to be the Heat's next captain.

[Drury18]

The Heat handed out their player awards prior to the start of their last game of the season tonight:

Top Defenceman: TJ Brodie
Rookie of the Year: Sven Baertschi
Community Award: Zach Kelvie
Fans Choice: Ben Walter
Team MVP: Ben Walter

Barry Brust was also given a special recognition. Unfortunately I missed what that was about.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Drury18

Barry Brust was also given a special recognition. Unfortunately I missed what that was about.

Probably for breaking the AHL shutout streak record.

[MoreDrank]

Carter Rowney with his first pro goal in his first pro game. Up in Abbotsford on a PTO. Nice for an Alberta kid.

[The Swedish Flame]

Might go and watch the Heat this weekend when they visit OKC. Would love to see them beat the Barons just like the Flames did with Oilers last night.

[kehatch]

What is with Cundari? I don't watch the games but I follow the tweets. All I see is Cundari penalty, Cundari penalty, Cundari first start.

Don't get me wrong. I am happy he has been (apparently) solid. Just wondering how he has looked to fans that watch the games.

EDIT: NM, scrolled up. Thanks PMM! Sounds like he is a beast.

[flamesrule14]

3 assists today. 4 assists in the two points since coming back from his injury. Also had a fight with Brad Ross today. I expect we'll see him up with the flames soon.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by getbak

Probably for breaking the AHL shutout streak record.

Yep. Really cool presentation too. He got a special message from Johnny Bower on the big screen.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by flamesrule14

3 assists today. 4 assists in the two points since coming back from his injury. Also had a fight with Brad Ross today. I expect we'll see him up with the flames soon.

Sounds like a player the Flames desperately needs.

[Husky]

Originally Posted by Fire

Sounds like a player the Flames desperately needs.

I agree. Its too bad he wasnt about 2-3 inches taller. Either way it sounds like he has a nice skill set/physical package to his game.

[Roof-Daddy]

So PMM, now that you've seen an 8 game sample of Testwuide how has he looked?

2 goals, 1 assist and it looks he's had 3 fights?

He's a UFA, do they Flames look to bring him back, or just cut him loose?

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

So PMM, now that you've seen an 8 game sample of Testwuide how has he looked?

2 goals, 1 assist and it looks he's had 3 fights?

He's a UFA, do they Flames look to bring him back, or just cut him loose?

Meh. Huge guy, hard to take off the puck. Hardly any offense to him at all. Might be an okay third or fourth line AHL player.

If it means losing one of the PTO/SPC guys that have impressed like Drew MacKenzie, Tyler Ruegsegger, Steven Seigo or even Carter Rowney (who's basically the same type of player), then I'd rather they not sign Testwuide. If he doesn't mind coming back on a PTO then cool, I'm sure the Heat could use his size a bit.

[The Swedish Flame]

Not sure where to post this, but figured here might work.

Apparently the Barons (Oilers' farm team) is struggling with attendance:

Most nights this season, there have been more empty red seats than fans attending Oklahoma City Barons games at the Cox Convention Center.
Heading into the final weekend of the regular season, Oklahoma City is last in the 30-team American Hockey League in attendance. The Barons are averaging around 3,500 fans a game, a slight decline from their first two seasons.

Oh, and there's this other nugget:

“Guys like Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle and (Magnus) Paajarvi, some of the best players in the world, came away saying they may spend some time in Oklahoma City this summer because they loved it that much,” Laforge said of players who played in OKC during the NHL lockout.

Like hell they will. It's Oklahoma.