[Signing] Flames sign Ben Hanowski (2 years, two-way ELC, AAV 900k)

[IgiTang]

Originally Posted by Goodlad

Unless Reinhardt and Hanowski over achieve big time, or Baertschi under achieves they shouldn't be on a line together for any extended periods.

But to outright say Hanowski, Reinhart, Bartschi wont be on a line together or be a line of the future is a falicy. It IS possible. Heck, it could happen tonight.

[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by calgARI

Because all that those three players have in common is that they are young. Baertschi is a high level prospect that will be on a scoring line. Reinhart max's out as a good third line center but he is not even yet a sure-fire NHLer. Hanowski has never played a game in the NHL and if he does make it full-time, I doubt it is on the top two lines.

I like what you've done there.

[handgroen]

scores!

[handgroen]

hanowski puts *dent in the wild lead

[Iniggywetrust]

I know the kid just scored his first nhl goal and It's an exciting night for him, hut he is an awful skater. Maybe It's nerves but boy does he look out of place there

[McG]

Hopefully some power skating and focus on technique fixes that.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Kid can play.

He has fantastic awareness on the ice.

[Vulcan]

There is room next season for a big physical RW on this team. Whether Hanowski can fill that spot is why we're giving him a look.

[chalms04]

via @nhlflames

What a beaut.

[getbak]

Looks like he found someone to give him a haircut:...

Blake Heynen ‏@BlakeHeynen 14m
#Flames receptionist @stephimar47 ready to FedEx @NHLFlames Ben Hanowski's hair to @LocksLove. #NHL #charity #thxben pic.twitter.com/QaHML1HZY2

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

There is room next season for a big physical RW on this team. Whether Hanowski can fill that spot is why we're giving him a look.

that is exactly right.

I couldn't believe that Hartley played him on LW. As if his first NHL game wasn't going to be confusing enough, he doesn't play him in his primary position.

sometimes you have to wonder whether coaches are even given information on their players

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

I was most impressed with the fact that Hanowski seemed to always be in the right place at the right time. Smart guy.

On the other hand, I was least impressed that he didn't go out there and use the size he's been given. The kid's huge, but played pretty soft.

Once he gets more comfortable I'm sure he'll improve in several areas.

[dying4acup]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

that is exactly right.

I couldn't believe that Hartley played him on LW. As if his first NHL game wasn't going to be confusing enough, he doesn't play him in his primary position.

sometimes you have to wonder whether coaches are even given information on their players

Or maybe Hartley saw something in his game that made sense at LW. Or maybe his game is interchangeable. He's not exactly a skill player, he's a board player. And u know what? It worked.

I'm not attacking u, but I liked how he was used. And seeing as how power forwards are so hard to come by, I will cut this kid some slack.

I remember hearing on sports radio in Vancouver in 2000-2001 how the Canucks should get rid of bertuzzi because he can't skate, he's lazy and he would never amount to anything. A year later he was #3 in the league in scoring.

I wasn't a Hartley fan when he was hired, but I like him a lot more now.

Be patient.

[MrCallahan]

I hope he grows out his hair again, he looks like a beast with it.

Also, I think it would be a great PR thing if he managed to convince a group of players on the team to grow their hair out for the same cause, and make it a regular occurrence. The Flames would look like a mix of redneck/hockey legends/metal heads, but sensitive guys, ha!

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by dying4acup

Or maybe Hartley saw something in his game that made sense at LW. Or maybe his game is interchangeable. He's not exactly a skill player, he's a board player. And u know what? It worked.

I'm not attacking u, but I liked how he was used. And seeing as how power forwards are so hard to come by, I will cut this kid some slack.

I remember hearing on sports radio in Vancouver in 2000-2001 how the Canucks should get rid of bertuzzi because he can't skate, he's lazy and he would never amount to anything. A year later he was #3 in the league in scoring.

I wasn't a Hartley fan when he was hired, but I like him a lot more now.

Be patient.

I am extremely patient - far more so than most fans on here. And I will most definitely cut him plenty of slack. I made the comment that I doubt he plays for the Flames next year, because I think he needs - and deserves - a year in the A, not because I don't like him as a prospect. I think he has a good chance of becoming an NHLer one day - I can wait as long as it takes - and I thought he did pretty well in his tryout, considering the circumstances.

As for Hartley, I am not sure how he would have seen 'something in his game' considering the kid has never practiced with the Flames. There is virtually zero chance that Hartley had ever seen him play live (prior to the morning skate).

Also, considering the fact that the Flames have more than half a dozen LW prospects and only one or two marginal prospects on RW, and considering the fact that the kid plays RW, if it were me, I would have most definitely played him at RW. You know, since that's where he would have been more comfortable and that's where we most need him.

But whatever, I have been far more pleased with the way Hartley has handled the kids since the deadline than I was with the way he handled the team earlier.

[SuperMatt18]

Could also be that although Hanowski has played right wing in college, he is naturally a left handed shot.

For board work in the defensive zone it tends to be easier to be on your strong side so maybe they talked about it before the game, and felt for his first start it may be easier for him.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

I was most impressed with the fact that Hanowski seemed to always be in the right place at the right time. Smart guy.

On the other hand, I was least impressed that he didn't go out there and use the size he's been given. The kid's huge, but played pretty soft.

Once he gets more comfortable I'm sure he'll improve in several areas.

Might get my head bitten off for this, but kind of reminded me of Bertuzzi. Big guy who got to dirty places. Not the fastest skater, but was an opportunist and a pain in the @#@ to deal with in front of the net.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by blankall

Might get my head bitten off for this, but kind of reminded me of Bertuzzi. Big guy who got to dirty places. Not the fastest skater, but was an opportunist and a pain in the @#@ to deal with in front of the net.

Haven't seen his mitts yet. That was what kept Bertuzzi successfully

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

I was most impressed with the fact that Hanowski seemed to always be in the right place at the right time. Smart guy.

On the other hand, I was least impressed that he didn't go out there and use the size he's been given. The kid's huge, but played pretty soft.

Once he gets more comfortable I'm sure he'll improve in several areas.

When I watched him at St. Cloud St. I saw a young David Moss. I still think that's what we'll get. A big body that plays a solid but gentle game. I think the hits he makes will be more bumps and just separate the player from the puck rather than knock someone on their ass. He'll be a good complimentary player to the Flames smaller skill players.