Flames 2014 Training camp - rookies report Sept 11, main camp opens Sept 18

[getbak]

It looks like Monahan has bulked up.

[codynw]

Monahan seems like such an awkward person. Him trying to lift the bucket was a little sad, haha.

[combustiblefuel]

####.... According to Ken King , I and the rest of the fans have been mixing up those two boys names .Based on how he pointed to them when calling their names.

[SHOGUN]

Originally Posted by codynw

Monahan seems like such an awkward person. Him trying to lift the bucket was a little sad, haha.

I think he was trying his best not to accidentally drop the bucket on Ken King's head.. lol!

[SuperMatt18]

In other training camp related news:

Randy Sportak @SUNRandySportak · 34m Spoke to Sven Baertschi today. #Flames prospect says he's up to 192 lbs. Was around 183 a year ago.


9 lbs over the summer is pretty good, hopefully it shows in his strength.

[steveo]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

In other training camp related news:

Randy Sportak @SUNRandySportak · 34m Spoke to Sven Baertschi today. #Flames prospect says he's up to 192 lbs. Was around 183 a year ago.


9 lbs over the summer is pretty good, hopefully it shows in his strength.

When you watch the videos of him during the pride parade and working at DQ he looks noticeably bigger than last year. Good on him, I'm hoping Sven shows big progress and sticks in the NHL!

[getbak]

10-12 extra pounds for Monahan: http://www.calgaryherald.com/sports/...373/story.html

The two tattoos — one on the inside of his right wrist (his dad, mom, and sister’s birthdates in Roman numerals) and a family inspired design on his right bicep (done by Brian McGrattan’s tattoo artist) — those are new.

The extra 10 to 12 pounds of bulk added to his six-foot-two frame, that’s also different.

The haircut, sure, that’s new, too.

But appearances aside, No. 23 is still No. 23.

[FBI]

We better not ever tried Mcgrattan simply just to keep Monahan happy lol

[Murph]

I pity the poor soul who takes the first swipe/run at Monahan. McGratton is going to destroy them.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by -TC-

You know what I liked best about that reel [McDavid highlights]?

The lack of selfishness...that kid is just as happy to dish as he is to finish...

Looking at the Flames depth, if I had to choose between McDavid and Jack Eichel, I might just chose Eichel. Right handed shot that could shift to that wing slot. Probably sounds weird to say that, but the more I see Eichel the more I think these two guys are a toss up. At that point I would start thinking about biggest needs long term.

[Da_Chief]

Both McDavid and Eichel are natural centers, and have the highest potential then any of our centers or prospects. You leave then as is and move other guys around them.

Bennett-Eichel/McDavid-?
Gaudreau-Monahan

Could be an option. I hope we get McDavid.

[savardandjokinen]

Originally Posted by Da_Chief

Both McDavid and Eichel are natural centers, and have the highest potential then any of our centers or prospects. You leave then as is and move other guys around them.

Bennett-Eichel/McDavid-?
Gaudreau-Monahan

Could be an option. I hope we get McDavid.

Add baertschi and poirier and you have an amazing top 6 with granlund and klimchuk as other options

[Muta]

Hopefully this weather doesn't make Johnny Hockey want to finish out his contract and leave ASAP.

[BACKCHECK!!!]

Originally Posted by savardandjokinen

Add baertschi and poirier and you have an amazing top 6 with granlund and klimchuk as other options

That is a very small top-6.

Too small to be a real contender, IMO. I don't see there being room for both Sven and Johnny on a team that wants to win the cup, unless we can add some real bruisers to the top-6. Guys in the Getzlaf, Kopitar, Lucic category.

Monahan and Bennett are big enough to take care of themselves, but are not going to turn the tide. In a real bloodbath playoff series against a big team, ^that^ top-6 is going to be "catching" rather than "pitching".

I think it was Burke who said that if you want to win the cup, you'll need the skill to beat a skilled team, the speed to beat a fast time, and the physicality to beat a physical team, because you'll usually have to do exactly that to win the cup.

I don't think the prospects currently in the system will have the size and/or physicality when they mature to take it to a team like LA or Boston in a 7 game series. Trades will have to be made.

Just my take.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by BACKCHECK!!!

That is a very small top-6.

Too small to be a real contender, IMO. I don't see there being room for both Sven and Johnny on a team that wants to win the cup, unless we can add some real bruisers to the top-6. Guys in the Getzlaf, Kopitar, Lucic category.

Monahan and Bennett are big enough to take care of themselves, but are not going to turn the tide. In a real bloodbath playoff series against a big team, ^that^ top-6 is going to be "catching" rather than "pitching".

I think it was Burke who said that if you want to win the cup, you'll need the skill to beat a skilled team, the speed to beat a fast time, and the physicality to beat a physical team, because you'll usually have to do exactly that to win the cup.

I don't think the prospects currently in the system will have the size and/or physicality when they mature to take it to a team like LA or Boston in a 7 game series. Trades will have to be made.

Just my take.

As long as they're not a really small team they should be fine. Even the Blackhawks aren't a huge team. The biggest player in their top 6 is Hossa at 6'2, 210 pounds. A top 6 that had Monahan, Bennett and Poirier would be acceptable. Not huge, but also not small enough that they would get pushed around.

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by Muta

Hopefully this weather doesn't make Johnny Hockey want to finish out his contract and leave ASAP.

"Hi mom, hi dad. Hockey weather starts about 2 months early in Calgary, it's pretty awesome."

[RyZ]

Originally Posted by codynw

As long as they're not a really small team they should be fine. Even the Blackhawks aren't a huge team. The biggest player in their top 6 is Hossa at 6'2, 210 pounds. A top 6 that had Monahan, Bennett and Poirier would be acceptable. Not huge, but also not small enough that they would get pushed around.

Agreed. Guys like Bergeron, Krejci, Marchand, Kunitz, Crosby, Kane, Toews, etc are all average sized guys that do very well in the playoffs.

Plenty of non LA Kings built type teams have done very well in the playoffs and won cups in the last handful of seasons.

And Johnny is the only really small guy. Sven is averageish size. Hes certainly not a Gaudreau, Gionta, Gerbe type smurf.

[Muta]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

"Hi mom, hi dad. Hockey weather starts about 2 months early in Calgary, it's pretty awesome."

I don't think that's quite how it would go.

[Zevo]

Originally Posted by RyZ

Agreed. Guys like Bergeron, Krejci, Marchand, Kunitz, Crosby, Kane, Toews, etc are all average sized guys that do very well in the playoffs.

Plenty of non LA Kings built type teams have done very well in the playoffs and won cups in the last handful of seasons.

And Johnny is the only really small guy. Sven is averageish size. Hes certainly not a Gaudreau, Gionta, Gerbe type smurf.

While I don't think a team HAS to be big, it certainly helps if you play 3 or 4 long series in the playoffs. Especially in the west.

And Baerstchi is small. Last year the average player in the NHL was over 6'1" and 203 pounds.

[Freeway]

I'd rather Calgary get Noah Hanifin than Eichel or McDavid, because I think defensive depth is the team's biggest single issue going forward.