[GT] Young Stars Flames vs. Oilers Sept 13

[old-fart]

Flames rooks should be embarrassed to lose to that clown show from Edmonton. Thanks refs. Flames clearly the more talented team.

[djsFlames]

Despite the Oilers spending 2/3 of the game on the PP, we still outshot them 26-17. If this were an evenly reffed game....

Klowe defs flashed some cash.

I wouldn't worry so much about Yakimov. He had a single goal on our least experienced tender, while our top dogs killed it with 4 points in (relatively) limited ice time. Also Granlund > Yakimov in a third line role. Let's not forget the kind of system/team those kids are coming up into... they ruin players.

[Azhouse]

The Oilers media will now have a run of articles benchmarking their team to the Flames (something they seem to like to do) telling the sheep how well they will do this season, and how awesome they are.

[Oil Stain]

Originally Posted by formulate

I really like the potential of Kanzig and Smith. Both clearly have some things to work on (as do all players their age), but their assertiveness I believe will be a great asset going forward. Breen's propensity to be tentative on the ice is what I believe has held him back.

Both will hopefully learn where the line is in terms of physicality, and become great assets going forward. Smith especially with his offensive skill could become a great prospect.

The amount of penalties in what equates to be a preseason allstar-type game irked me.

They both look pretty bad out there IMO.

I can't really see either of them making it in roles other then 7th defender/13th forward enforcers.

It's kind of ironic that one fan base is simultaneously drooling over one prospect who has to overcome a size issue and two prospects that aren't special in any way except for size.

I'd put my money on the former. If Kanzig and Smith were average sized would there be any talk about them at all? I think that answers where their actual hockey skills are at.

[flylock shox]

Another fun night in ptown. Not too much to write home about for the Flames, but Gaudreau - Bennett is a combo that could be devastating for the Flames down the line. So much speed and a great match style-wise.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

They both look pretty bad out there IMO.

I can't really see either of them making it in roles other then 7th defender/13th forward enforcers.

It's kind of ironic that one fan base is simultaneously drooling over one prospect who has to overcome a size issue and two prospects that aren't special in any way except for size.

I'd put my money on the former. If Kanzig and Smith were average sized would there be any talk about them at all? I think that answers where their actual hockey skills are at.

Aside from disagreeing as to how Kanzig and Smith looked (and I thought Yakimov was actually good too - not as slow as everyone was saying), this is one of those arguments that I simply think makes zero sense.

What if Gaudreau was 7ft tall? Would anyone be talking about him? Probably not - he would not be the same type of player, and maybe he would just have developed into some goon. If Kanzig and Smith were shorter and smaller, maybe they would be part of the next crop of superstars?

Never make the argument of "If they were smaller, would anyone be talking about them?". That changes the player completely in ever way, from the big goons to the tiny scorers. Would St. Louis necessarily be a better player if he was 6'2", 220lbs? Impossible to say, but it wouldn't be the St. Louis we know for sure, right? We are high (at least some of us are) on Kanzig and Smith because they ARE huge AND look to have higher ceilings than what you just stated.

[combustiblefuel]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

No, sticking your tongue out like that taunting the other player is not cool. I wouldn't be happy if Gaudreau or Bennett did that after they scored either.

Translation = "Hey , you kids get off my lawn"

[Dion]

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

They both look pretty bad out there IMO.

I can't really see either of them making it in roles other then 7th defender/13th forward enforcers.

It's kind of ironic that one fan base is simultaneously drooling over one prospect who has to overcome a size issue and two prospects that aren't special in any way except for size.

I'd put my money on the former. If Kanzig and Smith were average sized would there be any talk about them at all? I think that answers where their actual hockey skills are at.

I never agree with a grease fan. But here I may. I've been watching Kanzig for two years now and all I see is a very large angry oaf. He's often in bad position trying to make a hit, he's slow as hell (still have posters on here saying he isn't, but he literally loses every race to a puck) and he has no offence. Outside of being an angry giant sloth, what does he do? If he makes the show he's a slower, worse defending Hal Gill

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

If he makes the show he's a slower, worse defending Hal Gill

Hal Gill was a serviceable defensive defensman in his best years... but he most certainly wasn't at 19 years old.

The problem isn't with the player, it's with your (or those who are of similar thought) expectations.

I don't think anyone's projecting Kanzig to be a top pairing d-man. If he turned into a big, mean bottom pairing guy (with the size he has) he'd be a formidable player. Everyone knows it takes defensemen considerably longer to put their game together. It's way, way too soon to be making these kinds of judgements.

Oil Stain is doing what he does best. Displacing his insecurities about his own team by trying to take digs at Calgary. I haven't seen "drooling" over Smith or Kanzig. People are enamored with their size, because having serviceable players with size and grit is part of building a successful team in this day and age. What's ironic is someone who cheers for a team full of smurfs not recognizing that.

[Caged Great]

If they hit their potential, both Smith and Kanzig are bottom of the lineup guys. Brian Boyle is pretty much Smith's upside. A big guy that can chip in a bit of offense, but can also hit and agitate. As we all saw tonight, he can definitely do the latter part with gusto.

The fact is that not everyone needs to become a star player. If they can become good role players, that is what helps make a team win. Lack of quality depth is a big reason why Edmonton has had so much difficulty recently. The Flames have plenty of flashy skill guys that figure to be top 9 forwards down the road, but you need to balance that with some jam as well. If you look at all the recent cup winners, they had a lot of skill but also some feisty pests to go with them.

I wouldn't sweat how good/bad anyone is especially at tournaments like this. A lot of these players are trying to make an impression to turn heads. That's part of the reason why there was a lot of undisciplined play tonight. Remember when Macintyre (I think it was him) crushed Greentree all those years ago, things like that happen at tourneys like this.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by getbak

Even if he gets shut out on Monday, this will be yet another tournament where Gaudreau is at least a point per game.


I hope the Flames music crew are getting ready to play Johnny Be Goode a lot this season.

Pat Steinberg ‏@Fan960Steinberg 5h
Sounds like Gaudreau won't play the 3rd game on Monday. Huska more undecided on Bennett against Vancouver. No word on goalie. #Flames

So that sucks. at least his goal per game streak lives.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

I agree with Caged Great's assessment, but Smith is already a lot feistier than Boyle has ever been, so he could be a wrecking ball on the ice if he can fill out his frame, get a little more strength in his legs, and work on his agility. Assuming he can think the game at the pro level (not sure he can yet), he can be a very tantalizing player, but likely not top 6.

I see why people get excited about Kanzig, and I also see why he has his detractors. I don't know if he'll ever be a much better skater, but as long as he anticipates the play well (which comes from experience and coaching) he can be a very effective giant of a defenseman. It took Chara a long time to figure out how to play the game at a high level and use his frame appropriately (not saying Kanzig will ever be Chara BTW).

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Also, anyone have a highlight package? I fell asleep halfway through the 2nd period because of the horrible refereeing.

[Finger Cookin]

Originally Posted by cali flames fan

also, anyone have a highlight package? I fell asleep halfway through the 2nd period because of the horrible refereeing.

[savardandjokinen]

Can we see a box score? I want to see the penalty minutes because the amount we took was crazy

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Pat Steinberg ‏@Fan960Steinberg 5h
Sounds like Gaudreau won't play the 3rd game on Monday. Huska more undecided on Bennett against Vancouver. No word on goalie. #Flames

So that sucks. at least his goal per game streak lives.

They don't need to see more of JG, they know he is ready.

[greentree]

"Last year was such a debacle from start to finish in so many ways," Oilers general manager Craig MacTavish explained to TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie.

Haha

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=461738

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by old-fart

Flames rooks should be embarrassed to lose to that clown show from Edmonton. Thanks refs. Flames clearly the more talented team.

They played with much more dominance despite not really adhering to a true 'system' and without a real day of practice. The Oilers should be embarassed that they spent most of the game with the man advantage, got outshot anyway, and win by one goal.

I don't think we had the PK system as described in the Backlund article in place. Gave away zone entry far too readily, and the low forward was far too high - they should've been lining up 3 across the blue line while the high forward skating back cuts down the options along one wing.

Two of those PP goals (the first one where buddy just walks right in while the forward is too far back, and the 2nd on the 5 on 3 where the one timer wasn't covered whatsoever) came from the d-man either not cutting the shooting lane off, or the PK forward not taking away the cross-ice option.

Look at where Byron is perched in this gif. We park someone there, and the cross ice option becomes way harder especially if we're strong along the boards.

[Finger Cookin]

Originally Posted by savardandjokinen

Can we see a box score? I want to see the penalty minutes because the amount we took was crazy

http://flames.nhl.com/club/news.htm?...id=DL|CGY|home