[PGT] Oil @ Flames

[djsFlames]

Seriously though, play Gaudreau with Hudler next game. Just put Colborne between them or something. Only magical things can happen...

[flame^thrower]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

That's our new radio guy, Derek Wills.

Nice! I like what I heard there! It's great that we'll have some top quality commentating, hopefully the games will be as exciting as last season, if not more so.

[Cole436]

Originally Posted by AC

First I've heard from Derek Wills, he sounds good to me!

It was really weird not hearing "You can put it in the win column!"...

[YogiBerra]

Monahan looks a lot faster there it allowed him to generate a lot more chances; i think this will be a good year for him.

[Fire]

Hiller's mask looks odd with the Flames home jersey. A black mask would look much better. Wills is no Peter Maher but I thought he was quite good.

[stemit14]

I think gaudreau will really excel being on the ice with Brodie and giordano. I notice that in every game so far he's done a great job setting up defencemen with great passes in the offensive zone but a lot of the guys he has set up haven't capitalized. In fact, they've struggled with the puck a lot. Gio and Brodie will light it up with gaudreau on the ice with them.

Another adjustment might be to put gaudreau with guys that also drive puck possession like he does. Colborne was a good fit for that. Backlund, Monahan, hudler, and Raymond would also be good for that.

[djsFlames]

I thought Hiller's mask and pads were awesome. It makes him stand out. A black or white mask would be typical of Flames goaltenders. However his black matte in Anaheim was a thing of beauty.

On another note, I'm starting to come around to the idea that Monahan could be a 30, 40 goal center. He just seems to be on one hell of an incline at such a young age, and the way he just stacked on 15 lbs of muscle over a couple of months... then tonight (!) wow, look out.

[dying4acup]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

I thought Hiller's mask and pads were awesome. It makes him stand out. A black or white mask would be typical of Flames goaltenders. However his black matte in Anaheim was a thing of beauty.

On another note, I'm starting to come around to the idea that Monahan could be a 30, 40 goal center. He just seems to be on one hell of an incline at such a young age, and the way he just stacked on 15 lbs of muscle over a couple of months... then tonight (!) wow, look out.

This is what strikes me most. He's almost an afterthought with Gaudreau and Bennett coming in (but not quite). He just goes out and adds 15lb!

I'm expecting his goals to drop to around 15, his points to hover around 40, and his +/- to hover around -5. I'd consider that SERIOUS progress!

[AC]

In the away game broadcast, the Oilers play by play guy mentioned that David Wolf has a German film crew following him around as he tries to make the Flames roster.

I must have missed that being mentioned before. Pretty neat!

[dying4acup]

Originally Posted by AC

In the away game broadcast, the Oilers play by play guy mentioned that David Wolf has a German film crew following him around as he tries to make the Flames roster.

I must have missed that being mentioned before. Pretty neat!

Can anybody of substance confirm? You know who you are 😉.

[AcGold]

Originally Posted by dying4acup

This is what strikes me most. He's almost an afterthought with Gaudreau and Bennett coming in (but not quite). He just goes out and adds 15lb!

I'm expecting his goals to drop to around 15, his points to hover around 40, and his +/- to hover around -5. I'd consider that SERIOUS progress!

Odds are he won't get worse. If he packed on significant muscle and he's stronger on the puck and more confident the chances are actually he pretty good for him to match last years despite the common sophomore slump.

[shogged]

Originally Posted by AC

In the away game broadcast, the Oilers play by play guy mentioned that David Wolf has a German film crew following him around as he tries to make the Flames roster.

I must have missed that being mentioned before. Pretty neat!

Hope they have English subs when it comes out!

[SHOGUN]

Hartley described Monahan, Raymond and Hudler play in the second and third as "Harlem Globetrotters"

[Vulcan]

On another note, I'm starting to come around to the idea that Monahan could be a 30, 40 goal center. He just seems to be on one hell of an incline at such a young age, and the way he just stacked on 15 lbs of muscle over a couple of months... then tonight (!) wow, look out.

IIRC what I've read is that Monahan is now at 208 lbs. At the beginning of last season he was at 200 lbs. That 15 lbs. he added were probably from the weight he was at, at the end of last season. It is great to see him getting bigger and stronger and using it. Out of curiosity, I wonder if McGrattan has taught him any moves?

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by SHOGUN

Hartley described Monahan, Raymond and Hudler play in the second and third as "Harlem Globetrotters"

...followed by the remark, "and I didn't like that." He did not look or sound at all pleased when he said it.

[saillias]

Colborne was really using his size to protect the puck from Greasers.

The Oilers brought about as much intensity as my uncle does to our Friday night beer league games.

Exciting first period, became a borefest or "chess match" if you prefer after that.

[chopper89]

At the Dome...my thoughts...

-Food is still very weak. Other than a relatively short ice cream line, it was the same disappointing array of non-franchise options. Excluded from this is the Dome popcorn- it was in mid-season form!

-Hudler: Looked a bit too fancy and out of sync. Not unsurprising for game 1, but generally ineffective.

-Monahan: As already mentioned, best player on the ice. Was a beast early, skating through guys instead of around them- could be a fantastic year

Gaudreau: Exciting, looked a bit nervous, thought he really came on at the end and wanted to score one for the crowd. Not good enough to steal a spot yet- but not out of it either

Setoguchi: Meh. Was trying hard sometimes- others not-so-much. Still needs to do more to avoid being Galiardi 2.0

Engelland: Solid, BIG. Showed poise and a little bit of a mean streak. Was wearing an A and might keep it all year based on solid overall showing, I'd guess.

Brookbank: Not as solid...servicable, but nothing special. Wouldn't waste a spot

Hiller: Who knows? Hair looked good after going to bench in the 3rd...probably because he wasn't sweating

Hathaway: Never heard of him before last night, but played hard. Big hit was a bit fluky, but he got the better of it.

Raymond: Fast, pretty smart- but looked like he was warming up like a vet, not going all out like some of the kids. Better is coming.

Kulak/Culkin: Kept getting them mixed up, but they got a lot of ice it seemed. Not bad though, both showed poise- shots from the point, few mistakes.

Rest of vets were decent-good (which is probably expected in a 1-0 shutout win), Gio, Brodie, Colborne, etc. all good as mentioned by earlier posters.

Parking still sucks too.

[Galakanokis]

Had to work Dian at Rogers Arena all day yesterday so I missed all the games. Talked with a few people and they really think they made a mistake when the Canucks let Raymond walk. The thinking at the time was that he was getting stale and that Kassian/Booth would over take his role. He was/is a good cheap player that put up points and doesn't really do anything wrong to hurt you out there. They were all happy for him to land in Calgary and think he will have a good year for us.

it was a good chat, refreshing from some long time Canuck management.

[Resolute 14]

A lot of my thoughts will echo Savvy's...

Disappointing for both sides has to be the play of their #10s. I don't think Knight really made an impact last night, save for one really good shot off the bar late. Kid needs to step it up next time out. On the other side, Yakupov was clearly the most talented player the Oilers sent to Calgary, and I felt he was largely a passenger. He played like he has nothing to prove, and nothing to improve.

On the flip side of Yakupov was Monahan. He wanted to be a leading player for the Flames, and it showed. Five shots, eight shot attempts, three takeaways, dominated the faceoff dot.

Loved Gaudreau's ability to find the puck in space. Not quite sure yet if he should bypass Adirondack. Want to see him a bit more.

Setoguchi was pretty poor to start, but got better throughout. Would like to see a lot more from him.

Engelland looked fairly steady out there. Would like to see him match up against NHL-calibre opposition.

Hiller handling the puck is going to be an adventure.

[Robbob]

I think part of the Hiller and the adventures with the puck last night was due to him wanting to get engaged in the game. A shooter tutor would have had the same impact last night in net.

In regards to Yakupov, he still doesn't use his linemates. He did the classic 1 on 4 lose the puck and his patented skate around the entire zone and take a wrist shot from the middle at the blue line. Granted he was playing with garbage (Oilers definitely do not have the bodies to take part in split squad games). I also think his interference/pick was garbage. It was obvious he doesn't know how to set a pick in the defensive zone since he is so used to flying the zone.

Really excited about Monahan this season, he looks so much more comfortable with the puck. Forgot how smart he was and how the puck just seems to follow him around. All in all for a preseason split squad game it was good to just finally have some hockey. Didn't see the highlights from the game in Rexall game but disappointed there were no body bagging used.