[Game Takes] Game Takes: Flames 5 Arizona 3

[MrMastodonFarm]

Yeah, Hillier is the one that stood out to me. Engelland is a nothing move, we needed to get up to the cap and he's just depth. Bollig is the only move I really don't like at this point. Treliving is a smart guy, but he also has Brian Burke with him. Having access to Burke's decades of knowledge and his years of contacts can't be understated IMO.

Obviously too early to tell either way but as long as they continue to draft and develop, and keep that as their focus, Brad Treliving should succeed.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by H2SO4(aq)

I would be hesitant to send Sven down when healthy bodies get back simply because you can see he's heating up and id like to see if he can get some confidence back and get going.

Disagree. If Baertschi can have some success for a few games at the NHL level (keep last night's play going), that would help his confidence a lot. Then, if it's a situation of too many bodies, that's an easy conversation to have with him: "Sven, you're moving in the right direction and getting better and better as a player. We need you to go back to Adi for a while due to numbers. You'll get plenty of ice-time - just keep doing what you're doing. If you do, the NHL is just a matter of time"

As for Granlund, am I the only one that thinks he hasn't looked good for the past couple of games? And I am still not convinced that he has the speed to be an effective C in this league. I wouldn't be upset if he was sent back when Colborne and Raymond get healthy.

[868904]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

I'm not so confident yet. He didn't draft any of those guys. Some of his roster moves so far are my two least favourite ones: Engelland and Bollig. Raymond was good, but I can't think of much else that I like so far off the top of my head

The non-fighting crowd hates the Engelland and Bollig acquisitions, but these guys are important to the team. It helps the young kids knowing that you have a guy like that on the ice to back you up.

Yes they aren't really good players (I think Engelland has been better than I thought), but their contributions are not only measured in points.

In Vancouver, the Sedins play their game knowing that guys like Bieksa, Kassian, and Dorset are there to fight their battles for them when push comes to shove. The Flames don't have guys like that yet. The idea is to develop those guys like Ferland, Carroll, Smith, Kanzig. But until those kids are ready, Flames have to rely on less skilled players like Engelland, Bollig, and McGrattan.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

How about Brodie's preseason extension?
Bennett?
Hiller?

Can't really give him Bennett. That was one you can't screw up. Hiller was great, forgot about that. The Brodie signing too is one that any GM would've done except KLowe who would've tried to play hardball

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

I'm not so confident yet. He didn't draft any of those guys. Some of his roster moves so far are my two least favourite ones: Engelland and Bollig. Raymond was good, but I can't think of much else that I like so far off the top of my head

As others have mentioned, Hiller was a great signing. Brodie's extension was a phenomenal move. Raymond was pretty much signed to at least make up some loss of Cammy's offense, but Raymond has played really well with the Flames thus far. We've just been unlucky to not see more out of him since he is injured. Sure, Engelland is overpaid, but Treliving only signed him for 3 years. He even gave his reasoning on why we need someone like Engelland the day he was inked. He was aware of the overpayment, but he knew Engelland would help as a solid 5/6 guy. Thus far this season, I like Engelland. He's much better than Butler. Lastly, Treliving hasn't given up on Baertschi either. I think Sven would have been traded by now if Burke was still GM. Other players could have been called up, but Treliving wanted Baertschi. He still sees something in Sven, and I think we all saw the good Sven when he is 100%.

[Stay Golden]

Was at the game lastnight, noticed the crowd was even quieter than its usual mummer. 3 guys behind us talked Cenovous business constantly all game.
Thought the game was really entertaining nice hits, fight and plenty of goals. Crowd should of been more into it.
Hiller was shaky but good enough. Sven's best game since called up by far.
Gio and Brodie are worth all the praise they have been getting.
Jones has picked his game up and has earned the ice time he is getting and even Glencross is making fewer mistakes.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Stay Golden

Was at the game lastnight, noticed the crowd was even quieter than its usual mummer. 3 guys behind us talked Cenovous business constantly all game.
Thought the game was really entertaining nice hits, fight and plenty of goals. Crowd should of been more into it.
Hiller was shaky but good enough. Sven's best game since called up by far.
Gio and Brodie are worth all the praise they have been getting.
Jones has picked his game up and has earned the ice time he is getting and even Glencross is making fewer mistakes.

I think Monahan, without getting a lot of notice, was the best player on the team, give or take a Gio.

[Stay Golden]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I think Monahan, without getting a lot of notice, was the best player on the team, give or take a Gio.

Monahan without question was the best forward no doubt it. I am constantly impressed with the kids poise.
Especially when Gio or Brodie venture down low or go on the rush, Monahan is the first to immediately move back to the point.
The kid is gold!

[GioforPM]

nm

[Bandwagon In Flames]

It's impressive how many goals Monahan can score within a foot of the crease. He has a great ability to fight for his space and free his stick the second someone throws the puck on net. With his added weight he seems even harder to push around then last year. Could he score 30?

[Mike F]

Setoguchi has been largely ineffective, though its more difficult to judge given his lesser responsibility role. Has he been bad? Or has he just been a typical 4th line guy that doesn’t get a whole lot done? Interesting debate.

Did you mean Bollig here instead of Setoguchi? Because Setoguchi has been consistently given middle 6 time, including powerplays, and has always had the expectation/hope that he'd be more than a 4th line guy.

[Clever_Iggy]

Originally Posted by FlameZilla

Sven's best game in the last 2 seasons.

I was actually going to post that this was his best game as a Flame. All over the ice and really working hard the entire time. I really hope this is the corner we've all been waiting for him to turn.

His next game will be huge to follow up on this one and with the healthy bodies coming back.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Bandwagon In Flames

It's impressive how many goals Monahan can score within a foot of the crease. He has a great ability to fight for his space and free his stick the second someone throws the puck on net. With his added weight he seems even harder to push around then last year. Could he score 30?

Currently on pace for 32G 23A 55P

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Currently on pace for 32G 23A 55P

And his first few, when he didn't score, he was sick. He looks like a completely different player.

Plus he's playing against the top lines. When Backlund gets back, that might free up Monahan to score even more.

[ForeverFlameFan]

With how well Monahan is playing, do you keep him as the #1C and give Backlund a few games as the 2C/3C until he is back to taking that role? Or do you roll with Sean as the #1?

[GioforPM]

I think you get to be flexible about who each guy matches up against.

[Badgers Nose]

This team reminds me of the 2007-8 Blackhawks, right about the time they stopped sucking. I love the direction Flames are headed in.

It would be so sweet for Flames to eliminate the Hawks in the first round this year or next year.

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

With how well Monahan is playing, do you keep him as the #1C and give Backlund a few games as the 2C/3C until he is back to taking that role? Or do you roll with Sean as the #1?

Assuming all is well with Sean's game as the 1C, I'd give Backs a few games with softer minutes upon his return to get him back into the swing of things.

[dying4acup]

When Backlund and Colborne are healthy, you could ACTUALLY roll 4 lines, home and away, and make other coaches adjust to you. It's a luxury that only good teams like Pittsburgh, Boston, Chicago, LA and St. Louis are afforded.