[News] Matt Stajan activated from IR; Corban Knight assigned to Adirondack

[Imported_Aussie]

Bring Stajan in and sit Granlund for a game, then bring Granlund back in and see how he responds.
4th line for tough/big teams use Bollig, but otherwise, he sits with McGrattan after that

[flamesfan55]

Originally Posted by Imported_Aussie

Bring Stajan in and sit Granlund for a game, then bring Granlund back in and see how he responds.
4th line for tough/big teams use Bollig, but otherwise, he sits with McGrattan after that

What good is it to sit Granlund. He has done everything he needs to do to stay in the lineup. I would think sitting him doesn't really send a message at all.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by 442scotty

Stajan: Very curious to see what happens with him. Do the Flames keep Monahan in the role of playing against other teams top lines, or does Stajan take over that role to improve Monahan's match-ups?

I keep Monahan there.... he keeps getting better, IMO most impressive forward on this team

[BACKCHECK!!!]

Originally Posted by JJ1532

5 weeks yesterday(28th Oct) was when his injury occurred, so pretty much bang on with with what the return estimates were. Good to see his injury and time of return were pretty much aligned. Not so much with the injuries to Raymond and Colborne, the latter being a bigger concern by the day.

Yeah, I'm worried that Colborne's injury could be career-limiting one.

He's already injured that wrist several times, he's had operations on it, and it's already significantly impacted his career and development. Now he looks to be missing another lengthy chuck of time with the same injury yet again. That's a really bad sign.

It's one thing to have a series of unrelated injuries, from which one is expected to fully recover.

But it's a completely different kettle of fish to have the same injury several times, and to re-injure it after surgery.

[Where ru Chris O'Sullivan]

These returning "vets" (outside of Raymond) are going to hurt the current chemistry.

Can't wait to see Jooris and Granlund on line 4, so we can watch more of the old guard.

[foshizzle11]

Originally Posted by Where ru Chris O'Sullivan

These returning "vets" (outside of Raymond) are going to hurt the current chemistry.



Can't wait to see Jooris and Granlund on line 4, so we can watch more of the old guard.

I disagree completely. The way this group is being handled by the coaching staff is great and the atmosphere is fantastic, no way these guys coming back hurts our chemistry or chances at winning.

[hamburgler]

from twitter, sounds like it's Mason Raymond that is getting activated...are they both coming off IR?

[flambers]

Originally Posted by Where ru Chris O'Sullivan

These returning "vets" (outside of Raymond) are going to hurt the current chemistry.

.

Stajan will really help with the face off's (rank 29th in the league) and short handed situations (rank 26th in the league).

[PeteMoss]

The Stajan coming off IR seems like speculation from the reporter, not a fact. I would guess its Raymond coming off IR based on the practice lines (from the other thread).

EDIT: And I'm wrong

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by flambers

Stajan will really help with the face off's (rank 29th in the league) and short handed situations (rank 26th in the league).

Stajan isn't great in face-offs.... although he would be better than Granlund or Bouma who can't win draws to save their lives.

[Savvy27]

My only concern with the fourth line is that Bollig is (almost) always on it. A fourth line of Ferland-Granlund-Byron isn't bad at all and I'm sure they'll get rewarded with more icetime if they are playing well.

As much as I like Granlund, I think Backlund's return will mark the end of his current stay with the team. Backlund is too good of a player to keep behind both Jooris and Granlund, so one of them will have to go (assuming all of the centers get healthy at the same time). Even then, I don't think it would be such a bad thing for him to return to the AHL to be their star center. Follow the Detroit model and hope that, like Nyquist, Granlund will return as a bona fide top 6 C.

He's really struggling at the moment with 0 points in the last 5 games, -4, 8 shots and a sub 30% face-off rate.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

Stajan isn't great in face-offs.... although he would be better than Granlund or Bouma who can't win draws to save their lives.

Stajan is decent at faceoffs. He's 50% on the season, and typically is around 47% every other year. Much better option than either Granlund or Bouma.

[Where ru Chris O'Sullivan]

Originally Posted by flambers

Stajan will really help with the face off's (rank 29th in the league) and short handed situations (rank 26th in the league).

That, yes. But what is the true cost of his 15mins TOI? Anyone (including Francis/Snet panel) that says these guys returning is great, has to remember it means 2-3 people that are producing, will be taking a seat in the pressbox.

That's not a terrible thing when players aren't winning or contributing, but in this situation (no longer a small sample) it's wrongly disruptive.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by Savvy27

My only concern with the fourth line is that Bollig is (almost) always on it. A fourth line of Ferland-Granlund-Byron isn't bad at all and I'm sure they'll get rewarded with more icetime if they are playing well.

As much as I like Granlund, I think Backlund's return will mark the end of his current stay with the team. Backlund is too good of a player to keep behind both Jooris and Granlund, so one of them will have to go (assuming all of the centers get healthy at the same time). Even then, I don't think it would be such a bad thing for him to return to the AHL to be their star center. Follow the Detroit model and hope that, like Nyquist, Granlund will return as a bona fide top 6 C.

He's really struggling at the moment with 0 points in the last 5 games, -4, 8 shots and a sub 30% face-off rate.

No problem if Granlund goes down for 1-2 weeks.... it won't be long before another injury, and if Granlund plays well, he'll be back.

[GioforPM]

Granlund had a couple excellent faceoff games, but as a rookie, he's bound to not be very proficient.

I agree that Bollig is the problem with 4th line makeup. He really doesn't provide much of what this team needs, and is a defensive nightmare. He goes in to the o-zone, tries to make a hit, never comes up with the puck, and then has to hoof it slowly on the backcheck. He hasn't fought much, and doesn't scare anyone it seems.

I'd much rather see a 4th line that can contribute. Scoring, checking, energy - whatever.

[Savvy27]

I don't think Stajan or Backlund should be very disruptive. I'll admit that there is a risk that the current line up's chemistry is the explanation for their success, but these guys are players who exhibit the qualities that the coaches are pushing.

I actually think the Raymond is the biggest risk as far as style of play goes, but since he will be replacing Baertschi, it's more likely to be an upgrade.

[Where ru Chris O'Sullivan]

Especially with Backs and Stajan, they are part of the old guard, old way of thinking (thanks Brent). Subconsciously, they will sacrifice offensive opportunities, to ensure they prevent the other team from scoring.

This doesn't even quantify their talent in offensive production, which I also think is sub-standard.

So, it's not only less time for guys like Jooris, it's a return to the mindset of "worry what they are doing" vs. "focus on out scoring the opponent". This mindset is why we're setting land/Speed records in 3rd period scoring.

I don't want our kids adjusting their game to be more like them, to crack the lineup.

[Imported_Aussie]

Originally Posted by flamesfan55

What good is it to sit Granlund. He has done everything he needs to do to stay in the lineup. I would think sitting him doesn't really send a message at all.

Sitting him for a game or two won't hurt him. In fact, watching the game from the pressbox, seeing what he should work on in training to get better - that might just help reignite his play.

Sitting Gaudreau for a game was a horrible decision that stalled his development, right?

[northcrunk]

I can see Stajan having a hard time once he is back. The kids have done too much and he might find himself traded if he can't keep up with the pace. Raymond I think would slot in better to this line-up than Stajan.

[Where ru Chris O'Sullivan]

Problem is, the math of 4 guys returning (eventually) won't mean a night of study in the pressbox. It's going to require someone(s) heading down and others becoming regular fixtures in suits.

Then again it's winter, maybe Jones will slip on his way in.