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

[flamesfan55]

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

Kind of a pointless remark seeing as though he came out of the gates slow. He only had something like 3 shots and 0 points in the first 7 games. Granlund isn't in a slump at all. He has quietly put up 9 points in 15 games and plays his role very well. To me sitting him sends the wrong message when you have guys like Bollig that can be easily replaced instead.

[Imported_Aussie]

Originally Posted by flamesfan55

Kind of a pointless remark seeing as though he came out of the gates slow. He only had something like 3 shots and 0 points in the first 7 games. Granlund isn't in a slump at all. He has quietly put up 9 points in 15 games and plays his role very well. To me sitting him sends the wrong message when you have guys like Bollig that can be easily replaced instead.

Pointless in 5 games, -4 over that span, faceoffs exceptionally low. I think a sit down to watch isn't a bad idea.

You are sitting him with the intent of observing and learning, not as a punitive measure. This is not saying that Bollig/McGrattan is better.

[GioforPM]

The benefit of sitting to observe and learn depends on what the issue is. Positioning and strategy? Sure - that's what Johnny saw. Faceoffs? Don't think so. Video would be better there.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by 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.

It's not that your opinion on being worried about chemistry is a bad point, it's not. But you package your arguments and thoughts up in such ridiculous fashion it's hard not to disagree with everything you say.

Backlund and Stajan part of the "old gard", the old way of thinking? Backlund is a youngish player still, who had his best season last year in the "new" way of thinking. Stajan and Brent's troubles were very well documented, not exactly a player that is left over still trying to do things the way they were done in the Brent Sutter era.

[Finger Cookin]

I have complete confidence in whatever line combinations Hartley decides to use as players return, as well as in his choices of who to dress and who to scratch. I also have complete confidence in Treliving's ability to determine which players to send down or move.

They've earned it so far.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

There are all these fantastical arguments about how the team is going to suffer for having more veterans on it, which I find problematic on a surface level, but more to the point, it won't matter in the long term. Treliving has stuck to his guns in icing a team of players that give their all. Even with the Setoguchi situation, nobody could argue that his work ethic wasn't there, it's just that he wasn't playing particularly well despite doing all that was asked of him.

There is zero reason to believe that Treliving won't ice the best team he can on a regular basis. If Stajan comes back and somehow plays so badly that a rookie looks markedly better than him, then Stajan will be given a different role in the organization, and failing that working out, will be traded or bought out. I don't see that happening though, because despite his warts, Stajan has always been a dependable jack of all trades kind of player that can play nearly anywhere in the lineup. Oh, and it's no coincidence that our PK has suffered without him.

And I should say that you know Treliving and Co. are going to happily send players back to the AHL since he's stated several times that he doesn't believe you can spend too much time there. But you also know he's not so stupid as to hold a really good player back if they've proven they belong on a full time basis. Outside of Jooris, I'm not convinced that any of them are full timers as of today. Very soon, maybe, and they've done well in their call ups, but they aren't stealing spots of anyone just yet and that's fine. It's a good problem to have.

Oh, and one last thing, I really wish people would stop wishing for David Jones to get injured again. It's classless, and he's done nothing but play his best for this team and its fans. He deserves just a little more good will than he gets.

[flamesfan55]

Originally Posted by Imported_Aussie

Pointless in 5 games, -4 over that span, faceoffs exceptionally low. I think a sit down to watch isn't a bad idea.

You are sitting him with the intent of observing and learning, not as a punitive measure. This is not saying that Bollig/McGrattan is better.

So you would sit a player to watch faceoffs.

[JJ1532]

Originally Posted by flamesfan55

So you would sit a player to watch faceoffs.

Ignoring the other things he highlighted? i.e. being on the ice when goals are going in, being without a point through his last 5 games. That's an issue, not a massive one, but one that might be solved by sitting him a game.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

There are all these fantastical arguments about how the team is going to suffer for having more veterans on it, which I find problematic on a surface level, but more to the point, it won't matter in the long term. Treliving has stuck to his guns in icing a team of players that give their all. Even with the Setoguchi situation, nobody could argue that his work ethic wasn't there, it's just that he wasn't playing particularly well despite doing all that was asked of him.

There is zero reason to believe that Treliving won't ice the best team he can on a regular basis. If Stajan comes back and somehow plays so badly that a rookie looks markedly better than him, then Stajan will be given a different role in the organization, and failing that working out, will be traded or bought out. I don't see that happening though, because despite his warts, Stajan has always been a dependable jack of all trades kind of player that can play nearly anywhere in the lineup. Oh, and it's no coincidence that our PK has suffered without him.

And I should say that you know Treliving and Co. are going to happily send players back to the AHL since he's stated several times that he doesn't believe you can spend too much time there. But you also know he's not so stupid as to hold a really good player back if they've proven they belong on a full time basis. Outside of Jooris, I'm not convinced that any of them are full timers as of today. Very soon, maybe, and they've done well in their call ups, but they aren't stealing spots of anyone just yet and that's fine. It's a good problem to have.

Oh, and one last thing, I really wish people would stop wishing for David Jones to get injured again. It's classless, and he's done nothing but play his best for this team and its fans. He deserves just a little more good will than he gets.

This. This so much.

It is AWESOME to see the kids competing and doing well, but what is wrong with competition? It will keep everyone competing hard. I am also so tired of hearing the "Hope Jones gets injured again" garbage - guy is playing his best consistent hockey in a Flames uniform. I hope he plays lights out the rest of the year. Injuries are going to happen (and have been happening), but the guys who went out were part of the solution before they got hurt, not part of the 'problem'. I also think that NOBODY deserves to lose their job for being out with an injury. You earned the right to come back and have a spot open for you and a bit of time to once again keep earning your ice time. After that, then if there is indeed competition then that is when the GM steps in and makes a permanent roster move.

The ONLY disagreement with Cali's post here is in bold - though it is a slight disagreement. I do think that the PK misses Stajan. I just think the PK misses Backlund even more

[ricardodw]

Will it be a huge surprise that Baertschi gets sent down when Raymond rolls back into the line-up?

3 soft players allowed. Gaudreau Hudler and only one other currently Baertschi

[AcGold]

I'm thinking Stajan is going to have a tough time cracking the line up especially when Backlund is back. Stajan is going to be the toughest contract to manage, his numbers were pretty bad in the time he did play and there may be 4 better centres by the time Backlund and Colborne return. And then there will be Sam Bennett eventually, Stajan's days would be numbered if not for the awful contract. 3 more seasons? That's not going to work very well at all, there has to be a team with no centre depth at all dying for an experienced guy.

[Finger Cookin]

Stajan's contract isn't awful, it's completely ordinary. And he'll have no trouble making the lineup. Jooris and Colborne will be better off helping our depth on the wings.

[AcGold]

Jooris, Monahan, Backlund, Bennett, Granlund, Bouma. In no time he'll be lower on the depth charts than all of them, not to mention Colborne as well. 2 points in 11 games is a worse pace than every other centre on the team.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

Will it be a huge surprise that Baertschi gets sent down when Raymond rolls back into the line-up?

3 soft players allowed. Gaudreau Hudler and only one other currently Baertschi

Whoever is playing the best hockey makes the roster, not on how soft they are.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by AcGold

Jooris, Monahan, Backlund, Bennett, Granlund, Bouma. In no time he'll be lower on the depth charts than all of them, not to mention Colborne as well. 2 points in 11 games is a worse pace than every other centre on the team.

Jooris can play RW, Granlund will most likely be sent back down when Backlund returns, Bouma is a better winger than center, and Bennett hasn't even made the team yet. The only one in the names that you mentioned that is ahead of Stajan is Monahan.

[DJones]

Weird how some of you seem to have forgotten what they bring.

Backlund is easily our #2 center. In some aspects still above Monahan.

Colbourne and Raymond were the most productive players we had going down. Probably just itching to get back and prove they belong.

If Stajan is willing to be a 3-4th line center and PK specialist and be happy about it that is a clear upgrade over Bouma or Bollig.

Raymond is an upgrade over Sven, Colbourne is an upgrade on Ferland, Stajan and Backlund are uprades over Granlund and Bollig. If any of them aren't then Brad can make a move.

Granlund, Ferland and Byron kind of get put in a tough spot but more injuries will happen. Think it's inevitable that McGratton gets waived and I believe a trade needs to be made. Glencross, Stajan, Bollig for whoever gets the best deal in return.

[Finger Cookin]

Originally Posted by AcGold

Jooris, Monahan, Backlund, Bennett, Granlund, Bouma. In no time he'll be lower on the depth charts than all of them, not to mention Colborne as well. 2 points in 11 games is a worse pace than every other centre on the team.

Jooris, Bouma, and Colborne on the wings. Monahan, Backlund, Granlund, and Stajan at centre. Done.

[saillias]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

Whoever is playing the best hockey makes the roster, not on how soft they are.

What forgot about Westgarth? Treliving runs the same philosophy as Burke here. Bollig is on the roster for the same reason, and Engelland to a lesser extent. They suck, yes, but do they get scratched for Baertschi and Wotherspoon, no.

[Vulcan]

Stajan is a nice player but doesn't excel at anything. He'd probably be a good fit in Edmonton but I couldn't wish that upon him. He also has a modified NTC
and if we do make the playoffs, he provides good depth.

I'd rather keep Jooris at centre. I think he's passed Stajan on the depth chart. He also seems to be pretty good at face offs these days, which is a team weakness.

[Itse]

Originally Posted by Finger Cookin

Stajan's contract isn't awful, it's completely ordinary.

3+ million and 4 years are both clearly top 6 numbers. In fact, most teams only have 2-3 core guys signed for more than three years at any given time. Stajan is bottom 6, ~12 minutes a night player on this team, who has so far played at a 10 point pace. We can afford that contract, sure, but the size of that contract will clearly limit our chances when we try to move him. (We might need to retain some of that salary.)

(I'm saying "when we try to move him", because something has to go badly wrong in our center development for us to need Matt Stajan for the next four seasons.)

For the record, I think it was an okay contract given what we knew at the time of the signing. At that time we were unsure whether or not we would still need top 6 minutes from him. Centers are important and good ones are hard to get, especially for a team expected to be a lottery team. Overpaying the guy we had, especially someone considered a valuable locker room presence, was IMO a wise move.

It's looking like an awful contract now, but only because our prospects have so clearly overshot expectations. That was a chance we took at the time of signing. I was okay with it then and I'm okay with it now. We could afford to play it safe.

And he'll have no trouble making the lineup. Jooris and Colborne will be better off helping our depth on the wings.

If he recovers completely, I think so too. And I hope he does. But that kind of injury at his age could effectively turn out to be career-ending. If he loses a step, he could be done.