2014-15 General Adirondack Flames Discussion Thread

[Drury18]

Corey Potter has been recalled by the Flames.

I have to find a new player to feature for tomorrow. That was next on my list. Already did the write-up.

[savardandjokinen]

I'm guessing Reid is next, then gillies when granny returns

[Drury18]

Unfortunately, it will be Vause before Gillies. Vause has the PTO and Gillies the SPC (AHL Contract).

To release Gillies, they would have to have cause. Him failing to report, breaking conduct rules, losing it on the ice. They can't just cut him because another player has outplayed him.

[shermanator]

Since Nov 1, Joni Ortio is 10-2-0 with a 1.80 GAA and a .930 SV%. Unreal!

[savardandjokinen]

Originally Posted by Drury18

Unfortunately, it will be Vause before Gillies. Vause has the PTO and Gillies the SPC (AHL Contract).

To release Gillies, they would have to have cause. Him failing to report, breaking conduct rules, losing it on the ice. They can't just cut him because another player has outplayed him.

He can go to the echl

[Fire]

Originally Posted by savardandjokinen

He can go to the echl

Not without Gillies' permission I don't think they can, but I could be wrong.

[Drury18]

Originally Posted by Fire

Not without Gillies' permission I don't think they can, but I could be wrong.

My understanding is that anyone on an AHL standard player contract can be assigned to the ECHL without permission. The only thing that could change is salary as much like NHL contracts, AHL ones can also be two way where you make one salary in the AHL and one if you are in the ECHL.

If Gillies was signed to an NHL contract and it was not an entry level contract, then he would need to give permission to be assigned to the ECHL.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Last year Lafranchise had an SPC with the Heat, but started the year in Alaska, so I believe Drury's right about the contract.

[madmike]

Originally Posted by shermanator

Since Nov 1, Joni Ortio is 10-2-0 with a 1.80 GAA and a .930 SV%. Unreal!

Yeah he had a brutal start, but he's really turned things around. Wonder if he's in the NHL plans for next year with Ramo being a UFA.

[Drury18]

While I don't want to see either Hiller or Ramo injured, I'd like to see what Ortio can do in another NHL call-up before we name him as a backup goaltender and let Ramo go.

Ortio had a solid season last year in the AHL and looking to have one this year, but his NHL showing last season was only average. He was 4-4 with a 2.51 GAA and a .891 in 9 games.

If Ortio has another solid season come trade deadline time, I wouldn't mind seeing him being called up and on the roster as a 3rd goalie and perhaps getting some games that Hiller or Ramo would to give him yet another tryout and see where he is. I think this would be the only way to give him another audition if both Ramo and Hiller stay healthy this year. Although if Ramo keeps playing fairly solid, he could be moved at the deadline and Ortio gets the call up anyway.

[thymebalm]

Originally Posted by madmike

Yeah he had a brutal start, but he's really turned things around. Wonder if he's in the NHL plans for next year with Ramo being a UFA.

The whole team had a brutal start. Young D, rookie coach, new surroundings for everyone. Ortio can get there. I really think he can. Guy is an all-star at the AHL level.

[savardandjokinen]

Originally Posted by thymebalm

The whole team had a brutal start. Young D, rookie coach, new surroundings for everyone. Ortio can get there. I really think he can. Guy is an all-star at the AHL level.

With him and gillies, our goalie future is bright. I wouldn't mind him splitting games with hiller next season.

[Drury18]

Was completely unaware that Thiessen's win on Sunday was career win 100 for him.

[Drury18]

According to the AHL Transaction page, Potter was assigned to Adirondack this morning.

[Drury18]

The Flames raised 677 bears at the Teddy Bear Toss

http://adirondackflames.com/news/?article_id=149

[Drury18]

Bit of an injury update:

Knight (broken thumb) is back practicing with the team in a team coloured jersey. Sounds like he might close to a return.

Setoguchi is still not practicing with the team and hasn't attended practice since Dec 10. They have not disclosed his injury.

[FBI]

Bad luck for Setoguchi.. Sounds destined for the minors now.

[Racki]

Originally Posted by Drury18

Setoguchi is still not practicing with the team and hasn't attended practice since Dec 10. They have not disclosed his injury.

Something fishy with this one no? Is he just done with hockey and had agreed to stay away with this "injury"

[Drury18]

Originally Posted by iggysback05

Something fishy with this one no? Is he just done with hockey and had agreed to stay away with this "injury"

I'm not sure. Information about injuries is really poor with this team. It took about a week before Knight's broken thumb was mentioned and I still
have no idea why Elson is out. The beat reporter doesn't travel with the team and they've been away for something like 19 days. Plus, they never seem to cover more then the basics of the game so rarely is she the one with injury info, the play by play guy is where most of my info comes from.

That being said, I would be lying if my gut feeling when this started dragging out was that the injury was to his ego. Although if that was the case, he should have been suspended by the team and the NHL Flames could have started the process to terminate the contract.

[Drury18]

Much like I did at the end of November, I have done a little stat crunching for December. Here's what the numbers looked like:

(All October stats are from the AHL Daily Report for October 31, 2014. November stats are from the AHL Daily Report for November 30, 2014. December stats are from AHL Daily Report and Game Sheet for December 31, 2014)


October:

• Record of 3-5-1-0 (24th in the AHL, 4th in North Division)
• Average Goals Against - 4.11 (30th in the AHL)
• Average Goals For - 2.89 (14th in the AHL)
• Power Play - 25.0% (2nd in AHL)
• Penalty Kill - 71.4% (30th in the AHL)
• PIM - 227 (6th in the AHL)

November:

• Record of 9-3-0-0 (9th in the AHL, 2nd in the North Division)
• Average Goals Against - 2.3 (20th in the AHL)
• Average Goals For - 3.0 (12th in the AHL)
• Power Play - 22.8% (3rd in the AHL)
• Penalty Kill - 83% (13th in the AHL)
• PIM - 400 (12th in the AHL)

December:

• Record of 20-13-1-1 (7th in the AHL, 2nd in the North Divison)
• Average Goals Against - 2.74 (16th in the AHL)
• Average Goals For - 2.74 (17th in the AHL)
• Power Play - 19.7% (5th in the AHL)
• Penalty Kill - 86.3% (6th in the AHL)
• PIM - 607 (12th in the AHL)




October Stats Leaders:

• Goals - Ferland (4)
• Assists - Ferland (5)
• Points - Ferland (9)
• PPG - Granlund/Hathaway (2)
• PPA - Culkin (3)
• Shots on Goal - Reinhart (30)
• SH% - Stevenson (20%)

November Stats Leaders:

• Goals - Hanowski (9)
• Assists - Arnold/Culkin/Cundari (7)
• Points - Hanowski/Arnold (12)
• PPG - Hanowski/Arnold/Hathaway (3)
• PPA - Cundari (6)
• Shots on Goal - Hanowski (49)
• SH% - Poirier (20%)

December Stats Leaders:

• Goals - Hanowski (11)
• Assists - Culkin (14)
• Points - Poirier (19)
• PPG - Hanowski/Hathaway (4)
• PPA - Culkin (9)
• Shots on Goal - Reinhart (83)
• SH% - Poirier (18.5%)




Goalie Stats for October:

Ortio - 3-3-1 with a 4.16 GAA and .879 SV%

Thiessen - 0-2-0 with a 2.98 GAA and .912 SV%


Goalie Stats for November :

Ortio - 9-4-1 with a 3.17 GAA and .900 SV% and 1 SO
(Stats for November were 6-1-0 with a 2.22 GAA and .924 SV% and 1 SO)

Thiessen - 3-4-0 with a 2.63 GAA and .919 SV%)
(Stats for November were 3-2-0 with a 2.48 GAA and .923 SV%)

Goalie Stats for December:

Ortio - 16-7-1 with a 2.56 GAA, .916 SV% and 3 SO
(Stats for December were 7-3-0 with a 1.70 GAA, .940 SV% and 2 SO)

Thiessen - 4-6-1 with a 2.48 GAA and a .922 SV%
(Stats for December were 1-2-1 with a 2.22 GAA and a .928 SV%)




Drury18's Player of the Month for December*: Emile Poirier. With 5G, 3A and 29SOG in December, Poirier was a huge part of the offence for the month of December along with his linemates of Baertschi and Arnold. In the later part of December, these 3 found chemistry that was outright terrifying for the other teams defence and goalies most nights. Poirier was the leader of the team in creating offensive chances and maintaining what seems like an impossible shooting percentage. His speed and skill with the puck are something that you have to see to believe and you have to keep reminding yourself that he only has 31 games of professional experience not some seasoned pro. While I try to temper expectations because of this, it's hard not to be excited about this kid.

Honourable Mentions: Sven Baertschi and Joni Ortio

With his 2G and 7A and 21 SOG in the 10 December games, Baertschi tripled his points from his first 10 games of the season where he only managed 3A and 20 SOG. Baertschi has started to find a little more consistency in his game after being paired with Arnold and Poirier. He's also started playing with a little more physical side to him. It wouldn't surprise me if him and Poirier are both in these spots next month.

Joni Ortio was pretty damn fantastic too this month posting a 1.70 GAA and a .940 SV% with 2 shutouts. He stood tall when they needed him too and made some huge highlight reel saves this month. He's also consistently in the top 5 of minutes played, saves made and wins for the AHL. Unfortunately for him, the Calgary Flames have two healthy and good goaltenders because Ortio has more than proven he deserves a call-up and is currently one of the only goaltenders to have these Top 5 stats and not play a minute in the NHL this season.

(*Just so you don't think anyone more credible picked this. The TSN Playoff Wheel monkey has more street cred then I do for picks)