[GDT] Flames vs. Islanders, 7 pm, SN1

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by Badgers Nose

The majority of CP prognosticators said that would be the main reason Flames would finish worse than last year. LOL

Cammi was a legend in his own mind. This team is way better w/o guys like that.

Not sure if that is true. We aren't missing Cammy's goals as much as we are because we have gotten some very unexpected performances from a lot of players: Brodie and Wideman on the back end, continued progression from Monahan and Gaudreau being much more ready than we'd thought, pleasant surprises like Jooris helping out, ect....

None of those things have anything to do with Cammy, at least not directly, and I don't think we can make the jump to say we'd be better off with out him. Maybe we'd be better off if we had him instead of Raymond for example. I for one, would love to see just what JG could be doing with Cammy pulling the trigger on his passes.

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by Badgers Nose

Cammi was a legend in his own mind. This team is way better w/o guys like that.

Not sure why you would say that. I've always appreciated what Cammalleri brought to the table as a member of the Flames organization.

As a Devil, he's their leading goal scorer with 11 goals. I'm sure someone of Cammy's scoring ability would have been greatly appreciated in those close games during our 8 game losing streak.

Frankly, I think you're out to lunch on this one.

[bob-loblaw]

Go Flames! Keep the streak going before the mini-break after this game. Might save themselves from a bag skate if they win.

[AcGold]

We don't need Camalleri. We have Hudler, thank god he signed here. If he hadn't there really would have been a void when squid left.

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

What a preposterous judgement. So he goes from a solid #1 C before injury to a demotion of #3 C after? Backlund has done more than enough to merit a top six role - and he's proven very capable of it. It's not like the injury suddenly made him become a worse player on the ice.

While I don't necessarily agree with putting him right back in #1, as I think Monahan's earned it for now, I think it's utterly ridiculous to shunt him to bottom 6 duties unless he's outplayed by Jooris.

Common man, take those homer glasses off. In what world was Backlund ever, or going to be, a solid #1 C? Maybe on our team, but not on an elite one. Fact is, top 6 players face tougher opposition. Why toss him to the wolves after being away for so long, especially against a strong team like the Isles who are in mid season form? And his injury might have very well made him a worse player. We won't know until we see it. It's no where near ridiculous to think that he should EARN his way back to the top 6, including having to outplay someone like Jooris. I have no doubt he will eventually, but I think Hartley is smart enough to ease him back into the lineup, especially when the team is on a 4 game winning streak and the type of injury he's had.

Then again, Hartley might very well put him on the top line to start and everything I said goes out the window

[hwy19man]

Centre Ice channels for:
Friday, January 2
Islanders at Calgary, 1900h Mountain
Flames feed in red

Game is on Sportsnet One in Canada, therefore it is not on Centre Ice.

USA
Indemand - Game 9 SD Game HD9
Directv - 781 SD 781-1 HD
Dish - 581 SD No HD Hopper Channel 475-09

Sirius Radio-- Siri Internet 926
XM Radio-- XM 211
SXM Radio-- SXM 211

[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

Common man, take those homer glasses off. In what world was Backlund ever, or going to be, a solid #1 C? Maybe on our team, but not on an elite one. Fact is, top 6 players face tougher opposition. Why toss him to the wolves after being away for so long, especially against a strong team like the Isles who are in mid season form? And his injury might have very well made him a worse player. We won't know until we see it. It's no where near ridiculous to think that he should EARN his way back to the top 6, including having to outplay someone like Jooris. I have no doubt he will eventually, but I think Hartley is smart enough to ease him back into the lineup, especially when the team is on a 4 game winning streak and the type of injury he's had.

Then again, Hartley might very well put him on the top line to start and everything I said goes out the window

I think we'll see Backlund slot in on one of the checking lines (with Glencross & Jones/Colborne, or with Bouma and Byron) so that Monahan can slot into that first line with Johnny & Jiri. If Backlund comes back in decent game shape I think Monahan is going to be unshackled, & with those 2 wizards dishing to him we might be in for something really special.

[To Be Quite Honest]

Cali Flames Fan, I just want to be part of the cool crowd and say "Thank you Cali Flames Fan!" for posting these GDT's. They are as much of a treat to read as the Game Takes.

[the2bears]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

Common man, take those homer glasses off. In what world was Backlund ever, or going to be, a solid #1 C? Maybe on our team, but not on an elite one. Fact is, top 6 players face tougher opposition. Why toss him to the wolves after being away for so long, especially against a strong team like the Isles who are in mid season form? And his injury might have very well made him a worse player. We won't know until we see it. It's no where near ridiculous to think that he should EARN his way back to the top 6, including having to outplay someone like Jooris. I have no doubt he will eventually, but I think Hartley is smart enough to ease him back into the lineup, especially when the team is on a 4 game winning streak and the type of injury he's had.

Then again, Hartley might very well put him on the top line to start and everything I said goes out the window

To be fair, I did think he made his comment in the context of the Flames and not the league in general.

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

Common man, take those homer glasses off. In what world was Backlund ever, or going to be, a solid #1 C? Maybe on our team, but not on an elite one. Fact is, top 6 players face tougher opposition. Why toss him to the wolves after being away for so long, especially against a strong team like the Isles who are in mid season form? And his injury might have very well made him a worse player. We won't know until we see it. It's no where near ridiculous to think that he should EARN his way back to the top 6, including having to outplay someone like Jooris. I have no doubt he will eventually, but I think Hartley is smart enough to ease him back into the lineup, especially when the team is on a 4 game winning streak and the type of injury he's had.

Then again, Hartley might very well put him on the top line to start and everything I said goes out the window

Well, you kinda answered your own question there. In the present he's a solid #1 C for the Flames. Down the road, if he doesn't get shipped out he would probably end up as our #3C.

I don't see how sticking him between Johnny and Hudler is throwing him to the wolves. Those two are not only great for possession (which happens to be Backlund's strong suit as well) and have potent offense, they're defensively responsible. It's hardly as if we're putting Bouma and Bollig on his wings.

Backlund has been consistently one of our most reliable forwards when healthy; it doesn't make sense to assume a drop-off in performance just because he's been injured. The Flames won't play him until he's 100% game shape anyway. Realistically I think he'll be between Johnny Hockey and Hudler to start, and if he shows any signs of rink rust then Hartley can simply juggle the lines. But Backs has done enough to this point for me to assume he'd get the benefit of the doubt.

[WhiteTiger]

Go Flames Go!

[JonDuke]

Can that guy chew his gum any more awkwardly?