Jan 18 Practice - Shore likely scratched tomorrow. Ortio starts again.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by flamesfan55

Byron can be replaced by many players.

Ok, like who?

[BACKCHECK!!!]

Originally Posted by heep223

Ok, like who?

There's a whole thread right now for talking about how much Byron sucks/is irreplaceable.

[flamesfan55]

Originally Posted by heep223

Ok, like who?

Shore
Ferland
Poirier
Granlund
Wolf

[goodyear]

I like Byron but he needs to finish. He probably has 10 breakways and scored on just one of them. I don't think the Flames should trade him though...his speed can change the game just like that.

I'm not too Shore about the other fellow, but its good to have competition too. And also waive Bollig #UnleashTheWolf!

[Bill Bumface]

Our team speed gives other teams a lot of trouble. Byron is a big part of that. The guy is actually fairly strong on the boards and effective at digging pucks out. To say he's not a 4th liner because he is small is ridiculous. I'd much rather my 4th line have puck possession in the offensive zone than be good at cross checking guys in front of the net and attempting facial shot blocks while the other team buzzes around us in our own zone.

[Muta]

I like Byron, and think he's a good player for the Flames. Not everyone has to always score. Can't we just appreciate him for what he does bring, which is speed, a two-way game, good vision, defensive awareness and heart? Not everyone can be a Gaudreau or Hudler. Why do we hold Byron to this standard?

If we're going to be crapping on Byron, there's two or three players I'd crap on before him. Raymond and Stajan at the top of that list.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Muta

I like Byron, and think he's a good player for the Flames. Not everyone has to always score. Can't we just appreciate him for what he does bring, which is speed, a two-way game, good vision, defensive awareness and heart? Not everyone can be a Gaudreau or Hudler. Why do we hold Byron to this standard?

If we're going to be crapping on Bryan, there's two or three players I'd crap on before him. Raymond and Stajan at the top of that list.

but can they sometimes score?

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Muta

I like Byron, and think he's a good player for the Flames. Not everyone has to always score. Can't we just appreciate him for what he does bring, which is speed, a two-way game, good vision, defensive awareness and heart? Not everyone can be a Gaudreau or Hudler. Why do we hold Byron to this standard?

If we're going to be crapping on Bryan, there's two or three players I'd crap on before him. Raymond and Stajan at the top of that list.

Stajan? You must be joking. The guy has been super solid since about two or three games after he came back. He's turned Bollig's game around. Colborne's goal was because of Stajan's work.

[StrykerSteve]

Stajan's played very well, sometimes I wonder about CP posters...

[mrkajz44]

Originally Posted by goodyear

I like Byron but he needs to finish. He probably has 10 breakways and scored on just one of them. I don't think the Flames should trade him though...his speed can change the game just like that.

I'm not too Shore about the other fellow, but its good to have competition too. And also waive Bollig #UnleashTheWolf!

Best line in this thread so far.

[Muta]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Stajan? You must be joking. The guy has been super solid since about two or three games after he came back. He's turned Bollig's game around. Colborne's goal was because of Stajan's work.

Well, for his price tag, I think we could be getting more. I digress, though.

[Muta]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

Stajan's played very well, sometimes I wonder about CP posters...

What, because they have a different opinion than yours? Get over yourself.

[Bingo]

I think it's a hockey fan phenomenon to like youth and dislike veterans that aren't top 6 guys. Not just a Calgarypuck issues.

Stajan is important to the room, and as others have pointed out, turned the fourth line from a hemmed in their own zone 6 minute fire drill to a trio that can actually help sustain momentum and do their share of the wear and tear required on opposing defenders to let the Gaudreau's and Hudler's do their thing in the latter half of games.

Add in face offs, and penalty killing (a bad unit I agree) and you have a key player for the Flames and the reason they extended him.

Glad the Oilers are run by hockey fans and not hockey experts!

[Muta]

Fine, Stajan is the messiah of fourth lines. Dude is an amazing centre and has evolved into an untouchable asset for the Flames.

[StrykerSteve]

Originally Posted by Muta

What, because they have a different opinion than yours? Get over yourself.

I assure you, if you knew me, you'd know I'm not at all like that, but to each his/her own.

I'm simply stating that this community sometimes makes me wonder if I'm watching different games. Stajan has been incredibly solid, it's been cool to watch him grow into a veteran leader, comfortable playing on whichever line he's needed on.

He doesn't complain that he's playing on the 4th line, he simply goes out an gets the job done, making his linemates better in the process.

Combine this with the personal trials and tribulations he's been through over past year, yet has still continued to be a positive presence both on and off the ice... I think he's grown into a great Calgary Flame.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by Muta

Fine, Stajan is the messiah of fourth lines. Dude is an amazing centre and has evolved into an untouchable asset for the Flames.

Nobody has said this. Some people believe that he's been playing a lot better and has anchored our fourth line into a respectable unit.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Muta

Fine, Stajan is the messiah of fourth lines. Dude is an amazing centre and has evolved into an untouchable asset for the Flames.

Do you have to go from ditch to ditch on this issue? Don't ignore the rumble strips they exist to save your life!

[Muta]

Originally Posted by heep223

Nobody has said this. Some people believe that he's been playing a lot better and has anchored our fourth line into a respectable unit.

That's great, never said he was a bad player. Just said that if Byron gets knocked around here, Stajan and Raymond shouldn't be immune to that criticism. I think we could let someone cheaper take over that fourth line role, ie. Shore. Not sure I like Stajan at that price for that many more years on this team.

At the end of the day, I think Stajan improves the fourth line (of course he would). He's still overpaid for what he does, though.

[DoubleF]

I think Stajan and Byron are good swivel pieces that can go up and down lines etc. I think the cp poster's annoyances with these players is that they want specialist players with an anchored spot. This is perhaps why we don't crap on Bouma?

That being said, is there a clear whipping boy yet this year? It looks like there's a Byron and Stajan shindig going on now that Setoguchi is gone and Bollig/Eggs is a boring topic to get rowdy to. Or overall... lots of discussion due to equal distribution of annoyances. Toss Raymond and Sven into the mix everyone! It's more fun that way!

[Muta]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Do you have to go from ditch to ditch on this issue? Don't ignore the rumble strips they exist to save your life!

But your ditch has convinced me, it's more social over there!