Feb 3 Practice. Sven and Granlund likely scratched. Hiller starts.

[stemit14]

I like the point made earlier that Byron is a 3rd/fourth line player. He does an excellent job in this role... He plays a gritty game with incredible speed. Especially impressive how he uses his speed on the forecheck. Plus his salary fits this role as well. How many 4th line players in the NHL create as many scoring chances as he does? Sure it would be nice if he scored more on those opportunities but as long as he keeps getting those chances, goals will be a bonus. He keeps the other teams' defence honest and adds an element to the bottom lines that many teams would love to have.

Despite his lack of scoring on opportunities... He's a great piece to have now and in the future.

[heep223]

Does anybody have a theory as to why Wotherspoon hasn't gotten in yet?

Our third pairing is still a tire fire and you'd think Wotherspoon would get into a game, given that everyone seems to think he's NHL ready.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by heep223

Does anybody have a theory as to why Wotherspoon hasn't gotten in yet?

Our third pairing is still a tire fire and you'd think Wotherspoon would get into a game, given that everyone seems to think he's NHL ready.

Hartley's loyalty to Engelland and Diaz. He said as much in an interview. Maybe it was just Diaz he was speaking about.

That being said though, Hartley has been rewarded greatly the last few games from sticking with Diaz. He's come on strong since finding some regular minutes.

I don't think Wotherspoon deserves to sit for so long now that the Baby Flames have resumed their schedule. I hope to see him very soon.

[Point Blank]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Yeah, that's what everyone has reported about Sven. A real cut-up in the room, a leader on the bench.

The Flames are 1-0 with Wolf and with Shore. 3-2 with Ferland.

Reading your last couple of responses, you know there is a way to get your point across without sounding flippant/sarcastic.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by heep223

Does anybody have a theory as to why Wotherspoon hasn't gotten in yet?

Our third pairing is still a tire fire and you'd think Wotherspoon would get into a game, given that everyone seems to think he's NHL ready.

team is winning

"everyone" meaning fans? media? because they don't count

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Point Blank

Reading your last couple of responses, you know there is a way to get your point across without sounding flippant/sarcastic.

My response tends to reflect the depth of the post to which I am responding. But thanks, I didn't know there were other ways.

[dino7c]

I have a rock that scares away tigers

you don't see any tigers around do you?

[dfsflamesfan]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Lines:
Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler
Bouma-Backlund-Jones
Raymond-Jooris-Colborne
Bollig-Stajan-Byron

Backlund is super underrated. He makes his linemates look like studs with Bouma and Jones gaining some massive confidence recently!

[Point Blank]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

My response tends to reflect the depth of the post to which I am responding. But thanks, I didn't know there were other ways.

There are much more constructive ways to respond to posts that you yourself have judged to be "shallow".

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by heep223

Does anybody have a theory as to why Wotherspoon hasn't gotten in yet?

Frustrating as it may be, even Engelland hasn't made it "easy" on Hartley to make the choice. It's not just about talent but effort and the effort is there from a guy who's been in that locker room since day one. These guys care about each other and they want each other to succeed as long as they keep putting they work in. It's an infectious atmosphere and Hartley isn't going to throw that away on a gamble for a guy who hasn't played an NHL game all season, 50 games in. It's still a young, impressionable roster too and Hartley is instilling in them the value of hard work.

That's not to say Wotherspoon shouldn't be in, but rather that it should be up to management to make it happen, not coaching. Trading Engelland is the best option because

1) You're not necessarily "punishing" him for his on-ice limitations, it could be money-related or it could be a matter of another team wanting him.
2) It resets that roster spot to zero.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Point Blank

There are much more constructive ways to respond to posts that you yourself have judged to be "shallow".

But it's less fun. And possibly actually more constructive, since stats would roll off of this poster's back.

You really think that a person who supposes that the Flames' winning record during a certain period was due to a guy with 3 assists and -3, who was roundly criticized and then sent down for indifferent play is going to list to constructive criticism.

I posted a harmless pic of why correlation =/= causation and the response was a supposition, made up of whole cloth, that the guy is some sort of secret team leader.

BTW, Gio has played in all team losses this year.

Nope, I prefer just to have some fun with the post.

[OzSome]

Originally Posted by foshizzle11

Ya I agree with you on this, I think just 1 game out just to give him a chance to watch the game and maybe learn something. Spend some extra time watching some game tape of himself and others doing what he does.

Might give him a bit more motivation as well, just a boast in determination when trying to score goals.

What other motivation Byron need? Dude is probably frustrated for not scoring on his chances and I am sure he's been watching the tapes of all the games he wasn't scoring. If we, the fans are frustrated in him not burying those chances, I am sure he is more frustrated than we are. It's not like he is slacking off and just standing around whenever he is on the ice. The guy is a work horse. He even tried to hit a much bigger Big Buff last night. He play well defensively and Hartley trusted him on ice late in the game.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Frustrating as it may be, even Engelland hasn't made it "easy" on Hartley to make the choice. It's not just about talent but effort and the effort is there from a guy who's been in that locker room since day one. These guys care about each other and they want each other to succeed as long as they keep putting they work in. It's an infectious atmosphere and Hartley isn't going to throw that away on a gamble for a guy who hasn't played an NHL game all season, 50 games in. It's still a young, impressionable roster too and Hartley is instilling in them the value of hard work.

That's not to say Wotherspoon shouldn't be in, but rather that it should be up to management to make it happen, not coaching. Trading Engelland is the best option because

1) You're not necessarily "punishing" him for his on-ice limitations, it could be money-related or it could be a matter of another team wanting him.
2) It resets that roster spot to zero.

A coach like Hartley appreciates the Gazdic fight, rightly or wrongly. And without Smid, there's no other "physical" defenceman on the team (Gio is, but then he's everything). Wotherspoon probably isn't going to add physicality. So until there's a physical type available I doubt Engelland gets moved.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by OzSome

What other motivation Byron need? Dude is probably frustrated for not scoring on his chances and I am sure he's been watching the tapes of all the games he wasn't scoring. If we, the fans are frustrated in him not burying those chances, I am sure he is more frustrated than we are. It's not like he is slacking off and just standing around whenever he is on the ice. The guy is a work horse. He even tried to hit a much bigger Big Buff last night. He play well defensively and Hartley trusted him on ice late in the game.

Yeah, I'm not sure sitting Byron makes him score more on those chances. And it doesnt make sense when all other aspects of his game are fine.

Extra work in practice maybe. But not the pressbox. Heck - he could sit 3 games and not see a single breakaway to learn from. And it's not gonna motivate him to score on breakaways.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Yah, you don't "sit" a player for "lack of finish"..........especially one who's primary reason for being on the team and skill set is not that of a finisher. What's sitting him going to do as someone else pointed out, remind him to bare down on those chances? You sit players for lack of effort, un-intelligent play, etc..., you don't bench players for lack of "skill"

Byron's abilities and skill set allow him to create a lot of chances. The fact he doesn't have the skill set to burry those chances is unfortunate, but if he did, he'd be a very very good NHL player, not a bottom 6 forward. I really think that we fans need to look at any offence Byron creates as a bonus, and be thankful that when Byron does create chances, that the odd one might go in, but mostly, be happy it means he's succeeding at doing what his main job is, which is help keep the puck out of our net and pressure the opposition.

Don't get me wrong, if we could replace Byron with a player that can do what he does in our bottom six, and also finish, then yes, please do swap him out. I don't think that's the case right now though.

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

But it's less fun. And possibly actually more constructive, since stats would roll off of this poster's back.

You really think that a person who supposes that the Flames' winning record during a certain period was due to a guy with 3 assists and -3, who was roundly criticized and then sent down for indifferent play is going to list to constructive criticism.

I posted a harmless pic of why correlation =/= causation and the response was a supposition, made up of whole cloth, that the guy is some sort of secret team leader.

BTW, Gio has played in all team losses this year.

Nope, I prefer just to have some fun with the post.

That's quite a picture you've painted of me. Stats won't roll off my back, I was just suggesting that the team liked having him around and I found the W/L record interesting. Anyway, didn't think I explicitly said any of the things you've mentioned but clearly it was taken that way. Moving on...

[heep223]

Byron would be best served working on his breakaway moves in practice and watching film, which is probably what he's been doing.

[ThatsRobbery]

Yeah not much you can do if your Sven in this situation (except maybe get more points last night). He had a good game but no one had a bad game last night so its logical that since Backs is back, the last person to slot in gets healthy scratched again. At this rate, Markus might not get back in soon either.


Gotta think someone plays badly though soon so that Markus or Sven or SPOON!! get an opportunity to play soon (depending on Glencross's injury for the forwards)

[OzSome]

I am sure Sven Baertschi knew why he is sitting out and it was not because of lack of trying. He played well last game and he was more aware on both side of the ice this time. Unfortunately it is a numbers game right now. Backlund, the player he replaced in the lineup last game is going to be back in the lineup so it means he sits. This is a different scenario early in the season that he has to sit because the coaching staff was not happy with the effort on the ice. I think Sven is much improve right now than in the past few callups. He was actually pretty good on the last callup as well. As for Wotherspoon, I am glad he is back in Adirondack where he can play more games and not be a healthy scratch. Diaz played well last game and even Engelland was not bad.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by OzSome

I am sure Sven Baertschi knew why he is sitting out and it was not because of lack of trying. He played well last game and he was more aware on both side of the ice this time. Unfortunately it is a numbers game right now. Backlund, the player he replaced in the lineup last game is going to be back in the lineup so it means he sits. This is a different scenario early in the season that he has to sit because the coaching staff was not happy with the effort on the ice. I think Sven is much improve right now than in the past few callups. He was actually pretty good on the last callup as well. As for Wotherspoon, I am glad he is back in Adirondack where he can play more games and not be a healthy scratch. Diaz played well last game and even Engelland was not bad.

There's only been one callup for Sven (before this current one). Perhaps you are thinking of him before and after he was scratched in that earlier call up.