Calgary Flames Oct 5th - 6th Practices

[The Yen Man]

Originally Posted by heep223

I forgot about Hiller's performance to start last season. I remember he absolutely stole that game vs. Chicago at the dome. I think they had like 53 shots or something and the Flames won 2-1. Honestly I think those first 10 games of excellent goaltending were a huge factor in giving the team the confidence they needed to realize they could actually be a playoff team.

You mean he cost us McJesus? Thanks Hiller.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by 442scotty

Yep... Ortio didn't exactly play lights out in preseason which you would want to see if you are going to move him up the ladder

I think Ortio is a lot like Kipper, you've got to give him a run of games.

[hockey.modern]

Oct 5 Updates:

- Byron, Raymond on Waivers
- Granlund sent to Stockton

I think these will be the opening roster for Wednesday

Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler
Bouma-Backlund-Frolik
Ferland-Bennett-Jooris
Bollig-Stajan-Jones

Giordano-Hamilton
Russell-Wideman
Kulak-Engelland

Ramo
Hiller

IR: Colborne, Brodie, Smid
Press Box: Ortio

[SeanCharles]

Originally Posted by hockey.modern

Oct 5 Updates:

- Byron, Raymond on Waivers
- Granlund sent to Stockton

I think these will be the opening roster for Wednesday

Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler
Bouma-Backlund-Frolik
Ferland-Bennett-Jooris
Bollig-Stajan-Jones

Giordano-Hamilton
Russell-Wideman
Kulak-Engelland

Ramo
Hiller

IR: Colborne, Brodie, Smid
Press Box: Ortio, Byron, Raymond

I can't see them not having any skaters for insurance. Both guys will stay up if they clear.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I prefer Ramo over Hiller myself, but I prefer Hiller start. Ramo seemed like such a good road goalie, and Hiller seemed like the better home goalie. I would keep playing it that way as often as possible while they're both on the team.

[crapshoot]

Originally Posted by hockey.modern

Oct 5 Updates:

- Byron, Raymond on Waivers
- Granlund sent to Stockton

I think these will be the opening roster for Wednesday

Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler
Bouma-Backlund-Frolik
Ferland-Bennett-Jooris
Bollig-Stajan-Jones

Giordano-Hamilton
Russell-Wideman
Kulak-Engelland

Ramo
Hiller

IR: Colborne, Brodie, Smid
Press Box: Ortio

Those seems like four pretty well balanced lines, and it's great to have four lines who are capable of playing decent hockey. Hopefully that third line can gel right away too, really looks like it could be a good line given a bit of sheltering.

If everything stays intact for a while, I would love to see Bollig bumped to the press box, Bouma on the Stajan line and Colborne on the Backlund line. Of course it likely wont stay intact for very long

[sureLoss]

Kristen Odland
@KristenOdlandCH
Hudler back on the ice w/#Flames after missing Monday's skate because he was sick.

Raymond also on the ice after clearing waivers

[sureLoss]

so no changes expected:

Pat Steinberg @Fan960Steinberg
#Flames lines unchanged:
Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler;
Bouma-Backlund-Frolik;
Ferland-Bennett-Jooris;
Bollig-Stajan-Jones

Randy Sportak @SUNRandySportak
#Flames D
Giordano-Hamilton
Russell-Wideman
Kulak-Engelland

G
Ramo
Hiller

[heep223]

That is a good balanced attack.

[IliketoPuck]

Our fourth line is awesome.

Yes it is a highly paid fourth line, but you have to think over the course of a season that they will dominate opposing team's fourth lines.

I think our attack is very balanced this year. The #1 line will be deadly on the powerplay, and our other three lines will provide some solid secondary scoring. Subbing in Colborne for Bollig when he is healthy will make the fourth line that much more dangerous.

Then when Brodie comes back, put him with Kulak and roll 3 pairings that can skate, pass, defend.

I'm starting to get way too excited, and I don't care that I'm rambling. Is it Wednesday yet? GO Flames!

[sureLoss]

Derek Wills @Fan960Wills
Look for Bennett to play with Backlund and Ferland on second-unit PP.

[sureLoss]

Jermain Franklin @TSNJFranklin
#Flames practicing 3-on-3. It's such a fluid game anything can happen with the long change. Even saw a regroup w a pass back to the goalie

[heep223]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Derek Wills @Fan960Wills
Look for Bennett to play with Backlund and Ferland on second-unit PP.

Interesting, I would have thought Frolik would be one the 2nd unit

[Fire]

Originally Posted by heep223

Interesting, I would have thought Frolik would be one the 2nd unit

Yeah I would replace Backlund with Frolik and have Bennett play center.

[Street Pharmacist]

#FreeKulak

[polak]

God. Is Wednesday yet!?

I can't wait. I can't wait. I can't wait.

[D as in David]

Originally Posted by Fire

Yeah I would replace Backlund with Frolik and have Bennett play center.

Aren't face-offs a weakness for Bennett at this point? May be that they want a better chance at gaining possession after whistles.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by D as in David

Aren't face-offs a weakness for Bennett at this point? May be that they want a better chance at gaining possession after whistles.

Not sure what Bennett's face-off percentage has been this pre-season but Backlund was only 48.3% last season. So unless Bennett is really bad I don't think it should be a problem.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by heep223

Interesting, I would have thought Frolik would be one the 2nd unit

I think Bennett and Backlund were PP2 locks. I have a feeling Ferland has a better one-timer than Frolik, but that's just a hunch.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

I think Bennett and Backlund were PP2 locks. I have a feeling Ferland has a better one-timer than Frolik, but that's just a hunch.

I think Ferland earned the opportunity through his willingness to park himself in front of the net.

The Flames have needed a crease crasher for a long time