Notes from Oct 21 Practice: Smid returns. Hiller starts Friday.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by getbak

Today is the first practice where Ortio hasn't had to share a net since the season began, and with the way the team in front is playing, I don't mind holding off on giving Ortio a start right away.

They play 5 games in 7 nights starting Sunday, with 4 on the road (6 games in 9 nights if you include Friday), so Ortio will definitely be seeing some action soon.

I agree with this. We've just made changes to the team, they've been playing like hot garbage, let them settle down and if they get shellacked let Hiller take it and maybe allow Ortio to come in and save the day.

Anything is better than:

"Welp...we're getting killed, good luck kid!"

[Cali Panthers Fan]

I don't know if the tactic will work, but I'm happy to see Hartley work the hell out of these guys. Maybe it'll remind them of what their bodies should feel like after a legitimate effort in a game.

I'm not doom and gloom on the season yet, but this team needs to find their work ethic and skating legs again. You have to at least make the other team earn it if you're going to give them a win.

Also, the pairings make sense to me:

Gio/Wideman: Gio can focus more on his own zone and Wideman can run around more on offense.

Russell/Engelland: We've seen Deryk step up when called upon to play bigger minutes, but he needs a guy who can skate the puck out of trouble as his partner. Kulak can do that, but hasn't really so far, so Russell is a better choice for the time being.

Hamilton/Smid: Probably get bottom pairing minutes for now. Hamilton has not been good, but there's no way I expect him to play like this for the rest of the year. Kid has got too much talent. Smid is probably chomping at the bit to get back on the ice, so I expect him to be a bulldog out there. It'll help Hamilton while he figures out his game.


BTW, this is all very temporary until Brodie gets back. Then I expect:

Giordano-Brodie
Russell-Hamilton
Smid-Wideman

[MolsonInBothHands]

Was there not an 8 game losing streak last year?

A little early for the sky is falling predictions, but urgency certainly is required.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by MolsonInBothHands

Was there not an 8 game losing streak last year?

A little early for the sky is falling predictions, but urgency certainly is required.

The ship is not yet sunk, but shes listing badly and steps have to be taken to right her.

But dont forget the realities. Yes, last year there was an 8 game losing streak, but we also made the playoffs by the skin of our teeth.

[sureLoss]

Pat Steinberg @Fan960Steinberg
Hartley says the doctors have told him to start ramping things up with Ladislav Smid. Potentially an option on Friday. #Flames

[sureLoss]

[Bandwagon In Flames]

Judging by that quote it really sounds like those soft goals were taking their toll on the team. As a fan it's very disheartening so I'm sure it's even more-so for the players who bleed in order for their team to win.

I'm a big Ortio supporter, but not opposed to this decision of putting Hiller back in for the next game. Now that his future is more clear, hopefully a game with less pressure will provide positive results. Ortio will have time to play soon as our schedule is ramping up.

[drewtastic]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Absolutely love these comments, and Hartley's overall demeanour. He's honest to a fault, and routinely pinpoints the exact issue(s) with the team.

He's direct, he's fair, and he takes accountability for his decisions. Even though the team isn't experiencing much success right now, I'm really happy that Hartley was retained. If anyone can pull the team out of this funk, it's him.

[polak]

He needs to think of a new system. Clearly his isn't working any more.

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by polak

He needs to think of a new system. Clearly his isn't working any more.

What exactly is wrong with it?

[mdubz]

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

What exactly is wrong with it?

Just a few off the top of my head:

- Constantly trying stretch passes that no longer work
- Not being able to keep possession in the offensive zone
- Not shooting when a shooting lane is available
- Wasting an entire power play trying to enter the offensive zone by dumping the puck in

[codynw]

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

What exactly is wrong with it?

Well for one they average 24 shots for per game, while allowing 32.

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by mdubz

Just a few off the top of my head:

- Constantly trying stretch passes that no longer work
- Not being able to keep possession in the offensive zone
- Not shooting when a shooting lane is available
- Wasting an entire power play trying to enter the offensive zone by dumping the puck in

How do you know those are system issues rather than player mistakes?

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by codynw

Well for one they average 24 shots for per game, while allowing 32.

Looking for a pretty play instead of shooting isn't a system issue.

[MisterJoji]

Few thoughts.

Hiller starting: As much as we all want to see Ortio, this is the smart move. Ortio has been sharing a net in practice since day 1, he needs to send few more picks before slotting him in. Also, with the way the D is playing, at this point you'd be setting him up to fail. Who knows, maybe Hiller will improve, can relax without Ramo breathing down his neck.

Gio/Hamilton breakup: With Brodie on IR giving Gio/Dougie a few games together was not unexpected but they have been extremely underwhelming, zero chemistry. Looks like Hamilton needs some sheltered minutes to get his confidence back up and Gio needs to rediscover last years play. Brodie can't heal fast enough.

Smid return: Love the guy, but coming off a major injury and hasn't played a game in nearly a year. I worry he's going to look like a pilon out there. Would've liked to see a Hamilton/Russell pairing.

Sounds like Hartley is bag skating the players today and they deserve it. Outside the top line and Jones, the entire roster has looked like garbage. A message needed to be delivered. Ended up in the playoffs last year despite an 8 game losing streak so it's not time to panic yet, but they need to right the ship soon. I mean, my god, we're below the Oilers.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

Looking for a pretty play instead of shooting isn't a system issue.

No, but getting hemmed in their own zone because they iced the puck for the 15th time after a missed stretch pass is.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

What exactly is wrong with it?

- No neutral zone presence gives opponents too easy of a time through
- Lack of puck-support in the defensive zone leads to endless icings and hem-ins
- Lack of aggressive play to knock opponents off the puck
- Over-pinching leads to lack of sustained zone time (centreman is always busy covering for a Dman instead of playing deep in the zone).
- Forechecking "chain" is too complicated and results in no semblance of a forecheck at all

I'm not saying it's all the system.

You need size to have neutral zone presence.
You need Brodie-like puck-handling to take advantage of forwards flying the zone.
You need Giordano-like mobility and physicality to play aggressively defensively up and down the lineup.
You need good aggressive pinches to maximize scoring chances.
You need Byron-like speed/tenacity.

I believe Hartley's system can work if you have the horses. But teams with The Horses don't really need The System.

[saillias]

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

What exactly is wrong with it?

The same things that are wrong with Roy's in Denver.

The system is essentially rope-a-dope. The defensive strategy is to collapse. Block everything with sticks and bodies. They are expected to score off the rush and with long passes and quick tic tac toes. It's shotgun hockey. When it doesn't work it looks like a mess.

[cannon7]

The only part I don't like is Hiller in net. Not sure why Ortio isn't an option for Hartley at this point.

[polak]

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

What exactly is wrong with it?

What exactly is working in it so far?