[News] Derek Grant assigned to Stockton. Hiller returns to practice.

[FBI]

Ortio backup next game, BOO.
This season is over already, might as well see what we have in Ortio.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by saillias

This line is a dud and has been so since the playoffs. No forecheck and can't gain possession of the puck unless Gaudreau does all the work.

They are the three highest scoring forwards. Do you expect them to be 1,2,3 in NHL scoring to be considered "good"?

[codynw]

Originally Posted by FBI

Ortio backup next game, BOO.
This season is over already, might as well see what we have in Ortio.

The season is far from over. The Pacific Division is terrible and the Flames are only 6 points out of a playoff spot.

[FBI]

Originally Posted by codynw

The season is far from over. The Pacific Division is terrible and the Flames are only 6 points out of a playoff spot.

Yeah in theory I guess.. I'll believe it when I actually start seeing some consistency.

[gallione11]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

They are the three highest scoring forwards. Do you expect them to be 1,2,3 in NHL scoring to be considered "good"?

3 G, 1A -12 over the road trip. Not exactly stellar numbers for a #1 line. They get hemmed in the D-zone too often and are hard pressed to take the puck away. I agree. They need to change it up.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by FBI

Yeah in theory I guess.. I'll believe it when I actually start seeing some consistency.

Yea, I don't think I could say I'm expecting anything at this point, but it's definitely not over.

[ResAlien]

Originally Posted by codynw

The season is far from over. The Pacific Division is terrible and the Flames are only 6 points out of a playoff spot.

True but they've only got like a week and a half to make that up, what's that number about teams out of a playoff spot once you hit American thanksgiving? Like no one makes it right?

[saillias]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

They are the three highest scoring forwards. Do you expect them to be 1,2,3 in NHL scoring to be considered "good"?

It's not just about the point totals. They don't push the pace, don't command a game or cause havoc like a first line should. Look at the way the Sedins play in our end, every time they are on the ice. Compare that to this line. They have brief opportunities on the rush from quick breakouts when the low percentage stretch pass works. Otherwise they are ineffective.

[SuperMatt18]

IMO Hudler has been poor this season so far.

Looks a step behind in his skating, and physically is being out matched.

[FiveSeven]

Well I kept my mouth shut last year because Hartley was getting results even though some of his line up choices and stubbornness drove me crazy. No benching players who deserve it. Making in my opinion down right brutal choices. Keeping the first line together even when they've been figured out and lost the magic. The system is still the exact same. I'm officially done with Hartley regardless of if they stop being horrible. Great guy, I just don't think he's the right coach going forward.

Ortio must be getting frustrated. Can't argue with not playing him since Ramo stopped being garbage but this whole 3 goalie situation has to drive him crazy knowing Hartley is probably going to back to his loyalty towards the goalies that did something last season. I hope it's only for 1-2 games and Hiller or Ramo gets traded or waived again. Give the young guy a shot.

[skudr248]

^ Agreed about Hudler, and wants 7 mil?

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by codynw

The season is far from over. The Pacific Division is terrible and the Flames are only 6 points out of a playoff spot.

It's over. There is nothing in their game that suggests they can pick up 6 points on Anaheim

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by FBI

Ortio backup next game, BOO.
This season is over already, might as well see what we have in Ortio.

Some of the people that attend practice can chime in - but I've heard Ortio is consistently playing poorly in practice. Any truth to that?
If he's not showing it in practice, tough to give him starts.

[FBI]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Some of the people that attend practice can chime in - but I've heard Ortio is consistently playing poorly in practice. Any truth to that?
If he's not showing it in practice, tough to give him starts.

That would make a little more sense if it was the case. If he consistently plays poorly in every practice, that is a red flag for sure.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Ryan Leslie @ryanleslie73
No Brodie at practice.

Guessing an maintenance day, hope he is not hurt....

[BurningSteel]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Raymond needs to clear waivers again to be sent down.

So?

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by BurningSteel

So?

Well waivers don't just happen instantaneously. They take 24 hours. If Hiller needs to be taken off IR for tomorrow's game, then maybe they missed the window to put Raymond on waivers.

[madmike]

I also think the team should at least see what it has in Ortio. The whole goalie situation has been a complete disaster this year.

Ortio has not looked great, but really what do people expect? He's played what - 1.5 games all year? The organization invested considerable development time in Ortio and now it seems like it's all wasted as he rots on the bench or in the press box.

I'm fine if the team doesn't get into the playoffs this year, but I'd hope they can at least take some steps to figuring out the goalie situation for next year. I don't see either Hiller or Ramo as part of a longer-term solution.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

If I'm Ortio, I'm asking my agent to start exploring options overseas. Maybe the Flames would let him go, it's not like they're using him. Looking more and more like a lost year for him at a very important point in his career.

[PaperBagger'14]

Remember the days where the only time we had to play a 2nd goalie was to give our all star starter a break? Now the question is more like "who's going to hurt the team the least"