[PGT] Sharks beat Flames 5-4

[AC]

Originally Posted by Komskies

He did return to the game after his apparent injury, so hopefully it's nothing too major.

He came back after looking injured blocking a shot. Did he play late in the third following his second walk down the tunnel?

[Enoch Root]

I thought last night summed up Backlund perfectly.

Worked hard, made some plays, got 6 shots on net.

But also made a terrible decision that caused the turnover that led to a goal. I would give him a pass on the penalty because I thought the defenseman hooked him as well, but the fact is that he held the guy's stick 200 ft from his net and it gave the Sharks a PP that put them back in front.

Then there was the huge opportunity to tie it in the last minute or two. He helps keep the play alive a couple times, gets into position, has the puck land on his stick with an open net in front of him... but he can't pull the trigger fast enough.

I can see why some people see the positives in his game. And I can see why some see the negatives. The bottom line for me is that overall, there just isn't enough there often enough.

I see Backlund as a trade chip that will get cashed in within a year (next deadline at the latest).

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by MattyC

Jooris is a guy I would keep from this group too. Serviceable and works his tail off.

Jones I don't mind as a player. As a $4m cap hit though, it's not good. If he could be had for $1-$1.5, I'd keep him.

Jooris I guess you can add to that list. But at the same time, too many players like him and we are stagnant like we are now. The team badly needs an injection of skill.

And I don't care to bring Jones back even if he plays for league minimum. While his cap hit is horrible and won't be anywhere close to what is it next season, I care more about on-ice performance. Cap space won't win us games when the player himself isn't very good. Even if he had a 600k cap hit, Jones disappears for far to many stretches for my liking.

[Gaskal]

That's twice in the last little while that two players have whiffed on glorious chances in front due to the bad ice. They'll look up briefly for an opening, pick one, then fire it but the puck sticks. First Granlund a while back then Backlund last night. Flames seriously need better ice.

[heep223]

I thought Stajan had a really good game last night. The guy takes quite a bit of flak on this site because of his contract and because he's older than 25, but man, he's an important part of this team. He's constantly talking to the refs and linesmen, he makes good decisions with the puck, he's physical, he's an underrated playmaker and he puts his head down and accepts the fact that he's playing 4th line C. Great mentor and it's frustrating when people just want to ship him out because he's a vet or because he's "dead weight". He is the very least of this team's weaknesses. I actually think that he could easily and effectively play 3rd line C. More and more I'm thinking that #11 is becoming expendable.

[D-Red]

Unfortunately I only got to see the third period of the game and highlights, but a couple things jumped out at me.

Ramo wasn't bad, and it definitely wasn't his fault we lost, but he was just average and so the Flames did lose the goal tending battle. Still really liking Ramo of late though.

Brodie had a rough third. Couldn't seem to control passes and was turning the puck over a lot. Bad periods happen, just something that jumped out at me.

Credit to San Jose who seemed to do an excellent job of taking away Johnny's time and space. The Flames made some great passes to get him on the wing but it seemed like someone was on him almost instantly.

LOVED Ferland on the first line. He was noticeable every shift and kept things simple. Plays weren't dying on his stick like we've seen from other candidates and most importantly he was getting his body to the front of the net. Colborne seemed like such a good fit because of his size, but he played so small, Ferland didn't, and it showed.

Bennett looked great. I love watching him play. He's tenacious, can throw a hit, and you can see that he has some real soft hands at times too. He made a couple moves around the top of the circle tonight that showed great control and confidence.

Backlund seemed to be fighting the puck in the third as well. He had that huge opportunity in the slot late that he whiffed on and also completely missed a Bennett pass down low.

Didn't get too much puck luck which was unfortunate. It was however a fun game to watch after a long night (which is something we didn't get a lot of early in the year). Looking forward to the next one.

[genetic_phreek]

Originally Posted by heep223

I thought Stajan had a really good game last night. The guy takes quite a bit of flak on this site because of his contract and because he's older than 25, but man, he's an important part of this team. He's constantly talking to the refs and linesmen, he makes good decisions with the puck, he's physical, he's an underrated playmaker and he puts his head down and accepts the fact that he's playing 4th line C. Great mentor and it's frustrating when people just want to ship him out because he's a vet or because he's "dead weight". He is the very least of this team's weaknesses. I actually think that he could easily and effectively play 3rd line C. More and more I'm thinking that #11 is becoming expendable.

This is 100% accurate. Also, a lot of people are starting to really hammer on Backlund but the reality is this, how many 3rd line centres creates opportunities like he does. Sure he screws up every now and then but that's why he's not a premier player.

[JJ1532]

For me, I think Backlund suits the 3rd line role and Stajan the 4th pretty well. Issue is, both of them are overpaid for what they are being asked to do and it does highlight that we are badly missing a 2nd line centre or someone that can rival Monahan for the 1st. If we had that player, we could drop both Backlund and Stajan down to roles that suit their abilities. But we need that 2nd line centre, badly.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by JJ1532

For me, I think Backlund suits the 3rd line role and Stajan the 4th pretty well. Issue is, both of them are overpaid for what they are being asked to do and it does highlight that we are badly missing a 2nd line centre or someone that can rival Monahan for the 1st. If we had that player, we could drop both Backlund and Stajan down to roles that suit their abilities. But we need that 2nd line centre, badly.

Bennett?

[Regulator75]

I was at the game and watched Hamilton intently, he was brutal last night, such a lazy player.

Bad passes, poor judgement, standing still, waiting for his shift to end, no sense of urgency in the first 50 minutes of the game.

[JJ1532]

Originally Posted by heep223

Bennett?

Obviously Bennett, it's what my post was implying. But for some reason Hartley doesn't want to try him down the middle for...reasons.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I thought last night summed up Backlund perfectly.

Worked hard, made some plays, got 6 shots on net.

But also made a terrible decision that caused the turnover that led to a goal. I would give him a pass on the penalty because I thought the defenseman hooked him as well, but the fact is that he held the guy's stick 200 ft from his net and it gave the Sharks a PP that put them back in front.

Then there was the huge opportunity to tie it in the last minute or two. He helps keep the play alive a couple times, gets into position, has the puck land on his stick with an open net in front of him... but he can't pull the trigger fast enough.

I can see why some people see the positives in his game. And I can see why some see the negatives. The bottom line for me is that overall, there just isn't enough there often enough.

I see Backlund as a trade chip that will get cashed in within a year (next deadline at the latest).

He's morphed into Blame Comeau. For everything good he does he offsets it with bad and it's just so frustrating. I hope you are right and that the team is willing to move on from this guy as it just hasn't worked out and at 26 years old he is what he is.

[FBI]

Wasn't it stajans man the guy who jumped in from the point to score the 4-3 pp goal? Looked like he was covering nobody.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Regulator75

I was at the game and watched Hamilton intently, he was brutal last night, such a lazy player.

Bad passes, poor judgement, standing still, waiting for his shift to end, no sense of urgency in the first 50 minutes of the game.

Did anyone else see anything like this?

[Karl]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I thought last night summed up Backlund perfectly.

Worked hard, made some plays, got 6 shots on net.

But also made a terrible decision that caused the turnover that led to a goal. I would give him a pass on the penalty because I thought the defenseman hooked him as well, but the fact is that he held the guy's stick 200 ft from his net and it gave the Sharks a PP that put them back in front.

Then there was the huge opportunity to tie it in the last minute or two. He helps keep the play alive a couple times, gets into position, has the puck land on his stick with an open net in front of him... but he can't pull the trigger fast enough.

I can see why some people see the positives in his game. And I can see why some see the negatives. The bottom line for me is that overall, there just isn't enough there often enough.

I see Backlund as a trade chip that will get cashed in within a year (next deadline at the latest).

Yeah. The negatives are starting to overtake the positives for me with Backlund. He's usually great defensively but often painfully short of enough offensive skill.

He's close to being at the point where he really 'is what he is'. Not the 50-60 point offensive talent some hoped for, but looking like he's trending to be a solid 25-35 point guy on average. Unfortunately his hands turn to stone at the most critical of times which prevents him from doing more on offense. Too bad.

[Enoch Root]

Regarding Ramo's game...

I don't think you can fault him for any of the 'goals'. And you could say, well it would be nice if he made a few saves. But the fact is that he stopped three breakaways.

However, I totally blame him for the play that led to the 4th goal.

He got the puck behind the net and Brodie was standing right beside him. If he simply gave it to Brodie, TJ would have had tons of time to clear the zone. Instead, he decides to clear it around the glass himself. It was easily picked off, SJ gets zone possession, and they have the lead a few seconds later.

I wish goalies would stay in the ####ing net and let the defensemen play the puck.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Did anyone else see anything like this?

No. He didn't stand out either way. Had a good rush or two. I think one of their goals may have bounced in off of him but it was a fluke.

His D partner really struggled though. Right from the get go. I think that was one of the worst games I've seen Russell play (and I'm generally a supporter). Dragged Dougie down a bit.

[Regulator75]

Originally Posted by heep223

No. He didn't stand out either way. Had a good rush or two. I think one of their goals may have bounced in off of him but it was a fluke.

His D partner really struggled though. Right from the get go. I think that was one of the worst games I've seen Russell play (and I'm generally a supporter). Dragged Dougie down a bit.

I was able to watch him and was blown away how lazy he was, zero urgency in this kid. Needs to watch some serious minutes on Gio, Brodie and even Regehr if he wants to earn that big contract and not wear the goat horns.

[Karl]

Originally Posted by FBI

Wasn't it stajans man the guy who jumped in from the point to score the 4-3 pp goal? Looked like he was covering nobody.

I think so.

[Karl]

Originally Posted by heep223

I thought Stajan had a really good game last night. The guy takes quite a bit of flak on this site because of his contract and because he's older than 25, but man, he's an important part of this team. He's constantly talking to the refs and linesmen, he makes good decisions with the puck, he's physical, he's an underrated playmaker and he puts his head down and accepts the fact that he's playing 4th line C. Great mentor and it's frustrating when people just want to ship him out because he's a vet or because he's "dead weight". He is the very least of this team's weaknesses. I actually think that he could easily and effectively play 3rd line C. More and more I'm thinking that #11 is becoming expendable.

I basically agree with all of this except the bolded. This team only has 4 actually physical guys (Ferland, Bouma, Engelland & Smid). The rest are not very physical.