[PGT] Flames win 5-2 against the Coyotes

[Biff]

Why watch TSN highlights if they don't show even one of Calgary's 5 goals? That's some good balanced coverage from a national broadcaster right there.

[Finger Cookin]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

I would like it if Grant was the 4th line center for this team next year instead of Stajan.

Just wait one more season. Then there should be pretty stiff competition for that spot.

[hockey.modern]

@WesGilbertson

After two-goal performance tonight, #Flames C Sam Bennett was wearing team fire helmet.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by jayswin

I gotcha covered man.

Spoiler!

Bouw N Arrow - CP: I'm coming back to Calgary, do they still have fast food restaurants there? I'd like to treat the girl.

He was at the game tonight!

[BlackWallStreet]

Lol^

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by New Era

So, can we now admit that we have some quality prospects on the farm? There's been a lot of pessimism over the farm because of the stats, but these guys can step in and play. Things are not as bleak as some would lead you to believe!

Maybe, but I think we need to be carefull reading too much into anything that happens down the stretch in a bunch of meaningless games. Especially when the call ups are playing in their first NHL games in a while (or ever), and against sub par opposition who also isn't playing for anything.

But that said, can't help but be happy with with what we saw tonight from the prospects, it's certainly not a bad thing.

[N-E-B]

I don't care what anyone says, I truly believe Monahan is the key and most important piece of this rebuild. Yes, including Gaudreau and TJ Brodie (who are a VERY close 2nd and 3rd). He's also the reason we shouldn't be upset if we draft 5th or 6th instead of 2nd or 3rd. You can still get a great player there.

Really impressed with Shinkaruk tonight. Hopefully he can keep that up and earn a roster spot next year. The future looks bright in Calgary.

[hockey.modern]

Credit to Galaxy on Reddit: https://streamable.com/qeqk

(Rick Ball being a troll by muting Kelly Hrudley's mic)

We seriously have the best broadcast crew, hands down.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Well monster game by the Ferland-Bennett-Colborne line. Ferland had a hell of a game. Nice to see some chemistry forming there, I think Ferland-Bennett could be a good duo going forward.

Shinkaruk was pleasantly surprising. Unlike guys like Baertschi or Granlund, other skilled players of his below average size, he has excellent speed, agility and skating. He was a lot more physical than I was expecting and threw his body around with abandon.

Poirier I thought looked a lot better than in previous recalls. His skating is deceptive but he covers a lot of ground. I definitely saw a lot of positive signs, I think he'll be an NHLer at some point within the next year. He was significantly ahead of a guy like Agostino IMO.

Grant didn't show too much offence IMO but I love his size, face-offs, board work, etc. Hopefully we re-sign him, he really should win a role ahead of Stajan but I'm not sure how the Flames are going to work that.

Kulak didn't look out of place. Great moment in the 3rd when he walked from the line right up into the slot and got off a good shot. As Bingo mentioned in his writeup the depth guys seem to be pushing Wideman and Smid right off the team. It'll be interesting to see how that is handled, I think Wideman is traded but I'm not sure what can be done with Smid.

[dying4acup]

Originally Posted by Karl

Aside from the expansion thing, what is the better option than from a buyout? I can't see any better options.

Burying him in the AHL next year doesn't save the Flames that much money.

Keeping him on the roster for next year is looking increasingly like a worse idea as, 1) he's regressed badly from previously and, 2) this team has multiple options on the farm who could likely do just as well if not even better as a 4th line centre. And, 3) Given how awful he's been, I can't see the expansions teams looking at getting him.

If the Flames are required to expose 18M in the expansion draft, Stajans 3M+ in cap hit could be vital in protecting Backlund and Frolik.

Work out the 18M worth of players the Flames would have to expose to expansion for the end of next season. It's difficult when you consider the Flames might be forced to protect Wideman. Without Stajan it gets near impossible.

[CalgaryFan1988]

^^^ Wideman will be UFA at the time of expansion.

[Caged Great]

That's precisely why I think we'll see a lot of questionable two year deals this off season. Slightly over pay this year, expose them in the expansion draft the next.

[AC]

Just watched the last half of the game.

Entertaining overall, which is a miracle against the Coyotes!

Really liked what I saw from the call-ups. Didn't expect that kind of feistiness from Shinkaruk. More and more as the season has gone on I've come to realize Stajan and Bollig shouldn't be playing on this team anymore. They seem like they're here for their locker room presences, but I'd prefer a handful of younger guys in their spots next season.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by hockey.modern

Credit to Galaxy on Reddit: https://streamable.com/qeqk

(Rick Ball being a troll by muting Kelly Hrudley's mic)

We seriously have the best broadcast crew, hands down.

These guys just have fun at work and it's a treat to listen too

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by AC

Just watched the last half of the game.

Entertaining overall, which is a miracle against the Coyotes!

Really liked what I saw from the call-ups. Didn't expect that kind of feistiness from Shinkaruk. More and more as the season has gone on I've come to realize Stajan and Bollig shouldn't be playing on this team anymore. They seem like they're here for their locker room presences, but I'd prefer a handful of younger guys in their spots next season.

Same here. Relegate them to Stockton or buy them out, unless you can find a taker somewhere.

Not much you can do when players talents magically recede.

The four call ups played better tonight than most of the bottom end guys all season.

[SHOGUN]

So weird seeing Shinkaruk and Poirier on the same team.

[Itse]

Originally Posted by saillias

I like the Ferland-Bennett-Colborne line.

Also my opinion of Colborne has turned around completely this year, more than anyone else. He has looked good consistently for a couple months. He uses his size, he's making better decisions with the puck, using line mates better and putting up points.

I was about to comment pretty much the same. 11 points in 14 GP in March. It's not the first time he's shown flashes of good play, but he's been pretty consistently good lately. Which is also easy to see from the lack of constant criticism on CP

2013-14 : 0.35 PPG
2014-15 : 0.44 PPG
2015-16 : 0.52 PPG (so far).

For me at least he's pretty much reached what I've seen as his upside offensively. At 26 it's unlikely there's much more to see there. His s% this season is way up, but if he can carry this level of play into next season, he should still hover around that 0.5 PPG number, which is perfectly fine for scoring depth. I'm still hoping for incremental improvements in two-way play.

[Northendzone]

this was a huge must lose game for the flames. We are now 2.5 games up on the Leafs and they have a game in hand

fata me

[Regulator75]

Originally Posted by Husky

Wow he looks physically weak I'm that picture time to hit the gym.

Huh?

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

this was a huge must lose game for the flames. We are now 2.5 games up on the Leafs and they have a game in hand

fata me

Yup. It's a darn shame we got Bennett instead of Draisatl, or that the Flames had the audacity to make the playoffs last season and trade their 1st round pick for a schlub drafted 9th.

Doesn't the GM know there is one way, and one way only to build a team and that is exclusively with 1st OAs?