[Signing] Flames sign Grossmann (1 yr, 1way, $575k)

[united]

Jakub Nakladal who played well in a depth role last season and wanted to stay in Calgary: $600,000.
Nicklas Grossman who has been a complete liability for years now: $575,000.

Just had to get more size and grit, right, Burke?

[FlameZilla]

The fact that Grossmann was started instead of Kevin has given me a serious fear that we're going to stink up the league again.

[Lanny_McDonald]

New whipping boy is born. Fire him into the sun already.

[Caged Great]

I thought that outside of the one pass that was intercepted that led to the goal against (which was a flukey re-direct), he was solid for most of his shifts. It wasn't his fault on the second goal, it was Tkachuk who failed to cover him as he was on an odd man rush.

I'm not a huge fan of playing 3 slow defensemen against a team that has a couple extremely fast players, but he wasn't as horrible as he's being made out to be. Elliott should have stopped a couple of the shots that went in (Goals 4, 6 specifically). If he makes those saves, which should have been stopped, the Flames get a point. He didn't, we didn't.

[Poe969]

I'm still a fan of Grossman, last night was bad but it wasn't all his fault. He did have a bad pass but just about everyone played bad last night, at least he did bring some physicality to the game (it was fun to see him push around Kassian a bit).

I do however think that he shouldn't have been in the game. I like Grossman as a depth guy but I think Kevin should have played last night instead.

[Rtown]

Anders Grossman
Jay Grossmeester
Gross Butler

Did I miss anyone?

Don't get me wrong, not really a fan either, just trying to roll the last 10 years of whipping boy D-men into 1 super whipping boy D-man

[Gaudreauvertime]

Originally Posted by Poe969

I'm still a fan of Grossman, last night was bad but it wasn't all his fault. He did have a bad pass but just about everyone played bad last night, at least he did bring some physicality to the game (it was fun to see him push around Kassian a bit).

I do however think that he shouldn't have been in the game. I like Grossman as a depth guy but I think Kevin should have played last night instead.

Grossman certainly wasn't great in the first period, but he settled down and played pretty well through the rest of the game. I'd still prefer him over Wideman (especially on the PK, why was Wideman on the PK?) At the very least we won't get the refs all over us.

If he is going to play, it can't be with Hamilton.

You could try to keep the wealth spread out:

Giordano - Engelland
Grossman - Brodie
Kevin - Hamilton

Or put Brodano back together and play primarily with 4 D

Giordano - Brodie; 20-23 mins at ES
Kevin - Hamilton; 18-21 mins at ES
Kulak/Grossman - Engelland; 5-8 mins of ES and let them be 2nd PK unit.

[Cactus Jack]

Are Grossman´s two errors that led to goals better than any Kulak would potentially make? At least Kulak is young and can learn from the errors, besides the fact he contributes in other areas. Grossman contributes nothing, no exaggeration.

And the second goal was his fault. He has no business pinching, especially making a bad pinch the Oilers´AHL level D took right off him in a split second. He can´t do anything with the puck once he has it and is too slow to get back. Just horrible.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Cactus Jack

Are Grossman´s two errors that led to goals better than any Kulak would potentially make? At least Kulak is young and can learn from the errors, besides the fact he contributes in other areas. Grossman contributes nothing, no exaggeration.

And the second goal was his fault. He has no business pinching, especially making a bad pinch the Oilers´AHL level D took right off him in a split second. He can´t do anything with the puck once he has it and is too slow to get back. Just horrible.

The second goal wasn't his fault. If the Oilers back up to their net while he has the puck, he should challenge. The trouble was, Tkachuk didn't cover. It's an 18yo mistake. It happens.

Worse than the errors is the total inability to move the puck up ice with possession. We focus on defensive miscues, but that's not as big of a problem as being incapable of playing together with the other 4 players on the ice. If you can't get or hold on to the puck, it's all for naught.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

The second goal wasn't his fault. If the Oilers back up to their net while he has the puck, he should challenge. The trouble was, Tkachuk didn't cover. It's an 18yo mistake. It happens.

Worse than the errors is the total inability to move the puck up ice with possession. We focus on defensive miscues, but that's not as big of a problem as being incapable of playing together with the other 4 players on the ice. If you can't get or hold on to the puck, it's all for naught.

Yes, Tkachuk should have covered.

But rarely are goals against the result of just one mistake - it usually takes more than one. And this time is no exception.

The moment Grossman went in deep and tried to make a move, you knew it was going to end badly. I don't mind him starting the play - there was an opening. But he should have moved the puck more quickly. That play was going to end in an odd man rush the other way every time.

Also, last season, when a defenseman pinched, all the forwards went with them. They attacked as a 4 (and sometime 5) man unit. And they continued to do it in pre-season. It is going to take a while to get them to stop.

Finally, Hamilton played the pass, leaving the shooter to Elliott (which is exactly what he should have done). Elliott has to make that save.

Three bad plays.

But the fact that Tkachuk and Elliott made bad plays, does not excuse Grossman from his.

[Toonage]

Said it last night and I'll say it again here. Re: the 2nd goal. You're a big lumbering defenseman at the end of a penalty kill. You get out of the box and get the puck on your stick. Dump it in and get off.

Also, I would be much happier seeing young players like Kulak or Jokipakka making mistakes and learning in games like this rather than watching vets make poor plays where they should know better.

[Jordan!]

You guys can thank Don Maloney for that signing. Grossman sucks

[polak]

Couldn't give Nakladal a contract Tre?

Again, absolutely awful at evaluating depth talent.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

Grossmann might not be as terrible as we're making him out to be.

But there's no way he should be ahead of Kulak or Jokipakka against any matchup. I'm not particularly high on Jokipakka, but I consider Kulak our 4th best defenseman right now.

[AC]

Originally Posted by polak

Couldn't give Nakladal a contract Tre?

Again, absolutely awful at evaluating depth talent.

Maybe Nakladal chose Carolina over us.

[MarkGio]

Originally Posted by Bandwagon In Flames

Grossmann might not be as terrible as we're making him out to be.

But there's no way he should be ahead of Kulak or Jokipakka against any matchup. I'm not particularly high on Jokipakka, but I consider Kulak our 4th best defenseman right now.

Agreed. Last years performance for Wideman was an off-year. He's look like he's returned to form this year based on camp and last night. So I rank them as follows:

1) Gio
2) Brodie
3) Wideman
4) Hamilton
5) Kulak
6) Engelland
7) Jokipakka
8) Grossman

I can accept Grossman over Jokipakka based on things happening in the locker room or personalities or whatever, but I can't understand him overtaking Kulak due to those elements unless were trying to lose hockey games

[lazypucker]

Originally Posted by AC

Maybe Nakladal chose Carolina over us.

I don't think so. I remember reading something during the World Cup about 2 weeks ago mentioning Nakladal is begging the Flames to sign him. Treliving only offered a 2-way contract, and he chose Carolina who offers a 1-way instead.

I am still not sure why Treliving chose Grossman over Nakladal over similar money

[Strange Brew]

Surprised Grossman had enough negotiating leverage to command a one way.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by markgio

agreed. Last years performance for wideman was an off-year. He's look like he's returned to form this year based on camp and last night. So i rank them as follows:

1) gio
2) brodie
3) wideman
4) hamilton
5) kulak
6) engelland
7) jokipakka

8)

9) grossman

i can accept grossman over jokipakka based on things happening in the locker room or personalities or whatever, but i can't understand him overtaking kulak due to those elements unless were trying to lose hockey games

fyp

[CSharp]

It's sad knowing that Treliving could've signed Nakladal for $100K more instead of Grossman.