For that 4th line setup, Glass and Freddie are definitely fighting for places on the team. Stajan, on the other hand is basically playing to determine whether he'll be a regular bottom-6 forward guy or mostly a pressbox warmer.
Glass and Freddie are a lot more up against it because they do not have a huge contract protecting them like Brouwer & Stajan do.
So for better or worse Brouwer & Stajan will at least be on the team one way or another because of those said large contracts.
For all his faults, bartowski was the #6 guy here for the latter part of last season and the playoffs, and looked satisfactory being paired with Engelland. If stone can play to a level equivalent of Engelland, then i think that 3rd pairing should be fine. .
Uh, no he didn't. Bartkowski-Engelland were an awful pairing and the only thing that happened was Elliott was on a hot streak.
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Kulak has more confidence in carrying the puck and seems to have some offense in his game, but is worse defensively and under pressure. Perhaps the flames value those more for the #6 guy....
Is Kulak worse defensively and under pressure though? Or is that an assumption being made and treated at fact due to biases like "Kulak is younger" and "Kulak is weaker along the boards" and "Kulak's gaffes are more obvious".
Pretty much everything you can do measure "defense" - high danger chances against, scoring chances against, shots against - is not only in Kulak's favour but overwhelmingly so.
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meh, "dense" is a bit harsh. We're talking about the #6 guy playing around 10 mins per night of sheltered time.
For all his faults, bartowski was the #6 guy here for the latter part of last season and the playoffs, and looked satisfactory being paired with Engelland. If stone can play to a level equivalent of Engelland, then i think that 3rd pairing should be fine.
Kulak has more confidence in carrying the puck and seems to have some offense in his game, but is worse defensively and under pressure. Perhaps the flames value those more for the #6 guy.....
The Bartkowski-Engelland pairing was not at all satisfactory. They singlehandedly cost our team wins multiple times. Probably the worst pairing we had all season (and that includes when we had the likes of Wideman, Jokipakka, and Grossman all playing)
I look it as the three fighting for the 12th and 13th roster spots. Hathaway Lazar and Janko will take spots 10 11 and one of 12 13 or 14. So those three have to fight for both spots in the NHL lineup and spots in the NHL period.
Good call.
Definitely wouldn't mind a Hathaway-Janko-Lazar 4th line. Stajan and Hamilton as extras. Bye bye Glass
meh, "dense" is a bit harsh. We're talking about the #6 guy playing around 10 mins per night of sheltered time.
For all his faults, bartowski was the #6 guy here for the latter part of last season and the playoffs, and looked satisfactory being paired with Engelland. If stone can play to a level equivalent of Engelland, then i think that 3rd pairing should be fine.
Kulak has more confidence in carrying the puck and seems to have some offense in his game, but is worse defensively and under pressure. Perhaps the flames value those more for the #6 guy.....
My point (if Bart ends up making the starting 6) is about his seemingly questionable eye to evaluate talent. Bart played one 'good' game with a Flaming C on his chest, and I think it was his first game against the Canucks. Since then, he's been dreadful. He isn't even better than either of Kulak or Wotherspoon in my opinion, let alone Rasmus.
Also, this reoccurring theme with nepotism. Isn't that how Grossmann got his job too? Your best 6 defenseman should be in your lineup, handedness or not.
Also, this reoccurring theme with nepotism. Isn't that how Grossmann got his job too? Your best 6 defenseman should be in your lineup, handedness or not.
Should really sign Jagr, if only to bump Brouwer down.
I'm uneasy about that 3RW and 6D. Am I just overreacting?
But I feel like we learned from last season that Bennett needs to be surrounded by better players to help him truly thrive and produce. Brouwer feels like a step back. Pretty sure Lazar would have more jump at least. Did this coaching staff learn anything from what didn't work last season?
Oh well I'll sit here and pray for a pleasant surprise come next wednesday. But given GG's history here of opening night roster decisions......
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My point (if Bart ends up making the starting 6) is about his seemingly questionable eye to evaluate talent. Bart played one 'good' game with a Flaming C on his chest, and I think it was his first game against the Canucks. Since then, he's been dreadful. He isn't even better than either of Kulak or Wotherspoon in my opinion, let alone Rasmus.
Also, this reoccurring theme with nepotism. Isn't that how Grossmann got his job too? Your best 6 defenseman should be in your lineup, handedness or not.
I agree. After seeing Grossman in the lineup last year, I lost some faith in their ability to prioritize skill in these types of situations. Not sure how much nepotism plays into it all, but a few of the decisions are questionable regardless.
All that said, I really wish their competition was blowing it out of the water. Would make the decision easier and the team better
Never seen the word nepotism used for friends... don't think Grossman or Bartkowski are related to Gulutzan.
Dictionary.com
noun
1.
patronage bestowed or favoritism shown on the basis of family relationship, as in business and politics:
She was accused of nepotism when she made her nephew an officer of the firm.
Merriam Webster
:favoritism (as in appointment to a job) based on kinship accused the company of fostering nepotism in promotions
Anyways....please return to your scheduled beating of the Brouwer and Bartkowski.
Uh, no he didn't. Bartkowski-Engelland were an awful pairing and the only thing that happened was Elliott was on a hot streak...
I know this is not especially scientific, but the Flames ranked fourth in GA over the duration of Bartkowski's time in Calgary last season, and they ranked tenth in shots allowed. Elliott was very good, but he sure wasn't the whole story behind the Flames late-season push. I am not happy if Bartkowski ends up as the #6, but I am also sure this won't be an insurmountable problem.
FYI, the consensus among the radio guys that I am listening to is that Bartkowski has been better than all the bubble defensemen. Perhaps they are seeing things that the rest of us do not.
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