Hathaway recalled, Versteeg on IR

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

Well, perhaps it's a compliment to Jankowski that the team is putting their 3rd best playmaking option in tkachuk on his line.

I understand your point. So much for "always earned, yadda yadda yadda" but there are only so many buttons a coach can push to get a player going. I don't see the harm in putting him up with backlund. Furthermore, i'd be excited as hell to see tkachuk who is so good along the boards, and behind the net, to be added to jankowski and jagr's cycle game.

I think it's at least worth a try.

The harm is making the Backlund line look like hot garbage and dragging the team down further with another incompetent line outside the top unit.

Bennett isn't capable of playing with high IQ players at this point. This is obvious in his play with Jankowski and Jagr when he's running into them and constantly unable to get shots off that any decent player would be able to.

This kid belongs in a suit until he proves otherwise and it's getting silly that he isn't answering for it.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

The harm is making the Backlund line look like hot garbage and dragging the team down further with another incompetent line outside the top unit.

Bennett isn't capable of playing with high IQ players at this point. This is obvious in his play with Jankowski and Jagr when he's running into them and constantly unable to get shots off that any decent player would be able to.

This kid belongs in a suit until he proves otherwise and it's getting silly that he isn't answering for it.

It would set the franchise back a considerable amount if their highest ever draft pick doesn't pan out. They are going to try literally everything to get him going, as they should.

IMO, I think he has what it takes. Maybe it'll take another coach, maybe it'll take time, maybe it'll take a line shuffle. But it'll happen.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by browna

Hopefully he shows the energy he did in preseason.

And hopefully more then our supposed current energy guys in Lazar (Cameron’s project) and F Hamiltion(D Hamilton’s security blanket) are showing.

Though Versteeg not on the PP will break some of that momentum the top line did. Not sure you’d have any other forward play st the point.

This preseason he wasn't very good, and was pretty low-energy. It was a large part of why Tanner Glass got a contract - he had a lot more try in him.

Last year, as a call-up - that's when he showed a ton of energy.

[jaikorven]

I don't even know if I would want to see this, but with Frolik being to lower point producer on the 3M line, would it possibly make some sense to have Bennett play with Backlund and Tkachuk? It would give him the more offensive linemates people seem to think he needs and hopefully, the line still has enough to be half decent defensively.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

The harm is making the Backlund line look like hot garbage and dragging the team down further with another incompetent line outside the top unit.

Bennett isn't capable of playing with high IQ players at this point. This is obvious in his play with Jankowski and Jagr when he's running into them and constantly unable to get shots off that any decent player would be able to.

This kid belongs in a suit until he proves otherwise and it's getting silly that he isn't answering for it.

The thing is that the three looked good as a line previously. So if you can get similar production from that line as a whole by swapping Bennett and Tkachuk but the third line production actually goes up by providng spark to Janko/Jagr then you should at least give it a try.

[Rollin22x]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

The harm is making the Backlund line look like hot garbage and dragging the team down further with another incompetent line outside the top unit.

Bennett isn't capable of playing with high IQ players at this point. This is obvious in his play with Jankowski and Jagr when he's running into them and constantly unable to get shots off that any decent player would be able to.

This kid belongs in a suit until he proves otherwise and it's getting silly that he isn't answering for it.

But, how does he prove it from the press box? He may be doing everything right in practice.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Parallex

Groan...

Person X: "Hey we're not getting any production from our bottom six and we just lost the PP1 specialist we had playing there... what's the play here Brad?"
Treliving: "Call up the guy with 1 NHL goal in 41 contests and poor shot share metrics"

I suppose it could have been worse... they could have called up Gadzic.

That would be one more NHL goal than anyone is Stockton except for Glass and Gadzic.

I'm not too worried about the loss of Versteeg on the PP, either. Addition by subtraction IMO.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

The harm is making the Backlund line look like hot garbage and dragging the team down further with another incompetent line outside the top unit.

Bennett isn't capable of playing with high IQ players at this point. This is obvious in his play with Jankowski and Jagr when he's running into them and constantly unable to get shots off that any decent player would be able to.

This kid belongs in a suit until he proves otherwise and it's getting silly that he isn't answering for it.

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

I can't fathom in what universe it would make sense to promote Bennett to the second line? The only players that have been worse than him are being scratched almost every night. He's got the reverse Midas touch where everything near him turns to poo.

Bench him for a week or two and then sending him down on a conditioning stint would be my treatment for crusty old Sam at this point.

Why do we have to call it a promotion? To me it's just changing the lines to see if you can get a better overall result.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by getbak

Hathaway's in, Flames win.

Um....

Originally Posted by The Fonz

23-15-3

Sorry

According to that, they win about 56% of the time. They currently win 54% of the time. So I guess we can expect a 2% increase to our chances of winning? Amazing!

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

According to that, they win about 56% of the time. They currently win 54% of the time. So I guess we can expect a 2% increase to our chances of winning?

Horrible rhyme.

[Roof-Daddy]

23-15-3 if you include 15/16

Just last year and this year they are 18-8-1 with GH in the line up.

[Flash Walken]

It's a promotion because it necessitates an increase in icetime.

[bubbsy]

well this doesn't sound good:

Aaron Vickers‏ @AAVickers 1m1 minute ago

No firm update on Kris Versteeg, according to coach Glen Gulutzan. Team seeking a second opinion on the injury. #Flames

[AC]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

well this doesn't sound good:


[URL="https://twitter.com/AAVickers"]

At least Bennett should be ok after missing practice today:

@WesGilbertson
#Flames seeking a second opinion on LW Kris Versteeg’s lower-body injury. LW Sam Bennett (face) should be good to go tomorrow.

@WesGilbertson
#Flames LW Sam Bennett has six or eight fresh stitches. That’s why he missed practice today. That’s it, that’s all.

[Split98]

Great to see HathaWIN coming back up!

I was thinking we would really benefit from seeing him up here soon. The energy he brings is exactly what this 4th line should be embodying. You don't need the 4th line (and a lot of teams 3rd) to be lighting the lamp, but they should help control the flow of the game.

Guys with Hathaway's energy do that.

[flambers]

Flames have been very fortunate to have so few injuries.....

Hope Hathaway can bring lots of energy to the lineup...

Maybe score a goal or two...

[JJFlash]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

I believe Hathaway is a better hockey player than the following guys:

• Stajan
• F Hamilton
• Lazar

And he might outpace Brouwer.



I hope he plays like he can and stays. This team, even during their hot stretch of 7-2-1, has shown many areas where they need to improve. Hopefully the callup is a step in the right direction of at least fixing the fourth line.

It is only a step in the right direction... If they use him. I am not convinced he will be more than another warm body.

[JJFlash]

The fourth line should have its own identity and right now that is lacking. Our fourth line is primarily comprised of veteran player with boat anchor contracts. We need someone that will battle and do whatever is necessary to stay in the line up. Hathaway can play that role. I think Brouwer can grind in the role. I guess that leaves Lazar to fill out the line.

[FiveSeven]

I understand hath is a crash and bang player but with leading the Heat I would like to give him a shot at something besides being pinned to the 4th line instantly every time.

[the2bears]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Similar to Stajan in that regard.

Unfortunately quite true.