[News] Flames recall Hrivik

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by DJones

I don't know him as well as most of our prospects. Anyone want to give a breakdown on what type of player he is?

He's 26, not really a prospect. More in that Derek Grant, Chad Billins minor league veteran guy. He is putting up his best AHL season this year and has improved every year. Played 20 NHL games in his career with the Rangers.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by DJones

I don't know him as well as most of our prospects. Anyone want to give a breakdown on what type of player he is?

Assets: Has good hands and touch around the net, so he can score goals at all lower levels. Also displays decent size and the ability to protect the puck effectively.

Flaws: Must become a more consistent performer in order to maximize output at the National Hockey League level. Could also stand to be more physical.

Career Potential: Versatile, depth forward.

[bubbsy]

How's his speed? I don't care about scoring from the fourth line, but I would like to see a line that is fast enough to get in on the forecheck and split, if not win, their shifts.

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Calgary Flames @NHLFlames
Glen Gulutzan doesn’t anticipate Marek Hrivik will play tonight but he will take warm-up as the team will have some game-time decisions.

I expect this pertains to maybe Jagr or Backlund sitting out. Did they take the skate this morning?

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

How's his speed? I don't care about scoring from the fourth line, but I would like to see a line that is fast enough to get in on the forecheck and split, if not win, their shifts.

He isn't known for his speed, he is fast enough for the AHL though, not sure about the NHL. He is known for using his body well to shield the puck and battling.

Originally Posted by Toonage

I expect this pertains to maybe Jagr or Backlund sitting out. Did they take the skate this morning?

Backlund took the skate. Jagr is confirmed out

[Aeneas]

I always find it very exciting when a player scores his first NHL goal.
Even though Hrivik has played 20 games he has yet to score.

Mangiapane, Hrivik, Kulak...anyone else?

Looking forward to them all scoring soon.

[-TC-]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Those were dark times...

[Doc Hudson]

"Shame faced"?

He gave the vets a chance and is making changes after tinkering hasn't worked, which seems reasonable. Teams do not absolutely "need" a certain composition of players (ignoring the cap impact), there are many ways to win. The Pens won with bottom lines composed of veteran players when their stars were young and won with younger players in those roles as their stars got older. GG talked about how there are different team makeups that can can win, from LA to Pittsburgh to Detroit to Boston.

I do agree though, the team needs to find a winning identity.

To many armchair GMs and hyperbole on the board these days... I really hope the team starts winning so it goes away (and because it is more fun generally speaking when the team is winning).

Originally Posted by Tinordi

Flames should have been doing this type of management for the past 10-odd years. If you want to talk the single greatest reasons why the Flames have been so damn mediocre for so damn long is the entrenched culture of skepticism towards unproven players. The more I think about it, the more zero in on Sutter's total refusal to put anyone in the lineup and now Treliving's shame-faced acknowledgement that the NHL level depth on this team frankly sucks.

You absolutely need youth and hunger in your lineup. It keeps everyone else honest. And youth and hunger is not necessarily a liability. I've been reading some analysis that young D are actually not any more prone to giveaways and turnovers than established D. It's just a full on NHL culture issue (again). NHL coaches are essentially the most conservative bioforms on the planet. Management has to force their hand to play unproven players.

[The Fonz]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Jagr is confirmed out

Has there been an injury reported?

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

Has there been an injury reported?

GG ominously said there would be an update tomorrow.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Cool! I thought Hrivik had a great camp until his injury. Looking forward to what he can add to the lineup. I like his speed and offensive creativity, and he doesn't seem to have a problem with defense in a limited role.

[ah123]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

GG ominously said there would be an update tomorrow.

Injury more serious than initially assumed? Retirement announcement?

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

Set us back years? Is the 13th overall pick that important?

Missing is bad because of the perceived talent on the roster. But I think calling it a disaster is a bit of a stretch.

The Flames have 1 pick in the first two rounds of the next two entry drafts. This will most certainly set the team back in 3-4 years time and is pathetic asset management from the GM's part. Missing the playoffs is definitely a major blow to an organization that was pumping itself up to be a 100 point team a few months ago. Instead of going from playoff qualifier to contender, this franchise has once again regressed to the hopeful category and is ominously spinning their wheels.

The real question is when does it end? This club has been unable to turn the corner to anything beyond slightly above average since the Sutter era and that is bordering on a decade ago now. I guess as Flames fans we have grown overly accustomed to mediocrity after so many meh seasons just like the one we are seeing unfold this year.

I like the call ups we have seen lately, however, it is all for naught unless the Flames can manage a serious run in the next few weeks and my confidence in this group is clearly waning.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Awesome. Just loved this guy in junior.

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

NHL coaches are essentially the most conservative bioforms on the planet. Management has to force their hand to play unproven players.

I agree completely, but if you were to look at this from the coach's perspective... their employment is heavily predicated on wins vs losses, so adopting a "devil you know" approach seems pretty reasonable to me.

[Geeoff]

Originally Posted by ah123

Injury more serious than initially assumed? Retirement announcement?

I would not be surprised if Jagr retired. He's second all-time in scoring and right now he's below Troy Brouwer in points this season...

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by Geeoff

I would not be surprised if Jagr retired. He's second all-time in scoring and right now he's below Troy Brouwer in points this season...

OK, but one player has 9 points and is -6 in 39 games, and the other has 7 points and is +6 in only 22 games.

[Fischy13]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

The Flames have 1 pick in the first two rounds of the next two entry drafts. This will most certainly set the team back in 3-4 years time and is pathetic asset management from the GM's part.

Missing the playoffs is definitely a major blow to an organization that was pumping itself up to be a 100 point team a few months ago. Instead of going from playoff qualifier to contender, this franchise has regressed to the hopeful category and is ominously spinning their wheels. The real question is when does it end? This club has been unable to turn the corner to anything beyond slightly above average since the Sutter era and that is bordering on a decade ago now.

I guess as Flames fans we have grown overly accustomed to mediocrity after so many meh seasons just like the one we are seeing unfold this year.

It's not like we gave these draft pick assets away for free. BT always has the option to sell the Dmen he aquired for draft picks too. With Andersson, Fox, Valimaki and Kylington getting close and ready before the current NHL Dmen's deals expire, something has to give and they will be sold for picks/needs. These NHL guys aren't on expiring contracts and going to be lost for nothing. Alos, this current management team has shown very well in maximizing value for NHLers. Glencross/Russell. I'm sure they know what they are doing.

[MrMike]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

From left to right at the top, who is 2 and 5?

[kermitology]

Originally Posted by MrMike

From left to right at the top, who is 2 and 5?

Bure, Weimer, Iginla, Morris, Stillman, Simpson (Seated)