[GDT] Flames - Oilers; 8:00pm MST; CBC; Sportsnet; FAN960

[Psytic]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

There is a lot more to it than Neal's on-ice performance and the organisational "fit." I don't think anyone ever suggested booing Kris Russell or Alex Chaisson once they signed with the Oilers. There are good reasons why Neal is regarded differently.

All I can ever find is he complained about not being on the first line. Fair enough, both him and Frolik thought they were better players than their play warranted. Neal thought he could return to that level and demanded more playing time higher in the lineup. I can see where he was in his head space thinking that. He was a good player the season before so he thought it was a blip and not the new norm. I can see where the team was in thinking thats not the case. I don't know. I guess I'm looking at this empathetically that they both had their reasons for how they reacted how they did to the situation. It didn't work tell your fellow union brothers the team and city treated you with class regardless so long.

[Owen15]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Press conference for signing ... wearing funny hat at Great Wall ... looking for teeth on the ice ... sitting in press box for playoff game

You forgot the lazy back check on the Rantanen goal in game 4.

There’s your 30 seconds.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Psytic

All I can ever find is he complained about not being on the first line. Fair enough, both him and Frolik thought they were better players than their play warranted...

I am eminently confident that Frolik will not be jeered on his return to the Saddledome, and will receive an ovation following his video tribute.

[AC]

Originally Posted by browna

The Flames didn’t give Darryl Sutter any acknowledgement when he came back first time as the Kings coach after leading the Flames within 3 inches of the Stanley Cup. Instead, the pompous former GM decided to pat himself on the back and unbelievably have a welcome back Mike Cammalleri peice during the first stoppage of that game instead, since he was reacquired two days before. Looked it up, almost 8 years ago to the day in 2012.

If that’s the standard, (it isn’t, because our GM was an arrogant ass) then no one gets a trip down memory lane...if either of them, it would be Smith as he was here two years.

They did honour Sutter before he was hired by LA though when he and his son Chris came to a game as fans I remember.

It was a small acknowledgment, which was probably exactly what he wanted, if anything.

[Psytic]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I am eminently confident that Frolik will not be jeered on his return to the Saddledome, and will receive an ovation following his video tribute.

Never said he would be that's a nice straw man though. My point is the treatment of exiting players should be respectful and classy. It doesn't happen in a vacuum they all talk. If it didn't work, it didn't work. He didnt set out to maliciously torpedo his own career he just sucks and got upset because of it. Its a human reaction. So long Neal. I won't be booing him or Smith.

[Split98]

These are the games that Backlund, Frolik, Lindholm, Jankowski and the back-end should be difference makers - as shutting down a player and good PK is usually all it takes. Goals can come from anywhere really...

Backlund has done very well himself at limiting McAvi, and Mangiapane & Co. will make the rest pretty easy.

Also pretty fun that they're coming into this on a winning high! Losing sucks extra hard against this bunch, but bitch-slapping their somehow-smug little mouths is always a blast.

Play smart and let's get Smith back into the game again

6-1 Flams.
42-0 Niners.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Psytic

Never said he would be. My point is the treatment of exiting players should be respectful and classy. It doesn't happen in a vacuum they all talk. If it didn't work, it didn't work. He didnt set out to maliciously torpedo his own career he just sucks and got upset because of it. Its a human reaction. So long Neal. I won't be booing him or Smith.

And again, there is ALOT more to the Neal situation that makes his case particularly unique.

Your argument here seems to be that Flames fans should not jeer former Flames players because of the optics this creates of a crappy, spiteful fanbase to other, potential acquired players. That might be a valid point, but ask yourself this: how many former Flames players get derided by the fans on their return to Calgary? James Neal almost certainly will be, and that ought to emphasize the point that there are unique factors which have badly coloured his time with the Flames.

In other words, boo your face off, and don't worry about it.

[oldschoolcalgary]

Flames need to take the same mentality they have on the road... play a simple, hard game... do not take penalties versus the Oilers as that's really where they are dangerous.

Should be a great game... looking forward to it.

[Psytic]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

And again, there is ALOT more to the Neal situation that makes his case particularly unique.

Your argument here seems to be that Flames fans should not jeer former Flames players because of the optics this creates of a crappy, spiteful fanbase to other, potential acquired players. That might be a valid point, but ask yourself this: how many former Flames players get derided by the fans on their return to Calgary? James Neal almost certainly will be, and that ought to emphasize the point that there are unique factors which have badly coloured his time with the Flames.

In other words, boo your face off, and don't worry about it.

Doesn't feel right for me but you are 100% right he is going to get it. For the optics I wish as a fanbase we wouldn't, but I know that will never happen.

[timbit]

I may have missed it, who are doing the PBP and Analyst tonight?

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by timbit

I may have missed it, who are doing the PBP and Analyst tonight?

Hughson and Simpson with Scott Oake hosting.

[PaperBagger'14]

Small aside here, but the number of video tributes is getting insane. There was a post on reddit about Cogliano getting a tribute in Anaheim I glanced over.

Should the flames put a compilation of our best moments with Fantenburg set to the tune of Sarah McLaughlin? No that's stupid and so is Cogliano.

[Robo]

Normally I wouldn't boo a former player but screw neal I hope he gets boo'ed so hard. I don't think I have ever disliked a player more than him

[bubbsy]

Really?! No one's called out Textcritic on the usage of 'ALOT' yet?

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by PaperBagger'14

Small aside here, but the number of video tributes is getting insane. There was a post on reddit about Cogliano getting a tribute in Anaheim I glanced over.

Should the flames put a compilation of our best moments with Fantenburg set to the tune of Sarah McLaughlin? No that's stupid and so is Cogliano.

I don't think that's a fair comparison. Fantenberg played, what, a month and a half here?

Cogliano was in Anaheim for eight years and played on two WCF teams there, I don't see the problem with giving him a shoutout in his return.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Oilers willow coming out hard looking for revenge tonight so I hope the Flames are ready.


From creeping over at HFOIL there is a clear increase in their confidence compared to the Christmas game where most of their fans expected the loss.

And the Oilers willow leave weeping.

[Harry Lime]

Last game against the oilers, Bennett was responsible for mcdavid 5v5, and did a great job. I would like him to see that assignment again.

[shadowlord]

Looking forward to a big game from Mangiapane. He played well in the last game against the Wild and hasn't scored any points since we last met the Oilers on Dec. 27 when he recorded a career-high 3 points.

He feasted on Edmonton last time, so its perfect timing to get his offenseive production going.

[timbit]

Originally Posted by Harry Lime

Last game against the oilers, Bennett was responsible for mcdavid 5v5, and did a great job. I would like him to see that assignment again.

No, no he wasn’t.

Oilers had last change and he got stuck out against McDavid a few times.

[topfiverecords]

Bring on the Kostinem. He hasn't played since New Years eve so he's sure to be rusty.