Training Camp Day 5 Notes: Mangiapane-Kadri-Phillips

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by Lanny_McDonald

Phillips was a force in the third period and should have had a goal. Ironically, if he was bigger he would have had the reach to likely cash in. What is going to hurt is the play in the first two periods. It was his man and the poor gap control that led directly to the first goals. The second goal was a shorty where he showed no hustle in getting back. The only player he beat back into the Flames zone before the puck went into the net was Dube, who turned it over at the blueline and was engaged in a check. Those little things are what the coaches are going to look for in the film and it's not going to play out well. But that third period was way better and may earn him another looksee.

We get it he's small. No need to bring it up every single time.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Lanny_McDonald

Phillips was a force in the third period and should have had a goal. Ironically, if he was bigger he would have had the reach to likely cash in. What is going to hurt is the play in the first two periods. It was his man and the poor gap control that led directly to the first goals. The second goal was a shorty where he showed no hustle in getting back. The only player he beat back into the Flames zone before the puck went into the net was Dube, who turned it over at the blueline and was engaged in a check. Those little things are what the coaches are going to look for in the film and it's not going to play out well. But that third period was way better and may earn him another looksee.

It's like he has 10,000 spoons and all he needs is a knife.

[TheScorpion]

It's like meeting the man of your dreams, but then learning he's only 5'7" and 140 pounds

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Lanny_McDonald

Phillips was a force in the third period and should have had a goal. Ironically, if he was bigger he would have had the reach to likely cash in. What is going to hurt is the play in the first two periods. It was his man and the poor gap control that led directly to the first goals. The second goal was a shorty where he showed no hustle in getting back. The only player he beat back into the Flames zone before the puck went into the net was Dube, who turned it over at the blueline and was engaged in a check. Those little things are what the coaches are going to look for in the film and it's not going to play out well. But that third period was way better and may earn him another looksee.

Valimaki, Dube, and Pelletier are the guys on the SH goal. Phillips was the low man on the PP. Pelletier was closest to the guy that ended up scoring the entire time. Really that whole play is started because of soft plays by Dube and Ruzicka (I think) where they gave away the puck in a terrible spot.

Honestly of the 5 guys on the ice Phillips probably has the least blame on the SH goal.

1st goal he has some blame there but I don't think it was a lack of effort - to me that goal is a pre-season familiarity goal. Got mixed up on the switch with the d-man when Dunn decided to pinch, meant he was a step behind but actually hustled hard to catch up, but unfortunately nobody gave him any help either to take the passing lane or cover Sprong who had a wide open one-timer.

Edit: And watching that goal and a switch probably would have been the right decision. Gilbert is covering Sprong and Phillips is on Dunn, Dunn goes down low and Sprong covers his point. Phillips wants to switch but Gilbert doesn't so Phillips follows Dunn. Phillips actually gets back to Dunn and in good position, but since Sprong stays up high Gilbert leaves him and goes back to net front, which leaves Sprong wide open for the one timer.

[dino7c]

To be fair to everyone the first goal shouldn't have even counted

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Phillips' man didn't score either of the first two goals ... the first was Pelletier, who wasn't covering anyone while Phillips pursued the puck-carrier. The second one came after Dube fumbled the puck at the point and couldn't get back.

Phillips didn't have a great first two periods, as you mentioned, but pinning either goal on him is inaccurate. But he's gonna need to start scoring or setting up Flames goals to actually stand out.

I find it difficult to measure every player individually in these kinds of scenarios. Some players held back others, but it's a team game, and it's difficult to get much going even for the better players when some of their line mates are clearly out of their depth.

I trust the Flames coaches and professional scouts see things that average people like me won't notice when evaluating players in these situations.

[Calgary4LIfe]

If Philips wants a look in the NHL, he HAS to wrestle it away from someone else. There are a handful of guys who have looked more deserving. Phillips has been great in spurts, but has not been making enough of an impact.


I think that considering waivers and asset management, this is Ruzicka's spot to lose (top 9 - don't think Phillips is in competition for a 4th line spot). I also think Zary has been much better. Klapka too, but I think Klapka is a bit raw yet and needs some time in the AHL (but he has been great on the forecheck, and made some really good defensive plays on the backcheck too, in addition to the goal he scored and even some great playmaking, like the pass to Pettersen).


Nobody is going to hold Phillips back if he earns a shot. I just think he has to be consistently better than someone who is not waiver eligible ahead of him, and I don't think you can make the case for that right now.



I think this is a Ruzicka - Milano showdown, with Zary being the guy forcing the organization to look at him. I think Ruzicka 'wins' that top 9 spot.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Phillips is small if you ask me.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Phillips' man didn't score either of the first two goals ... the first was Pelletier, who wasn't covering anyone while Phillips pursued the puck-carrier. The second one came after Dube fumbled the puck at the point and couldn't get back.

Phillips didn't have a great first two periods, as you mentioned, but pinning either goal on him is inaccurate. But he's gonna need to start scoring or setting up Flames goals to actually stand out.

Sigh. It was Phillip's man who had the time and space to make the cross ice pass to score the first goal. Phillips had poor gap control and didn't pursue hard enough to close that gap and take that long range pass out of play or make it impossible. He was coasting and extending a stick rather than trying to close the gap.

On the turnover by Dube he didn't put in much effort to get back. As I said, the only Flame he didn't beat into the defensive end of the ice was Dube, who was the guy who was engaged in the check when the puck was turned over. For a guy trying to make it into the NHL shouldn't he be busting his hump every time he is out there?

This is the type of stuff the coaching staff is going to zero in on. They are going to be critical of guys who are supposedly fighting for the NHL dream but not making the plays. Try and deflect all you want, but these are the things that keep guys in the minors and not in the show. They are going to look at this on tape and it's not going to score him points.

[dino7c]

One thing is for sure unless there are some drastic improvements I don't want to hear any talk about the Flames not playing the "kids" or giving them a fair shot ect.

nobody is knocking down the door thus far

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by dino7c

One thing is for sure unless there are some drastic improvements I don't want to hear any talk about the Flames not playing the "kids" or giving them a fair shot ect.

nobody is knocking down the door thus far

I was really hoping Pelletier or Zary would kick down the door

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Bonded

I was really hoping Pelletier or Zary would kick down the door

honestly Zary is close, nothing to complain about there

my point was more nobody is being unfairly held back by an age bias or something silly like that

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by dino7c

honestly Zary is close, nothing to complain about there

my point was more nobody is being unfairly held back by an age bias or something silly like that

Oh for sure. Just wanted a nice surprise.

[dammage79]

Yeah, Zarys looking just like his first camp. Knock pretty loudly on the door.