[News] Zohorna recalled. Phillips and DeSimone assigned to Wranglers

[Burner]

Phillips practiced with the Flames for an extended period. I would think you would have to show something special during those sessions before you were given a lineup spot. He didnt get a chance in a game but he was given quite an exposure with the big club

[Naitix]

Originally Posted by Burner

Phillips practiced with the Flames for an extended period. I would think you would have to show something special during those sessions before you were given a lineup spot. He didnt get a chance in a game but he was given quite an exposure with the big club

Ya I bet Lucic shows a lot of special skill in practice

[Burning Beard]

Originally Posted by Naitix

Completely disagree with Sutters line management this season, one of our biggest problems and he refuses to try and fix it. Lucic should not be playing in the top 6, this is just stupid, I don’t even want to watch

Then don't watch. It's not rocket science.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Isn't this the two of them together?

Taller skates I guess. 😉

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Isn't this the two of them together?

[photo]

Well that's a pretty good reference, and it's probably easier to tell from a pic like that. Still don't think it's an enormous difference. But the official listings are more dramatic than my last recollection so I'll grant you that.

Nevertheless I still think it's a folly to continue playing Lucic in a top-six role instead of giving reps to these guys. People can say Phillips didn't assert himself in the 11 minutes he got but it's not a big enough sample to come away with anything either way. It's the same mindset as writing off Sonny Milano as a player because of a terrible pre-season sample. Ultimately, the results that matter are shots and goals.

[tvp2003]

I don't think this spells the end for Phillips in Calgary. Sutter isn't going to gift him a spot in the top 6 without seeing him earn it. Hopefully he made an impression that he can play all 200 feet, because that's what he'll need to do.

Sutter is still trying to find the right line combos amongst his established NHLers; finding a fit for Phillips isn't high on the priority list right now. I do think that if this team makes the playoffs, we'll see Phillips in a top 9 role (and PP2) by the end of the season.

[Naitix]

Originally Posted by Burning Beard

Then don't watch. It's not rocket science.

Meh I will still watch to be able to form an opinion on the team. Just pointing out that I don’t want to watch because this team is incredibly boring this season and there is no denying it. It’s been better last couple of games but they have been against bottom feeders

[Steve Bozek]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

… It's the same mindset as writing off Sonny Milano as a player because of a terrible pre-season sample. Ultimately, the results that matter are shots and goals.

Using the pre-season game performance for evaluation of players has got to be a bit of a crapshoot - remember how badly Zadorov and Badbranson played in the 21-22 pre-season?

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by ResAlien

I know some of us have our pet projects we want to see succeed but Phillips isn’t NHL quality right now.

Based upon on what evidence? The guy has played about fifteen minutes and did not look at all out of place. He's stuck in a catch-22 of not being able to prove he is NHL quality until he gets the ice time to be evaluated and not getting the icetime because he is smaller than the coach's personal preference.

The Flames are just an unambitious team that embraces mediocrity. Been that way since Darryl was GM in 2006. Heck 2004 was largely a fluke run and even then we lost to an undersized former Flame, a testament to the decade+ of commitment to mediocrity prior.

[Coach]

There's a chance that Phillips is just not showing up much in practice. Sorry but his size means he needs to be a pretty good level above guys like Ritchie and the like. If he's not noticeably better than them, then it's just not going to happen. I'd say he didn't look out of place in a game, but nothing that put him above anyone else.

[TheScorpion]

I just think it's far more risky to continue playing someone like Lucic, who has not been an NHL-calibre player for the better part of the last 100 games, on the second line (!) over players like Ruzicka, Phillips, and/or Pelletier.

Particularly when, if we're going to judge players off small samples, Lucic's last game against the Ducks was worse than anything Phillips has done in his NHL career. The Huberdeau line was completely neutralized against one of the worst teams in the league. Like you can talk about size but the Flames have consistently controlled the play with Phillips on the ice over his three NHL games.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

congrats team on giving the most skilled player on the wranglers a fair shake here

I guess the plan all along was nhl paychecks for christmas for the local boy

I wish there were more feel good things about this team. shafting a hard working guy who had to scratch and claw his way just to get consideration cause of his stature is not that

still think he makes an impact if given a proper shot over several consecutive games. but old rancho and I don't see eye to eye

[Burner]

Originally Posted by Naitix

Ya I bet Lucic shows a lot of special skill in practice

Lucic gets in because he earned the coach's confidence over multiple years. You may not agree with that but to think that Lucic has to earn it in practice the same way Phillips did is pretty irrelevant

[Burning Beard]

Yep this place is just as insufferable when the team is winning. Never change CP.

[Enoch Root]

Would have liked to have seen more of Phillips, just so we could make a reasonable assessment of what he looks like against NHLers. But I'm sure we'll see him up again before the season is over.

As for Zohorna, I was a bit disappointed with his play when the Flames claimed him, but he has been pretty good since being called up - glad his opportunity is continuing.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Well, that's that then.

[Naitix]

Originally Posted by Burner

Lucic gets in because he earned the coach's confidence over multiple years. You may not agree with that but to think that Lucic has to earn it in practice the same way Phillips did is pretty irrelevant

The issue is that Lucic barely lost any coaches confidence after playing ~80 games of garbage hockey

[DazzlinDino]

Originally Posted by Coach

There's a chance that Phillips is just not showing up much in practice. Sorry but his size means he needs to be a pretty good level above guys like Ritchie and the like. If he's not noticeably better than them, then it's just not going to happen. I'd say he didn't look out of place in a game, but nothing that put him above anyone else.

Would have liked to see him being given more of an opportunity. Small sample size. Philips was showing a lot before he ccame up, but now there is a chance he is not showing enough in practise? I would say there is a chance that explaination is just reaching for straws.

[FlamesAddiction]

I hope Phillips gets another shot later in the season. He didn't look that impressive in the 2 games he did play though. I know players often need more time to settle in, but IMO, he looked a little panicked with the puck and not up to how quick the NHL level is when it comes to making decisions with the puck. Maybe if you give him 10 straight games, that part starts to come. I guess Sutter doesn't want to risk it at this particular moment.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Isn't this the two of them together?

Obviously a deep fake