[PGT] Flames 6 Stars 5 - Classic Afternoon Game

[Naitix]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

He's not playing better than anyone in the top 9 though. You could make an argument for Lucic, but that's about it. Still, in his last 5 games, Lucic has 3 points and is +1. Ruzicka has 0 points in that same time frame. Even Mangiapane, who has struggled this year, has started to get hot lately.

Ruzicka has done an adequate job on the 4th line, but most nights he doesn't make much of an impact. He's just sorta there, and that's not good enough to get a promotion to a higher line, but more importantly, nobody really deserves to be dropped down to the 4th line. And even more importantly, who do you get to center the 4th line? Trevor Lewis is an emergency option at center, not the guy you want there every night.

So go ahead and tell me which player he deserves to replace in the top 9 and then show me your lines: Lindholm, Dube, Toffoli, Kadri, Huberdeau, Lucic, Backlund, Mangiapane, Coleman.

If you can make a realistic case, I'll listen.

I think he should replace Lucic on that line, I don’t think that line is as effective as they should be. I think what Lucic does on that line can be done by Ruzicka based on how he played with Lindholm and Toffoli.

I want to build a team that is a threat and can actually win consistently, I don’t think they will achieve that with Lucic in the top 6. I like what he brought to that line but only because he plays the game that fits with Huberdeau, but there is nothing special about Lucics game on that line. A player like Ruzicka can offer the same qualities as Lucic with an addition of being a threat to score once he has a puck on his stick.

I know Lucic is getting points and that line is scoring but they are a non threat for most of the nights, they just seem to get the goals but I see no long term consistency. I think they are getting very opportunistic with chances so far. We have not tried anyone on that line other than Lucic for a long period of time and I think it’s time for a change.

[dino7c]

They are playing .700 hockey in their last 10

Leave things for now

[Paulie Walnuts]

I'm all for playing young guys and higher in the lineup but I have a hard time finding an argument for Ruzicka.

He doesn't look engaged and doing the things he did when he had his chance. I would actually take him out of the lineup guys with motivation issues like him are maddening.

[Burning Beard]

Originally Posted by Naitix

I think he should replace Lucic on that line, I don’t think that line is as effective as they should be. I think what Lucic does on that line can be done by Ruzicka based on how he played with Lindholm and Toffoli.

I want to build a team that is a threat and can actually win consistently, I don’t think they will achieve that with Lucic in the top 6. I like what he brought to that line but only because he plays the game that fits with Huberdeau, but there is nothing special about Lucics game on that line. A player like Ruzicka can offer the same qualities as Lucic with an addition of being a threat to score once he has a puck on his stick.

I know Lucic is getting points and that line is scoring but they are a non threat for most of the nights, they just seem to get the goals but I see no long term consistency. I think they are getting very opportunistic with chances so far. We have not tried anyone on that line other than Lucic for a long period of time and I think it’s time for a change.

Thing is Lucic consistently drives the net creating space and wins board battles. When Ruzicka was playing well he was doing those things but when he stopped he was demoted. I agree he would be a good fit there but the knock against him has always been consistency.

[Naitix]

Originally Posted by Burning Beard

Thing is Lucic consistently drives the net creating space and wins board battles. When Ruzicka was playing well he was doing those things but when he stopped he was demoted. I agree he would be a good fit there but the knock against him has always been consistency.

His consistency issues came mostly from his time in junior and early ahl years, and now it is used against him anytime he is having an off game. How consistent have Mangiapane, Lindholm, Dube, Kadri or Huberdeau been this season. All players struggle with consistency, especially rookies

[Snuffleupagus]

Originally Posted by dino7c

They are playing .700 hockey in their last 10

Leave things for now

If you go by the eye test they could be at .300 hockey last 10 and no one would be surprised, this team needs some sort of confidence jolt.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Snuffleupagus

If you go by the eye test they could be at .300 hockey last 10 and no one would be surprised, this team needs some sort of confidence jolt.

Maybe if you are blind lol

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Snuffleupagus

If you go by the eye test they could be at .300 hockey last 10 and no one would be surprised, this team needs some sort of confidence jolt.

2-0-2, .750 on this road trip
6-2-2, .700 in their last 10
8-2-3, .731 in their last 13
11-4-6, .667 in their last 21

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

2-0-2, .750 on this road trip
6-2-2, .700 in their last 10
8-2-3, .731 in their last 13
11-4-6, .667 in their last 21

Have only been less than 50% in xgf% one in the last 15 games and that was 49.74% against LA.

Of the 14 games where they were better than 50%, they were over 55% nine times.

Why do some want to see misery?!

[SebC]

As I was saying...

Originally Posted by SebC

[Burning Beard]

Originally Posted by Naitix

His consistency issues came mostly from his time in junior and early ahl years, and now it is used against him anytime he is having an off game. How consistent have Mangiapane, Lindholm, Dube, Kadri or Huberdeau been this season. All players struggle with consistency, especially rookies

OK its fair to say we see it differently

[PugnaciousIntern]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Have only been less than 50% in xgf% one in the last 15 games and that was 49.74% against LA.

Of the 14 games where they were better than 50%, they were over 55% nine times.

Why do some want to see misery?!

My suspicion is that it's the emotional reaction to numerous OT/SO losses. I know that I'm guilty of it.

For example, while an 11-4-6 record is a decent run for points at 0.667, that is also an overall 11-10 record, of which 6 games were lost in OT and feels like the team gave away 6 additional points.

If the team was 14-7, the team would be in the same place at 0.667, but I think the attitude around here would be better.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Naitix

I think he should replace Lucic on that line, I don’t think that line is as effective as they should be. I think what Lucic does on that line can be done by Ruzicka based on how he played with Lindholm and Toffoli.

I want to build a team that is a threat and can actually win consistently, I don’t think they will achieve that with Lucic in the top 6. I like what he brought to that line but only because he plays the game that fits with Huberdeau, but there is nothing special about Lucics game on that line. A player like Ruzicka can offer the same qualities as Lucic with an addition of being a threat to score once he has a puck on his stick.

I know Lucic is getting points and that line is scoring but they are a non threat for most of the nights, they just seem to get the goals but I see no long term consistency. I think they are getting very opportunistic with chances so far. We have not tried anyone on that line other than Lucic for a long period of time and I think it’s time for a change.

Ideally, you'd like to see Ruzicka on that line, I agree, but unlike Lucic, he struggles to check consistently and play defense. Lucic's skating is atrocious, and yet he is far more often in the right spot compared to Ruzicka, and he makes the smart and simple plays necessary to manage the puck on his shifts. Until Ruzicka does that consistently, he can't be trusted to play those minutes.

Lucic does what that line needs offensively. He goes down low and retrieves pucks, getting it back to the offensive players to do what they need to do. He's cashing in where he can despite limited skill and shooting ability.

If the barrier to your promotion is an over-the-hill Lucic who can barely skate, and you still can't take a spot from him, you have to look in the mirror. Ruzicka's issue has always been effort and consistency, and while it has improved quite a bit since junior, it's still not where it needs to be.

Honestly, I really want to see Pelletier play to find out if he might be an option on that line.

[AndyM]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Why do some want to see misery?!

Because it's easier to complain and be a negative Nellie.

[activeStick]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Have only been less than 50% in xgf% one in the last 15 games and that was 49.74% against LA.



Of the 14 games where they were better than 50%, they were over 55% nine times.



Why do some want to see misery?!

So they can post about how they were right when predicting said misery!

[Naitix]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

Ideally, you'd like to see Ruzicka on that line, I agree, but unlike Lucic, he struggles to check consistently and play defense. Lucic's skating is atrocious, and yet he is far more often in the right spot compared to Ruzicka, and he makes the smart and simple plays necessary to manage the puck on his shifts. Until Ruzicka does that consistently, he can't be trusted to play those minutes.

Lucic does what that line needs offensively. He goes down low and retrieves pucks, getting it back to the offensive players to do what they need to do. He's cashing in where he can despite limited skill and shooting ability.

If the barrier to your promotion is an over-the-hill Lucic who can barely skate, and you still can't take a spot from him, you have to look in the mirror. Ruzicka's issue has always been effort and consistency, and while it has improved quite a bit since junior, it's still not where it needs to be.

Honestly, I really want to see Pelletier play to find out if he might be an option on that line.

Ya fair enough, I also want to see Pelletier on that line

[Mr.Coffee]

Originally Posted by dino7c

They are playing .700 hockey in their last 10

Leave things for now

Yeah, tough to argue this based on the record. At the end of the day if they’re getting points they’re getting points.

A win tomorrow would be absolutely massive. What is that, 8 of a possible 10 points on the road trip? That’s just what the doctor ordered for this team and as well a 3 game win streak coming home??? Yes please.

[looooob]

^^ re the completion of this road trip, after this one, the Flames have one real 4 game trip to the East (with teams mostly in the Eastern time zone but nicely spread out), one double bill in Minny and Dallas (a tough one) and a singleton to Winnipeg


other than that, I think its all Mountain and Pacific action

[Snuffleupagus]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Maybe if you are blind lol

Can you point out even 4 dominating performances the last 10, take off the rose colored glasses while you look

[the2bears]

Originally Posted by Snuffleupagus

Can you point out even 4 dominating performances the last 10, take off the rose colored glasses while you look

Does a win have to be dominating? Seems there's a lot of wiggle room between being 0.300 over the last 10 games and requiring at least 4 dominating games.