[GDT] Ottawa Senators at Calgary Flames 7:00pm TV: SNW, TSN5, RDS - RADIO SN960

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

This is honestly a horrible scheduling spot for the Flames. they go Minnesota, Nashville, Philly, Chicago, and back to Calgary to play a team who's been waiting here since Sunday after last playing on Saturday. Than the Flames head out of town again. This is like a long travel road game in front of home fans.

NHL has had a really stupid schedule this year.

If we can't handle a home game, nearly two full days after arriving home from a road trip we should just fold up.

[Flames1217]

Kuznetsov drawing in tonight ?

[All In Good Time]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

If we can't handle a home game, nearly two full days after arriving home from a road trip we should just fold up.

Yeah,
It was beyond embarrassing to lose to Chicago and if we cant handle this one, we should be relegated.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by All In Good Time

Yeah,
It was beyond embarrassing to lose to Chicago and if we cant handle this one, we should be relegated.

The Blackhawks have won 12 and have beaten some good teams. I don't find losing to another NHL team embarrassing. Except losing to the Sharks. Now that's something embarrassing.

[sureLoss]

Kuznetsov is making his NHL debut! Dube scratched.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1744773581341610074

[D as in David]

The winner tonight celebrates; the loser Celebrinis.

[dissentowner]

About time Dube sat.

[dieHARDflameZ]

Thank god Dube is sitting this one out. He has been an absolute no-show this season.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

What us happening in Ottawa? Thus was supposed to be the year they turned the corner. It's been five years since Tkachuk has been drafted; they have made some very savvy roster decisions, drafted quite well and have collected a bunch of really talented players over that time, and they still languish at the bottom of the East.

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Cautionary tale

Maybe they weren't so savvy afterall

[Bingo]

I've never questioned Dube's effort, so I wouldn't call him a no show.

Complete lack of confidence has had him fighting the puck, and with that losing more confidence into a spiral.

He's better than this.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

What us happening in Ottawa? Thus was supposed to be the year they turned the corner. It's been five years since Tkachuk has been drafted; they have made some very savvy roster decisions, drafted quite well and have collected a bunch of really talented players over that time, and they still languish at the bottom of the East.

Sent from my SM-G986W using Tapatalk

They are capped out due to all the contract extensions and the young players are being asked to carry the team as the veterans brought in have only been okay.

Also goaltending and coaching have been abysmal. The young guys are talented but play with no structure.

[Heavy Jack]

When Dube was playing his best the last couple years he was using his speed, playing a simple north/south brand, chipping pucks and retrieving, strong on his stick along the boards and winning his fair share of board battles and 50/50 battles. All of that has disappeared and then some to the point where I don’t even really notice him at all in his severely reduced minutes, he’s at 11:19 ATOI and dropping fast after averaging over 15 minutes last year and looking like he was taking a step.

You can’t waive him because he’d likely be snapped up with his caphit and nhl pedigree up to this point, trading him now is trading low, so the Flames need to be patient with Dube and I think he’s earned that. Dude has been a great ambassador for the Flames and the obvious 2018 WJC team cloud that’s been hanging over his head I think has contributed to the 180 that’s happened this year for Dube.

Let him sit in the press box, take in a different perspective and allow him to take the pressure off a bit and try to reset. I think ultimately a change of scenery is the best bet for Dube and that likely is where this is headed but hopefully the Flames can help him regain his trajectory and turn him into an asset before they depart ways.

[Flamesfan05]

If Dube is trying then he has even a bigger problem. He doesn’t have the skills to play in the NHL anymore

[Flames Fan, Ph.D.]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

What us happening in Ottawa? Thus was supposed to be the year they turned the corner. It's been five years since Tkachuk has been drafted; they have made some very savvy roster decisions, drafted quite well and have collected a bunch of really talented players over that time, and they still languish at the bottom of the East.

Sent from my SM-G986W using Tapatalk

But they drafted high all these years. Didn't they snap their fingers in the off-season and turn on 'compete' mode.

I think it's a good precautionary tale.

[D as in David]

If Dube doesn't turn his game around by the season's end, I'd guess they'd lose him for nothing as the Flames wouldn't likely accept his QO. He is a local boy so it is possible they could sign him to a lesser deal. A trade might be the best option, despite selling low. Even waiving him and losing him to another team would provide additional cap space to use at the TDL.

[dammage79]

I'm a bit surprised they recalled Kuznetsov to play today. I'm happy for it as Oesterle is not very good and I prefer the kids get some ice. But I do wonder if they're getting ready to make some moves trade wise.

It's also about darned time Dube sits. Hopefully for 3 games. Let him really feel it.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Flamesfan05

If Dube is trying then he has even a bigger problem. He doesn’t have the skills to play in the NHL anymore

What are the chances that he isn't trying? Honestly.
What are the chances that he lost his skillset from the productive player he was?

Zero on both.

It's all confidence, and perhaps the off ice stuff.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by Flamesfan05

If Dube is trying then he has even a bigger problem. He doesn’t have the skills to play in the NHL anymore

You're suggesting a 25 year old no longer has the skills? Key words "no longer"... If he "no longer" has the skills then he once was skilled enough for the NHL. When someone "no longer" has the skills that strongly implies that they are too old or suffered a major injury. We know it isn't the latter because he was never injured. So that leaves too old. At only 25 years old?

Perhaps there's something else more logical.

[bdubbs]

Good. Dube hasn't been bringing it consistently to meet what the team expects from him. Effort is fine but his defensive numbers are abysmal last I checked. A lot of effort applied in the wrong way is not a good recipe for success.

[dino7c]

Dube is an NHLer...just maybe not a very good one