[GDT] Preseason Canucks @ Flames. 7pm MT. SN 360

[gvitaly]

If Gridin has a great game, can he win a spot in the lineup?

It's interesting that Klapka, Lomberg, and Kirkland are all sitting, that could be a decent 4th line as well.

I still think that Farabee is too high in the lineup, and the Kadri line needs a playmaker in either Zary or Huberdeau. Hopefully they find chemistry, but I see that line chasing a lot, and not generating much offense.

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by Freddy

I wouldn’t be upset if these are the lines to start the season, but with Wolf between the pipes.

Just hope they keep Solovyov up over Bean and Miromanov.

Lomberg and Klapka in reserve out of the forwards. Looks like they are trying to make a serviceable line out of the 4th line. Kirkland odd man out for forwards?

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by Goriders

Just hope they keep Solovyov up over Bean and Miromanov.

Lomberg and Klapka in reserve out of the forwards. Looks like they are trying to make a serviceable line out of the 4th line. Kirkland odd man out for forwards?

Fully expect Miromanov & Solovyov to be waived. Bean will stay.

[HighLifeMan]

Originally Posted by Tbull8

Waive Kirkland, start with those forwards with Lomberg and Klapka ready to step in. Love that

I may be wrong, but having Kirkland sit this game out means he likely has the inside track for a job on this roster - which I really don't like, but Huska seems to have fallen in love with the player.

I think Gridin and Kerins really have to pop yet again here to stick around unfortunately.

[Hockey-and_stuff]

Originally Posted by HighLifeMan

I may be wrong, but having Kirkland sit this game out means he likely has the inside track for a job on this roster - which I really don't like, but Huska seems to have fallen in love with the player.

I think Gridin and Kerins really have to pop yet again here to stick around unfortunately.

Every coach must absolutely be obsessed with a pointless or bad player. It's a staple throughout the entire league. Huska has simply evolved from Dryden Hunt to Justin Kirkland.

[howard_the_duck]

Interesting where Gridin is playing at the expense of Zary. It's pre-season, but peaks your attention regardless.

I'd also love to see Zary get some looks at center but perhaps that ship has sailed.

[Toonage]

I wonder just how recovered Zary is or if it prevented him from a full summer regime. He seems off and his usage would suggest the coaches see something too.

I mean, 2 major knee issues in a season. Thats pretty tough.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Hockey-and_stuff

Every coach must absolutely be obsessed with a pointless or bad player. It's a staple throughout the entire league. Huska has simply evolved from Dryden Hunt to Justin Kirkland.

Coaches look at more than offensive stats...most fan dont look far beyond that.

[Hockey-and_stuff]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Coaches look at more than offensive stats...most fan dont look far beyond that.

Do you just like to hear yourself talk or did you not understand the tongue in cheek nature of that post.

Sent from my SM-S931W using Tapatalk

[dino7c]

Flames also start with 3 in 4...not even 4. Two 8pm games and a 2pm (what a joke) roster will have many moving parts

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Hockey-and_stuff

Do you just like to hear yourself talk or did you not understand the tongue in cheek nature of that post.

Sent from my SM-S931W using Tapatalk

I dont talk out loud using Taptalk thanks

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by Hockey-and_stuff

Every coach must absolutely be obsessed with a pointless or bad player. It's a staple throughout the entire league. Huska has simply evolved from Dryden Hunt to Justin Kirkland.

I’d add Bean to that list

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by Toonage

I wonder just how recovered Zary is or if it prevented him from a full summer regime. He seems off and his usage would suggest the coaches see something too.

I mean, 2 major knee issues in a season. Thats pretty tough.

Zary and Pospisil haven’t been at their best so far. Will be interesting to see if they can step up in the next two.

[dino7c]

always tough to judge vets in the preseason...like for the bubble guys they are playing the biggest games of their lives. Vets are trying to get up to speed without getting injured.

[really?]

Originally Posted by howard_the_duck

Interesting where Gridin is playing at the expense of Zary. It's pre-season, but peaks your attention regardless.

I'd also love to see Zary get some looks at center but perhaps that ship has sailed.

That dream died when the team acquired Frost. He was dished ample 5/5 opportunities and pp time last year with little to show for it, and now is being horned as a 1 or 2C. Maybe it works out, but he’s had multiple seasons to show more, and to this point he has been underwhelming. He has displays decent edge work and handling skills which facilitate zone entry, but he is a 50-55 point top 6 center who plays as soft as he has historically this team will need to ride goaltending this season.

We should probably trust the guys looking at the players on a daily basis, so maybe Zary’s warts are greater than Frost’s, but Frost had clearly been given every chance to succeed, whereas Zary is being forced to prove his worth. If Frost came with a greater pedigree his placement would be understandable, but his time in Philly and here last year suggests to me he has a lot prove.

[Rhett44]

Play the players who look the best and are playing hard. If Griden and Kerins look better than Kirkland and Lomberg, they start.

[Hockey-and_stuff]

Originally Posted by Goriders

I’d add Bean to that list

I know there's been some consternation around Bean, and I agree he isn't great or particularly effective. With that being said, I still didn't see much from any of the prospective bottom pair guys (Solo, Kuzy etc) to be a surefire replacement for him.

And that's on the prospects. Jake Bean isn't a high bar to clear. If you can't demonstrably outplay him, that's not good for your NHL prospects.

[dino7c]

Thing is Bean can sit in the pressbox and come in from time to time...you don't want to sit young players. Its not just about your best 7 or 8 dmen "making the team" there is more to it

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Rhett44

Play the players who look the best and are playing hard. If Griden and Kerins look better than Kirkland and Lomberg, they start.

Kirkland looked better than Kerins on Monday

[howard_the_duck]

Originally Posted by really?

That dream died when the team acquired Frost. He was dished ample 5/5 opportunities and pp time last year with little to show for it, and now is being horned as a 1 or 2C. Maybe it works out, but he’s had multiple seasons to show more, and to this point he has been underwhelming. He has displays decent edge work and handling skills which facilitate zone entry, but he is a 50-55 point top 6 center who plays as soft as he has historically this team will need to ride goaltending this season.

We should probably trust the guys looking at the players on a daily basis, so maybe Zary’s warts are greater than Frost’s, but Frost had clearly been given every chance to succeed, whereas Zary is being forced to prove his worth. If Frost came with a greater pedigree his placement would be understandable, but his time in Philly and here last year suggests to me he has a lot prove.

Yeah and it gets harder to see the path with a re-upped Backlund, too.

It's disappointing, because you hate to see wasted potential, especially at a position where they've just not been able to draft and develop talent in what seems like forever.