[GDT] Flames @ Stars, 6:30 PM MST. Sportsnet West, Fan 960

[bubbsy]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

Let's give it a game folks.




Heck, not even a game, actually - just the first few shifts at least.

Thats exactly my frustration with the move. Let's give Bennett at least a few games to get some chemistry, just a few.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Big Erned Nevergivn

Holy Overreaction Batman! They are giving the new guy a boost and a chance to succeed, which probably won't last all game unless that line produces early. And its guy that fits the same archetype of the injured player (ferland) he's replacing.

I get that Bennett is our highest pick ever and we want him to succeed, but he did not earn that spot, so lets not act like its some kind of travesty that he's been put back where he belongs. It also spreads the talent out a little bit.

Oh, but Stewart did?

Bennett has looked great there in the two games they have tried it.

Stewart has been a healthy scratch for a month. IMO, it would make a little more sense to ease Stewart in on the 3rd line, and leave Bennett alone while it's working.

I get trying to catch lightning in a bottle with Stewart, but saying Bennett hasn't earned it is the height of irony.

[locsofblu]

Does anyone know what number the ginja ninja will be wearing in his debut?

[Freeway]

Stewart is wearing number 8.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Fischy13

... Bennett is also a C/LW. The position on the top line available is RW. He was there as a band aide solution IMO...

This is a really important point that is surprisingly being ignored by many posters in their untrammelled vitriol: having Bennett on the top line shifted Gaudreau to the right side. Several posters were quite happy about Gaudreau playing his off-wing, but it is completely justifiable for the coaches to prefer having as many of their best available players in their natural positions.

Chris Stewart is a right-winger. Gaudreau is a left-winger. It makes abundant sense to me why the coaches would like to see this combination for at least a shift or two, and it is NOT an indictment of the quality of Sam Bennett's recent level of play.

[locsofblu]

Originally Posted by Freeway

Stewart is wearing number 8.

Oh Christ let's hope he plays a lot better than Bubba. Thank you kindly gonna update my roster lol. I hope he does well as I've always liked Stewart when he's on his game.

[FireGilbert]

Usually we need to wait until the 2nd page of the GT to get the fire GG talk going. Nice to see CP with an early start today

Go Flames Go!

[H2SO4(aq)]

I’ve completely lost sight of the fact that there is a game against the stars tonight. Just win baby.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

The top lines fancy stats were better with Bennett up there than they were with Ferland... and Bennett gets replaced? The only logic being that he's not as intimidating/truculent as Stewart?

.

Off the top of my head here are just some of the reasons why the Flames would potentially want to try Stewart.
- On paper he shares some of the attributes that Ferland has, such as being a big body that can win battles to win pucks. Sean/Johnny don't do that. They also may benefit from having a big guy on their wing
- They want to get him off to a good start and re-build his confidence
- They want to spread the offensive talent across 3 lines. Having Sam on the top line puts a lot of eggs in one basket
- Putting Sam on the top line put Johnny on the other wing, which he's less effective at
- The team wants to try Stewart out on a few lines to see where he fits best

Lots of rational reasons why to try this.

[The Boy Wonder]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

This is a really important point that is surprisingly being ignored by many posters in their untrammelled vitriol: having Bennett on the top line shifted Gaudreau to the right side. Several posters were quite happy about Gaudreau playing his off-wing, but it is completely justifiable for the coaches to prefer having as many of their best available players in their natural positions.

Chris Stewart is a right-winger. Gaudreau is a left-winger. It makes abundant sense to me why the coaches would like to see this combination for at least a shift or two, and it is NOT an indictment of the quality of Sam Bennett's recent level of play.

That is nonsense...


Ferland was also a LW until he got placed on that line. And if you have three of your best players on LW maybe you need to convert one of them. Why they didn’t convert Bennett to RW is another question, or why they don’t now.

It’s the stupid Right shot left shot thing all over again

I think many here are frustrated with the lack of lasting and true opportunity being afforded to Bennett that is seemingly given to many other lesser skilled players

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by The Boy Wonder

That is nonsense...


Ferland was also a LW until he got placed on that line. And if you have three of your best players on LW maybe you need to convert one of them. Why they didn’t convert Bennett to RW is another question, or why they don’t now.

It’s the stupid Right shot left shot thing all over again

I think many here are frustrated with the lack of lasting and true opportunity being afforded to Bennett that is seemingly given to many other lesser skilled players

The right shot left shot thing is not stupid. It is simply an important part of the decision. To just toss it out as "stupid" is naive.
Bennett has received ample opportunity. Let's not suddenly paint him as a victim when quite frankly he has NOT played well enough consistently.
That's on him.
Jeepers - folks REALLY have a hard time holding the players accountable. Far easier to just blame the coach.

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by Wild GM

The right shot left shot thing is not stupid. It is simply an important part of the decision. To just toss it out as "stupid" is naive.
Bennett has received ample opportunity. Let's not suddenly paint him as a victim when quite frankly he has NOT played well enough consistently.
That's on him.
Jeepers - folks REALLY have a hard time holding the players accountable. Far easier to just blame the coach.

So the way to help him is drop him off the top line as a reward for recent (better) performance?

I agree on the accountability point, just think you are ignoring his improvement lately.

[Red]

Originally Posted by Wild GM

The right shot left shot thing is not stupid. It is simply an important part of the decision. To just toss it out as "stupid" is naive.
Bennett has received ample opportunity. Let's not suddenly paint him as a victim when quite frankly he has NOT played well enough consistently.
That's on him.
Jeepers - folks REALLY have a hard time holding the players accountable. Far easier to just blame the coach.

Nothing screams player accountability more than putting a guy that just got off the waiver shame bus on the top line.

Whatever, let's just hope that Bennett is not ticked off. I know I would if I was on a "show me" contract.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Red

Nothing screams player accountability more than putting a guy that just got off the waiver shame bus on the top line.

Whatever, let's just hope that Bennett is not ticked off. I know I would if I was on a "show me" contract.

If Bennett is ticked off after a single decent game he had some growing up to do

[Duffalufagus]

Indifferent to Stewart slotting in on the top line. I will say, however, the fact that it is happening tells you everything you need to know about why this team is not a contender. Depressing.

[bubbsy]

Originally Posted by Wild GM

The right shot left shot thing is not stupid. It is simply an important part of the decision. To just toss it out as "stupid" is naive.
Bennett has received ample opportunity. Let's not suddenly paint him as a victim when quite frankly he has NOT played well enough consistently.
That's on him.
Jeepers - folks REALLY have a hard time holding the players accountable. Far easier to just blame the coach.

In the offseason folks harped that Bennett doesn't have the offensive output as say Leon Draisaitl due to quality of linemates. Bennett plays 95‰ of his shifts on the 3rd line with Jankowski and Hathaway/jagr/Brouwer, but now it's the 'received ample time' narrative.

Whatever, other orgs seem to find young talent positions to succeed and live thru the up's and downs of their development.

I guess here I have to go thru the up's and downs of a coach and gm seemingly learning on the job too. Good job Gulutzan, way to go on watching a crap pp for 40+ games before putting Hamilton and Giordano on the point. Proud of you.

Maybe by training camp he can look at the underlying pk stats and realize just throwing Stajan and Brouwer out there is also a dumb decision.

[the2bears]

I'm actually looking forward to the game, to see what happens. Any one else going to watch?

[Red]

Originally Posted by Wild GM

If Bennett is ticked off after a single decent game he had some growing up to do

One game? This is his first break to play 1st line wing in 2 seasons and he loses it to a waiver pick up.

Do you think he would have 25 points playing there all year? Do you have any idea how much money this may be costing him?

Put yourself in his shoes. Do you think sven is sending Christmas cards to Hartley?

We will be talking a contract extension with Bennett next year. You think he will want to sign here to play for GG? I don't think he is looking forward to that.

[Boo Radley]

Wow, a lot of anger on here. Even the coach has stated he plans to experiment with the lines to see if some chemistry develops. I look forward to seeing how things shake out.

[calbow]

I heard on the Fan Stewart will start on the Top line but will be moved around during the game to get familiar with the team...I see no problem with that..