[GDT] The Battle of Abbotsford: Flames vs. Canucks 8 MT

[Enoch Root]

remember when Honzek was a bust?

those were good times

[Calgary4LIfe]

Pelletier looked better in the 3rd - in all zones. I think this has been his most noticeable night out there thus far. Hope it is a building block.


I think Honzek could probably use some time in the AHL to ripen... or maybe he has ripened enough already! I actually would like to see him crack the lineup and see how he does. He certainly looks ready, and thus far, has earned it. Still too many bodies on forward. Asset management is important. You don't want to toss out a Pelletier only to then see Honzek starting to get a bit overwhelmed and in need of a some AHL time, or a a few injuries to make a lot of room in the forward ranks. Huska and Conroy are going to have some arguments I think!



Some kids are making these decisions difficult for Huska so far, and that's awesome.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I hope there is a reply of Solovyov's hit. It happened quick and there wasn't a reply shown - did the Canuck flip? It almost looked like Sarich's hit in junior, but I am sure it wasn't that vicious. Really wanted to see a reply of that, especially with the Vancouver's broadcast team insisting it was interference.

[getbak]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1839162639706177555

It's not great quality, but you can see the puck is in the zone and Hunt's trailing foot is still on top of the blue line (around 9 seconds).

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by dash_pinched

Still find it tough to believe Basha was still available at pick 41 in the draft.

That only happened because some dummy took Gridin in the first round.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by getbak

It's not great quality, but you can see the puck is in the zone and Hunt's trailing foot is still on top of the blue line (around 9 seconds).

It was a lot closer than I thought. Good goal!

[jg13]

Have a feeling Basha is going to have quite the year in Medicine Hat with McKenna

[D as in David]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

Pelletier looked better in the 3rd - in all zones. I think this has been his most noticeable night out there thus far. Hope it is a building block.

It wouldn't surprise me if he's trying to play a responsible game and putting less emphasis on his offensive game. The 4th line wing is the most likely position available to him.

[Meers]

Aside from the last minute breakdowns, the kids played pretty well. Tinordi, however, is not a kid any more and should be cut. Sprong just made him look foolish.

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by Meers

Aside from the last minute breakdowns, the kids played pretty well. Tinordi, however, is not a kid any more and should be cut. Sprong just made him look foolish.

Think that play made the decision easy for the coaching staff

[ReinhartonD]

Flames have a lot of guys who can fly--that's something that's hard to teach but they can learn the systems and develop the other skills they will need as they mature together. Lots to like going forward.

Also, maybe it's too much history TV and not enough sleep, but that Abbotsford logo at centre ice looks weirdly like a swastika.

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by Wastedyouth

SprOng was a pretty savvy get by the Canucks. He's pretty good. Especially on the PP.

He’s really fast

[TheIronMaiden]

Wolf is a stud!

Cooley was calm and composed

Pelletier's positional awareness is his strongest suit. He had an elite back check to break up a grade A scoring chance early in the third. His confidence grew as that period went on. A good showing for him

Coronato. I was never watching him closely but I think he starts on the team based on the entire body of work.

Parekh. This kid can skate! Wow. I think a big adjustment in his game is that people at this level aren't looking for him on the ice. Feels like he is used to people putting the puck back on his stick all the time. I think he is fine in his own zone, not bad, but not effective enough.

Honezek is a very skilled heads up player. He will start in the minors buy should be an NHLer.

Basha had a couple of bad giveaways in his own zone. A couple of bad passes in the off the rush as well. That said, he is involved in the play when he is on the ice, which you have to like.

Duhr played well, you could tell he's got experience over others. His forecheck and rush can be deadly. I'd love to see him shoot off the rush a little more. Like he used to.

Barrie is an NHL d man. He's slowed down a bit, but his decision making and patience is great.

Gridin was all over it tonight, he does not want to be sent down! Boy this guy COMPETES!


Kirkland is an effective player, just not explosive enough to be in the NHL.

Hunt is a decent player. Involved in the game. I think his goal was off side.

Poirier. Not a good game from him. Nor for Shwindt who was invisible.

I like Tinordi he plays effective professional level Defense. Makes sense he is late in his career. He'll make a good safe option for a handful of games. I don't get the hate on the last goal. 6-4 with no pressure provided by the forward.


Solovyov is a simple player. I do like what he brings to the table, but he never stood off the page. I'd love to see him muck it up a bit.


Morton feels a day late, a dollar short.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by ReinhartonD

Also, maybe it's too much history TV and not enough sleep, but that Abbotsford logo at centre ice looks weirdly like a swastika.

It's the knees. It also looks a lot like the Manx ‘running man’, for the same reason.

[Savvy27]

That was a really enjoyable game. I agree that there should have been a trip called on that play.


Honzek - very impressive. For such a big man he really is a smooth skater. He has an interesting passing style that is like a sweep and there was one time where I thought he was just throwing it away but he saw a guy off screen and put it right on the tape. He probably deserved at least one more assist or even two.


Basha - also very impressive. He has NHL skating already and I think his strength is not bad for a new draft pick too. Great hands, great vision. Tons of potential for him. I really hope he makes a push for Team Canada.


Parekh - not ready. I think it's pretty clear that the size and strength of the NHL is beyond him right now. He does make some very slick passes and you can tell he reads the game very well. I just don't think he is able to assert himself physically at this point and he needs some time to mature.


Pelletier - that game was a big relief from my point of view. He got better as the game went on and I thought he was their best defensive forward. He was carrying it well and making quick plays. He also dumped it past the opposing D one time and turned on the jets and beat the D clean to retrieve it and make a pass.


Morton - a bit quieter as the game went on but I really like his style of play and his hands. He remains the guy I would look to at the 4C spot.


Poirier - in my opinion he's in trouble. There are other up and coming D that play better defence than him and don't give the puck away nearly as much. I'd be surprised if he stuck with the big club.


Solovyov - I really like him. He's big and physical and dynamic. Personally there is no way that I would risk him on waivers to keep Tinordi up. He's right there with Pachal for the 7D spot in my mind.


Tinordi - getting beat cleanly by Sprong there was a shocking mistake for a vet. Chicago fans got to watch plays like that all last season and I'm not really interested in seeing those with the Flames. If he's a great leader then I can see the utility of him replacing Brett Sutter, but I think there are going to be a few D men on the Wranglers that are better than him already.


Wolf - he's so good. I already feel extremely confident watching him play. Really excited that we get to watch this guy develop into a star.


I really like this young crop of players. They took on some very good Canucks players today and I think they probably deserved the win. This is a fun group.

[dino7c]

Tinordi isn't exactly a guy you are going to have on 2 men down in the dying seconds of a real game...he is probably going to the AHL but it has nothing to do with that one play.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

remember when Honzek was a bust?

those were good times

last week haha

[DeluxeMoustache]

I thought Tinordi was always AHL bound, so no biggie

So good to see Honzek showing well

I thought Parekh had a couple of really smart plays where his raw skill/talent stood out

[bdubbs]

Parekh doesn't need to physically impose himself to be an effective NHL defenseman though. He just needs to use his all-world skill to his advantage. It will just take some time for him to figure it all out. Like Quinn Hughes in Vancouver or any of the other small, skilled defensemen in the league now.

[UKflames]

Can't find any highlights on Flames or Nucks website, are there any?