McGrattan taking the first faceoff of every game. After that, just spread the ice time out and make sure that any rookies we're keeping up get a chance in every situation to prove their worth.
Nice! And actually quite sensible, really. Would add entertainment value if nothing else.
I always like seeing an aggressive forechecking team. Hartley gears his teams more towards a puck possession style of play. When they lose the puck I want to see guys like Bouma & Galiardi hounding the opposing D & crunching them against the boards. The Flames need to be a difficult team to play against.
As we promote rookies, never let anybody get pushed around. Play a tough, relentless, aggressive team game. Do not let any soft habits develop, and never let up even in the most hopeless games.
As much as I think SOB will be a terrible influence on the scoresheet, I think he will have a good influence on the mentality of the team.
Play for results, reward effort, anyone taking a shift off can hold up the far end of the bench or sample the popcorn in the pressbox. Use any unplanned events (injuries, suspensions, etc.) to blood young guys playing well in the AHL.
All other things being equal, give the guy with more upside the better situational icetime.
-Play Butler like he's the second coming of Scott Neidermayer
-Opt for 'veterans with experience' in the shootout
-Bench your hardest shooting d-men on the powerplay
Be a mean team no matter what... Ramo gets bumped even a little bit the gloves have to come off. No more looking to the referee for a penalty call on the other team... Street justice for the flames. I'm fine with the flames getting a ton of penalties if the message is sent that the flames punish teams that take liberties.
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Be a mean team no matter what... Ramo gets bumped even a little bit the gloves have to come off. No more looking to the referee for a penalty call on the other team... Street justice for the flames. I'm fine with the flames getting a ton of penalties if the message is sent that the flames punish teams that take liberties.
I actually do not want this. You can be physical and in someone's face without punching the crap out of him at every opportunity. Goon hockey isn't winning hockey anymore.
Of course I want the Flames to be a hard working and very physical team, but I don't think they should replace wins on the scoreboard with wins with the fists.
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"You know, that's kinda why I came here, to show that I don't suck that much" ~ Devin Cooley, Professional Goaltender
Start the season by giving the kids sheltered minutes and time to adjust to the NHL. Put veterans like Cammalleri (when healthy), Stempniak and Stajan into opportunities where they can shine and increase their trade value.
Evaluate the roster at the 9 game mark (specifically for Monahan) and be constantly adjusting the lines / minutes that the young players get based on their ability to handle the workload given to them. Be ready for them to have good and bad streaks and use the pressbox to give them breaks as needed.
Plan on a trade deadline transition where we trade away our pending UFAs and start to rely more heavily on the depth chart.
