April 8 Practice - Ortio close? Bollig in for Bouma?

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by Gaudfather

To me the bigger question is if Bouma can't go does Bennett draw in. I know some are saying Bollig should get the nod to confront the size of the LA Kings - but i think you beat the Kings with speed rather than size. Would love to see Bennett get the nod.

Raymond and Bouma out, Bennett and Shore in. A good mix of energy, size, and skill to the bottom six. Sam also has the ELC thing in his favour now - Flames can still play him in every game from now to the end of the 1st round (2 regular season + 7 playoffs) without burning a year off.

[foshizzle11]

Gaskal, I agree with you. Now that they won't burn a year on his ELC, we could see Bennett in the game tomorrow night. I hope so.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by Gaudfather

To me the bigger question is if Bouma can't go does Bennett draw in. I know some are saying Bollig should get the nod to confront the size of the LA Kings - but i think you beat the Kings with speed rather than size. Would love to see Bennett get the nod.

If Bouma isn't able to play, I think it's Shore or Bollig before Bennett.

[Bingo]

didn't a Hartley quote point to Bennett playing and we have a plan or something like that?

makes me think they wanted the ELC thing sorted out as suggested above.

[FBI]

If Bouma is out, definitely get Bennett out there.. He could be a huge boost, surprise, and magical ending to our season.

[mrkajz44]

I don't buy the ELC thing. What if the Flames go past the first round (all speculation at this point of course)? Then what? Do you sit him after nine games regardless to avoid burning a year?

I dunno - just doesn't make sense to me.

[sureLoss]

Derek Wills @Fan960Wills
Bob Hartley said Lance Bouma is day-to-day. I just saw #Flames Head Coach have a chat with Brandon Bollig...I suspect he'll be in tomorrow.

[Gaudfather]

Originally Posted by mrkajz44

I don't buy the ELC thing. What if the Flames go past the first round (all speculation at this point of course)? Then what? Do you sit him after nine games regardless to avoid burning a year?

I dunno - just doesn't make sense to me.

If the Flames were going a second round in the playoffs - ownership would likely have little concern with eating a year of Bennett's ELC - as they would be raking in significant unplanned revenues!

[sureLoss]

Eric Francis @EricFrancis
Hartley: "you can't go to the pharmacy to buy a pack of experience."

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by mrkajz44

I don't buy the ELC thing. What if the Flames go past the first round (all speculation at this point of course)? Then what? Do you sit him after nine games regardless to avoid burning a year?

I dunno - just doesn't make sense to me.

At that point I think it's worth it for the Flames organization and the owners to burn a year of ELC. The playoff revenue would be massive.

[Southside]

Im confused on something here. Ortio has not been recalled by the Flames but is practicing with them. Meanwhile McGrattan who also has not been recalled by the Flames cannot practice with the team while in town. Im sure there is something technical I am missing here.

[DJones]

Are we treating Ferland as a obvious starter now? Ferland, Shore, Bennett, Raymond/Bollig is my order of preference for next game.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Derek Wills @Fan960Wills
Bob Hartley said Lance Bouma is day-to-day. I just saw #Flames Head Coach have a chat with Brandon Bollig...I suspect he'll be in tomorrow.

Ugh, why couldn't the NHL have suspended him for his hit against the Blues?

[skudr248]

Bollig should not be in. Waiting now for someone to respond with some crap about "experience" ... NO. He is NOT good, just like the Oilers are NO GOOD

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by HelloHockeyFans

Not sure about the goalies, but Crosby sustained a high ankle sprain before so I don't think it's true that it ruins careers.

They don't ruin your career. They have a tendency to derail a season.

[burn_this_city]

Bolig would be ok against the Kings, they aren't the fastest team.

[skudr248]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

Bolig would be ok against the Kings, they aren't the fastest team.

They will be tomorrow

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by skudr248

Bollig should not be in. Waiting now for someone to respond with some crap about "experience" ... NO. He is NOT good, just like the Oilers are NO GOOD

I won't respond with that, but how about this. Many on here think it's a no brainer to put Bennett in, no risk move, Bollig sucks, etc..... Rather than debate that, what about the following:

- Can we at least agree that Hartley and his staff, based on what we've seen this year and even the end of last year in regards to team accomplishments and even individual performances and development from both our young and veteran players, seem to know what they are doing and have a good sense for players and the game?

- Same point above for the management of this team.

- Also fair to say, that people can make mistakes, that includes Hartley and the management.

So if they don't play Bennett, is that what we are saying, that this is one of the situations where Hartley and co are just completely missing the boat? Not impossible by any means, but is it likely. If he goes in that direction, he clearly feels he's got better options than Bennett right now to help us win the next game, we can't possibly believe that's not his goal right?

So what do we think is more likely, that people just really want to see Bennett play and it's clouding their views, or that Hartley is just really making a boo boo?

[Gaudfather]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

So what do we think is more likely, that people just really want to see Bennett play and it's clouding their views, or that Hartley is just really making a boo boo?

Agree that no one wants to win tomorrow night against the Kings more than Hartley - and we can certainly trust his judgement at this point - whatever game time decisions he ultimately makes.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by mrkajz44

I don't buy the ELC thing. What if the Flames go past the first round (all speculation at this point of course)? Then what? Do you sit him after nine games regardless to avoid burning a year?

I dunno - just doesn't make sense to me.

Yes, you absolutely sit Bennett if you make it past the first round to avoid burning a year on his ELC.

This team can probably beat Vancouver in a 7 game series. We're not winning the cup this year.

Next summer, Johnny, Monahan, Russell and Gio are all up for extensions. Gio and Russell will double their current AAV salaries at minimum, and who knows how Treliving handles Monahan/Gaudreau.

They need 3 full years of Bennett on an ELC.