[GDT] Flames @ Canucks, 8:00 MST. HNIC, Fan 960

[united]

What’s the atmosphere like at morning skate ComixZone? Anything stand out aside from combos? Anyone showing signs of the Roxy flu?

[direwolf]

I'm in full on apathy mode at this point. Hoping for a win of course, but I'm skeptical they can even put together 40 minutes of decent hockey. I guess we'll see what they're made of.

Hate to admit it, but the Canucks have a good team this year and have no problem scoring goals. This has all the makings of a disaster for the Flames tonight.

[MrMike]

Just bought tickets! First time in enemy territory. Front row on the Flames attack side, we’ll wave to all of you! So pumped.

[peter12]

I'll be there. Be good to me, boys. Don't embarrass me in front of my friends.

[madmike]

I have 0 faith in this team. The coming week is likely to decide whether they’re a buyer or seller at the deadline. Hopefully they can get their act together but I’m not holding my breath.

[Barnet Flame]

I don’t think it will be a good night.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

Tough game for the Flames. Canucks have a built a solid team, deep up front, a stud 20 year old dman, good goaltending and a better coach. Benning’s work has been impressive, slowly building this team and with all their best players being under 25 they are set for awhile. Hopefully the Flames give them a competitive game.

Well, two of their top-six scoring forwards are a couple years past 25, with another only two months shy of his 25th birthday.

The Canucks look fine this year—in some respects fairly reminiscent of the 2014–15 Flames. They have a 1–2–1 record since the ASG, and no regulation wins in that time.

Traditionally, Calgary plays well in Rogers Place posting a 3-1-1 record in the past two seasons. I expect a solid game and another good result.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by MrMike

Just bought tickets! First time in enemy territory. Front row on the Flames attack side, we’ll wave to all of you! So pumped.

Rogers Place is a terrific building. enjoy the game!

[Joborule]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

Gaudreau-Monahan-Lindholm
Mangiapane-Backlund-Tkachuk
Lucic-Ryan-Dube
Bennett-Jankowski-Rieder

Brodie-Hamonic
Hanifin-Andersson
Kylington-Stone

Rittich (Starter)
Talbot

I find it an absolute joke that Bennett is back down to playing with Jankowski. He's been our best forward since the AllStar break, but hey - back to the 4th line ya.

Bennett has to be a cancer or something in the locker room.

Yeah yeah, he isn't a top 6 player by how he looks out there, but he's been doing a hell of a lot more results wise than the players that have continually been getting top 6 play despite lack of production.

Coaches hate him, and Bennett can't wait to get out of Calgary I imagine.

[Spurly]

What happened to Buddy

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Win tonight and next three are against the three poor California teams.

Win streak coming.

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

Gaudreau-Monahan-Lindholm
Mangiapane-Backlund-Tkachuk
Lucic-Ryan-Dube
Bennett-Jankowski-Rieder

Brodie-Hamonic
Hanifin-Andersson
Kylington-Stone

Rittich (Starter)
Talbot

I find it an absolute joke that Bennett is back down to playing with Jankowski. He's been our best forward since the AllStar break, but hey - back to the 4th line ya.

Lol it's as if he read my post in the Unpopular Opinions thread though!

I'll take it!

Originally Posted by Gaskal

Tkachuk with Lindholm at center was, and continues to be, a stupid idea for the team overall. Sure, that pairing is great in a bubble, but it did a bunch of things to the rest of the team I absolutely hate:

-Utterly neuters Backlund, removing Tkachuk from his line after Frolik got traded, and by that leaves us with no more true shutdown, tough minutes line that we can throw out there in difficult situations.

-Removes one of the most successful right shot RWs of the last few years to play for us from the most productive line he's been on his career (yeah I know they've been ice cold but that's not entirely on Lindholm)

- By extension, that now leaves Monahan & Gaudreau playing with scrubs or forwards playing offwing on RW (who cares if Buddy's your childhood friend, Johnny, he's still a career AHLer) unless Tre makes a trade of course.

[ForeverFlameFan]

The next 4 games really determine whether or not we sell or stand pat.

[Robo]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

The next 4 games really determine whether or not we sell or stand pat.

They should be selling anyway this team is absolutely broken

[MisterJoji]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

Gaudreau-Monahan-Lindholm

Mangiapane-Backlund-Tkachuk

Lucic-Ryan-Dube

Bennett-Jankowski-Rieder



Brodie-Hamonic

Hanifin-Andersson

Kylington-Stone



Rittich (Starter)

Talbot



I find it an absolute joke that Bennett is back down to playing with Jankowski. He's been our best forward since the AllStar break, but hey - back to the 4th line ya.

Gaudreau-Monahan-Lindholm was absolute money last year and it’s been awhile since it’s been tried again. I like it, gives Johnny more options. Robinson has effort and heart but dude is NOT a top 6 player.

Swapping out Mangi for Frolik on the 3M line (I guess it’s still 3M if you use Mangi’s last name). Backlund has been horriawful this year but he has past chemistry with Tkachuk. Hopefully Yeast Mode is the straw that can stir that drink.

Bottom 6: swap Bennett and Lucic’s spots and I like it. Would rather Rinaldo over Reider but oh well.

Wish the top pair was Brodie-Andersson as Hamonic has been completely pedestrian for most of the year. I really hope the rumors aren’t true about a Hamonic extension unless the cap hit is considerably less than what he currently makes. Would prefer trading him (+ other assets if needed) for a legitimate top 6 RW. Hanifin has been so up and down this year let’s hope he swings back in an upward direction. Kylington has had some glaring errors the last few games but hasn’t even had 100 NHL games yet so he’s allowed some growing pains. Honestly, Stone has been fine as a bottom pair guy, one of the few guys that has a bomb for a slap shot. Having Valimaki back is going to be huge.

Need Rittich to have a really strong game.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by Joborule

Bennett has to be a cancer or something in the locker room.

Yeah yeah, he isn't a top 6 player by how he looks out there, but he's been doing a hell of a lot more results wise than the players that have continually been getting top 6 play despite lack of production.

Coaches hate him, and Bennett can't wait to get out of Calgary I imagine.

At least Hartley really seemed to like him

Originally Posted by MisterJoji

Gaudreau-Monahan-Lindholm was absolute money last year and it’s been awhile since it’s been tried again. I like it, gives Johnny more options. Robinson has effort and heart but dude is NOT a top 6 player.

Swapping out Mangi for Frolik on the 3M line (I guess it’s still 3M if you use Mangi’s last name). Backlund has been horriawful this year but he has past chemistry with Tkachuk. Hopefully Yeast Mode is the straw that can stir that drink.

Bottom 6: swap Bennett and Lucic’s spots and I like it. Would rather Rinaldo over Reider but oh well.

Wish the top pair was Brodie-Andersson as Hamonic has been completely pedestrian for most of the year. I really hope the rumors aren’t true about a Hamonic extension unless the cap hit is considerably less than what he currently makes. Would prefer trading him (+ other assets if needed) for a legitimate top 6 RW. Hanifin has been so up and down this year let’s hope he swings back in an upward direction. Kylington has had some glaring errors the last few games but hasn’t even had 100 NHL games yet so he’s allowed some growing pains. Honestly, Stone has been fine as a bottom pair guy, one of the few guys that has a bomb for a slap shot. Having Valimaki back is going to be huge.

Need Rittich to have a really strong game.

I'd like to see:

Gaudreau - Monahan - Lindholm
Tkachuk - Backlund - Bennett OR Mangiapane - Bennett - Tkachuk
Mangiapane - Ryan - Dube OR Dube - Ryan - Backlund
Rinaldo - Jankowski - Rieder

Hanifin - Andersson
Brodie - Stone
Kylington - Hamonic

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Robo

They should be selling anyway this team is absolutely broken

So if they go on a winning streak and take the Pacific lead they should sell anyway? That is pure stupidity. Unfortunately there is a slew of posters on this board that even if we play well and win tonight will still plague the GT and the PGT with negativity.

[TheSquatch]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

The next 4 games really determine whether or not we sell or stand pat.

Probably true, but unfortunately so. The team hasn't made any progress since last year's playoff curb-stomping. No reason to stand pat.

[TheSquatch]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

So if they go on a winning streak and take the Pacific lead they should sell anyway? That is pure stupidity. Unfortunately there is a slew of posters on this board that even if we play well and win tonight will still plague the GT and the PGT with negativity.

Maybe the pure stupidity is thinking that a team with an armful of regulation wins, and mostly 1 goal ones at that, is somehow good enough to go deep and "make some noise" if they beat the Canucks, or the Kings, or the Sharks.

I think I'm a realist, I don't try to be "negative". I think the team is mediocre, I think Bennett not panning out hurt the Flames terribly, and I think the wasted contract of Neal (now Lucic) is just too heavy to carry. I wish it were otherwise, I was super excited about the playoffs last year and felt it was lucky to get Colorado rather than a "really strong opponent". Ha!

I think overestimating how good the team is, how good some of the pieces are has hurt this group for.... a long time. "We're just a piece away, boys, let's see if we can't beat those Canucks."


Tre should sell (or trade) if there's a deal on the table that makes the team better, but that's the case all the time, win or lose, October or February.

[Flames1217]

Swap Lucic and Bennett.

Bennett and Dube were flying the other night and looked really good together, also no reason Lucic plays over Bennett.

Guy has been playing well lately and is getting shafted once again. I honestly do not understand what he has to do to get the chance to consistently play with better players.