[News] UPD: Flames recall Ruzicka and Valimaki

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Savvy27

It's a little disappointing to me that Ruzicka was called up over Phillips. They have Lindholm, Backlund, Jarnkrok, Carpenter, and Dube that can play C and they already made a move because they didn't think Ruzicka was ready to take a role.

Ritchie is an RW that went down and they could have given Phillips a shot while the team could use an offensive boost and the team is pretty comfortable in the race. Might have been good for prospects to see that if you play well all season in the A, you'll get a look in the show.

I don't know anything about Phillips really other than he is small (smaller than Gaudreau), light, and reasonably skilled. Would he bring much to a checking or energy role? I think Ruzicka has enough of a bee in his bonnet that he can contribute in other ways than just on the scoreboard. Not sure if Phillips would offer the same.

[Flamesfan05]

Sutter doesn’t like Phillips

He is probably done as a Flames

[Savvy27]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I don't know anything about Phillips really other than he is small (smaller than Gaudreau), light, and reasonably skilled. Would he bring much to a checking or energy role? I think Ruzicka has enough of a bee in his bonnet that he can contribute in other ways than just on the scoreboard. Not sure if Phillips would offer the same.

He's going to have to check with his feet and his stick like Gaudreau. And he would have to battle in every area like Mangiapane. Tough task but the team is shorthanded and in my opinion he has done rhe most to earn an opportunity.

Edit: Oops forgot how many forwards we still have.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Funkhouser

Phillips

That is all I have to say

Ahead of Ruzicka? Not a chance.

Sent from my SM-G986W using Tapatalk

[TheScorpion]

As you all know, I think extremely highly of Matthew Phillips. He's an outstanding player.

But recalling Ruzicka was always the play here. He's been productive in the NHL this season, he's a centre to replace Monahan, and he's waiver exempt.

Big thing with Phillips: if you recall him now, you have to put him through waivers to get him back to the A for the Calder Cup playoffs. If the Heat weren't in the playoff picture right now, he might be up already. But they look like legit contenders.

They can return Ruzicka to the Heat without putting him on waivers. But recalling Phillips would take away Stockton's most important skater without a way to get him back to the team. Phillips may have cleared waivers at the start of the year but there's no chance he would now that he's top-10 in league scoring.

I can see Phillips coming up if the Flames need to use an emergency recall (then he wouldn't need to be waived to go back). He'll definitely be up and practicing with the team if the Heat are done before the Flames. He might even get a look at the start of next season. But I don't think it's going to be this year (unless, as stated, they do an emergency recall).

I want to see Phillips as much as anyone but Ruzicka has earned this 100%. He's awesome and I wouldn't be surprised if this is his last recall. Phillips is gonna have to wait, and he's only improving his case to eventually get a look with his play in Stockton right now.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Flamesfan05

Sutter doesn’t like Phillips

He is probably done as a Flames

did you ask him? Phillips better be good when he get a shot, lots of boosters

[CSharp]

Originally Posted by Flamesfan05

Sutter doesn’t like Phillips

He is probably done as a Flames

Sutter only like big players. Well, mostly if he has his choice. Flames have a bunch of small/mid-sized players. There’s no way Sutter is going to add someone smaller than Gaudreau into the lineup right now going into the playoffs. Ruzicka is big and he’s played well I in the big club before. So, it’s no big surprise if he slotted In again before they playoffs. Plus, Jarnkrok can take up right wing as necessary

[mile]

Sutter has said many times that Gaudreau is the best checker on the team. It wouldn’t surprise me if he ended up liking Phillips, he’s not a one-trick perimeter player from what I’ve seen. If he plays with tenacity and combines that with a fraction of the skill Gaudreau has shown, he has a chance

That being said, I doubt we see him until next year, for all the reasons Scorp has stated.

[Funkhouser]

Originally Posted by Savvy27

It's a little disappointing to me that Ruzicka was called up over Phillips. They have Lindholm, Backlund, Jarnkrok, Carpenter, and Dube that can play C and they already made a move because they didn't think Ruzicka was ready to take a role.

Ritchie is an RW that went down and they could have given Phillips a shot while the team could use an offensive boost and the team is pretty comfortable in the race. Might have been good for prospects to see that if you play well all season in the A, you'll get a look in the show.

100%

It will be interesting to see if/he gets a shot next year as I doubt he will pass through waivers.

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

As you all know, I think extremely highly of Matthew Phillips. He's an outstanding player.

But recalling Ruzicka was always the play here. He's been productive in the NHL this season, he's a centre to replace Monahan, and he's waiver exempt.

Big thing with Phillips: if you recall him now, you have to put him through waivers to get him back to the A for the Calder Cup playoffs. If the Heat weren't in the playoff picture right now, he might be up already. But they look like legit contenders.

They can return Ruzicka to the Heat without putting him on waivers. But recalling Phillips would take away Stockton's most important skater without a way to get him back to the team. Phillips may have cleared waivers at the start of the year but there's no chance he would now that he's top-10 in league scoring.

I can see Phillips coming up if the Flames need to use an emergency recall (then he wouldn't need to be waived to go back). He'll definitely be up and practicing with the team if the Heat are done before the Flames. He might even get a look at the start of next season. But I don't think it's going to be this year (unless, as stated, they do an emergency recall).

I want to see Phillips as much as anyone but Ruzicka has earned this 100%. He's awesome and I wouldn't be surprised if this is his last recall. Phillips is gonna have to wait, and he's only improving his case to eventually get a look with his play in Stockton right now.

While I agree with you Ruzicka - if they think Phillips will help to Calgary, they'll call him up and not worry about waivers to send him down. They won't leave a guy down who could help because Stockton might go on a run in the playoffs.

[TheIronMaiden]

the trouble with Phillips is that his game is oriented for the top six, and the Flames need players to plays bottom 6 roles.

While his AHL production is undeniable. Phillips strikes me as another Austin Czarnik.

[sureLoss]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1511028307755560963

[agulati]

What’s the play on recalling Valimaki? We already have Mackey up, right? We have now used up 3 of our 4 recalls. I do hope Valimaki has a good showing in all the games he dresses.

[CalgaryFan1988]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

the trouble with Phillips is that his game is oriented for the top six, and the Flames need players to plays bottom 6 roles.

While his AHL production is undeniable. Phillips strikes me as another Austin Czarnik.

Genuinely asking: Isn't the whole "top 6" way of thinking a little outdated though? Don't most elite teams now have a solid "top 9" that can roll?

[Reggie Dunlop]

My guess is that there's probably a banged up defenceman that could use some maintenance time off during the stretch.

Valimaki could ride the bike in Stockton, so he'll probably get some game action.

[TheIronMaiden]

Originally Posted by CalgaryFan1988

Genuinely asking: Isn't the whole "top 6" way of thinking a little outdated though? Don't most elite teams now have a solid "top 9" that can roll?

It could be. I meant more from the point of view that some players are not as effective away from the puck, and rely heavily on offensive opportunities (offensive zones starts, Powerplay, favorable matchups at home or even playing the high man on a breakout) to get the best results. Obviously every line could use a player who racks up points, that said, young players working their way up from the AHL need to prove they can be depended on in alternative roles, ie PK, back checking, muddying things up in front of the net.

Very few players have the luxury of being purely offensive minded when they transition to the NHL. These spots are typically reserved for elite play makers/ goal scorers. ( not to say that Phillips does not bring other things to the table, I just think his tool box is a little more specialized than the likes for Pelletier, Ruziicka, or even someone like Popisil).

[gvitaly]

Originally Posted by agulati

What’s the play on recalling Valimaki? We already have Mackey up, right? We have now used up 3 of our 4 recalls. I do hope Valimaki has a good showing in all the games he dresses.

Pure speculation, but I think it's competition for Kylington's spot. They could just give the spot to Stone, but this could also be an opportunity to upgrade our D, or at least our D depth. If one of MacKey/Valimaki takes the opportunity and runs with it, it's a win win. Also, it pushes the guys, while one guy is in the lineup the other 2 will work that much harder to draw into the lineup.

[Bingo]

I'm guessing Zadorov is dinged up ... he took that awkward spill when Schenn accidentally took him out.

Could be precautionary too. Zadorov hobbled but planning to play.

[Toonage]

^ Exactly. 4 games in 6 nights or whatever it is. Some players maybe a little banged up. Have the reserves on hand.

[getbak]

Yup, let them push each other for the spot. If they both look good, it also gives them the chance to rest some guys down the stretch.