[GDT] Flames Rookies vs Canucks Rookies, 8:30 MST

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by MisterJoji

Team has looked really good. Can you imagine if we had Jankowski, Gaudreau, and Gillies here too. Future's looking not terrible.

Dont forget Arnold and Agistino as well

[AC]

And Klimchuk.

[cannon7]

Eric Roy really made an impression last night, looking like a excellent 5th round pick thus far. Needs to use his size better, but has great offensive instincts.

Michael Ferland looked good and was awarded with more quality ice-time. He's been a bit of a dissapointment in the pros thus far, I'm hopeful he is turning things around. Don't think he'll make the team out of camp, but could quickly get a call-up if he has a solid start. The Flames need size and strength upfront and Ferland has it in spades.

Anyone still upset about the Kanzig pick?

[Flash Walken]

Ferland made some magic moves down low with the puck last night, which surprised me to some extent.

He's got hands and the confidence to use them.

I know pretty much nothing about these guys, so it was fun to see their specific skills.

[Enoch Root]

Very enjoyable, fast-paced game to watch.

Obviously the Nucks looked better than the Oilers did, but part of it was also that the Flames' passes weren't clicking as well either, which killed much of their transitional speed.

Watching Shinkaruk was hilarious - he was possessed and really wanted to look good against the Flames. Here worked his ass off in the first, but at the end of the day, really accomplished nothing.

I agree that Horvat looked better, but all this talk of him making the team this year, or being a Landeskog, is pretty silly, IMO. I thought Corrado was easily their best player. Subban is way too small and does not have the speed and skill to make up for that - I cannot see him making the NHL.

I thought their goalie was fantastic in the second - several big saves. Obviously, Ortio stole the show however.

Once again, I thought Ramage was the best player. Reinhart too. Ferland looked really good again. I really liked Elson's game - don't know if he'll ever make it, but he plays the right way.

Wotherspoon is awesome. I was surprised by Roy. He struggled in his own end in the first, but played really well after that. Looked great for a guy just drafted in the fifth round.

I thought Hanowski looked great. He won races to the puck all over the place and I just don't agree with those that say he is slow.

Penner was in over his head. So was Davies. Having Sieloff and Kulak out, with Roy and Davies in, definitely made a difference in their own end.

Also, Jooris, Penner, Somethingski and others up front - it was definitely more of a B lineup.

It was interesting to watch the strategies. On a Van PP, Shinkaruk and Horvat were over the boards instantly - without word from the coach. On Flames PPs, they just sent out the next line.

The Flames looked like they were putting guys into situations. The Nucks looked like they were trying to win.

[shogged]

without the massive oilers blueliners hulking around the ice, kanzig really stood out with his size

[Lanny_McDonald]

Decided to sleep on the game before making any comments.

Guys that have surprised:

Granlund - knew he was a good player based on reports and limited viewing, but he has been the best Flames player in the tournament. A very quiet player who picks his spots and makes something happen each and every shift. Very skilled and zero issues that look like they should hold him back. Supposed skating problems have been grossly over-blown.

Ferland - I thought this kid was going to be a tough guy with limited ability but he has some crazy good hands and can skate. Really a lot smarter with the puck than I expected and knows how to make a tape-to-tape pass. Really excited about his development.

Culkin - I was expecting a small soft QMJHL defenseman but he can play at both ends. Very happy surprise!

Ortio - A guy that I will admit I had written off. Even though he supposedly had a great season last year I didn't think that would translate to North America and the Flames. Last nights game blew me away. He looked so much like Kipper it was spooky. This kid should be back in the mix for the future.

Guys that have disappointed:

Monahan - He's scoring and looks solid, but I was expecting more. I didn't like his skating stride based on what I saw on video and that has proven to be his biggest problem even at this level. Needs to improve this or he won't live up to expectations.

Knight - Not a great skater. Fell for the hype and believed he had the skills to step right in, but he's no where near ready for the NHL. He needs to work on his skating and speed. Hanowski is a step ahead at the moment and that isn't a good thing for Knight.

Baertschi - Someone's been reading his press clippings. He looks disinterested and isn't engaged. If he can't dominate a rookie tournament he won't survive in the NHL. Unless his marching orders are to play it safe and not risk an injury, he needs to get his head out of his ass and start playing some hockey. He's been embarrassing to this point.

Guys that have lived up to their billing:

Ramage - Watched a lot of him at Wisconsin and with Team USA and knew he was an excellent all around defenseman. Has character out the hockey pants and just knows the game. Will be wearing a letter for the Calgary Flames in a couple of years. Great young player.

Reinhart - Never gives up and plays an incredibly heady game. He can be trusted in all situations and can contribute up and down the lineup. Great young player.

Poirier - Can this kid fly! Has really good hands to go with the speed. Has some of those Ranheim moments where his brain is trying to keep up with his feet, but he looks great out there. Has a good future with the Flames.

Wotherspoon - Plays that quiet effective game on the blueline that makes you forget he's out there. I could see him as the perfect compliment to Brodie in the very near future, allowing Brodie to head up ice and know his partner is minding the shop.

Can't say I've been this excited about the prospects, ever. When you consider that Gaudreau, Jankowski, Klimchuk, Gillies, Harrison and Gilmour are not in the mix you have to sit back and smile. Crazy times ahead.

[$ven27]

I'm really not worried about Baertschi. this is a tournament for young guys to prove themselves and get a place in the club. Sven already has that, and I'd hate to see him get injured because some idiot goon was trying to make a name for himself.

[BruceCody]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Dont forget Arnold and Agistino as well

Originally Posted by AC

And Klimchuk.

dont forget Harrison, ok

[Stormchaser]

Originally Posted by bc-chris

what a great game tonight!!!!

here are some pics....
































like i already said - what a great game!!!

not only did the flames win, but we got to meet some fellow cp-ers this evening.... which i love doing!

we also had a little fun sitting behind the nucks goalie. whenever he'd do the most routine thing - like stop the puck behind the net, we'd "LUUUUUUUUUUU!" eventually one of the guys in our group piped up, "do you see how stupid this sounds!!" ha! ha! (we even had canuck fans laughing)

after the game we got to meet Penner, Roy and Ferland - nice kids.

Kanzig walked by us - holy crap that kid is HUGE.... not just tall, but MASSIVELY HUGE!!!

had a chance to talk with Rob Kerr - that was pretty cool. He is a walking encyclopedia of hockey knowledge. it was too bad he had to leave becuz i would have loved to talk more with him. he said that he'd be more than happy to chat more on sat/sun if i can find him... challenge accepted!!!!

i know this thread is about today's flames game, but the early game this afternoon - jets/sharks - was AWESOME!! i'd say the best so far.(and not just becuz of the fights). i'm really looking forward to the flames/sharks game on sunday. too bad the flames don't get to play the jets, that would be a great game too. the jets are soooo physical. they hit, hit, hit and then hit some more!

Thanks x100

[Henry Fool]

Granlund has looked how you would expect a player like him to look at this point of his development. He's been playing against men for two years. I think some of the positive reactions come from very low expectations. People are surprised that he can do anything at all.

Whatever the reasons behind Sven's performance, at least he doesn't have to prove to us that he can play in the NHL. Knight, however, is a more interesting case, given that I know nothing about him and that he hasn't looked remotely like an NHL forward so far.

[stemit14]

Great to see so many players making big improvements.... Especially ferland. I think these guys are going to make it very difficult for the flames brass to decide who makes the team this year. What's probably best is for granlund and ferland to get top minutes in abbotsford this year and then both could have a real shot at making the team next year. I imagine Reinhart and knight will battle for the 4th line centre spot on the flames and Monahan will either get the 3rd line centre spot or play one more year of junior.

[kehatch]

Originally Posted by Henry Fool

Granlund has looked how you would expect a player like him to look at this point of his development. He's been playing against men for two years. I think some of the positive reactions come from very low expectations. People are surprised that he can do anything at all.

Whatever the reasons behind Sven's performance, at least he doesn't have to prove to us that he can play in the NHL. Knight, however, is a more interesting case, given that I know nothing about him and that he hasn't looked remotely like an NHL forward so far.

I can't say why, but often the most NHL ready players often don't excel in these types of events. None of Knight, Horak, or Baertschi looked great in development camp. Knight and Baertschi haven't looked great this tournament.

We know Baertschi can play at the NHL level. We have seen him do it. I am not all that concerned about how he performs at a prospect tournament. I am a little disappointed I didn't get to see him dominate. But I am not worried.

[stemit14]

With contracts expiring next year, I think 2014 will see a bunch of rookies make the team... Cammalleri, stajan, and stempniak's spots could be open for guys like gaudreau, granlund, hanowski, ferland, knight, and Monahan (if he's not already on the team). The flames brass would be able to look at next year as the year where lots of rookies could make the team because, worse case scenario, you end up picking first overall in 2015 and you get to pick up the next Sydney Crosby.

[Henry Fool]

Originally Posted by kehatch

I can't say why, but often the most NHL ready players often don't excel in these types of events. None of Knight, Horak, or Baertschi looked great in development camp. Knight and Baertschi haven't looked great this tournament.

We know Baertschi can play at the NHL level. We have seen him do it. I am not all that concerned about how he performs at a prospect tournament. I am a little disappointed I didn't get to see him dominate. But I am not worried.

Yeah. I just don't feel that Knight is in the position Bärtschi is in. But I don't remember ever seeing him play before. So far I don't see any qualities that would set him apart at the NHL camp.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

In regards to New Era's comments on Sven, I have heard that he was and is very upset that he was asked to attend the rookie camp. Feels he's beyond it and should be going straight to main camp, so I'm not shocked he looks disinterested. I'm actually getting pretty worried about his attitude.

I'm sure I will be asked for source. Not something I will provide on here in order to protect my source and his relationship. It's not a media or hockey based source, so it won't be verifiable but I'm will pm it to a mod if they ask and will gladly take my comment down if they see fit. But I have no reason to doubt what I heard, Sven's got a bit of a big head right now and he needs adjusting.

[Canada 02]

“I think it would have been different if I had played in all 48 games and scored 50 goals last year, then I might be mad about it,” said Baertschi prior to the Flames encounter against the Vancouver Canucks Friday.


“I didn’t start the season so well and I ended up being sent back down to Abbottsford, so I understand the decision they made to send me here and I’m OK with it.”

or we can hear it straight from Sven

http://www.calgarysun.com/2013/09/07...lames-can-burn

[DazzlinDino]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

In regards to New Era's comments on Sven, I have heard that he was and is very upset that he was asked to attend the rookie camp. Feels he's beyond it and should be going straight to main camp, so I'm not shocked he looks disinterested. I'm actually getting pretty worried about his attitude.

I'm sure I will be asked for source. Not something I will provide on here in order to protect my source and his relationship. It's not a media or hockey based source, so it won't be verifiable but I'm will pm it to a mod if they ask and will gladly take my comment down if they see fit. But I have no reason to doubt what I heard, Sven's got a bit of a big head right now and he needs adjusting.

Good post, I think there are some attitude issues there. If you recall last season he seemed to have this notion things should be handed to him (when he was sent down) and his mom called him out on it. Sven needs to realize he hasn't earned anything yet.. I thought he had gotten over that but maybe he still needs more time to mature.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by Canada 02

or we can hear it straight from Sven

http://www.calgarysun.com/2013/09/07...lames-can-burn

Fair, but we all know what one says in the media isn't always exactly how he feels. At least he has enough sense to say the right things publicly. I mean that, it's a much better sign than if he didn't, but I'm still concerned about things I've heard he's been saying not to the media.

[DazzlinDino]

Originally Posted by Canada 02

or we can hear it straight from Sven

http://www.calgarysun.com/2013/09/07...lames-can-burn

He may not see it this way but it's basically an opportunity for him to be a leader for the other guys coming in. That said, glad to hear he wasn't too upset about it, I think he needs to look at this as an opportunity and not just him being "added with the rookies".