Feb 15 Practice - Bollig and Wolf likely out against Bruins. Ramo to start again.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Since everyone seems to be throwing their own critique of Glencross, let me chime in with mine.

I think Glencross is a great transitional player. Why? He is very good at defending and causing turnovers. He is great on the forecheck/backcheck. Sure, he is no "Adam Oates" for sure, but at least he has a good nose for the net and pots them in now and then.

For all the love Monahan got for playing such a mature defensive game and rising to the challenge when Backlund was out, who was his winger during that stretch? Glencross. Hartley (and Sutter before him) utilized Glencross in a shut-down role against the opposition's top lines. He is also an extremely versatile player, as a team can throw him on a PP, PK, or up and down the lineup or on either wing. Glencross as a first liner is definitely not ideal, but he makes it work. Glencross on either wing from lines 2-4, playing EV, SH and PP minutes? He has been really great. That is why moving him this season when the playoffs are a real possibility has started to become something the Flames are very hesitant to do. I hope they don't re-sign him to a long-term contract, but for how he is playing now, I think he has been an extremely important piece.

[Salt Water Cowboy #10]

I don't think the first goal was that weak at all. He got beat short side by a great shot. Not sure hiller would've had it either. Hiller lets in one weak goal per game but for some reason he gets a pass. Ramo played great the whole game. He's a bit excited at times, but he's a very athletic goalie. Let's give him a bit of a break and let him lose the net before we pull him for one goal. Crazy

[FBI]

Just my opinion of course but I cannot WAIT till the Glencross era on the flames is over.
25 goal scorer? lol maybe 3-4 years ago

[MisterJoji]

Originally Posted by N-E-B

The Glencross hate is getting really old. He's on a great contract for what he is and lots of people still feel the need to crap on the guy. Kinda hope he goes somewhere else and has a great season just to annoy the haters.

He's always been notoriously inconsistent. Don't worry, soon as he gets hot again and pots 5 goals over a couple games, people will love him again. I feel his fragility has been a concern over the past few years. He hasn't played more than 67 games in 5 years and hasn't gotten to 50 the last 3 years. Had he played 82 games over that stretch he wouldn't have scored less than 52 points/season. That is phenomenal production for a guy making 2.55 million. I have no issue if Glencross was re-signed for the right price. If he had been more healthy he'd likely be in for a big raise, but given his propensity for injury wouldn't really want a deal anywhere north of 3.5 million for any longer than 2 or 3 years. Anyways, I totally agree that he gets crapped on way too often, and I don't know how anyone can just disregard the fact that he is being paid well below market value.

[blender]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

Since everyone seems to be throwing their own critique of Glencross, let me chime in with mine.

I think Glencross is a great transitional player. Why? He is very good at defending and causing turnovers. He is great on the forecheck/backcheck. Sure, he is no "Adam Oates" for sure, but at least he has a good nose for the net and pots them in now and then.

For all the love Monahan got for playing such a mature defensive game and rising to the challenge when Backlund was out, who was his winger during that stretch? Glencross. Hartley (and Sutter before him) utilized Glencross in a shut-down role against the opposition's top lines. He is also an extremely versatile player, as a team can throw him on a PP, PK, or up and down the lineup or on either wing. Glencross as a first liner is definitely not ideal, but he makes it work. Glencross on either wing from lines 2-4, playing EV, SH and PP minutes? He has been really great. That is why moving him this season when the playoffs are a real possibility has started to become something the Flames are very hesitant to do. I hope they don't re-sign him to a long-term contract, but for how he is playing now, I think he has been an extremely important piece.

I think this post has it spot-on. The Flames would miss Glencross if he was dealt at the deadline, especially during the playoff push. Calgary is lacking big physical players like him as it is, and his ability to play tough minutes is hard to replace (right now).

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by saillias

Is Hartley fricking serious. We won in spite of Ramo.

One bad goal, then he was pretty good. Considering he hasn't played in a long time seems understandable. Should Brodie be taking a seat tomorrow because of his mistake that led to a goal? If he'd been bad all night then sure, but have to let people make some mistakes.

[Finger Cookin]

Originally Posted by blender

The Flames will miss Glencross, especially during the playoff push.

Are you from the future?

[thymebalm]

I'm happy starting Ramo. Neither goalies has shown to be consistently better than the other.

If Ramo isn't in next year's plans, he needs to be sold off, as such, he needs to show GMs he can win games.

Bollig being scratched is exactly what you are paying him for. To be the 13th forward and help us reach the cap floor.

As for Glencross, I think he's checked out. His camp made a big push to get a contract extension in August and instead the Flames have played hardball with him all season. I heard two weeks ago that there hadn't been any contract talks at all.

Does anyone know the details of his NMC?

[blender]

Originally Posted by Finger Cookin

Are you from the future?

Bad wording on my part; will edit.

[Cheese]

Originally Posted by saillias

His rebound control was scary. We're lucky the Canucks played an absolutely useless game.

At some points in the season, I liked Ramo over Hiller. I do not mindlessly hate Ramo. I do think however it's a silly decision to start the backup twice in a row when he played like he did. Maybe Hiller is still sick.

The Flames "forced" Vancouver into a perimeter game. That is part of our game. Shots from the perimeter are far less dangerous than from the slot.
Ramo was fine, he's been better than most of our backups over the last decade.

[FlameZilla]

I'm loving the top 6. Gaudreau – Monahan – Hudler is slick and Bouma – Backlund – Jones is direct and tough to play against.

Bottom 6 isn't quite working. We're not getting the best out of any of those players – particularly Colborne and Glencross.

I'd be tempted to move Colborne back to C against the big bad Bruins, but with Jooris on his RW so they can swap roles if need be. Glencross would be the best candidate to be the trigger man on that line, but Raymond would be fine too.

Glencross – Colborne – Jooris
Raymond – Stajan – Byron

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by FlameZilla

I'm loving the top 6. Gaudreau – Monahan – Hudler is slick and Bouma – Backlund – Jones is direct and tough to play against.

Bottom 6 isn't quite working. We're not getting the best out of any of those players – particularly Colborne and Glencross.

I'd be tempted to move Colborne back to C against the big bad Bruins, but with Jooris on his RW so they can swap roles if need be. Glencross would be the best candidate to be the trigger man on that line, but Raymond would be fine too.

Glencross – Colborne – Jooris
Raymond – Stajan – Byron

I thought Colborne looked really good and competed hard against Vancouver.

[GioforPM]

Ramo: I think Hiller has had the edge in consistency. Ramo had a great stretch after Hiller's hot start and then had a really bad one. Ramo is, however, the best backup in a long time. I wouldn't mind either behind Ortio, assuming the latter keeps it up.

Glencross: I have no hate for him, he's a great value right now. I just don't think he will be worth what he wants and I don't want to lose him for nothing if it can be avoided. And at this point I don't think he's invaluable for a playoff drive. Esp especially if Bouma keeps playing well.

[blender]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Glencross: I have no hate for him, he's a great value right now. I just don't think he will be worth what he wants and I don't want to lose him for nothing if it can be avoided. And at this point I don't think he's invaluable for a playoff drive. Esp especially if Bouma keeps playing well.

I get your point, but I want to see Bouma AND Glencross AND Jones playing their best. The Kings handled the Flames so easily last week; Flames need every big tough guy they have going.

I try to avoid throwing out the line combos, but I wonder if two of Glencross/Bouma/Jones with Monahan centering would be an answer in some situations.

[GioforPM]

I don't disagree that Monahan can be effective centring Glencross and Jones because he has don't it already.

I just mean they can survive without him if they have to trade him because he won't re-sign at the right price.

[Red John]

Darryl Sutter used to always say that goalie stats didn't matter to him, it was a matter of if they could come up with the saves when needed. This is what set Kipper apart, he would often give up an early goal and then shut things down.

Same thing about Sutter's powerplays, he didn't care about percentage, just that they were able to score when needed.

Ramo gave up a bad early goal, no doubt. The second one wasn't great either. But he made the saves in the 3rd when he had to and got the win. That inspires confidence with teammates and coaching staff and thats why he got the hard hat last night.

Have no problem going back to him Monday night. It keeps Hiller chomping at the bit too and you know he'll come up strong when he does get back in net.

[blender]

True, Gio. And long-term should trump the present, but as a fan I am hoping we see a playoff push with Glencross.

I have faith in management, though.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Salt Water Cowboy #10

I don't think the first goal was that weak at all. He got beat short side by a great shot. Not sure hiller would've had it either. Hiller lets in one weak goal per game but for some reason he gets a pass. Ramo played great the whole game. He's a bit excited at times, but he's a very athletic goalie. Let's give him a bit of a break and let him lose the net before we pull him for one goal. Crazy

I agree that Ramo played well.

But I don't think there's any defending the first goal.

When a fourth line player is coming down the wing alone, and has no option other than a shot, getting beat short side is inexcusable. All he had to do there was play the angle properly. And he was free to move out as far as he wanted to cut down that angle. There should have been zero net to shoot at.

Bad goal, but every goalie gives them up.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by N-E-B

The Glencross hate is getting really old. He's on a great contract for what he is and lots of people still feel the need to crap on the guy. Kinda hope he goes somewhere else and has a great season just to annoy the haters.

It's not hate at least from me. I like the guy. Like that he's an Albertan and like his contributions over the years. That said he's closer to middle age than his prime and it sounds like he wants to be paid. The Flames didn't keep Iginla in this position so I don't see what makes Glencross special. Add that with the fact he gets injured often and that the team has a solid record without him in the lineup and I would rather the team look at spending free agent money on a younger player that has more upside as I can see his level dropping off big time soon.

[GioforPM]

The fact that rentals seem to be getting betters returns right now favours trying to move Glencross before the deadline. Unless he can be re-signed at a decent price.