Release the McGrattan

[Buck Murdock]

I would put them both in....JG, Monahan and Bennett are going to get very hurt otherwise. They need some sort of deterrent.

[2macinnis2]

I tend to agree that the Flames need to take the Ducks out of their element here to even have a chance. Go up tempo... Sound defensive coverage, give them the puck as much as they want on the perimeter but cover the dangerous areas and block shots and move to quick quick offense and transition.

That said, you just can't let it get to the point where your best players are sitting because you're worried about them being targeted. And you can't afford to let the bigger team know they can hurt your best guys without recourse. These are divisional foes we're going to see a lot of in the coming years.

I threw this one out there in another thread: how bout running Andersen? Look, you guys want to try to hurt Johnny? We're going to take your goalie out. This could act at least as some deterrent if the refs aren't complying. They want to run Hiller or Ramo in retaliation? I laugh. We'll take out Andersen and then Gibson. Good luck winning the Cup with Labarbera.

Again, I'm not saying unprovoked we go after Andersen. I'm saying if they're going to play nasty on Johnny or our franchise 18 year old, we play nasty on their goalie. Maybe that's where having Ern or Wolf in the lineup serves a purpose. Thoughts?

[Buck Murdock]

I'd but Bollig, Wolf and McGrattan targeted at their top players. Put some physical pressure on their best guys. If you cant win the series at least you can win some respect.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Buck Murdock

I would put them both in....JG, Monahan and Bennett are going to get very hurt otherwise. They need some sort of deterrent.

The Ducks are going to be physical no matter who you put in. McGrattan and Wolf won't deter that. The reason you put those guys in is to create an arms race to try and get physical on their guys. But in the case of McGrattan, his foot speed is the problem.

That said, if we ended up down 3-0 in the series with little hope of a comeback, I wouldn't be sad if Big Ern was dropped in both to just try something to make a change, and as a final thank you.

[troutman]

If the series becomes unwinable, I'd insert him for the entertainment value, and to possibly drag those dirty Ducks down with us.

[2macinnis2]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

The Ducks are going to be physical no matter who you put in. McGrattan and Wolf won't deter that. The reason you put those guys in is to create an arms race to try and get physical on their guys. But in the case of McGrattan, his foot speed is the problem.

That said, if we ended up down 3-0 in the series with little hope of a comeback, I wouldn't be sad if Big Ern was dropped in both to just try something to make a change, and as a final thank you.

There's a difference between playing physical and taking liberties. They're taking liberties on Gaudreau. If no concern for recourse, I think teams will keep doing this.

I think you need to send a message to the Ducks, and the league, our smaller players are not to be overly messed with. Every team, even the Ducks, have their vulnerabilities and mutual respect that those won't be exploited should serve as a reasonable deterrent to 'taking liberties.'

[northcrunk]

Originally Posted by 2macinnis2

There's a difference between playing physical and taking liberties. They're taking liberties on Gaudreau. If no concern for recourse, I think teams will keep doing this.

I think you need to send a message to the Ducks, and the league, our smaller players are not to be overly messed with. Every team, even the Ducks, have their vulnerabilities and mutual respect that those won't be exploited should serve as a reasonable deterrent to 'taking liberties.'

There's a reason Gretzky had a 'credit card' to do what he wanted out there. If anyone touched him it would be all our war. We need to take the same approach. If anyone even body checks Gaudreau take the 2 for instigating and break a nose or a jaw at least.

[Buck Murdock]

Isnt this type of situation exactly why there are enforcers and fighting in hockey?

[868904]

This thread makes me really bummed out about Ferland. I don't care about him coming back this year, but I hope he recovers well and continues to develop next year because as is evident, we need him for many years to come.

We need Ferland and Bouma to continue to progress and we need guys like Hathaway, Carroll, Smith, and Wolf to develop into NHL guys. Flames need them to complement the Gaudreaus, Monahan, Bennett, etc. and more importantly to keep the opposition honest.

[gvitaly]

Our new 1st line RW

make it happen

Spoiler!

[Neeper]

We're in trouble in Wolf is playing. As much I a like the guy's size and toughness, he's so slow. That said, he needs to smash some Duck faces.

[northcrunk]

I hope they inset Wolf and he brings that special brand of crazy he had when in Germany. THAT is what we need right now. McGratton would be great except his talking about how he is done with fighting is going through my head and he may not be of any use. Auston Carrol might be a fit too.

[Buck Murdock]

Originally Posted by northcrunk

I hope they inset Wolf and he brings that special brand of crazy he had when in Germany. THAT is what we need right now. McGratton would be great except his talking about how he is done with fighting is going through my head and he may not be of any use. Auston Carrol might be a fit too.

Mcgrattan doesn't need to fight...he just needs to aggressively check , hit and agitate the other team. I dont think anyone expects Mcgrattan to square up with another heavyweight....those days are gone.

[CroFlames]

I'm quite surprised people want Wolf in. His skating is plain old bad.

He simply CANNOT skate with the Ducks. Unless he tries to Tomahawk Getz or Perry, he won't be able to catch anyone in order to hit them.

And considering Bolls & Jackman traded 10 minute misconducts for basically exchanging pleasantries, Wolf would be banned from hockey and sent to a Gulag.

[Badgers Nose]

In a couple of years we'll have Hunter Smith as a 2nd or 3rd line RW. 6'7" and properly filled out, he will be productive and an effective on ice police man.

Sadly, if we put Gratts into this series he would be seriously minus. Playing in the AHL makes him less ready than when he was here IMO.

Right now, the answer is in the room or we got nothing.

[Flamenspiel]

Originally Posted by 2macinnis2

I threw this one out there in another thread: how bout running Andersen? Look, you guys want to try to hurt Johnny? We're going to take your goalie out. This could act at least as some deterrent if the refs aren't complying. They want to run Hiller or Ramo in retaliation? I laugh. We'll take out Andersen and then Gibson. Good luck winning the Cup with Labarbera.

Again, I'm not saying unprovoked we go after Andersen. I'm saying if they're going to play nasty on Johnny or our franchise 18 year old, we play nasty on their goalie. Maybe that's where having Ern or Wolf in the lineup serves a purpose. Thoughts?

Well this is standard for the playoffs and certainly the Flames drove Lack and Miller crazy with their "incursions" into the crease. They treated Anderson with way too much respect in game 1, while they don't have to go full "Krieder" they do need to be way more aggressive around the ducks crease.

[TheDebaser]

Honestly I'm not sure I would want to goon up this series. I think if we started playing too rough the Ducks would just smash us.

[hamburgler]

I ran into McGrattan walking along the river today. He was pushing a stroller, walking two dogs and talking on his cell phone about twitter. He looked like he was enjoying his domestication.

[#-3]

How Much would Harley get Fined if the Starting line for Game 3 was

Wolf-Ferland-McGrattan
Seiloff-Engelland


Then a bunch of exjections & suspension followed it with.
Bollig-Bouma-Colborne

It might do something to change the tone the ducks set. Wouldn't work in Game two, because you would want to trap a line Anaheim doesn't want out there.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by Buck Murdock

Mcgrattan doesn't need to fight...he just needs to aggressively check , hit and agitate the other team. I dont think anyone expects Mcgrattan to square up with another heavyweight....those days are gone.

He can't do anything of those things because he can't keep up with the play. By the time he gets where he's going - no one is there to hit.