Flames cut 4 players - Hathaway, Rittich, Shinkaruk, Wotherspoon

[sureLoss]

Derek Wills @Fan960Wills
#Flames lines:
Tkachuk-Bennett-Brouwer
Bouma-Backlund-Frolik
Ferland-Monahan-Vey
Bollig-Stajan-Chiasson
Higgins-Hamilton-Korpikoski

Pat Steinberg @Fan960Steinberg
#Flames on D today: Giordano-Wideman; Brodie-Engelland; Hamilton-Jokipakka; Kulak-Grossmann

[getbak]

Derek Wills ‏@Fan960Wills

#Flames lines:
Tkachuk-Bennett-Brouwer
Bouma-Backlund-Frolik
Ferland-Monahan-Vey
Bollig-Stajan-Chiasson
Higgins-Hamilton-Korpikoski

Looks like they kept the PTOs around so Freddie has someone to skate with.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

Why? There was an open spot for him on the top 6 and did nothing with the opportunity. He is not ready, but he is young and has a lot of time left to get better.

He's not THAT young. He's already run through that whole "he's still young" process with another team. I'd have been a bit more patient and given him a game or three, but I can't argue that he really deserves it based on preseason play.

[mrdonkey]

Originally Posted by RockOnRoberts

Oh man, cue the Shinkaruk rage

Shinkaruk had every chance to grab a top 6 spot and didn't run with it so it's hardly surprising that management decided to give him more time to develop. Granted, nobody has really stepped up in camp apart from Tkachuk, and Higgins in particular has looked dreadful. I was hoping he'd be gone by now.

Korpikoski I think has actually looked ok as a 4th liner.

[genetic_phreek]

I haven't been impressed with Shink since he arrived. Freddy Hamilton also reminds me of that Chris Clark, David Moss, Jason Weimer type player. Dime a dozen type player.

I think Higgins and Korpi are similar but if I had to choose one to stay, I'd take Korpi. His speed and forecheck is a bit better in my opinion.

[868904]

Originally Posted by mrdonkey

I'm really disappointed. He is a far superior player to Bollig and deserved to make it.

Bollig has one job and he's the only one who can do it, and that is to get his face punched in by Lucic in Game 1. That's it.

It's better that it's Bollig's face that gets punched in then Hathaway who can actually play. I wish people would stop saying X player is better than Bollig because that's obvious, what no other player is better at than Bollig, is getting his face punched in. Bollig is a sacrificial lamb. You don't want a real player getting his face punched in. THAT IS BOLLIG'S ROLE.

It came down to Chiasson and Hathaway and as Chiasson has a 1 way and is the new guy, they reluctantly sent Hathaway down. They will give Chiasson probably 10 games and if he can't show more than the little that he has shown already, i'm sure Hathaway will be called up then for good.

No doubt Hathaway deserves to be on the team, but they want to see what they have in Chiasson. They know what they have in Hathaway, he's a good 4th line grinder, and he also doesn't need to clear waivers right now. Hathaway will be with the FLames this year and next year it will be guaranteed as he will probably need to clear waivers next year.

[Redliner]

Meh. This isn't going to make a material difference in the Flames' ability to win either way, but I liked Hathaway's game and hoped he would stick. Won't be surprised if he's one of the first call-ups when injuries hit the 3rd or 4th line.

[kyuss275]

LOL. Wideman with Gio

[sureLoss]

Camp roster tracker:

Spoiler!

[Bandwagon In Flames]

I wonder if they're looking to sign Grossman and Higgins to AHL deals? I think we could use a couple of vets on that prospect filled team.

[TheScorpion]

Shinkaruk sent down too? Wow, wouldn't have expected that.

[TheoFleury]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

I agree Hathaway doesn't have much upwards potential. He is a fourth liner / 12/13th forward in every sense. But he is a real fourth liner, where Bollig is a plug. That is evidence just comparing their performance last year, never mind that Hathaway outplayed Bollig in training camp.

Hathaway is a better skater than Bollig.

Hathaway had a +5 Penalty Differential (drew more power plays than he gave to the other team)
Bollig had a -13 Penalty Differential.

Hathaway had a +5.69% 5v5 Relative Scoring Chance For when on the ice.
Bollig had a -16.58% 5v5 Relative Scoring Chance For when on the ice.

Hathaway doubled Bollig in shorthanded ice time in a quarter of the games played.

Hathaway in the AHL is 0.49 PPG
Bollig in the AHL was 0.16 PPG

You really don't need numerical proof though. Just watch them play. The only thing Bollig can do usefully is use his strength along the boards to tip rim-outs to his center, and that's if his center is within eight feet of him. Hathaway has shown a separation gear to drive play as well as a fourth liner can.

The only thing Bollig does better (presumably, that is) is fighting.

If we need a good fighter we should just bring back McGrattan from the Nottingham Panthers, he is a better fighter than Bollig.

Kudos, you have convinced me. Not even trying to be snotty, Hath is clearly a better player. Unfortunately for him, that's probably still only good enough to possibly carve out an Adam Cracknell type of career. I honestly have only watched Hath while he was up last year, I never watch the farm team though I do follow them. Your #'s speak for themselves. He was impressive last year but I had my doubts to whether that type of play is possible over 82 games (see Ferland). Ferland has the skills to be successful without getting five hits a game, not sure about Hath.

Bollig is terrible, I'm assuming he must be very good in the room or provide other intangibles. Regardless, I don't think it's worth anyone's time to get upset over this. Both are immaterial to the Flames chances this year IMO.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by A Shot Wide

I'm gonna trust management/coaches if these guys made the team. They have a history with the players and did a complete evaluation on them through every practice and games. If they feel like we could use them this year I support it. It just seemed to me Higgins had very little gas left in the tank, but again I'm going to put my trust in hockey ops.

The way I look at it, either the PTOs are outright released, sent home, and then wait by the phone for a contract offer, or they can wait while they continue to practice with the team. I will still be surprised to see any of them make the team.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by genetic_phreek

I haven't been impressed with Shink since he arrived. Freddy Hamilton also reminds me of that Chris Clark, David Moss, Jason Weimer type player. Dime a dozen type player...

Chris Clark was NOT a dime a dozen player.

[Redliner]

Not surprised to see Shinkaruk sent down. I was really hoping he could take the next step this year but from what I saw of him during the pre-season I was not impressed. He's still young and has plenty of time to turn the ship around but honestly I wonder if he'll ever stick in the NHL long term.

[868904]

Originally Posted by TheoFleury

I think Shink going down is actually a very good sign that Gaudreau will be signed soon.

I doubt that has anything to do with it. Shink showed no ability to create any offense by himself so he was not going to be "replacing" Gaudreau.

He just did not produce or create much offense, which is what his role is. Granted he didn't get the best opportunities as he only got 1 game with a skilled NHL centre (Monahan), but he still needs to show that he can create without other players, and he did not.

[Da_Chief]

So Higgins and Korpi likely will get released. Gaudreau whenever he re-signs. Vey gets demoted.

Will leave

Gaudreay-Monahan-?
Tkachuk-Bennett-Brouwer
Bouma-Backlund-Frolik
Ferland-Stajan-?
Bollig extra. Chiasson/Hamilton filling the ? marks?

So no surprises.

[TheoFleury]

Originally Posted by 868904

I doubt that has anything to do with it. Shink showed no ability to create any offense by himself so he was not going to be "replacing" Gaudreau.

He just did not produce or create much offense, which is what his role is. Granted he didn't get the best opportunities as he only got 1 game with a skilled NHL centre (Monahan), but he still needs to show that he can create without other players, and he did not.

Didn't see a preseason game, that is disappointing

[TheoFleury]

Originally Posted by Da_Chief

So Higgins and Korpi likely will get released. Gaudreau whenever he re-signs. Vey gets demoted.

Will leave

Gaudreay-Monahan-?
Tkachuk-Bennett-Brouwer
Bouma-Backlund-Frolik
Ferland-Stajan-?
Bollig extra. Chiasson/Hamilton filling the ? marks?

So no surprises.

? is going to be for or five different guys by the end of the year. They probably trade for a RW mid season if it looks like the team has a chance.

[neo45]

I liked the compete level from Hathaway and Shinkaruk. They just didn't make enough happen but at least they were really trying out there. First call ups hopefully