[GDT] Flames at Blackhawks, 6:30 PM. Sportsnet Flames, Fan 960

[direwolf]

If our special teams don't have a good night, I think we're toast. Luckily, Chicago's PK is terrible.

4-3 Flames in a nail biter.

[jg13]

All for breaking up the top line, but not keeping Backs and Frolik together is bizarre.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I like shaking up the first line. Still not a fan of the defense pairings but I think I understand what Gulutzan is trying to do.

I too have trouble with the defense pairings. It's as if we've paired each speedy D man with a slow guy.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Wideman never looks pleased. Seriously. Ever. Roger needs to stop with looking for issues where there aren't any.

Well if the PP lines are going to be the way they are in practice, then Wideman probably would be pissed. Its about the only thing he is good for. If he's not going to be getting PP time then he probably knows its just a matter of time until he is back in press box.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by jg13

All for breaking up the top line, but not keeping Backs and Frolik together is bizarre.

Meh. They didn't even have Brouwer listed on a line. I doubt these are the lines starting tonight. Maybe the PP lines will stay the same as listed but i doubt the 5 on 5 will be they way they are listed.

[Justin]

Tough building on any given night, pulling out two wins in their barn will be a task.

I'll predict the flames get outshot badly but win the game on the back of Elliott's stellar play.

4-2 Flames with an EN. Shots 41-18 in Chicago's favour.

Ferland
Backlund
Versteeg
Jokipakka

EDIT: It seems like Gulutzan is constantly juggling lines in order to create match ups with the oppositions lines. That has to be frustrating for the players in order to create any kind of chemistry to gel. Backlund-Frolik were a force; breaking them up is absurd.

[hockey.modern]

Is this Tkachuk's 9th game?

[FBI]

Gaudreau-Monahan-Bennett sounds pretty interesting.

Talk about all your eggs in one basket. Would be kinda fun to watch though.

[polak]

At this point I wouldn't mind trying Tkachuk on the top line for a couple periods.

#### it.

[gvitaly]

Kristen Odland ‏@Kristen_Odland
Sounds like the Flames were just skating their powerplay lines this AM. Freddie Hamilton was one of the last off the ice.

Roger Millions ‏@RogMillions
Gully on Tkachuk. He's done what he can and he's played very well. This is game #9 this season. #Flames

Roger Millions ‏@RogMillions
Gully. Had a little chat with Gaudreau this am.. wanted to alleviate some of Johnny's concerns. Was first chat in depth with Gaudreau.

Roger Millions ‏@RogMillions
Gully not concerned Johnny's had looks and had chances. Says with skilled guys it's just a matter of time. #Flames

Kristen Odland ‏@Kristen_Odland
Lineup isn't set for tonight. Someone is sick, according to Flames head coach Glen Gulutzan. But he wouldn't say who. #mysteries

[bigrangy]

I'm not too concerned about breaking up Frolik and Backlund. They're both great players in their own right, they don't need to play with each other to succeed. Let them carry the Boumas and the Monahans of the world and then everyone can do better.

[dash_pinched]

If it sticks, can we call it the MGB line?

[You Need a Thneed]

15-1 Flames, Flames score all 15 on the same 5 min PP.

[Travis Munroe]

Originally Posted by bigrangy

I'm not too concerned about breaking up Frolik and Backlund. They're both great players in their own right, they don't need to play with each other to succeed. Let them carry the Boumas and the Monahans of the world and then everyone can do better.

Exactly this. That line has been great but it is not as if all their success has come from each other. They have played great individually. We can only find out how much of it came from being together by trying them apart. If Backlund and Frolik take 1 step back but the lines they move to take 3 steps forward then it is a win!

[CroFlames]

Bennett on the top line kinda cannibalizes the 2nd line.

But that is pretty darn exciting to have those three lads on the top unit!

[Leeman4Gilmour]

Originally Posted by gvitaly

Roger Millions ‏@RogMillions
Gully. Had a little chat with Gaudreau this am.. wanted to alleviate some of Johnny's concerns. Was first chat in depth with Gaudreau.

That doesn't seem right? Gaudreau misses all of training camp and it takes until now to have an in depth chat

[Ashasx]

literally don't trust roger

[FBI]

So what concerns do we think Gaudreau had for Gully? Crappy 3rd player on their line? Inability to play his game within the confines of the system?

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by Leeman4Gilmour

That doesn't seem right? Gaudreau misses all of training camp and it takes until now to have an in depth chat

I don't actually see anything wrong with that. It's just a style of coaching.

Gully probably figured Johnny didn't need a deep chat since he was playing good, not great. Probably figured he give him some space to figure it out.

Nothing wrong with Gully's method there IMO.

On the flip side, if you have an 'in-depth' chat with a player during every single one of his slumps, the player may tune you out.

[Leeman4Gilmour]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

I don't actually see anything wrong with that. It's just a style of coaching.

Gully probably figured Johnny didn't need a deep chat since he was playing good, not great. Probably figured he give him some space to figure it out.

Nothing wrong with Gully's method there IMO.

On the flip side, if you have an 'in-depth' chat with a player during every single one of his slumps, the player may tune you out.

I would have met Gaudreau at the airport with an erasable hockey clipboard highlighting some of the key points to the "system" being implemented. But, I'm not an NHL coach.