[News] UPD: Flames recall Gillies. Smith listed as day to day. Lomberg assigned to Stockton

[Galakanokis]

There's usually 5 or 6 plays every game where Smith makes an awkward move, grimaces and gets up looking injured. I'll believe it when he's not on the ice.

And thus is the NHL, it's not about the saves you make it is all about the ones you don't. Smith has not looked good all year current winning streak included.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Galakanokis

There's usually 5 or 6 plays every game where Smith makes an awkward move, grimaces and gets up looking injured. I'll believe it when he's not on the ice.

And thus is the NHL, it's not about the saves you make it is all about the ones you don't. Smith has not looked good all year current winning streak included.

He's looked just fine in several games. They've been discussed. Tell me what was wrong in his SO of Nashville (43 shots), or the one against Minnie (31 shots). Against Toronto he was fine and his puckhandling was a big part of the win as well.

For clarity, I feel like I have to include a caveat every time I respond to in this thread, as follows: Smith has generally been bad. He's cost points. I'm not generally defending him, denigrating Rittich or suggesting Smith should be the clear starter. I just dislike debate based on fallacies.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Bingo

My wife and I thought he was hurt on the first Philly shot of the game. Got twisted around and got up awkwardly.

This is exactly what I saw.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Incogneto]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

This is exactly what I saw.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I third this opinion.

[hansmoleman]

Originally Posted by HockeyPuck

I’m no goalie expert but it looks like he can’t stretch or push off to go side to side. Every goal he let in against philly was cross crease ( except for the 4 th which looked really awkward).

The screen cap of the sequence was after the fourth goal and it shows him reading the cross crease and he’s already in a weird awkward stance getting ready. Other goalies would push off or stretch to get over.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I tried to hit the play button about six times

[Galakanokis]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

He's looked just fine in several games. They've been discussed. Tell me what was wrong in his SO of Nashville (43 shots), or the one against Minnie (31 shots). Against Toronto he was fine and his puckhandling was a big part of the win as well.

For clarity, I feel like I have to include a caveat every time I respond to in this thread, as follows: Smith has generally been bad. He's cost points. I'm not generally defending him, denigrating Rittich or suggesting Smith should be the clear starter. I just dislike debate based on fallacies.

He's rarely square to a shot. When he is he cannot absorb a rebound off of his chest. Plays too deep in his net. Makes easy saves look hard. Flops forward on way too many shots. Way to noisy with his movements. Compare all that to Rittich. That last save by Rittich was textbook. Stayed quiet, tracked the puck and made a save with his body in the right position. Smith may have saved that but it would have been a desperation lunge to do it.

How many here, even at his best which was 2 or 3 games ago can honestly say they watch every shot on Smith and feel total confidence that he will make the save? I don't blame ever goal on him or course not but nearly 40 years of playing, coaching and watching I know how teams react when they are not confident in their netminder. You over think and tend to over play which bodes well neither for the team or the goaltender.

I want Smith to succeed everybody here does. This is a good team, a very good team but they are winning despite some shaky goaltending. We need goaltending to carry us especially in the playoffs and that is not happening right now. I think Smith has put a tonne of pressure on himself this season, 36 with no contract after this it could easily be his last season regardless of how he is playing. He thought he needed to come out and be spectacular in hopes of extending his career and it has backfired. The Flames don't need Smith to be spectacular and steal games. They just need him to make the saves he is supposed to.

[D as in David]

Originally Posted by Bingo

My wife and I thought he was hurt on the first Philly shot of the game. Got twisted around and got up awkwardly.

Anybody have a clip of this save?

[getbak]

The Flames practice at 10am this morning before flying to Minnesota. We should be hearing soon if Gillies is in town or if Smith is good to go.

[HockeyPuck]

Originally Posted by hansmoleman

I tried to hit the play button about six times

I hate to tell you this, but that's just a screencap, not a video (you can hit the play button all you want, it's not gonna play)

Sorry - I don't know how to embed a video on my phone.

[sureLoss]

Calgary Flames @NHLFlames
.@CortexBusiness Transaction Alert: The #Flames have recalled goaltender Jon Gillies from the @AHLHeat. cflam.es/2QykV04

Smith listed as day to day.

Lomberg assigned to Stockton

[Toonage]

I thought for sure Lomberg would be in the lineup against Minnesota. Color me surprised.

So, someone back from injury or the Flames testing their luck with only 12 forwards?

[sureLoss]

Lomberg being sent down is probably cap related.

With all the call ups Flames are were pretty close to the salary cap, in fact sending someone down is the only way they could fit Gillies on the roster without using LTIR.

[devo22]

has anyone followed the Heat closely enough to comment on Gillies' struggles this year? Those are some ugly numbers ... and kind of surprising too, I felt he was on the right track last year.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Toonage

I thought for sure Lomberg would be in the lineup against Minnesota. Color me surprised.

So, someone back from injury or the Flames testing their luck with only 12 forwards?

Lomberg cost Peters $10K.

[sureLoss]

Wes Gilbertson @WesGilbertson
Doesn’t sound like injury to #Flames G Mike Smith — suffered during Wednesday’s game against Flyers — is anything serious or long-term.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Wes Gilbertson @WesGilbertson
Doesn’t sound like injury to #Flames G Mike Smith — suffered during Wednesday’s game against Flyers — is anything serious or long-term.

They keep saying injury, so bug is off the table. I'm betting groin/charley horse or something like that.

[getbak]

Frolik might be back, which could also explain the Lomberg demotion...

https://twitter.com/user/status/1073619489684475904

[Enoch Root]

I agree with those saying they thought he looked hurt from the first save. Having said that, he seems to me to have been grimacing and recovering slowly on multiple occasions all year - I have felt he has been fighting something for some time.

With respect to his play, I think there are two issues: one is the ongoing issue that he is very reactive, as opposed to keeping it simple and compact and staying square to the shooter. Reactive, floppy goalies can make 5 alarm saves, but they also get caught out of position too much. IMO, this style is catching up to him as he ages, because he simply isn't as quick and athletic as he once was.

The other issue is that he seems unable to slide cross-crease. For a while, I was wondering if there was a flaw in his style, but now I think there might be a minor injury there that is restricting his movement. But IMO, it is very clear that he is restricted when trying to slide cross-crease. And it is significantly limiting his ability to make saves in those situations.

I love Smith's attitude and his competitiveness. I also love his puck handling abilities, which I think most fans don't appreciate the value of enough - it is really beneficial to the defensemen and it limits the other team's forecheck.

But the above two issues have me increasingly concerned, with each game.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by devo22

has anyone followed the Heat closely enough to comment on Gillies' struggles this year? Those are some ugly numbers ... and kind of surprising too, I felt he was on the right track last year.

I don't get overly concerned about goalies' numbers in the AHL, to be honest. I would assume that the coaches have them working on things which should improve their play over time, but might cause struggles in the short term, as they adjust.

You really don't know anything about a goalie until they get in front of NHL shooters, where they just play their game. And I thought Gillies did fairly well last year, in his first stint.

If we see a continuation of that, and hopefully some improvement and progression, then who gives a crap about his numbers in Stockton?

[transplant99]

One can only hopes this puts to bed the embarrassing narrative that Smith was "pouting" or his "ego was bruised" and that's why he didnt come back for the 3rd period.

Just a terrible take.