October 9 Practice - Stone in for Kylington

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

But there has been instant success. The points have not yet been there, but Mangiapane has made a big impact on that second line in the time he has spent there through two games. When he was swapped for Bennett last night, the shift was immediate. I suppose one can blame the coaches for a lack of patience with Bennett, but how do they ignore that Mangiapane has taken the opportunity given to him, and turned it into instant results?

Obviously the coaches liked the fit last game which is why he's practicing on that wing today. The issue is that if he's not as good against a big Stars team will he get another game on that wing or will Frolik be back? The trend seems to be one bad game and you are out.

[Flash Walken]

Mangiapane is going to get a longer leash because he doesn't have 300 games of demonstrating what kind of player he is.

Bennett got 2nd line icetime and toedragged himself off the line. He still managed 16 minutes of icetime in that game, so it's not like he got benched. He responded to that extra icetime by taking two 3rd period penalties, one that was a backbreaker.

Considering Mangiapane has taken 7 minor penalties total in his young career, that's going to earn him some extra length on that leash as well.

[combustiblefuel]

Originally Posted by Harry Lime

Federov is one of the most underrated players of his generation. He was a gamechanger as a centre, and then (when he saw that his footspeed was diminishing) he concentrated on positional play and became a very good defenseman to finish out his career. The number of players who could make a transition like that at such a high level must be in the single digits.

Burns and Byfuglien can't touch what Federov accomplished.

Anyway, that's neither here nor there.

His white nikes were killer too.

[bubbsy]

All seem reasonable. I doubt kylington's "demotion" is based on his play (which has had its ups and downs, especially yesterday), but more about Stone getting some games in.

For this reason, I wouldn't be shocked to see Talbot get the next start.

[Superfraggle]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

All seem reasonable. I doubt kylington's "demotion" is based on his play (which has had its ups and downs, especially yesterday), but more about Stone getting some games in.

For this reason, I wouldn't be shocked to see Talbot get the next start.

Certainly possible, but with the back-to-backs this weekend, I think it's more likely Talbot takes one of those.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

Kylington has had a gangbusters start to the year, IMO. He looks poised to take an enormous step forward, and by the end of the year I will not be surprised if the board consensus is 'better to lose Valimaki/Andersson to Seattle than OK'.

[midniteowl]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Yes, and if you're moving Brodie down, you can't pair him with Kylington. It has to be Stone.

Why not move Brodie out for a game or 2?

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

So a bouncing puck that ended up in the back in the net somehow disproves the opinion that OK has had a good start to the season? If that's as bad as it gets for him then I think all you're doing is proving the kid may indeed have a solid season.

[Gaskal]

Yeah, I'm not sure how much better he could have played it outside of maybe preventing the original shot. That was a mad scramble.

[bax]

I've always been a fan of Bennett. I wanted the Flames to take him at the draft and he came on in the playoffs next year like a can't miss prospect should. Even his rookie season was promising and had some real highlight worthy plays.

Even now, I like the way he plays. He is strong on the puck, has reasonable skill, and isn't afraid to throw a big hit or stick up for a teammate. With all that being said I'm not sure where it went wrong for him.

Way too often you can find him taking a weak shot on net, trying to dangle 2-3 guys by himself, or taking lazy penalties. He used to be part of my "can't trade" group, but it's gotten to the point where he is what he is. A third line player that can bring some grit and toughness, but is susceptible to bad penalties and inconsistent play.

I still want Bennett on this team, but I have lost hope that he will ever become a top 6 guy.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

So a bouncing puck that ended up in the back in the net somehow disproves the opinion that OK has had a good start to the season? If that's as bad as it gets for him then I think all you're doing is proving the kid may indeed have a solid season.

It’s the passive backing off, allowing Doughty a clear shot and then he just falls asleep as Doughty goes for his rebound. Did he think Doughty was going to head to the bench after the shot?

There aren’t exactly other clips focused directly on Kylington over the 3 games so far to include.

[Strange Brew]

Bennett need look no further than Mangiapane to see how much time it takes to make an impression and to capitalize on an opportunity. There will be injuries and line shuffling and he will no doubt have some time with better linemates again this year. But he is not due any prolonged stretch on the 2nd line at this point in his career with how he has played.

Was wondering how sharp Talbot looks in practice? That will dictate his next start IMO. If he looks good, Peters probably won't wait for a back to back.

[Husky]

Besides 2-3 players - the flames have little to no exciting pro or young prospects that look nhl offensive forwards.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by Husky

Besides 2-3 players - the flames have little to no exciting pro or young prospects that look nhl offensive forwards.

Because they’ve all graduated, and picks have been traded to try and win now. Hardly an indictment.

[browna]

As far as Stone, good. He needs to play. Kylington is a good player and will be a very good player, but he's on this roster now becuase MacDonald choked away his PTO in the last exhibition game...and, worthwhile to get some of those young guys rests and a guy like Stone regular playing when possible before an injury or two set in and the player is forced into a lineup.

[868904]

Originally Posted by Husky

Besides 2-3 players - the flames have little to no exciting pro or young prospects that look nhl offensive forwards.

Dube is the best offensive prospect with the best potential. I’m curious as to why they aren’t playing him as a centre in Stockton. He’s probably the best chance the aflame s have if developing a top 6 centre.

Jankowski and Bennett don’t have that potential anymore so Dube should really be groomed for that.

[Flames Fan, Ph.D.]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

It’s the passive backing off, allowing Doughty a clear shot and then he just falls asleep as Doughty goes for his rebound. Did he think Doughty was going to head to the bench after the shot?

There aren’t exactly other clips focused directly on Kylington over the 3 games so far to include.

Yeah, he completely turns off after Doughty shoots. Two strides and he could have escorted the puck and Doughty to the boards.

He definitely starts games off slow on the defensive end, and tentative offensively. Going into the later periods he seems to trust his skating more and more, which helps both his offensive and defensive game.

The coaches should show him (and Brodie ) clips of ~2014 Brodie who would regularly use his skating to place himself between the puck and opposition players, especially along the boards. Kylington tries to play with his stick or work to pin players along the boards and you can see he's not that type of defenseman.

[Jeff Lebowski]

On the Backlund goal there was a play that really was impressive that was a hallmark of the kind of puck movement this team is capable of. I’m not certain it was on purpose but I tend to think it was. The puck went up the wall to Tkachuk and a guy crashed down on him but he one timed it back to Hanifin - who rushed it up.

It seems teams want to pressure hard on CGY and especially the guy who gets first pass from the d.

For me, if they can move the puck fast with those short passes they can beat that pressure. Last season the plays they made to transition were at such a high level. Fast regroups and then a hard pass that springs a guy who can enter the zone.

Crisp passing gets guys in rhythm and that leads to timing which leads to execution. CGY needs to beat that pressure and make opponents pay by burning them by moving the puck faster than opposition can get there.

Last year for example the breakouts off the boards with tap back to supporting d would start plays. They just supported the puck so well that they could outnumber the pressure and move it in rhythm up the ice.

Other times it was stretches - they had answers or counters to all the opponents’ defensive shape or posture.

I just see CGY reaching this incredible level and confidence in their ability to make plays grow and grow. It will come from them being on their toes and playing with lots of jump.

Attack and initiate and play with that confidence and jump. I just see it being contagious with them and it can be started by anyone on this team - that’s how good and deep they are.

[icarus]

Originally Posted by Husky

Besides 2-3 players - the flames have little to no exciting pro or young prospects that look nhl offensive forwards.

So you're saying the Flames have 2-3 exciting prospects that look like NHL offensive forwards? Great!

[Husky]

Originally Posted by icarus

So you're saying the Flames have 2-3 exciting prospects that look like NHL offensive forwards? Great!

No, im saying besides MT snd JG the flames have basically no players with legit top 6 upside. Nothing exciting.