General Heat discussion thread

[Savvy27]

Some thoughts:

-Taylor looked very steady. I would be very surprised if he didn't the get the start next game. Showed great patience playing the puck and didn't give up bad rebounds. Quick legs, good positioning.
-Kolanos didn't have much of a game
-Nemisz looked good. Played the body hard out there and won a lot of board battles.
-Horak isn't doing much with the puck out there, but there were up by 2 most of the time I was watching so he's probably just following orders
-Piskula had a good game, interrupted quite a few shots
-I like how the Heat D charge forward with the puck on turnovers... creates odd man chances even if they are 4 on 3's
-Reinhart was the story of the game, 1 goal 1 (fantastic) assist, won races, won battles, kept the puck in deep in the third period with Nemisz when no other line could get out of their own zone. He'll be an NHLer for a long time, no doubt in my mind.

The Heat went into a defensive shell in the third. Hopefully next game they can keep the pressure on. Big win on the road.

[Ashasx]

If anyone can find highlights for this game I would be grateful.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

If anyone can find highlights for this game I would be grateful.

http://video.mapleleafs.nhl.com/vide...sole?catid=446

I'm sure there will be a better package later, but you can see the first two goals on the Marlies website (look for the First and Second period highlights links).

[Trojan97]

Originally Posted by getbak

http://video.mapleleafs.nhl.com/vide...sole?catid=446

I'm sure there will be a better package later, but you can see the first two goals on the Marlies website (look for the First and Second period highlights links).

Whoa Max. Beauty set-up.

[Calgary Highlander]

I still don't like how Reinhart hasn't been playing but it's nice to see him capitalize on his chance. Hopefully he stays in the lineup.

[Husky]

Originally Posted by Calgary Highlander

I still don't like how Reinhart hasn't been playing but it's nice to see him capitalize on his chance. Hopefully he stays in the lineup.

Its building a culture. Ward and the team fought hard all season...why sit a season long regular for a young gun who came in with 1 game left in the season to get him top 6 icetime.

[Calgary Highlander]

Originally Posted by Husky

Its building a culture. Ward and the team fought hard all season...why sit a season long regular for a young gun who came in with 1 game left in the season to get him top 6 icetime.

A) Ward had many chances to get Reinhart playing prior to the end of the season. He could easily have had 10+ games under his belt by now. The AHL is first and foremost a development league. If Reinhart is allowed to gain experience now, it will hugely benefit him coming into camp next year and for his first year of pro next year.

B) Reinhart, despite his age, is already better than a lot of his teammates. Scoring two goals in your first AHL game and then sitting for the playoffs doesn't exactly strike me as a system based on merit. It's interesting: if an NHL vet gets time over a younger player simply based on the fact that he has 'been around longer' it's unfair to the younger player. In the AHL it's building a culture.

As long as Reinhart plays every game from here on out (that he is capable of playing), all will be forgiven. If not, then I would have to seriously question the 'merit system' that the organization has been playing up the past year.

What I am loving is how Reinhart is capitalizing on the opportunity. It gives me the feeling that if/when he is called up next year from the Heat, he'll make the most of it.

[cai]

A Leafs fan friend of mine was at the game tonight; I asked her to watch Sylvester because he's the guy I'm most curious about (didn't know Reinhart would be in tonight). Here's what she had to say:

He's very fast, it's pretty thrilling. Reminds me a bit of Jerry D, though perhaps a tad less scrappy. He does have a tendency to get manhandled - but he was only on the receiving end of one rough hit and he got right back up, so he's either fast enough / got enough hockey sense to avoid them / keeps his head up. He made a sweeeeet two-line cross rink pass that almost made me faint.

Those of you here who have watched him more regularly: I assume he'll be getting an NHL contract in the off-season, do you think he'll be able to overcome his size and be able to play regularly in the NHL?

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Here are the full highlights from the game:



Wow. I'm speechless about Reinhart's assist. That move blows my mind.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by Calgary Highlander

A) Ward had many chances to get Reinhart playing prior to the end of the season. He could easily have had 10+ games under his belt by now. The AHL is first and foremost a development league. If Reinhart is allowed to gain experience now, it will hugely benefit him coming into camp next year and for his first year of pro next year.

B) Reinhart, despite his age, is already better than a lot of his teammates. Scoring two goals in your first AHL game and then sitting for the playoffs doesn't exactly strike me as a system based on merit. It's interesting: if an NHL vet gets time over a younger player simply based on the fact that he has 'been around longer' it's unfair to the younger player. In the AHL it's building a culture.

As long as Reinhart plays every game from here on out (that he is capable of playing), all will be forgiven. If not, then I would have to seriously question the 'merit system' that the organization has been playing up the past year.

What I am loving is how Reinhart is capitalizing on the opportunity. It gives me the feeling that if/when he is called up next year from the Heat, he'll make the most of it.

I think Ward really wanted Reinhart and the rest of the black aces to learn the systems thoroughly before being slotted in. From what I understand, Ward's systems are complicated and he wants his guys to know them inside and out whether they're regulars or black aces. I can't really blame him. Also, when it came to putting Reinhart in when he first arrived, besides wanting them to know the systems, Ward also wanted to clinch home ice advantage and didn't know at that time if Reinhart would hinder that possibility. So he stuck with the guys that got them to this point.

I fully agree with you about the meritocracy though. I can't see Ward taking Reinhart out of the lineup with all he's done. If and when Aliu draws back in, I think it'll be PL3 or Desbiens sitting.

Originally Posted by cai

A Leafs fan friend of mine was at the game tonight; I asked her to watch Sylvester because he's the guy I'm most curious about (didn't know Reinhart would be in tonight). Here's what she had to say:

He's very fast, it's pretty thrilling. Reminds me a bit of Jerry D, though perhaps a tad less scrappy. He does have a tendency to get manhandled - but he was only on the receiving end of one rough hit and he got right back up, so he's either fast enough / got enough hockey sense to avoid them / keeps his head up. He made a sweeeeet two-line cross rink pass that almost made me faint.

Those of you here who have watched him more regularly: I assume he'll be getting an NHL contract in the off-season, do you think he'll be able to overcome his size and be able to play regularly in the NHL?

There's no doubt in my mind that he'll be getting a two-way NHL deal.

Could he play regularly in the NHL? Not yet. Could he make an NHL roster permanently? Yes, but it will be a very very steep uphill battle to make it there. His size is most certainly a set back for him, but he's got skill for days. I just look forward to seeing how he develops the next couple of years in Abby.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

recap please for those that are listening if they don't mind

Here's the Button interview.

http://abbotsfordheathub.com

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Once again, Country 107.1 is being stupid and unreliable and won't be joining the game until 6:00MT. Until then you can listen to the game on AHL Live or listen to Marlies radio broadcast. The pre-game starts at 4:45MT.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Lines for tonight:

Sylvester - Byron - Kolanos
Rheault - Walter - Horak
Jessiman - Reinhart - Nemisz
Desbiens - Bancks - PL3

Breen - Wilson
Piskula - Connelly
Testwuide - Tuzzolino

Taylor

EDIT - These are the listed lines, but may not always look like this on the ice. Jessiman and Horak switch at times.

[devo22]

GO HEAT!!! Going home with a 2-0 cushion would be spectacular.

On a side note - are there any news on Ryan Howse?

[thymebalm]

1-0. Jon Rheault with the goal from Horak and Walter.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by devo22

GO HEAT!!! Going home with a 2-0 cushion would be spectacular.

On a side note - are there any news on Ryan Howse?

He's healthy and practicing I believe Pinder said.

[thymebalm]

The Have are in domination mode. Scrivens has saved 3 big scoring chances. The Heat keep forcing turnovers in the neutral zone. They look on their game.

And then the tables turn and it ends 2-1 Marlies after 1.

[devo22]

1-1 now.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

I don't like how the Heat have given up a couple of short-handed chances this PP. Bad sign.

EDIT - 2-1 Marlies.

[devo22]

seems like the streak comes to an end tonight - 4-1 Marlies already