[News] Flames recall Horak

[Henry Fool]

I've really liked him since his first camp. Hoping that he's so impressive that he won't get sent down again. I'm tired of seeing him go up and down when he's perfectly capable of playing in the NHL.

[StrykerSteve]

Originally Posted by JazzyFlame

Iggy needs a line to carry, I notice he's not that productive when he's got skilled players. In that case, I think last nights lines are awesome, and Iggy's line is still the #1 unit.

Based on the number of shifts each player has, that's usually a pretty good indicator of who your top players are.

In last night's game, Stempniak (30), Stajan (29) and Tanguay (28) far and away had the most shifts among the Calgary forwards.

Next-closest was Hudler with 23, which is right around where Iginla would have been had he not taken a major for fighting. That's the sweet spot for him, IMO.

[djsFlames]

Only took them 3 tries to get this right!

[Imported_Aussie]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

Based on the number of shifts each player has, that's usually a pretty good indicator of who your top players are.

In last night's game, Stempniak (30), Stajan (29) and Tanguay (28) far and away had the most shifts among the Calgary forwards.

Next-closest was Hudler with 23, which is right around where Iginla would have been had he not taken a major for fighting. That's the sweet spot for him, IMO.

The guys you listed with the most shifts also happen to log big minutes on the PK, which is why they had more shifts

[StrykerSteve]

Originally Posted by Imported_Aussie

The guys you listed with the most shifts also happen to log big minutes on the PK, which is why they had more shifts

No to mention two of them are also the primary faceoff Centers on the team.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Woohoo! Horak's finally back home. So excited to see him under Hartley's system.

I'm not going to sling mud at Brent Sutter, because he developed Horak's defensive game, but he was misused in a fourth line role last year. I'd like to see him right between Iggy and Glencross next game.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

Woohoo! Horak's finally back home. So excited to see him under Hartley's system.

I'm not going to sling mud at Brent Sutter, because he developed Horak's defensive game, but he was misused in a fourth line role last year. I'd like to see him right between Iggy and Glencross next game.

Logic would dictate that will happen. But who knows.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by MissTeeks

@SUNGilbertson: #Flames fans might want to know that LW Roman Horak, who's on his way back from Abbotsford, is 4-for-7 in AHL shootouts this season.

More on this...

They weren't fluke goals either. Just sick, disgusting moves.

[t0rrent98]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

More on this...

They weren't fluke goals either. Just sick, disgusting moves.

I don't wanna be a debbie downer here, but how would that fair against actual NHL goaltenders? don't get me wrong, 4 for 7 is great for the AHL, but I'd like to see Horak actually do that against guys like Luongo and Rask, etc...

It would be sweet to have a guy like Horak do swell in the shootout.

[Itse]

Totally random observation;

I never realized Horak had so many believers on this board. Kind of funny to me since honestly I don't think he has done that much to earn so many praises.

I just thought I had an irrational liking and an "intuition". And I don't think my intuition about players is actually any good

[dammage79]

Probably has more to do with having high expectations on any of the three prospects we got for the much hated and rightly despised Tom Erixon. Horak shows signs of hope that he could do just that.

[mrdonkey]

Originally Posted by Itse

Totally random observation;

I never realized Horak had so many believers on this board. Kind of funny to me since honestly I don't think he has done that much to earn so many praises.

I just thought I had an irrational liking and an "intuition". And I don't think my intuition about players is actually any good

Part of it is that the fanbase wants him to be successful because screw Tom.

[krynski]

I really like our top 3 lines. They are balanced and competitive. It doesn't even require 100% of the roster to be healthy, which is nice. It sucks that we had abit of a slow start out of the gate (as usual), but I am coonvinced that with a semi-healthy roster and some competitiveness, this team should be able to be quite competitive. I love the off-season acquisitions and relative spread of young talent mixed with veteran talent.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Itse

Totally random observation;

I never realized Horak had so many believers on this board. Kind of funny to me since honestly I don't think he has done that much to earn so many praises.

I just thought I had an irrational liking and an "intuition". And I don't think my intuition about players is actually any good

He came in straight from junior and made the big team which is rare for a Flames prospect and wasn't really expected. Conroy was also pumping his tires quite a bit.

Plus, while he didn't light it up big time, 11 points in 61 games mostly in the bottom 6 is respectable for a 20 year old player. He didn't look out of place at all. He finished as a plus player, has looked good during his AHL stints as well.

I won't get too excited, but there is definitely something be positive about.

[Itse]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Plus, while he didn't light it up big time, 11 points in 61 games mostly in the bottom 6 is respectable for a 20 year old player. He didn't look out of place at all. He finished as a plus player, has looked good during his AHL stints as well.

Hmm, yeah, actually those are better numbers than I thought, all things considered. (Coaching, style of game, overall quality of team, linemates / role, age, experience...)

As you said, not lighting it up, but respectable. Thanks

[SebC]

Originally Posted by gargamel

There's no way that you break up that Cervenka-Tanguay-Hudler line now after the way they played last night.

Exactly. We're coming off a 7-goal game. There should be no eagerness to start mixing up the lines.

[moon]

Originally Posted by Itse

Totally random observation;

I never realized Horak had so many believers on this board. Kind of funny to me since honestly I don't think he has done that much to earn so many praises.

I just thought I had an irrational liking and an "intuition". And I don't think my intuition about players is actually any good

He is a young guy on a prospect starved team and throw in the Erixon angle and it isn't shocking a lot of fans want him to succeed.

[FlamesAllTheWay]

Friday, March 22nd vs. Columbus - Flames 1 Blue Jackets 0
Goals: Horak
Erixon: -1

Heard it here first....

I will also accept Flames 1 Blue Jackets 0
Goals: Horak
Erixon: healthy scratch

Glad Horak is back. I think he should be a full time NHL'er at this point.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Itse

Totally random observation;

I never realized Horak had so many believers on this board. Kind of funny to me since honestly I don't think he has done that much to earn so many praises.

I just thought I had an irrational liking and an "intuition". And I don't think my intuition about players is actually any good

Well from watching him closely in camps, last season and this it is obvious he's a very smart, coachable kid who works hard and has some skill and good physical attributes. His scoring touch in the AHL this season was a very pleasant surprise and shows he wasn't ruined playing a checking role last year.

No reason not to believe in Horak, he's a pretty surefire 2nd/3rd liner for years to come IMO.

[killer_carlson]

Do you think he gets overwhelmed at times with the entire NHL thing?

He seems to me to be very humble and to know his role as a rookie, but almost to a fault.

I think he will do very well in a couple of years when he isnt the youngest guy on the roster in the top 9