[PGT] Flames fall to Nashville 4-3

[looooob]

Originally Posted by Flames Fan, Ph.D.

Wideman at the end there sure didn't look like he had an urgency to get the puck to the net... he looked Gio off for a good 2 seconds (despite Gio feverishly slapping the ice with his stick) and then fluttered it gently at the net. Gio kinda had a wtf look on his face at the end too...

yeah clearly only one of Wideman and Gio had read the memo on that one

[Flames Fan, Ph.D.]

Originally Posted by BigRed

Wideman knows we need at least Barkov to stop sucking before his contract ends.

Not to make too big a deal of this, but i think about 4 or 5 games ago Wideman had a similar play were he was wide open for a shot and finessed a pass right into a sprawling defender. I think a few people noticed it in the GT and PGT at the time.

[DuffMan]

Originally Posted by Rejean31

LOL, like that is going to happen.

Coilers play Chicago, Minny and VCR. CHI and VCR have nothing to play for and will hopefully play to not have any injuries.

[doctajones428]

Originally Posted by DuffMan

Coilers play Chicago, Minny and VCR. CHI and VCR have nothing to play for and will hopefully play to not have any injuries.

They're playing Video Cassette Recording?

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by doctajones428

They're playing Video Cassette Recording?

Just being obtuse for fun? I'm sure you could figure out what team he was talking about...

[dying4acup]

I noticed that cervenka is suddenly on a 20g/40pt pace. I bet he could be taught defence, jokinen learned.

I hope they don't give up on him. Might be a 50pt player next year.

[CaptainCrunch]

I would like to see Cervenka get another short term contract, the guy is pure finish.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Cervenka, Glencross and Tanguay are our most lethal shooters I'd say.

Cervenka has been wildly inconsistent. A total nonfactor some nights. Be interesting to see if he and the team are interested in giving it another try next season.

[MisterJoji]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

I would like to see Cervenka get another short term contract, the guy is pure finish.

Would love it too, but he was in Hartley's doghouse for time this season and I bet there will be a handful of teams that will have interest in him. I'd love another season with him and think he could become a solid contributer but I worry the bridge may have already been burned.

[Bar-Down]

I sure hope they re sign Cervenka. 1 year deal. Get him a full offseason of proper NHL training and have him start the year healthy and see what he can do.

At worst we trade him at the deadline for something. Or best case he could learn and grow to be better and we got ourselves a good player moving forward.

Hes a rookie this year, i think hes done okay considering his situation.

[Jables16]

Originally Posted by doctajones428

Panthers win! Flyers win! Devils win! Hurricanes win! Flames lose!

Great OOT day for us

At this point Panthers winning isn't going to change much, they're firmly entrenched in dead last, the other two are definitely nice though! Not much of a PGT tonight despite there being a lot to like no matter what school of thought you subscribe to.

If you're in the losing camp: They lost! It was a close one right down to the end with the Flames pressing to the buzzer to tie it up but coming up short. Everyone put in a decent effort in a losing cause which is what you want to see when looking for a good draft pick.

If you just want to see your favorite team do well, yes they lost, but Brodie continued to look like a potential top pairing defenseman, Baertschi with another two point game extending his point streak to six games, Cundari with another point, and most of the call-ups didn't look out of place.

As for the other guys, the good: Horak is at worst a responsible two-way player, you feel confident putting him out in any situation and if he puts up some points all the better. Byron while obviously limited by his size notched an assist. Hanowski is a big body with some good hockey sense and a nose for the net. Reinhart with a solid all-around game as usual, seems like the guy most likely to make the team out of camp next year.

The not so good: Street had a solid if unspectacular game, one of his better as a Flame but it just seems like he lacks the spark that would help him stick as an offensive type player in the NHL.

Blair Jones apparently had almost 20 minutes of ice time, I say apparently because he was hardly noticeable. In his best appearances with the Flames he was a real s***-disturber, stirred things up and got the opposition of their game, didn't really see much of that today.

Aliu definitely has the physical tools to be an NHL player but I just don't think he has the focus and smarts to stick. Most of the time it seems like he's out there running around and reacting rather than reading and anticipating. He seems destined to be a call-up fourth line player to inject a bit of energy for a few minutes a game. Although considering what he's been through he certainly could've done worse for himself.

I was worried that Bancks would come out and instigate a fight or take some sort of dumb penalty and hurt the team to make an impression but given his reputation as the ultimate team guy I guess I shouldn't have been worried. I didn't see much out of him but did only get about 10 minutes. We could certainly use a player of his ilk, fearless, willing to do whatever it takes so I'd love for him to work out.

[nightfx]

Originally Posted by Jables16

Blair Jones apparently had almost 20 minutes of ice time

wat

i didn't know he was in the lineup today

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Jables16

As for the other guys, the good: Horak is at worst a responsible two-way player, you feel confident putting him out in any situation and if he puts up some points all the better. Byron while obviously limited by his size notched an assist. Hanowski is a big body with some good hockey sense and a nose for the net. Reinhart with a solid all-around game as usual, seems like the guy most likely to make the team out of camp next year.

The not so good: Street had a solid if unspectacular game, one of his better as a Flame but it just seems like he lacks the spark that would help him stick as an offensive type player in the NHL.

Blair Jones apparently had almost 20 minutes of ice time, I say apparently because he was hardly noticeable. In his best appearances with the Flames he was a real s***-disturber, stirred things up and got the opposition of their game, didn't really see much of that today.

Aliu definitely has the physical tools to be an NHL player but I just don't think he has the focus and smarts to stick. Most of the time it seems like he's out there running around and reacting rather than reading and anticipating. He seems destined to be a call-up fourth line player to inject a bit of energy for a few minutes a game. Although considering what he's been through he certainly could've done worse for himself.

I was worried that Bancks would come out and instigate a fight or take some sort of dumb penalty and hurt the team to make an impression but given his reputation as the ultimate team guy I guess I shouldn't have been worried. I didn't see much out of him but did only get about 10 minutes. We could certainly use a player of his ilk, fearless, willing to do whatever it takes so I'd love for him to work out.

Byron was meh to me. Looks like an AHLer. I don't hold out much hope for him, wished we had kept the 2nd rounder and just sent Kotalik and Regehr for Butler.

Street I thought was much more impressive. Made a bunch of smart plays. Doesn't look like an offensive guy but definitely could be a tweener that can centre your checking line. He was solid for his 16 minutes.

Jones definitely didn't have his best effort. He was trying out there but not as effective as last year. He needs to be more involved. Surprised he played as much as he did.

Aliu has the size and skating to be a nice 4th line grinder but lacks some hockey sense, especially in the defensive zone. It'll be interesting to see if he continues to develop or not.

Bancks looks like he could be a Begin type player in the future. A 4th line grinder with heart. Not an upgrade on anything we've got though, Bouma/Jackman/McGrattan already ahead of him IMO.

Cundari was definitely exposed at times. Still like his upside.

Cervenka obviously showed some great hands and finish. He and Baertschi were our biggest offensive threats.

Hanowski didn't really stand to me for good or bad. His skating isn't so bad that he sticks out for it, at least on TV. Hopefully he develops next season because we could use his size down the line.

Brodie continues to show how much his skating allows him to do things. He's a real treat to watch.

[dying4acup]

Does anyone else think that pulling Jones and adding Backlund leads to a win tonight?

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

I would like to see Cervenka get another short term contract, the guy is pure finish.

Count me out. So many giveaways and kills the breakout if the puck goes anywhere near him. He seems like he'll always give you more chances against than he'll help create

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by dying4acup

Does anyone else think that pulling Jones and adding Backlund leads to a win tonight?

Could be. Backlund has been one of our most impressive forwards of late IMO. The coaching staff seems to agree, Hartley singled him out on the pregame show today talking about his development and overall game. It's going to be interesting to see what they do for the lineup in the next couple of games.

[dying4acup]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Count me out. So many giveaways and kills the breakout if the puck goes anywhere near him. He seems like he'll always give you more chances against than he'll help create

This was his FIRSt NHL season. He started it unhealthy and out of shape. Never got a training camp. AND, keep in mind, he played a top role in arguably (because I don't know better) the most defensive team in the KHL. He was a top scorer on a team that barely produced offence.

I think he's worth another look.

[dying4acup]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Could be. Backlund has been one of our most impressive forwards of late IMO. The coaching staff seems to agree, Hartley singled him out on the pregame show today talking about his development and overall game. It's going to be interesting to see what they do for the lineup in the next couple of games.

He has been playing through a cracked foot for about 12 games right?

[nik-]

I think the best part of this stretch of games is that it's likely erasing any confidence issues Sven was developing while he was playing 4-6 minutes a night earlier in the season.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by MisterJoji

Would love it too, but he was in Hartley's doghouse for time this season and I bet there will be a handful of teams that will have interest in him. I'd love another season with him and think he could become a solid contributer but I worry the bridge may have already been burned.

IIRC it had more to do with lack of conditioning, language problems and not adjusting well to the NHL game. He has gotten better and it is showing in his ice time. A one year deal like they gave Backlund will give Cervenk and the Flames time to evaluate his game and wether he has the ability to play at this level.