October 13th Practice

[868904]

Originally Posted by Wolfman

For some reason he thinks he's a skill player now. He's at his best when he's hitting everything that moves, but that does take a toll on your body. I know from experience when I played my last couple years, that was my job.

It does take a toll on him and he shouldn't play like that for all 82 games, but if he can play like that for at least every game against the Pacific division, that would make him very useful. Last year, it seemed like he only played like that against Vancouver.

Honestly, I think Ferland and Bouma were neutered because they are scared that they would have to answer to either Lucic, Maroon, or Kassian. Helps to have some truculence in the lineup.

[MisterJoji]

Originally Posted by Fire

What will be the excuse if the defense is terrible on Friday? Probably be blamed on the Wideman-Engelland pairing.

Well despite the reactions, Wideman was actually more than decent last night. Don't mind that he's still in the lineup. Bottom pairing with some PP time is exactly where he should be. Just keep his ES minutes low.

Originally Posted by dino7c

its a long season...one game where everything went wrong and they still got 40 shots and 4 goals

lets move on

Amen. If we had average goaltending and referees who weren't on Edmonton's payroll, we win last night, easily.

Originally Posted by kyuss275

Give Ferland a couple more games. He looked like he was hitting more in pre-season. Was hoping that would continue into the regular season. Coach needs to tell him go out and hit.

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I support Ferland, but I think he's not a fit with Backlund and Frolik. I like Bouma better there. Ferland might do better on the 4th line, crashing the net with those guys.

I recall one good play in the first where he created a good scoring chance but was invisible the rest of the game, nothing too good or too bad. I really felt like he was just snake bitten a lot last year, but now I'm not so sure. If I recall Bouma-Backlund-Frolik as a good combo last year.

Originally Posted by hockey.modern

Looks like Elliott starts Friday

Good, he needs starts to get back to top tier performance. Shake it off.

[SOMBRI2]

Originally Posted by wwkayaker

One regular season game and he needs to lean from above? I thought he was one of the most involved players last night. Let the kid play and continue to gain confidence while using video/coaching to help him get better.

Exactly, funny how double standard is presented. The second line was fine in preseason, now sit #19 after one game? I kindly disagree.

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[8sPOT]

Tkachuk also planted himself in front of the net whenever he was on the PP. We have sorely missed that type of mentality, and I for one absolutely loved seeing him do that. Kid played a good game and really who do we have thats better?

[northcrunk]

Originally Posted by 868904

It does take a toll on him and he shouldn't play like that for all 82 games, but if he can play like that for at least every game against the Pacific division, that would make him very useful. Last year, it seemed like he only played like that against Vancouver.

Honestly, I think Ferland and Bouma were neutered because they are scared that they would have to answer to either Lucic, Maroon, or Kassian. Helps to have some truculence in the lineup.

If they are scared of Lucic then get the #### off the team. If he comes after you and you dont want to fight him then do the huggy bear. Easy. They are big boys and they should act like it.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Sec218

"Hey Bob, what did you think of Glen's Flames coaching debut?"

Seems pretty stoked for a guy who can't hold an NHL job

[EVERLAST]

Glen needs to make sure the officials understand that Wideman touching gods gift to hockey ( MCDAVID) doesnt mean an automatic penalty shot.

I mean good lord Johnny had three guys hacking and hanging off of him so surely he deserved 3 penalty shots.



anyway....that was pretty uninspired hockey last night against our rivals and im sure Brian sends a message down thru everyone that more truculence is required

seeing Kassian running around unchallenged last night made me puke and he must pay....hate him beyond words and Lucic didnt do as well as he thought against Eng which made me laugh.

I sure hope this grudge the refs hold against Wideman doesnt cost us more of the same the rest of the year.

[MBates]

Originally Posted by 868904

Honestly, I think Ferland and Bouma were neutered because they are scared that they would have to answer to either Lucic, Maroon, or Kassian. Helps to have some truculence in the lineup.

I'm all for criticizing performance but this is just making things up. Do you have examples where either Ferland or Bouma have ever, out of fear, refused to answer the call against, well, anyone?

A former truculent player now amateur scout suggested to me this summer that Ferland has the hardest punch in the NHL...he just doesn't realize it. A pretty difficult to assess claim I will admit, but he's basing that on actual experience...you appear to be relying on observing a poor effort in a game filled with poor play.

I think I've seen Bouma dive to block slapshots with his face...if anything he is not scared enough out there sometimes.

Not sure what you are supposedly basing this on.

[Oling_Roachinen]

Refusing to answer the bell and not putting yourself in a position where you need to answer the bell are not the same thing.

I don't necessarily agree with 868904 for the reason that Ferland and Bouma are playing like they are, but it is quite apparent that they are no longer playing the game that makes them most effective.

[BigFlameDog]

Originally Posted by 868904

It does take a toll on him and he shouldn't play like that for all 82 games, but if he can play like that for at least every game against the Pacific division, that would make him very useful. Last year, it seemed like he only played like that against Vancouver.

Honestly, I think Ferland and Bouma were neutered because they are scared that they would have to answer to either Lucic, Maroon, or Kassian. Helps to have some truculence in the lineup.

Yeah, go google some of Ferland's junior tilts....pretty sure he isn't "scared" of any of those guys.

[Oling_Roachinen]

As it's always said, nobody grows up playing hockey wanting to be an enforcer. Just because Ferland can fight, doesn't mean he likes getting hit in the face. He'd much rather be out their scoring goals and setting up plays.

But, the game he is playing now makes him less effective as a player.

[MBates]

Originally Posted by BigFlameDog

Yeah, go google some of Ferland's junior tilts....pretty sure he isn't "scared" of any of those guys.

And his AHL, and NHL...

[MBates]

Originally Posted by Oling_Roachinen

Refusing to answer the bell and not putting yourself in a position where you need to answer the bell are not the same thing.

I don't necessarily agree with 868904 for the reason that Ferland and Bouma are playing like they are, but it is quite apparent that they are no longer playing the game that makes them most effective.

Well that's exactly my point. It would be better to delve into why they may not be playing their most effective styles with theories that make sense or are based on something real. Claiming they are scared of the Oilers enforcer group makes no sense.

[Dan403]

If Ferkland isn't HITTING, Ferkland should be SITTING.

[Zoller]

Good to see Brodie and Gio back together.
Nice to see Jokipakka in instead of Grossmann.
I'm a big supporter of Ferland but I also think Bouma would be better with Backlund and Frolik. I think Bouma is better defensively and that is our main shutdown line.

[EVERLAST]

Forgot about the Frolic and Backlund shorties. Those were awesome and getting 2 in one night makes me wonder how many those 2 will rack up this year after having 10 last year .
Reminded me of watching Nillson and Nemo

[AcGold]

Johnny should teach Ferland how to hit. When you get the angle and leverage properly it's much easier to hit people. Ferland tries to be a bulldozer but he's smashing into other bulldozers. The smart thing is using leverage so you inflict maximum force while receiving much less. Be more like a wedge or a ramp that tips the larger stronger mobile object off its centre of gravity.

It's how Johnny is able to hit guys much larger than him. Target the 45 degree angle from behind and aim for the contact to be in the lats/ribcage. Much more leverage to separate players from the puck. Ferland doesn't need to work harder he needs to be smarter.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by 868904

It does take a toll on him and he shouldn't play like that for all 82 games, but if he can play like that for at least every game against the Pacific division, that would make him very useful. Last year, it seemed like he only played like that against Vancouver.

Honestly, I think Ferland and Bouma were neutered because they are scared that they would have to answer to either Lucic, Maroon, or Kassian. Helps to have some truculence in the lineup.

I doubt they're scared of Lucic or Maroon or Kassian. I don't think that these guys are legendary fighters or tough guys. Kassian is a cheap shot bozo, that's all he's got.

Bouma has never really been a fighter. I would like to see Ferland let someone have it just to hear the sound the gun makes when it goes off.

[JerryUnderscore]

Suggesting that Ferland or Bouma were scared of the Oilers thugs is just rubbish.

Terrible idea.

[1_Flames_Fan]

I'm confident Elliot will bounce back and have a strong game. I like the defense pairings better and hopefully they play better. Don't want to lose back to back to the Oilers for sure. That would be embarrassing.