Roman Cervenka

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

Horak's been playing well. He doesn't deserve to be sent down.

Begin played well in his first game too. Again, doesn't deserve to be sent down.

But there are way too many forwards on the Flames.

As much as I agree, it is a numbers game, and they both drew the short straws. Two-way contracts and all.

I don't think there is any doubt in the mind of Hartley, Feaster and Begin that Begin was signed to be an insurance policy for Cervenka's injury. We needed a centre, he plays centre, and he got the job. Until Cervenka is back. Begin is going down, and he would have known up front this is the case. But, an injury could bring him back up. This is the chance he was offered.

Horak is either splitting time between the 4th line and press box in Calgary, or getting good minutes in Abbotsford. He would no doubt rather the former. The organization, I think, the latter. And the organization is going to win.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

As much as I agree, it is a numbers game, and they both drew the short straws. Two-way contracts and all.

Yeah, it's a pretty easy call for the org actually. Saves 1/2 a million dollars in real money (two-way contract) + zero risk of losing an asset (Waiver Exempt) + A better developmental atmosphere. Once those guys are healthy Horak is almost certainly going to Abbotsford maybe Begin as well.

[AltaGuy]

Yeah, too bad about Horak - he has played better than a number of others, especially Cammalleri.

What I'm curious to see: if this were a Brent Sutter coached team, Cervenka would come back and would be put on the wing due to stubbornness.

Would be pretty messed up if Tanguay stays at center and Cervenka goes to the wing.

[Royle9]

Giving this a shot, flame suite on : (Lines in no particular order)

My only concern is that no matter who seems to be on Iginla's line for the last few years you always see players try and feather him a pass no matter the situation. It's like they feel obligated to get him the puck. I think our offense would improve if our other players took the chances they get rather then try to get it over to Iggy for a one timer (power play especially). So far I'm liking the fact were using the point/Wideman more often this year.


Glencross-Tanguay-Iggy - Showed some signs of cohesion last game.
Baertschi-Cervenka-Hudler Worth breaking up Bart & Backlund?
Cammy-Backlund-Stempniak Fast skaters but a small line
Comeau-Jones-Horak/Jackman

or

Baertschi-Backlund-Iggy Young offense to spark Iggy
Tanguay-Cervenka-Hudler Puck distributor for Roman & Jiri
Glencross-Cammy-Stempniak Seems decent on paper
Comeau-Jones-Horak/Jackman

[Stay Golden]

My expectations for Cervenka the first few games are low considering all the time he has not been skating etc.
I am looking forward to seeing how good is in 5 or 6 games though.
Great news for the Flames that he is going to be able to play. I honestly thought he was gone to gone for the whole season.

[The Yen Man]

I'm tempering my expectations, but I'm excited to see what Cervenka can do. I'm hoping to see some flashes of his skill for the first few games as he gets used to the NHL.

[Har-Calgary]

I was at the ducks game and I noticed two things. Horak played awesome and was tough in the corners and along the boards. As skilled as the Cammy-Backs-Baertch line is, it's not working and mainly because of the size issue. They have no fight in the corners/boards (backs is ok) cammy has been brutes in those areas and Baertch easily gets pushed off the puck. That line is comprised of too many similar players, need a big body to clear space and battle in the corners. As far as I know Cervenka/Hudler are more skilled players that won't be so tough in those areas. Here's what I do:

Baertch-Backs-Iggy
Tanguay-Cervenka-Hudler
Glencross-Horak-Cammy
Stempniak-Stajan-Comeau/Jones

The second line may have the same problem of not being tough on the boards but what can you do?

I dunno, off the top of my head while I'm bored at work.

I actually really wanted an all youngz lineup Baertchi/Backs/Horak but I don't think it's feasible.

[The Professor]

Originally Posted by Har-Calgary

I was at the ducks game and I noticed two things. Horak played awesome and was tough in the corners and along the boards. As skilled as the Cammy-Backs-Baertch line is, it's not working and mainly because of the size issue. They have no fight in the corners/boards (backs is ok) cammy has been brutes in those areas and Baertch easily gets pushed off the puck. That line is comprised of too many similar players, need a big body to clear space and battle in the corners. As far as I know Cervenka/Hudler are more skilled players that won't be so tough in those areas. Here's what I do:

Baertch-Backs-Iggy
Tanguay-Cervenka-Hudler
Glencross-Horak-Cammy
Stempniak-Stajan-Comeau/Jones

The second line may have the same problem of not being tough on the boards but what can you do?

I dunno, off the top of my head while I'm bored at work.

I actually really wanted an all youngz lineup Baertchi/Backs/Horak but I don't think it's feasible.

It's funny that we are all looking past tonights game already.

I think those lines are interesting. I would put Glencross with either Cervenka and Hudler, or with Baertchi and Backlund - for the exact reason you say, both need some size. So, why not this...
Tanguay - Horak - Cammy
Baertchi - Backlund - Iggy
Glencross - Cervenka - Hudler
whoever!

[GreenLantern]

I would start Cervenka in a third line role, let him ease his way in.

I think Hudler should be on the first line with Tanguay and Iginla..

Hudler-Tanguay-Iginla
Bearchi-Backlund-Cammalleri
Glencross-Cervenka-Stempniak
Comeau-Jones-Jackman

At least get a look at the new guys, see what is going on and adjust accordingly.

[Stay Golden]

Once Cervenka and Hudler get up to speed i would mind seeing these lines.

1 Tanguay Backlund Iginla
2 Baertschi Cervenka Hudler
3 Glencross Cammalleri Stempniak
4 Comeau/Horak Jones Jackman

But i think Cervenka and Hudler start on a new 3rd line with Glencross on Saturday.

[OzSome]

I don't know much about Cervenka so I don't have any high expectations on him until i see him play. All I know about him was from the media and other fans. If he is as good as what everyone was saying then it's great. I think Hartley will slowly use him from the 3rd line C and move him up as he progress. I hope he won't have a hard time adjusting to the NHL.

[BigBCalgary]

I think it's more like...
Tanguay, Cammallari, Iginla
Glencross, Cervenka, Hudler
Baertchi, Horak, Backlund
Jones, Stajan, Stempniak,

But then I remember the extra bodies in Jackman and Begin and that Stempniak doesn't belong on the fourth line. A good problem to have I suppose.....but I really like that top nine.

[dino7c]

Sven and Backs have looked great but haven't actually accomplished anything...no goals for either of them

[cznTiburon]

I have been playing flames forward Tetris all morning and really can't figure out any way that makes sense to set up these lines. It is interesting to see what Hartley will do and there are going to be a lot of mixed emotions by fans. I just want to see our Czechs play well

[AC]

Tanguay - Backlund - Iginla
Glencross - Cervenka - Hudler
Baertschi - Cammalleri - Stempniak
Comeau - Stajan - Jones

That's how I'd like to see the lines, possibly with Glencross and Baertschi swapped.

[Bourque's Twin]

This is hilarious. I've never seen it so difficult to formulate forward lines as a Flames fan.

Here's what I think.

Glencross - Tanguay - Iginla : I don't think Iginla/Tangs should be separated and I don't see a quality centre yet (Cervenka?) servicing them properly. Therefore, I put the Flames' best forward, Glencross, with them.

Hudler - Cervenka - Cammalleri : Highly skilled, fast second line. Cammy hasn't worked well with anyone else thus far and I believe Hudler/Cervenka should start off together.

Baertschi - Backlund - Stempniak : Fast, skilled, defensively responsible 3rd line. There has been chemistry here already and hopefully they could turn that into point production.

Jones - Begin - Jackman : a 4th line that has 3 guys who give it their all every single shift. I think they would be more effective than having Horak - Stajan - Comeau out there not being able to check or score.

I like Horak but he is the worst out of the top 9 forwards I listed and I'm a firm believer that we need Jones and Jackman in the lineup for grit. Horak could maybe replace Begin on the 4th but then we're burying a good prospect in a checking role...

Comeau serves no purpose on the team. It's painful to watch because he has a good skillset. There's just no confidence at all.

Stajan has no role to play. The Flames have too many good forward in the top 9 and he has no grit for the 4th line. I would buy him out.

[AC]

^ I like the looks of those too. Though Begin will likely be sent down at this point by default. I think Stajan has established his spot on the 3rd line well, so hopefully the 4th works with his game too since he'll be bottom 3.

[moncton golden flames]

tanguay - cammalleri - iginla
hudler - cervenka - stempniak
baertschi - backlund - glencross
comeau - stajan - jones

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

As much as I agree, it is a numbers game, and they both drew the short straws. Two-way contracts and all.

I don't think there is any doubt in the mind of Hartley, Feaster and Begin that Begin was signed to be an insurance policy for Cervenka's injury. We needed a centre, he plays centre, and he got the job. Until Cervenka is back. Begin is going down, and he would have known up front this is the case. But, an injury could bring him back up. This is the chance he was offered.

Horak is either splitting time between the 4th line and press box in Calgary, or getting good minutes in Abbotsford. He would no doubt rather the former. The organization, I think, the latter. And the organization is going to win.

I could see us keeping Begin up. A major issue thus far is getting pushed around by bigger teams. Hudler and Cevenka are both pretty tiny. Begin may stick around to play a modified enforcer role.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by Bourque's Twin

Glencross - Tanguay - Iginla : I don't think Iginla/Tangs should be separated and I don't see a quality centre yet (Cervenka?) servicing them properly. Therefore, I put the Flames' best forward, Glencross, with them.

Hudler - Cervenka - Cammalleri : Highly skilled, fast second line. Cammy hasn't worked well with anyone else thus far and I believe Hudler/Cervenka should start off together.

Baertschi - Backlund - Stempniak : Fast, skilled, defensively responsible 3rd line. There has been chemistry here already and hopefully they could turn that into point production.

Jones - Begin - Jackman : a 4th line that has 3 guys who give it their all every single shift. I think they would be more effective than having Horak - Stajan - Comeau out there not being able to check or score.

I like those. The only issue I have with this is the size of the 2nd line because you have two very small wingers besides Cervenka, who isn't huge either ... so I'd swap Cammy and Glencross, which means Cammalleri playing center and Tanguay moving back to the wing. I don't think the Tanguay experiment at center is going to work ... at least I think Cammy looked better there last year than Tanguay is at the moment. So

Tanguay - Cammalleri - Iginla
Glencross - Cervenka - Hudler
Baertschi - Backlund - Stempniak
Jones - Begin - Jackman