Training Camp Predictions & Discussion - Page 5 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Cali Panthers Fan · 09-11-2013, 11:39 AM

The key word is "untapped". Unless he figures it out at the NHL level soon he will be passed by younger and more effective 3rd and 4th line prospects.

Phanuthier · 09-11-2013, 11:45 AM

He might not provide flash and dash "offensive skill", but Horak sure does a lot of little things consistantly right usually get players from jrs/minors to NHL earlier then the "offensive skill" guys.

i.e. Horak, Bouma and even Nemisz will probably get more of a consistant and stable NHL role this year then Granlund, Ferland, etc.

Lanny_McDonald · 09-11-2013, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

The key word is "untapped". Unless he figures it out at the NHL level soon he will be passed by younger and more effective 3rd and 4th line prospects.

Have to be afforded opportunity to prove something. You can't make chicken salary out of chicken #### and you can't score playing with Tim Jackman and Brian McGrattan.

kyuss275 · 09-11-2013, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stupid

I think you know the answer..

Not flashy, small, takes up a spot they'd like a new(er?) player to take over... I think most people think Horak isn't part of the future...

That's the problem. A lot of posters just want to see the "new(er?)" player take over because he is new. Other than Granlund, i did not see any players during the rookie tourny that even looked close to being NHL ready. Some looked good but nowhere near NHL good.

Horak in my mind is more NHL ready than any player in the rookie tourny.

foshizzle11 · 09-11-2013, 11:50 AM

I think Sven is pretty well locked for the full season with the Flames.

Monohan will get his 9 games then head back to Ottawa, play in the WJC and kill it there.

The other two 1st from this year head back to their jr clubs as well.

Horak is with the big club to start but could end up finishing the season in Abby.

Would love to see Bouma, Ferland and Jackman on a line together, would be fun to watch.

One of Ramage/Sieloff/Wotherspoon are the 6th defenseman.

Ortio is the back up for the flames and Ramo is the starter. MacDonald down to Abby or shipped out.

The younger guys like Reinhart, Hanowski, etc go to Abby, along with Granlund after 3 or 4 games with the flames.

Flames finished 27th for the season. I don't think we will be last...

Cali Panthers Fan · 09-11-2013, 11:56 AM

For those thinking Ortio is going to make the team...wait until he faces NHL calibre talent. My guess is he still needs some seasoning in the AHL before he's ready. He had one exceptional game, but wasn't as impressive against the Dinos. Consistency will be the main factor when deciding on the goalies.

JJsChaos · 09-11-2013, 11:57 AM

Glencross - Stajan - Cammalleri
Baertschi - Backland - Hudler
Galiardi - **** - Stempniak
Ferland - Bouma - D. Jones
McGrattan - ****

**** Horak/Granlund/Reinhart/Knight - battle for this position and the 14th spot through the preseason.

Brodie - Wideman
Giodano - O'Brien
Cundari - Rampage
Butler

Ramo
MacDonald

kyuss275 · 09-11-2013, 12:06 PM

I'm seeing a lot of posters with Jones on the 4th line. Not that fully disagree, but i would have to think he starts on the 2nd line. If he does end up being on the 4th line, i would hope the flames buy him out.

Five-hole · 09-11-2013, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyuss275

I'm seeing a lot of posters with Jones on the 4th line. Not that fully disagree, but i would have to think he starts on the 2nd line. If he does end up being on the 4th line, i would hope the flames buy him out.

Why, for more cap space?

TurnedTheCorner · 09-11-2013, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Five-hole

Why, for more cap space?

Probably a case of mistaken Jones.

Wastedyouth · 09-11-2013, 12:26 PM

You guys do realize that Horak was buried by Hartley last year? He started more in the defensive zone than any other center on the Flames and his underlying possession metrics were quite good regardless.

He is more of a lock to make the team than any current kid under 21 (ps. He's only 22 and trending on a very similar path to Backlund).

His low point totals are based on extremely tough zone starts and quality of competition coupled with a low team on ice shooting percentage.

Counting him out is ridiculous.

Wolven · 09-11-2013, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

For those thinking Ortio is going to make the team...wait until he faces NHL calibre talent. My guess is he still needs some seasoning in the AHL before he's ready. He had one exceptional game, but wasn't as impressive against the Dinos. Consistency will be the main factor when deciding on the goalies.

Consistency is good but it can definitely be looked at in different ways.

MacDonald is definitely the most consistent of the Flames goalies. We all know that he can show up and play a decent game. He won't bedazzle anyone with highlight reel saves and probably won't steal any games but he can be relied upon to show up and be steady. My main concern when it comes to MacDonald (other than the fact that he is not an NHL starting goalie) is that he does not usually have a heavy workload. Sure, he often plays 40 games per season but most of the games he has seen are in the AHL. 2008-09 is the only season where he has seen significant NHL time prior to joining the Flames.

None of the other goalies are really known commodities when it comes to consistency, namely at being able to play in the NHL. Each of them have demonstrated that they can carry pretty heavy workloads in other leagues.

Ramo averages between 50-60 games per season over the last 4 years in the KHL.
Berra last two seasons he played about 70 games per year between his regular team and tournament play and had two 40 game seasons prior to that.
Even Ortio logged about 70 games in 2012-13.

There are pros and cons to whichever direction the Flames go with goalies this year. Mainly, I hope that we do not carry the three-headed dragon for very long. If Ramo and Berra look good in the preseason then I would be fine to embrace the rebuild and go with them for the season. That extra roster spot on the team would be better used to make sure we do not lose someone like Cundari on waivers.

bubbsy · 09-11-2013, 12:58 PM

any predictions on who comes out on top in the fitness testing this season?

Enoch Root · 09-11-2013, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bubbsy

any predictions on who comes out on top in the fitness testing this season?

Knight or Brossoit

Enoch Root · 09-11-2013, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

He might not provide flash and dash "offensive skill", but Horak sure does a lot of little things consistantly right usually get players from jrs/minors to NHL earlier then the "offensive skill" guys.

i.e. Horak, Bouma and even Nemisz will probably get more of a consistant and stable NHL role this year then Granlund, Ferland, etc.

Yes, Horak does a lot of little things right, but so do Knight and Reinhart - and they are bigger and stronger, which is imperative for that role (bottom 6 C).

I like Horak, but if he wants to stay in the NHL, he will have to be able to provide some offense.

BurningSteel · 09-11-2013, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bubbsy

any predictions on who comes out on top in the fitness testing this season?

Kristin Hallett

Phanuthier · 09-11-2013, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bubbsy

any predictions on who comes out on top in the fitness testing this season?

Giordano

Wastedyouth · 09-11-2013, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Yes, Horak does a lot of little things right, but so do Knight and Reinhart - and they are bigger and stronger, which is imperative for that role (bottom 6 C).

I like Horak, but if he wants to stay in the NHL, he will have to be able to provide some offense.

Really? You can tell that from Reinharts 11 NHL games? Or Knights 0?

Horak is miles ahead of either of them at this point. Neither Reinhart nor Knight are any bigger nor anymore suited to bottom 6 roles. Not to say that any of the three couldn't play bottom 6. Horak already has and excelled.

djsFlames · 09-11-2013, 01:23 PM

Wow. A lot of people here are convinced that younger guys have no chance.

I will maintain that in terms of forwards, 3 of Knight, Granlund, Horak, Ferland, Monahan, Reinhart will make the team out of camp. I'll put my money on that.

From what I saw over the summer, Granlund has been doing the 'little things' right as much as Horak. He's a very smart player, and especially in the offensive zone, he makes a lot of little moves to keep the play alive. He also seems to put himself in the right areas of the ice. Lots of encouraging things even besides his shot.

Horak looked no better than half the guys when he was skating with them at dev camps. Mgmt said they were expecting more. So he'll have to bring it. I know he's been up here before and done well, but it doesn't guarantee him anything this season. He'll have to duke it out like all the rest. I think Granlund will outplay him, if he continues the way he has. Not sure about Knight. He seemed like a lock, but has been underwhelming to make a case. Hope he ramps it up.

Phanuthier · 09-11-2013, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Yes, Horak does a lot of little things right, but so do Knight and Reinhart - and they are bigger and stronger, which is imperative for that role (bottom 6 C).

I like Horak, but if he wants to stay in the NHL, he will have to be able to provide some offense.

How do you know?

And how do you know Reinhart/Knight's offense will translate to be better then Horaks? Horak was no slouch with 78 pts in 64 games in juniors.