[GDT] Flames @ Stars, 6:30 PM MST. Sportsnet West, Fan 960

[djsFlames]

Or - JUST maybe, hear me out - it's not actually a demotion at all. And simply a matter of circumstance where the coach feels that Stewart on a young third line may be more of a liability, whereas Monahan and Gaudreau can help carry him, and he only has to worry about making space. And things will be readjusted after Stewart gets some practice in with them?

[Calgary4LIfe]

I think what the plan is for Bennett is to find a pairing/line for him.

If Bennett finds chemistry with someone, and they end up providing an additional scoring line, that makes them way more difficult to match up against and neutralize.

Chicago didn't use Kane-Toews-Hossa much at all.

At any rate, this is much ado about nothing. Unless Stewart scores a goal or two, or is really playing well and seemingly fitting on that top line, it is a short-lived experiment. It isn't going to last all game.

He is a RHS which does help with the chemistry and gives that line a different look. I can totally see why Gulutzan is trying it. I also don't think there is much chance he is going to keep on trying it all game if they don't see success right away. Why be so upset over something that is, for all INTENSIVE purposes, a short-lived experiment for the new guy?

Heck, for all we know, Gulutzan hates having Stewart, and wants to make a fool out of Treliving for saying he can score!!

Just relax and see how the game goes. No need to get so angry.

[MikePatton]

I don't have a lot of faith in the coaching staff to put together lines / pairings that make sense. Not surprised that Stewart is being tried on the top line.

[dieHARDflameZ]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

This right here is how you ruin player development. You know what good coaches do? They back their young players. They give them breathing room to make mistakes, and give them the confidence to get right back out there. They don't demote them for performing well because they picked up someone on waivers.

This move is a great example why I sincerely hope Gully is gone after this year. If he's back next year, I hope we trade Bennett - because Gully clearly has Hartley-Baertschi levels of disdain for the kid.

Again I didn’t say I agree with the move but I understand the logic. And let’s not pretend Bennett hasn’t had the opportunity to show his stuff. He’s been wildly inconsistent. The talent is there but he’s incredibly streaky, it’s 100% mental with him.

He’s 21 years old, there’s lots of time.

[The Fonz]

Stewart on the 1st line RW is absurd.

This ride can't end soon enough.

[MissTeeks]

Originally Posted by Rollin22x

The game thread will be near empty with all of these people that are done

Yeah, you won't be that lucky. No one ever seems to back that threat up around here.

[Kovaz]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Or - JUST maybe, hear me out - it's not actually a demotion at all. And simply a matter of circumstance where the coach feels that Stewart on a young third line may be more of a liability, whereas Monahan and Gaudreau can help carry him, and he only has to worry about making space. And things will be readjusted after Stewart gets some practice in with them?

If you're worried he'll be a liability without some practice time, why not just healthy scratch him?

[Northendzone]

Originally Posted by PlayfulGenius

It's not a must-win, of course... but a win here would be huge... Go Flames Go!

this is crazy talk. at this time of year, every game is big. every game matters

[Otto-matic]

Everyone can put down their pitchforks.

Pat Steinberg
‏
Verified account

@Fan960Steinberg
23s23 seconds ago
More
In Dallas, Gulutzan says Stewart will start with Gaudreau and Monahan tonight.

Says he’ll likely move him around in the next little while to find the best fit. #Flames

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

You don't reward good performances with demotions. Good teams don't do it.

Then again, we saw Stone generate a PP goal last game after Dougie left - only for Stone to get sat on the bench in favour of Brouwer on the next PP. So, basic logic in rewarding performance clearly is beyond this coaching staff's grasp.

Good teams move guys around for logistical purposes all the time. Babcock did it in Detroit. JQ did it in Chicago. Kessel was moved to third line in Pittsburgh because it worked great.

Young guys should expect to bounce around the lineup. Anyway, I'm sure that Bennett is being told what he needs to be told about any lineup changes.

[madmike]

I liked Bennett on the 1st line, but without him the 3rd line did kind of stink. It's a bit of a double-edged sword. Having Bennett on the 1st line is great for that line but does hurt the Flames' depth.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by dieHARDflameZ

Again I didn’t say I agree with the move but I understand the logic. And let’s not pretend Bennett hasn’t had the opportunity to show his stuff. He’s been wildly consistent. The talent is there but he’s incredibly streaky, it’s 100% mental with him.

He’s 21 years old, there’s lots of time.

Bennett performs when playing with linemates better than him to play with, which is a pretty consistent experience for young developing players. It helps them develop. He's performed well when given the chance with Monahan and Johnny in these last 2 games...so to just knock him back down to the 3rd line, that's hardly a fair shake.

Gully's got his vision though, and he's the head coach so he'll do as he pleases. He's just done an incredible number of idiotic things this season, and this looks poised to be another one of those. Bennett earned the right to stay on the 1st line.

So many people on here have said Bennett hadn't earned the right to play with good linemates, it's a constant point people bring up when talking about why Bennett doesn't get favourable linemates.

Well, enjoy Chris Stewart. He earned his waiver wire status, and now he's Calgary Flames RW #1.

[Beninho]

Stewart will be on the PP too next to Brouwer #itswhatGGdoes

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

Bennett performs when playing with linemates better than him to play with, which is a pretty consistent experience for young developing players. It helps them develop. He's performed well when given the chance with Monahan and Johnny in these last 2 games...so to just knock him back down to the 3rd line, that's hardly a fair shake.

Gully's got his vision though, and he's the head coach so he'll do as he pleases. He's just done an incredible number of idiotic things this season, and this looks poised to be another one of those. Bennett earned the right to stay on the 1st line.

So many people on here have said Bennett hadn't earned the right to play with good linemates, it's a constant point people bring up when talking about why Bennett doesn't get favourable linemates.

Well, enjoy Chris Stewart. He earned his waiver wire status, and now he's Calgary Flames RW #1.

Did Bennett "earn" the right to be on the first line in the first place? Or was that also a coach's decision based on team needs?

[djsFlames]

Nah, it's useless. The pitchforks are out, they ain't going back in.



Will enjoy crow eating tonight.

[Kovaz]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Did Bennett "earn" the right to be on the first line in the first place? Or was that also a coach's decision based on team needs?

Nobody earned that spot, but you had to put someone there with Ferland injured. Huge difference between having to pick someone to fill a hole created by injury, and replacing someone who is healthy and having success.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Nah, it's useless. The pitchforks are out, they ain't going back in.

Will enjoy crow tonight.

With how good Johnny and Sean are, I won't be surprised to see Stewart succeed tonight. New players generally bring a spark for a few games as well. He's a Flame now, so I'm all for Stewart doing well.

I just don't like it from a Bennett point of view. Kid did well in that spot, and Gully has buried him with Brouwer/Chiasson/Versteeg for so long that I was hopeful he was going to finally get to play with players better than him to help his development.

[dieHARDflameZ]

Originally Posted by Otto-matic

Everyone can put down their pitchforks.

Pat Steinberg
‏
Verified account

@Fan960Steinberg
23s23 seconds ago
More
In Dallas, Gulutzan says Stewart will start with Gaudreau and Monahan tonight.

Says he’ll likely move him around in the next little while to find the best fit. #Flames

Oh but here goes half of CP throwing themselves off the cliff. Hysterical.

[dieHARDflameZ]

Originally Posted by Beninho

Stewart will be on the PP too next to Brouwer #itswhatGGdoes

I hope he does just to listen to you ***** and moan the entire game about it. #itswhatBeninhodoes.

[Ashasx]

I don't think people who disagree with Stewart being on the top line are freaking out or about to jump off a cliff or anything. We're just here to discuss the Calgary Flames. Disagreement doesn't mean hostility.