[PGT] The Czar Takes Over. 5-2 W over Vancouver.

[shadowlord]

Originally Posted by Huntsy

No excuses for Monny now, injuries are healed..

Eric Francis, is that you?

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Hmmm yeah I don't disagree with that. I would far rather have skill in all spots and I'm not a fan of having guys like Peluso on the team at all.

My comments were more thinking through how I'm guessing the team is thinking through that 7th spot, and historically their desire to have some toughness. And in that sense, that's where I see Kulak in tough.

I've liked Prout for the most part. He won't wow you but he doesn't get in much trouble either.

But if Andersson makes the team wouldn't they have Kulak as the 7th dman? At 24 not sure there's much need to send him down, and this way you avoid losing him on waivers.

I guess it all comes down to that toughness thing again.

[Toonage]

Wouldn't shock me if Treliving was burning up the phones trying to move Stone for whatever he can get. Solves a lot of problems.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Wouldn't shock me if Treliving was burning up the phones trying to move Stone for whatever he can get. Solves a lot of problems.

But if you move Stone, who's your 5/6?

Kulak - Andersson?

I am not comfortable with that. I would rather one of those guys play with a vet like Stone than have both of them out there.

And I am not convinced that Prout is an 82 game replacement of Stone. I think Stone is here for one more year.

[GranteedEV]

If Andersson is on the team, I would feel much more comfortable with Kulak as his partner than anyone else. Stone would be playing his off side and is also a bit of a black hole in many areas. Kylington needs a vet partner as a rookie himself. Prout, similar situation to Stone. Only other way I'd be comfortable is Hanifin-Andersson and Kylington-Hamonic as the pairs.

Also the weak skating of Stone-Andersson would be exploited IMO.

[868904]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Biggest thing for me last night was Rasmus Andersson.

He looked great playing catch with Gaudreau on the powerplay.
He moved the puck simply when required, but was able to skate it out of trouble and into positive offence on numerous occasions.
I think his transition game will give the Flames a lot more offence when the third pairing is on the ice.

Don't see how he doesn't make the team at this point, but I'd like to see him with Stone on his off side and see if he fits.

Kulak struggled again, so Andersson taking his spot is the path of least resistance.

Agreed; however, I think last night was one of Kulak's better games. Prout was again good. I think I prefer both Anderson and Prout over Kulak at this point.

Stone is an interesting one:

- Defensively, I think Prout has been better than Stone. Prout wins his physical puck battles.
- Skating wise, I'm not sure there is much difference between the two.
- On the PK, i've liked Prout a lot back there. He blocks shots and he's physical without taking penalties.
- The only thing Stone has over Prout is his shot, but he is rarely in position to use it.

I'm comfortable with Anderson, Prout and Kulak as the 5, 6, 7 that a Stone trade makes sense now.

Plus with Kylington looking closer, that gives the Flames at least 8 "NHL defensemen" without Stone. Could also sign a Sproul to a 2 way as well for additional depth and he'd be a lot cheaper than Stone.

I think there's a trade there for Treliving to move Stone to Ottawa. They want to keep Mark and what better way to do that then to acquire his brother. If Tre can get a 4th round pick or project prospect for Stone, he should do it.

[Samonadreau]

Even tough guy montre aside I think Prout has looked serviceable out there.

I think the sticking point might be the fact that Andersson and Prout are both right shots, therefore i beleive it's one of Andersson or Prout that makes the 6/7 D. Kulak being a left shot has the inside track to be the other. I cant see them putting 3 R shots in the bottom pairing/7 spot.

So duke it out Prout and Andersson.

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

But if you move Stone, who's your 5/6?

Kulak - Andersson?

I am not comfortable with that. I would rather one of those guys play with a vet like Stone than have both of them out there.

And I am not convinced that Prout is an 82 game replacement of Stone. I think Stone is here for one more year.

I could see a rotation of Kulak/Andersson/Prout

Kulak doesn't hurt the team and buys the time for Valimaki to season in Stockton.

Prout draws in when they play the Oilers or other teams with heavier line ups.

[Enoch Root]

I think a year or so from now, you can move some of the guys up the depth chart like so:

LD
Giordano
Hanifin
Kylington/Valimaki

RD
Brodie
Andersson
Hamonic

making Stone and Kulak expendable. But I am not sure we can spare them yet.

[Samonadreau]

Also shows why you dont sign a bottom pairing guy that could regress to 3.5per

[Bingo]

I'm with Enoch ... I don't think you move Stone yet.

a) I've never been as down on him as others, he's a pretty good containment defenseman. He has little transition, but he keeps guys wide and seals them well. Some numbers ... Stone's high danger chances against per 60 minutes last year was 3rd on the team behind Giordano and Hamilton, and ahead of Brodie, Hamonic and Kulak. He just doesn't get in much trouble.

b) Stone has had the ability to move up the roster and play top four minutes for short to medium terms. That's hugely valueable on a hockey team if one of Brodie or Hamonic get hurt. This might be alleviated if Andersson can do the same thing.

[Nammer403]

Originally Posted by Mass_nerder

No excuses?
What are you talking about? Monny is definitely the 1st line centre. What has Lindholm done in his career that you think he's the better 1 center?

Lol he’s the same guy who compared Backlund to Mason Raymond

[Fire]

I think Kulak is being sent down. I can't see him staying on the roster. When Treliving placed him on waivers earlier this summer it was pretty clear he doesn't think much of him.

Andersson and Stone will probably start as the final pairing. Prout can fill in once in a while without hurting you too much. Kylington is close but he will start in the AHL.

[FBI]

If that was one of Kulaks better games, yikes.
He's been super meh to me so far.

Much prefer Andersson.

[Beninho]

Originally Posted by FBI

If that was one of Kulaks better games, yikes.
He's been super meh to me so far.

Much prefer Andersson.

He’s always been meh. He will be passed on the depth chart shortly

[David Struch]

If both Justin Falk & Ryan Sproul were signed, Kulak & Stone could become expendable.

Giordano - Brodie
Hanifin - Hamonic
Kylington - Andersson
Valimaki - Prout
Sproul - Falk
Healey - Högström

[browna]

BP definitely threw Prout and Kulak out there in some tough situations to see how they did. Kulak certainly looked more polished as he should from playing 70 plus games last year but Prout wasn’t wildly out of place either.

Still a week or so of camp to sort some things out and even if it’s Kulak and Stone as the last pairing, with many in CP hilariously up in arms come opening night about it, Treliving has all the power. No need to rush out and trade either one of those two ASAP. The young guys can be patient. Weekend 1 or 3 or 6, a couple other teams d men go down, the price for Stone or Kulak goes up.

[sa226]

It seems like Andersson is getting more opportunity. So far. But I have been quite impressed with Kylington. He seems to have reeled in his game. Smart decisions, and you know that underlying raw talent is there to be moulded.

Valimaki to me doesn't look quite ready yet. Which is fine.

I always thought Kulak had top 4 potential, but I think this is his peak. Keep him around if you can, for depth. Make way for the kids.

Sent from my SM-G950W using Tapatalk

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Bingo

At risk of sounding a little new wave ... I just don't get the Prout toughness thing (nor Peluso), and I'm not suggesting you disagree. Why make your lineup inferior in every way to have a guy on the bench that can fight say Lucic? Why not just beat the Oilers 5-1 and call it a night?

Now Prout on the roster because he's a good guy and we don't care about him eating popcorn is different. But if there's an injury get Valimaki or Kylington up.

I thought Prout looked surprisingly good. Could outlet the puck while being strong and physical. Thought he looked as good as Stone or maybe better. It’s nice to have at least a couple defencemen on the roster who can clear the net and wipe guys out along the boards. He really was punishing guys who’d get too close to the goalie, nice to see that battle and physicality. He looked very hard to play against in our own zone. His shot blocking really stood out too, good anticipation there.

It’s too early to say but I think Prout may make Stone expendable if he keeps it up. I thought Prout showed slightly better skating than Stone and seemed to move the puck a bit better. It’s early though but I liked what I saw.

Our defensive depth is quite ridiculous. We may have to deal one we have too many capable nhl defencemen.

[Robbob]

To me Kulak was always a seat filler while the others were getting ready. Stone I think will be a good asset later in the season when the kids are ready.