Feb 15 practice notes. Smith starts vs Pens. Neal out. Lazar recalled from Heat

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Buff

Name calling is lame. Name calling because their opinion is different from yours is ridiculously lame.

Not to mention his analysis is patently false.

If he would get off Mike Smith's jock he wouldnt have to feel the wrath. The guy has one good game in a calendar year and Lou is ready to roll out the red carpet and welcome him back. Gimme a break.

[midniteowl]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

This is legitimately setting up to be like the last Penguins game with Smith getting pulled because he can't handle the consecutive starts of a starters job and Rittich coming in cold without having being given the opportunity to come into his own again because the Flames are sticklers for their greybeard goalies.

On the flip side, a proper ass kicking (or handling?) could spark them to another 3 months of amazing hockey.

This is exactly what I'm thinking. The team had been winning games where they played like poo, so a good swift butt kicking is just what the doctor ordered.

[direwolf]

Originally Posted by midniteowl

This is exactly what I'm thinking. The team had been winning games where they played like poo, so a good swift butt kicking is just what the doctor ordered.

I'm sorry, but this is ridiculous. No self respecting Flames fan should ever wish for the Flames to lose. EVER. I don't care how badly they're slumping. You always cheer for win no matter what the circumstance.

[djsFlames]

Would absolutely prefer a win. But hypothetically if they're going to lose in regulation, say, then a blowout would at least serve as a wake up call to the whole team on an individual level and management in regards to Smith.

If the slump continues tomorrow, I'd prefer that the "wake up" happen now, while they're still in a prime spot to get first in the west.

But I dunno, I think they might surprise us tomorrow. In a positive way. Despite picking up odd points here and there, Gaudreau has been very quiet and I don't expect that to remain for long. When he figures it out, that line is likely to return to being the best in the league.

[dino7c]

Team hasn't lost two regulation games in a row since early November

its a slump but not much of one

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by midniteowl

This is exactly what I'm thinking. The team had been winning games where they played like poo, so a good swift butt kicking is just what the doctor ordered.

I would suggest that the TB game was in every way a good swift butt kicking...other than the final score at least.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I surprised Lazar got recalled at this stage. Not because he isn't deserving - in fact, I think he is deserving and I can't wait to see him for a stretch of games and see how his game has evolved, and to see if his confidence has improved. I actually really like Lazar.


I am just a bit surprised because Lazar will need waivers to go down again. I can see him getting claimed by a few teams that ran into injury troubles, or heck, even teams selling and are willing to fit him into the line-up for the rest of the season to see if he can be a good long-term asset.



I thought he would get recalled later on in the season after the trade deadline, or even as late as the 2nd last or last game to give some of the regulars nursing a nagging injury a bit of a rest. Lazar could be a really good depth piece for a playoff run.

[442scotty]

I guess the team plans on Lazar being up for the rest of the season

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I surprised Lazar got recalled at this stage. Not because he isn't deserving - in fact, I think he is deserving and I can't wait to see him for a stretch of games and see how his game has evolved, and to see if his confidence has improved. I actually really like Lazar.


I am just a bit surprised because Lazar will need waivers to go down again. I can see him getting claimed by a few teams that ran into injury troubles, or heck, even teams selling and are willing to fit him into the line-up for the rest of the season to see if he can be a good long-term asset.



I thought he would get recalled later on in the season after the trade deadline, or even as late as the 2nd last or last game to give some of the regulars nursing a nagging injury a bit of a rest. Lazar could be a really good depth piece for a playoff run.

I do not believe this is correct?

[combustiblefuel]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I surprised Lazar got recalled at this stage. Not because he isn't deserving - in fact, I think he is deserving and I can't wait to see him for a stretch of games and see how his game has evolved, and to see if his confidence has improved. I actually really like Lazar.


I am just a bit surprised because Lazar will need waivers to go down again. I can see him getting claimed by a few teams that ran into injury troubles, or heck, even teams selling and are willing to fit him into the line-up for the rest of the season to see if he can be a good long-term asset.



I thought he would get recalled later on in the season after the trade deadline, or even as late as the 2nd last or last game to give some of the regulars nursing a nagging injury a bit of a rest. Lazar could be a really good depth piece for a playoff run.

Only needs waivers if he plays 10 games or is on the roster for 30 days.

There are less than 10 games and definitely less than 30 days until the trade deadline.

Edit: to clarify waiver rules still apply after the deadline but Lazar wouldn't qualify for the AHL playoffs if sent back after the deadline . The Flames would have to send him down "on paper" before then recall him after but that would use 1 of the 4 recalls.

It would appear that he will be here for the remaining part of the season or showcasing him but I think they are .

[Hackey]

A win would be huge but I'll take a 9-1 loss if it helps get us back on track like last time.

[Beninho]

Doesn’t take much for the Flames to lose trust in Rittich but takes one game for smith to win the job back after months of awful play? Weird


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[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by Beninho

Doesn’t take much for the Flames to lose trust in Rittich but takes on game for smith to win the job back after months of awful play? Weird


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Apparently.

[Inferno]

Originally Posted by Beninho

Doesn’t take much for the Flames to lose trust in Rittich but takes one game for smith to win the job back after months of awful play? Weird


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He hasn't won anything back. Way to overreact.

[Classic_Sniper]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I am listening to him now and I would have to disagree. As much as Wills and Loubardias go out of their way to accommodate Smith, Pinder refuses to give him any credit at all.

Today he definitely didn’t give him much credit for a solid performance. He’s probably made his decision on what he thinks Smith is. I suppose Pat might be the most neutral of the bunch at this point. Very polarizing topic at this point without a doubt.


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[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Classic_Sniper

Today he definitely didn’t give him much credit for a solid performance. He’s probably made his decision on what he thinks Smith is. I suppose Pat might be the most neutral of the bunch at this point. Very polarizing topic at this point without a doubt.


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I would agree with that.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Beninho

Doesn’t take much for the Flames to lose trust in Rittich but takes one game for smith to win the job back after months of awful play? Weird


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Smith has not "won the job back." If you actually take the time to read a few posts in this thread you will see perfectly reasonable explanations for why the coaches would choose to start him tomorrow.

[transplant99]

Since Jan. 1

Rittich .893 save% 3.19 GAA

Smith .896 save% 3.23 GAA

Does it really make a huge difference who is starting these days?

One of em has to get going, there's no question about that.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by TBone290

What are the chances that Smith gets lit up again…

Actually I think that’s why he gets the start.

Better for him to get lit up than Rittich.


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[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by Classic_Sniper

Today he definitely didn’t give him much credit for a solid performance. He’s probably made his decision on what he thinks Smith is. I suppose Pat might be the most neutral of the bunch at this point. Very polarizing topic at this point without a doubt.


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Why do you think you have to make a decision about a goalie and can’t just have an opinion about their game?

To me, you have 3 main factors / groups of factors in the goaltender’s statistical results
- 1. opposing offense performance - not controlled by goalie
- 2. Flames defense performance - not controlled by goalie
- 3. goaltender performance - controlled by goalie

If you rank each one from, say, 1 to 5, then maybe it gives a better picture of what happened.

Mike Smith deserves a pretty good grade on category 3 last game, right? Liked the blocker save on Barkov in OT, thought the attempted / faked poke check was a weird waste of energy on the second shootout attempt. Second goal, a good shot. It was a ‘could have had it’ shot, not a ‘should have had it’ shot.

Florida doesn’t get a high mark from me on Category 1, though. Lots of shots in to the logo. A 1 or a 2 out of 5 for difficulty. Tampa on the other hand would be full marks, 5/5. Their offense was quick, precise, savage. I don’t think Florida had a single shot as dangerous as Tampa’s top 6-8.

A solid job, in a mainly boring and not so challenging game. Good job, but in my opinion, nothing to fawn over.

I find Cassie does this on her broadcasts though. Smith has taken such a beating that everything he does well is celebrated, like when your kid colours inside the lines.

Solid but nothing to write home about for an ordinary goalie. Factor in the fatigue and the low expectations, maybe that’s why such praise.

Humorous as well that I have seen people say the Flames made Reiner look good, but Smith was great.