2012/13 General Heat Discussion Thread

[Johnny Rotten]

Originally Posted by Freeway

Pat Steinberg ‏@Fan960Steinberg Spoke to Utica Observer Dispatch. They've been in contact with local mayor. He can't confirm #Flames AHL affilliate will be placed there.

Don't know what to think of this:

1) Playing in Utica would obviously give the Flames farm club less travel time and more practice time, which I hear is a complaint the Heat have. Not to mention the lack of fans the go to Heat games, must be discouraging.

2) On the other hand, though, the close proximity to Calgary is a benefit with direct flying times from Abby to Calgary for both call-ups and convenience of scouting for the Flames brass. Plus, there are no assurances that the Utica will sell out every game.

3) Another negative, it's a long way for Pierre to travel to Utica.

[J epworth]

Originally Posted by Johnny Rotten

Don't know what to think of this:

1) Playing in Utica would obviously give the Flames farm club less travel time and more practice time, which I hear is a complaint the Heat have. Not to mention the lack of fans the go to Heat games, must be discouraging.

2) On the other hand, though, the close proximity to Calgary is a benefit with direct flying times from Abby to Calgary for both call-ups and convenience of scouting for the Flames brass. Plus, there are no assurances that the Utica will sell out every game.

3) Another negative, it's a long way for Pierre to travel to Utica.

The other negative I see is the team goes from having use of brand new facilities at the AESC, to the Utica Memorial Auditorium, which looks like it rivals the Stampede Corral for luxury.

[Roof-Daddy]

So what's the depth chart look like for the Heat on D now that Piskula is gone?

1. Carson
2. Breen
3. Callahan
4. Mckelvie
5. Lamb
6. Mackenzie
7. Matczak

??

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

So what's the depth chart look like for the Heat on D now that Piskula is gone?

1. Carson
2. Breen
3. Callahan
4. Mckelvie
5. Lamb
6. Mackenzie
7. Matczak

??

Yeah, that pretty much sums it up. Ward's been pretty happy with the way Matczak and Mackenzie have been coming along. Still, not liking the depth.

[Enoch Root]

Is there a chance that Ramage could join the team in time for the playoffs?

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Is there a chance that Ramage could join the team in time for the playoffs?

I'd say there's a high chance of that. Most likely on a PTO for the rest of the season, then to an ELC if they want to.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

My short article on Mike Testwuide coming to Abby: http://www.abbotsfordheat.com/genera...article_id=434

There’s excitement, then there’s what Mike Testwuide was feeling on Monday evening. While having dinner at a friend’s house, he got a call that no hockey player often expects. Paul Holmgren, the GM of the Flyers, was on the other end and let the 26-year-old forward know he was headed to the Flames organization.

“At first it’s kind of a surprise and shock that you get traded,” Testwuide explained Wednesday after practice, “but I knew I was getting traded to a great organization with top end coaches and my development is really going to benefit here, so I was really excited right when I heard the news.”

“It was about 30 seconds after I got off the phone, I didn’t call anyone – my parents or anything – I called J.P. and told him. I think he was more excited than I was,” Testwuide chuckled. “He was jumping through the roof and he’s like, ‘you know what? You’re going to be a better player just by going there and working with those coaches. You’re going to be amazed by how much they care and how much they’re going to work with you. You’re going to love the facilities and the organization.’ Just hearing that from him is awesome.”

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Tuzzolino's been recalled from Utah. McGrattan's headed to Calgary and Aliu is back down with the Heat.

Over the past week, the Heat have added a 6'5" d-man (Tuzzolino), two 6'3" wingers (Testwuide, Aliu) and a centre (Jones).

The Heat have certainly gotten bigger. Let's hope they get harder to play against.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Testwuide making his debut tonight. He's pretty determined to make a physical impact on the game. He said he's going to be "buzzing out there" and he hopes the fans like it.

[868904]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

Testwuide making his debut tonight. He's pretty determined to make a physical impact on the game. He said he's going to be "buzzing out there" and he hopes the fans like it.

Hopefully he can buzz everynight and get called up to do just that in Calgary.

[Roof-Daddy]

Heat win!

7 game losing streak over!

4-2 over Houston.

[flames_fan13]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Heat win!

7 game losing streak over!

4-2 over Houston.

Irving got the start and the win with 29 saves. Breen and Horak with a pair of assists, Reinhart with 1 assist for Flame prospects.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Very first shift, Testwuide threw a hit along the boards, knocked over two Aeros players and sent gloves and a stick flying. It was an awesome welcome to the Heat.

Irving had an awesome game. It was his first win in a Heat jersey since November 16. Also, Walter ended their power play drought. They went 27 power plays without a goal before Walter ended it last night.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

Very first shift, Testwuide threw a hit along the boards, knocked over two Aeros players and sent gloves and a stick flying. It was an awesome welcome to the Heat.

Irving had an awesome game. It was his first win in a Heat jersey since November 16. Also, Walter ended their power play drought. They went 27 power plays without a goal before Walter ended it last night.

Good news. I think it's great that Irving did well. If he can get his game together, I'd like to see him get called back up. He may not be though because Kipper should be back soon.

[Enoch Root]

Question on Irving:

He becomes a UFA if he plays less than 22 games this year, and he becomes an RFA if he plays 22 games or more this year (I believe the number is 22, but whatever it is).

The question is: do AHL games count for that total? I guess there is a follow-up question: did the games he played under the PTO also count, or do only the games played under contract count?

Ok, another question: how many games has he played for the Heat? He played 6 games for the Flames.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Question on Irving:

He becomes a UFA if he plays less than 22 games this year, and he becomes an RFA if he plays 22 games or more this year (I believe the number is 22, but whatever it is).

The question is: do AHL games count for that total? I guess there is a follow-up question: did the games he played under the PTO also count, or do only the games played under contract count?

Ok, another question: how many games has he played for the Heat? He played 6 games for the Flames.

It's NHL games played. He will be a UFA in July.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by getbak

It's NHL games played. He will be a UFA in July.

Bummer.

Actually, I don't mind that he's a UFA - his days with the Flames are over and he needs a fresh start.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Bummer.

Actually, I don't mind that he's a UFA - his days with the Flames are over and he needs a fresh start.

Being a UFA doesn't mean that his best chance of gaining a spot in the NHL wouldn't be with the Flames. We don't know what Kipper's plans are since he'll only make 1M
next season.

[boogerz]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Being a UFA doesn't mean that his best chance of gaining a spot in the NHL wouldn't be with the Flames. We don't know what Kipper's plans are since he'll only make 1M
next season.

Unless Feaster guarantees him a spot in the NHL, you can bet Irving knows his best chance of playing in the NHL is with another organization.

I hope he leaves this summer and finds success with an organization that knows how to develop their players. The way the Flames have handled him is embarrassing

[Freeway]

Irving's likely played his last game as a Flame.