[GDT] Blackhawks vs Flames - 8:00pm - CBC

[The Original FFIV]

Originally Posted by mikeecho

I suspect him and Hrudey will spend the majority of their time gushing about the kids up in Edmonton. Stuff like how Kane and Toews remind them of what Eberle and Hall will be in 5 years or how Keith is good, but that kid Schultz in Edmonton's really got people talking kind of blabber.

Thought Rick Ball was going to do more pbp. Mark Lee is awful and can't wait until TSN finally gets the rights to Saturday night hockey. So sick of second grade talent who become lifers at CBC because they are not good enough to be poached by TSN or Sportsnet.

[PloKoon]

Originally Posted by Jayems

I know I've been harping in it since Thursday but really glad glencross isn't on first line. What a debacle that was.

There are few teams in the league that would put him on their first line. I'm not saying he's terrible, but the guy has a role and it is not on the first line.

[CofR]

4-3 Flames

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Hi all...brand new to these boards, but I'm not brand new to posting in forums.

I'm really not sure what kind of team this Flames team is anymore. What is their identity besides underachieving? Are they tough? Skilled? Puck possession? Crash and Bang? Offensive? Defensive? None of the above?

I think I might feel better about the record if I knew what to really expect out of this team. With a brand new coach and completely different philosophy, as well as several new players that are much more offensively oriented, this team that was defensively average last year with Kipper playing well is now one of the worst defensive clubs in the game. Can we score enough to make up the difference? Well Keenan tried and that didn't work out great either. Basically I'm just riding out this shortened season with a wait and see approach to the new direction this team takes. I have a feeling that Hartley's team will begin to take shape by moves from the G.M. this off-season. Until then, we're just treading water.

As for the game tonight, the Hawks should be really tired playing so much hockey to start the year and several road games recently. Still, the Flames have been so Jekyll and Hyde over the last couple years that I can't figure out how they'll play from period to period, let alone game to game, so anything is possible. I would like to believe that they learned their lesson against Colorado, but more than likely they will continue to make some of the same mistakes and give away a couple of goals to a team that already has a lot of talent. We never seem to do well against elite forwards and the Hawks have 3 of them who are all playing well...so yeah....yikes.

I like what Hartley is doing with this team, but it's taking too long to get everyone together. It will be a lost season simply because we have players that are not terribly adaptable and there was also no training camp to have time to adapt.

Butler is in...after last game? Sigh...well at least we know Bob is forgiving.

Iggy and Cammy need to start being dangerous offensively at the very least. Not too worried about points but they need to be a force for good.

Kipper has always found a way to bounce back. Let's hope father time will still let him.

Go Flames Go!

[Vinny01]

Wouldn't be surprised if we won or lost. I expect if we win the big line breaks out or kipper has a huge game

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Oh and for all the doom and gloomers, we look really bad in the standings because of having the fewest games played. If we win our next 3 we would be tied with Minnesota for 8th. Here's hoping they figure it out soon...

[Lobotroth]

1 - 0 Flames win in shootout. Cervenka, Hudler score, Iginla shoots it right at Emery.

[puckluck2]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

Oh and for all the doom and gloomers, we look really bad in the standings because of having the fewest games played. If we win our next 3 we would be tied with Minnesota for 8th. Here's hoping they figure it out soon...

No I think it has more to do with 1 win in 5 games.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

Oh and for all the doom and gloomers, we look really bad in the standings because of having the fewest games played. If we win our next 3 we would be tied with Minnesota for 8th. Here's hoping they figure it out soon...

I don't think people are simply looking at the standings and saying oh my god! People are watching the games and we don't look good.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by nik-

I don't think people are simply looking at the standings and saying oh my god! People are watching the games and we don't look good.

Fair enough. I still think we've looked better to start this year than any year under Sutter. Kipper's had a rough start and there are some weaknesses we have at centre that still need addressing, but I still feel the rest of the team can and should be very competitive.

[Henry Fool]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

Oh and for all the doom and gloomers, we look really bad in the standings because of having the fewest games played. If we win our next 3 we would be tied with Minnesota for 8th. Here's hoping they figure it out soon...

I think people base their opinions on what they've seen, not on what an optimist envisions the team might be able to do if everything goes well. Don't you get tired of doing these calculations every year? "If they win the next 3, if they win 2 out of 3 from now on, if they beat every playoff team from now on, they're still in it, etc."

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

Fair enough. I still think we've looked better to start this year than any year under Sutter. Kipper's had a rough start and there are some weaknesses we have at centre that still need addressing, but I still feel the rest of the team can and should be very competitive.

Maybe, but there are no moral victories in a 48 game season that didn't have a training camp. We need points, not building blocks.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by nik-

Maybe, but there are no moral victories in a 48 game season that didn't have a training camp. We need points, not building blocks.

Oh don't mistake me, I'm pretty sure we don't make the playoffs this year.

The only thing I have left is the progression of this team in the right direction. I just don't think we are truly a bottom feeder at least not yet. I still suspect there is plenty of hockey left in this lineup. Maybe not a playoff team, but we'll be right there again at the end.

[EddyBeers]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

Oh don't mistake me, I'm pretty sure we don't make the playoffs this year.

The only thing I have left is the progression of this team in the right direction. I just don't think we are truly a bottom feeder at least not yet. I still suspect there is plenty of hockey left in this lineup. Maybe not a playoff team, but we'll be right there again at the end.

The disturbing thing is that you may be right. I still think with the downgrade in coaching that at the end of the day this team will be closer to 15th than to 8th, probably 12th or 13th. Not in it, but not dead last either. I picked 13th before the season started myself. 13th will get you knocking on the door for a top 5 pick at a minimum.

[Vinny01]

Downgrade in coaching? From Sutter who has done nothing at the NHL level? That's rich

[casucks]

First time I've ever predicted a loss, lets hope I'm wrong.

4-2 Hawks

[Goodlad]

Originally Posted by Jayems

I know I've been harping in it since Thursday but really glad glencross isn't on first line. What a debacle that was.

Glencross had one bad game. The previous 4 games he was arguably the best player on that line.

[Meers]

A tired team, which got into town late, is playing their backup and missing a centreman.

For any competitive team in the NHL, this game is a "gimme".

So, I predict an OT win for the Flames.

[Wise Gamble]

Seems about the right time for Iginla to have a big game.

[Camronius]

Originally Posted by krynski

No HD?

Thought you meant the game was only available in SD... panic for a moment!