[PGT] Bolts down Flames 3-1

[PaperBagger'14]

Originally Posted by skcli

He should be jettisoned to the moon

This sounds like a rouse, is this a rouse?

[Ashasx]

Being in a rebuild isn't an excuse for running around in the defensive zone like chickens with their heads cut off.

[paulf7]

What hockey game did you guys watch? They clearly outplayed the bolts. Everyone here hates on the D, but no one rags on the forwards. Gio has 4 goals this year. Wideman has 7 points. Both have more points than most of the forwards. Yet, they stink according to you guys. After watching tonight's game, how anyone can possibly say Gio is trash is beyond me. Seriously, iso cam on him next game and if you still think the same way...go watch soccer or something.
The forwards are a complete ####show. The young guns on this team cannot defend at all in their own zone, they constantly turn the puck over, and are always allowing odd man rushes. It comes with the territory with younger guys, but they seem to get such a free pass on here.
The coaching is really lacking something on this team..if they have the weak side forward collapse toward the slot in the defensive zone it'd help immensely. And they have to stick to one main pp unit and ride it so they can build some chemistry. All the good pp units around the league are always the same guys.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

IMO Hamilton is quietly turning into the Flames most dependable defender. Far less fire drills in their own end when he's on the ice compared to the other pairings. He's pinching in at better times now. I'm not worried about him at all as he's coming along and it's the other guys that are the issue.

Brodie is the best right now, but I'm picking up what you're layin' down.

Hamilton is, well, good. Gio, Russell and Wideman have struggled as of late to say the least, while Hamilton has essentially improved every game.

[FlamesNation23]

Originally Posted by puffnstuff

Matthews shoots left

Alright Jesse Puljujärvi then

[Wiggum_PI]

Derek Grant was 78% on faceoffs tonight, 7/8 in the defensive zone. I think he's been decent so far and hope he stays in the lineup.

[Ozy_Flame]

Hey now . . . We're going to load up on picks in just 4 months when we take advantage of a high bidders market for the services of Hudler, Russell, Ramo/Hiller and possibly Wideman.

Remember the most exciting draft we had? It was 2013 and we came in with three first rounders. Looking forward to a repeat fabulous summer!

[mikeecho]

Originally Posted by N-E-B

Terrible. This team is an absolute joke. Giordano is not earning that contract.

In fairness, he's probably earning the one he's currently on. It's the one that kicks in next year that is causing concern!

[MacFlame]

Originally Posted by browna

Clear that Wideman is trusted more than Hamilton. The way Hamilton has played on the fringe, hard to disagree with that. They're all bad right now but Hamilton has been a huge dud.

I thought Hamilton has played well with Russell. Much improved from the start of the year, certainly. Wideman has been soft, slow and out of position. He isn't scoring, missing the net constantly, shooting the puck into the opposition shin pads constantly...I really don't get the love in (okay that's a bit dramatic) by Hartley for him.

Serious question. Why is Hartley constantly changing the d-corps during the game. It's a 1-1 tie...and he decides to move Hamilton up with Gio. It's 1-2 and he throws Wideman out there with Russell...bam goal against (which should surprise no one).

Should it be apparent, at least, what doesn't work by now? But maybe I'm missing something.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

IMO Hamilton is quietly turning into the Flames most dependable defender. Far less fire drills in their own end when he's on the ice compared to the other pairings. He's pinching in at better times now. I'm not worried about him at all as he's coming along and it's the other guys that are the issue.

Yep, both Hamilton and Engelland have quietly played much better/smarter hockey over the past few weeks. Engelland should not be sitting, IMO.

[Hockey_Ninja]

[Stay Golden]

Hamilton is 22 and has plenty of upside and will get better. Shoot Wide is 32 and has zero upside compared to Hamilton.

[hockey.modern]

Originally Posted by FlamesNation23

Alright Jesse Puljujärvi then

Gaudreau-Bennett-Puljujärvi

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

I agree, but I think you give it a few more games yet before selling the farm. But not only would it be tough to get back in the mix, they aren't playing well enough consistently to give us reason to believe.

Hard to imagine Hudler being with this team after Christmas. Probably a d-man or two as well. This team is still rebuilding, a few trades to get younger and a high draft pick and maybe this season isn't such a waste after all.

I don't expect a fire sale until the new year but we should see at least 3 or 4 regulars gone between now and the deadline including Hudler who is as good as gone IMO.

[CroFlames]

Well fellas if it makes you feel any better the Oilers still suck. 3-1 for the Yotes.

It makes me feel better. So yeah.

[Jbo]

Originally Posted by Realtor 1

I hate the word rebuild at this point. We are deep enough into the rebuild have a small chance at the playoffs. Not in the basement.

Oiler fans would use "rebuild" as an excuse 3 years in.

Well I'm not sure what you would call it. Many teams have regressed after a magical season. Our re-build was accelerated, but being all but out of the playoffs by mid-november would suggest we still have a ways to go.

[GullFoss]

This team lacks truculance on defense. I don't think Brian Burke is very happy with the way we're being pushed around like a bunch of pusses in boots.

Now, who's a truclent defenseman with swagger than Burke might like?

[JetsFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by crapshoot

What he's doing right now does not in any way resemble Jack Adams coaching. Especially playing the worst defender on the team at all times, completely disregarding his own motto.

He took a team of nobodies to the 2nd round after 5 years of futility. There's no way this is on Hartley. A guy doesn't win the Jack Adams with that roster and suddenly forget how to coach. Just look at what the Senators did a few years ago and had an awful season the next year, but they've matured and now they are a perennial playoff team. I don't think the coach is the problem, but some moves probably need to be made. I don't like the idea of trading all the vets, but we could have gotten a lot for Hudler, I don't know how great the return is gonna be now.

[Dion]

[FlatLandFlamesFan]

Entertaining game ,much better looking Flames team tonight was thinking we can tie it get to OT
then