[News] Chris Higgins joins Flames on professional try-out

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Flames_F.T.W

Higgins can be a good place holder on the fourth line instead of plugging that spot with a young prospect who has more upside than a fourth line player (ie: Poirier, Jankowski, Mangiapane, etc.). We have a plethora of young talent that could play on the 4th line, but realistically they'd all be better served playing top 6 minutes in Stockton instead of 10 minutes a night on the 4th line. That's why I'm ok with this

The 4th line IMO is Bouma-Stajan-Chiasson with Bollig as the 13th forward. I do however have both Tkachuk and Shinkaruk in my lineup which may not be realistic and is likely a reason Higgins was brought in. Non of the spots on the team will be a given so a PTO vet crests that competition and if the kid wins the team is not stuck with a contract it doesn't want

[Niemo]

I think Shinkaruk and Hathaway make the team, but not Tkachuk.

If Higgins has his legs back, he would make a fine 4th liner and PKer as well on a 1-year deal.

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Then there should be no reason for you to worry about him beating out Shinkaruk or Tkachuk besides realistically Higgins wouldn't even be competing for the same ice time as them unless you had them penciled in for 4th line and PK.

Good point this. He's more to light a fire under Bouma and Ferland and set a bar for Hathaway

[GioforPM]

I really think this is to have an extra vet for road pre-season games.

Boy, if Ferland and Bouma need a fire lit under them there's a bigger problem here.

[JiriHrdina]

the Flames have used advanced stats for some time they just don't make a big public deal about it unlike some teams

[saXon]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I really think this is to have an extra vet for road pre-season games.

Boy, if Ferland and Bouma need a fire lit under them there's a bigger problem here.

Bouma maybe not so much, but Ferland definitely needs a fire lit. Playoffs certainly have a different culture around them, but there's no reason why Ferly couldn't elevate his play last year. When the kid is on, he's on, but more often than not he's lackadaisical in his play. Maybe Gulutzan can pinpoint a gameplan for him.

Don't want any part of Higgins

[the2bears]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Shooting percentages? They've been openly tracked for a long time now. Hardly anything new or advanced about it.

Next thing you know they'll start keeping track of every time the puck enters the net.

[djsFlames]

Fleury was snubbed in that first non-playoff year after the streak, that during which Dion got dealt. With that team and roster he really could've been useful. Poor decision on their part for sure.

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Fleury was snubbed in that first non-playoff year after the streak, that during which Dion got dealt. With that team and roster he really could've been useful. Poor decision on their part for sure.

The guy was way too slow to keep up in that league. Only nostalgia would lead you to believe he was snubbed.

The Flames did him a favour by giving him a "heroes goodbye" with the Dome chanting his name for his shoutout winner. But of course he turns around and insults players like Conroy, who, at the time, were clearly superior to him.

[Kavvy]

Go Brad

I love the:

Higgins had constant contact from the Flames

with the implication that no other team harassed him as much as Brad.

PTO may be irreverent but we have the Hardest Working GM in the league!

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Kavvy

Go Brad

I love the:



with the implication that no other team harassed him as much as Brad.

PTO may be irreverent but we have the Hardest Working GM in the league!

I do always enjoy when this gets mentioned. He has his finger on everyone's pulse constantly.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

If Chris Higgins earns a spot on this team, then our focus need not be on Chris Higgins or BT for giving him a PTO.

The players many are so concerned about ensuring have a spot or would be preferable to have in those spots rather than CH (and I agree on that) would need to take a serious hard look in the mirror as to how this guy ended up beating them out for a job.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

If Chris Higgins earns a spot on this team, then our focus need not be on Chris Higgins or BT for giving him a PTO.

The players many are so concerned about ensuring have a spot or would be preferable to have in those spots rather than CH (and I agree on that) would need to take a serious hard look in the mirror as to how this guy ended up beating them out for a job.

Well....yes and no. There are always other considerations, as was mentioned earlier in this thread some coaches and GMs are going to want Chris Higgins' ass getting splinters from the bench for his ~4 minutes a night and have other players developing in Stockton getting more and more important minutes.

[Shazam]

Those preseason split squad games had awfully thin rosters.

He's here as a warm body, until the NHL can figure out how to get zombies on skates.

[Vulcan]

We've got 8 spots open on our 50 man roster, so I could see some signings, both vets (this guy) and rookies (Burke) depending on their camp.

[Samonadreau]

Anyone dig up one of those fancy charts on Higgins? See if he is a good possession player and all.

[gvitaly]

Originally Posted by Samonadreau

Anyone dig up one of those fancy charts on Higgins? See if he is a good possession player and all.

Spoiler!

[TheScorpion]

So he's evidently a better possession player than Bouma.

Hmm. Wonder if he could fill in as the 3rd line LW with Backlund and Frolik.

[AC]

I really like Bouma as a player, but he needs a big turnaround year or else he's probably getting replaced for cheap.

Hathaway specifically looked great in a very similar role last year.

[Flaming Lips]

Didn't know where else to put this, but have it on decent authority that David Jones is signing a PTO with the Flames. Please consider as unsubstantiated. Be still your beating heart, Scorpion.