[GDT] Flames at Blues. 6:00, Sportsnet Flames, Fan 960

[direwolf]

St. Louis is an incredibly tough team to play on a back-to-back, especially in their own barn. If the Flames can get at least 1 point out of tonight, I'll be satisfied. As long as they bring the same intensity they played with last night, I think they'll be ok.

[PugnaciousIntern]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I like how the Flames are moving along with Tkachuk. No pressure. Take games off and see how teams are playing, get him oriented not only to Calgary's system, but how other teams play. Get his ears wet.

If he improves, you stretch it out a bit more with the playing and occasional sitting. If he fades, you send him back to junior.

I don't care if it goes beyond playing him for 9 games and then sending him down. So his ELC kicks in. So what? He will only get 2 years to earn his next contract, so unless he does really, really well for those 2 years, he will most likely end up signing a bridge or a longer but relatively lower cap hit deal.

Does anyone think that Bennett is going to sign anywhere near where Monahan signed for? Guess a lot will have to do with how well Bennett does this year of course, but unless he gets 70+ points, I don't think it will approach Monahan's contract. I think the Flames will probably save money on the Bennett contract, probably saved a lot of money on the Gaudreau contract (imagine if he was offer-sheet eligible), and may be in the same position with Tkachuk and save money again.

Tkachuk playing 9 games or 10+ and then getting sent to junior is the least of my worries. Properly developing him is way more important.

I think this is one of the more underrated long-term consequences of the 9-game tryout. Obviously there is more to the decision than just the contract status of a prospect, but if future contract issues are the deciding factor, then giving a prospect less time to prove themselves might ultimately save you money in that second contract.

I generally dislike arguments like these, as they bet against your own players. But this fact means that the 9 game threat isn't as imposing as we like to make it out to be

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by steveo

Let's go flames!!
9-2 win for my cousins birthday.

your cousin is turning 92?

[You Need a Thneed]

15-1 Flames.

[djsFlames]

Just squeeze out at least a point even and I'll be happy. I know this isn't an easy back to back situation. The important thing is we keep ourselves within reach of the .500 mark and find ways to steal points until the team really picks up steam.

If Elliott's play carries over I'll feel better about our chances though. The calmness in his play last night was infectious to watch as a fan. I can only imagine it would permeate throughout the team if he puts up a wall again.

[automaton 3]

I predicted a Flames loss last night which worked out, so I'll do it again.

4-2 Blues.

[Poe969]

6-1 Blues, Elliot will look well below average, the best players will be the worst players and the one goal will come from someone like Engelland or Bouma because they'll be the only ones showing any heart.

[TheScorpion]

9-2 Flames. Just to be positive

[Jables16]

Grossmann on left side D, with the Blues getting last change? Why not save him for a home game where you can shelter him against the fourth line? If he's paired with Hamilton that likely means they'll be rolling defense similar to the season opener against Edmonton. Looking at the Blues depth chart they can roll out Tarasenko, Yakupov, or Steen on RW and all those guys can beat Grossmann wide all night, this could get ugly.

[calgaryblood]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

As several people have pointed out, you're really off base. Brodie had a few bad plays but he was also skating the puck well in all three zones as well as he usually does.

Just like your Bennett is a winger / maybe trade him stance, you're fixating on something and finding individual instances to support a narrative that isn't really there.

Glad we have someone like you to tell me how I think

He was awful last night and has been every single game he has played this season, regular season and pre season. If you want to be a homer and not notice these type of things when we win then go for it but I actually analyze the games and re watch games. Brodie wasn't good last night. Don't see why I'd make that up as he's one of my Favorite players on this team and I've supported him before he became elite. But as of this season and last night he needs to get his head out of his behind. He looked to be the slowest guy on the ice last night and that's saying something when paired with Engelland.

[steveo]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

your cousin is turning 92?

29, but you can't win with a score of 2-9

[Cactus Jack]

Physicality is good but not when it brings a slow, immobile player with almost no skill with the puck. Hopefully Engelland, Grossman and Wideman do not get lapped by the Blues´ speedy and skilled wingers

[calgaryblood]

Nobody in the NHL has a worse plus/minus than Brodie. And I'm finding a narrative that isn't there....

[Cali Panthers Fan]

I won't be able to watch this one tonight. Perhaps that's for the best. The Blues have owned us for several years now, and this is on the second half of back to backs on the road.

I'll be satisfied if the Flames keep a loss within 1 goal. I'll be ecstatic if we find a way to win.

[wingmaker]

Does every fanbase overreact to bottom level players or is that just a CP thing? Maybe it comes from having many years with so few skill players that everyone had to focus on the bottom of the lineup to be difference makers.

If Grossman playing as the sixth defenceman is the reason a team wins/loses, that is a sad statement about the team. Similarly, if Grossman playing as a sixth defenceman is the catalyst for whether a fan chooses to watch/not watch, then perhaps some perspective is needed.

[HighLifeMan]

Does St. Louis really play a big and heavy game? or is that an old distinction?

They lost Backes and Brouwer this off-season. I don't see a ton of muscle in that lineup. Grossman feels like a huge mistake to me against such a skilled team.

[Toonage]

Watching the game on Saturday I was put off by the chippy play of the Blues and I don't think its a problem having some heavier/grittier players in the lineup. Grossmann will be getting the least amount of minutes of all the D, and so long as he doesn't try to fire the puck right up the middle on a clearing attempt or drive to the net at the end of a penalty kill he should be fine. Tkachuk will be the one to get under their skin and lay out the cheap shots where warranted.

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

Glad we have someone like you to tell me how I think

Roll your eyes all you want, but I'm not the only one who's told you this about this recent Brodie sucks bit, or about Bennett.

You are wildly over-dramatic with these self-drawn concrete conclusions.

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

He was awful last night and has been every single game he has played this season, regular season and pre season.

Honestly, this is beyond asinine and not even worth discussing with you. Suggesting Brodie has been "awful" in every game is so far from reality, it's preposterous. Unreal.

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

Nobody in the NHL has a worse plus/minus than Brodie. And I'm finding a narrative that isn't there....

With the minutes he's played through a short stretch of games at the beginning of the season - and considering the way the team has played as a whole - yes, you are.

[Firebot]

Everything is pointing to a loss, which is why I think Calgary will come out on top. A grindy 4-2 game in Calgary's favour, and Grossman with the empty netter (because he will be put in the last minute to defend the lead and show truculence).

[djsFlames]

No thanks to Grossmann. That makes me a bit nervous. If he's gonna play, he needs to be positionally responsible and use his body and size whenever possible, as that is his main asset. And please no blind passes up the middle..