[GDT] Flames @ Stars, 6:30 PM MST. Sportsnet West, Fan 960

[btimbit]

I don't like Stewart on that line but really when I think about it Bennett doesn't deserve that spot either.

We really have nobody for the spot. I'm fine with trying it as long as GG doesn't keep him there long after it's clear it doesn't work (Chaisson)

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

You don't reward good performances with demotions. Good teams don't do it.

This is not a zero-sum game whereby every roster adjustment is either a "promotion" or a "demotion." The most obvious interpretation of what the coaches are doing is the intent to set Stewart in a position to succeed, whilst simultaneously using Bennett's recent solid play as a boost for Jankowski's line where he has ad a good deal of previous success this season. Nobody should expect from the morning skate that these are how the lines will look by the end of the game.

Then again, we saw Stone generate a PP goal last game after Dougie left - only for Stone to get sat on the bench in favour of Brouwer on the next PP. So, basic logic in rewarding performance clearly is beyond this coaching staff's grasp.

Brouwer scored an ES goal, and then was REWARDED with shifts on the powerplay in which he assisted on another goal. Whatever the coaches were thinking in the third period the other night, it seems to have worked.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Kovaz

Nobody earned that spot, but you had to put someone there with Ferland injured. Huge difference between having to pick someone to fill a hole created by injury, and replacing someone who is healthy and having success.

Actually, it's not a huge difference. It's making lineups to try and get a win. GG could have elevated Tkachuk (like many wanted), but he gave Bennett a chance, likely based on what Tkachuk can do on the second line.

Stewart is going to play, so where do you slot him that (a) causes the least disruption and (b) he might do well in? Well, Ferland is injured, Stewart plays a lot like Ferland. Bennett has only been there for two games and has a lot of experience with Jankowski.

[Jbo]

[AC]

I wonder if Jamie Benn kneeing Gaudreau last time we played in Dallas had anything to do with the decision as well:

[djsFlames]

Benn and Seguin are good but they're also pieces of ####.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Brouwer scored an ES goal, and then was REWARDED with shifts on the powerplay in which he assisted on another goal. Whatever the coaches were thinking in the third period the other night, it seems to have worked.

Brouwer's goal came after the PP in question.

Brouwer was on the PP that saw Zadarov sit for 4 minutes due to the Hathaway incident towards the end of the 2nd period, where Hath also got 2 mins. (16:51 of the 2nd)

Brouwer scored his goal in the 3rd period. (2:39)

[GioforPM]

I do expect that Bennett will have a spot on the top line for at least 5+ minutes tonight.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by AC

I wonder if Jamie Benn kneeing Gaudreau last time we played in Dallas had anything to do with the decision as well:

Could be Gully's mindset, which hopefully we see Stewart carry out. If he's on there for match-up purposes to inflict physical anguish on Benn/Seguin, I'm all for it!

If we see Stewart drop 'em with Benn tonight - that's a hell of a "hello" to the fanbase!

[Monahammer]

Lol who was it that called Stewart on the top line? Well done...

Ugh.

[dieHARDflameZ]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

Bennett performs when playing with linemates better than him to play with, which is a pretty consistent experience for young developing players. It helps them develop. He's performed well when given the chance with Monahan and Johnny in these last 2 games...so to just knock him back down to the 3rd line, that's hardly a fair shake.

Gully's got his vision though, and he's the head coach so he'll do as he pleases. He's just done an incredible number of idiotic things this season, and this looks poised to be another one of those. Bennett earned the right to stay on the 1st line.

So many people on here have said Bennett hadn't earned the right to play with good linemates, it's a constant point people bring up when talking about why Bennett doesn't get favourable linemates.

Well, enjoy Chris Stewart. He earned his waiver wire status, and now he's Calgary Flames RW #1.

Hey, for all intents and purposes, I hope he lights it up and does become our #1 RW’er. If he doesn’t play well, GG won’t leave him on the top line to drag down Johnny and Monny rest assured. Pretty simple stuff here.

[the2bears]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

Fun take from Twitter.



This is a hell of a message to send to a young, developing player who has been performing in the position he stepped into 2 games ago. What a garbage message.

I know... guy uses the singular form of "attribute" then proceeds to list two.

[_Q_]

Dumb move by Gulutzan.

Yes the guy that almost passed through waivers deserves to play on the top line ahead of a kid that's just starting to develop chemistry with your top forwards.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by dieHARDflameZ

Hey, for all intents and purposes, I hope he lights it up and does become our #1 RW’er. If he doesn’t play well, GG won’t leave him on the top line to drag down Johnny and Monny rest assured. Pretty simple stuff here.

Yeah I'm with you. I've never liked Stewart, in the same way I didn't like Bourque after he got his big contract. Guy has all the tools, but doesn't put them into play. He's a Flame now, so I'm cheering for him.

I just really disagree with Gully's choice, and that's not a new feeling this year for me.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

Brouwer's goal came after the PP in question.

Brouwer was on the PP that saw Zadarov sit for 4 minutes due to the Hathaway incident towards the end of the 2nd period, where Hath also got 2 mins. (16:51 of the 2nd)

Brouwer scored his goal in the 3rd period. (2:39)

....And he set up Backlund at 14:46 of the third period for another powerplay goal. He had a really good game and it is likely that the coaches noticed. The point made here is my first one: this is not a zero-sum game where every roster adjustment is either a "promotion" or a "demotion." And again, the coaches cannot be faulted for a number of decisions made last game which were clearly effective.

[dieHARDflameZ]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

Yeah I'm with you. I've never liked Stewart, in the same way I didn't like Bourque after he got his big contract. Guy has all the tools, but doesn't put them into play. He's a Flame now, so I'm cheering for him.

I just really disagree with Gully's choice, and that's not a new feeling this year for me.

Hey fair enough, I’ve questioned a lot of his decisions as well this season. I get the frustration.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Kovaz

Why do you feel the need to say one side has "logic" and the other doesn't? Bingo's post defended the logic of Stewart on the top line. Some people have different opinions - why does their logic not count? I've posted this elsewhere, but mocking posters or posts with different opinions is usually what starts the adversarial, toxic discussions we see a lot on this site.

Stewart on the top line has a ton of potential to be a bad move, and the best case scenario is no better than Bennett has been there so far. So we've got a move that, the way I see it, has a ton of potential to make the team worse, and very little potential to make the team better. Is it not logical to argue against that?

If we rolled out a top pairing of Bartkowski-Hamilton and bumped Giordano to the 3rd pair, would it be illogical to question that? In theory, you could argue something like "Bartkowski is a faster skater, and Dallas is a fast team", but do we really need to try it to know it's a bad idea? There's a huge difference between "there exists a line of reasoning that can defend that idea" and "it's a good idea."

It's ONE game...maybe one shift.

Bennett nor his linemates did much of anything productivity wise in their last game I might point out.

The reaction to something that no one has any idea yet on how it will work or not...is entirely illogical. I dont know, you dont know, no one knows how it looks at this point. They know what it looks like with Bennett. They want to see what it looks like with Stewart. A guy who has produced as many goals as Bennett this season in 384 fewer minutes of ice time.

Let it breathe before you suffocate it.

[Bourque's Twin]

Stewart's a lot like Ferland but has unfortunate effort issues. When Stewart is on his game, he's a game breaker. Hopefully he can step right in and be motivated with Johnny and Monny.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

....And he set up Backlund at 14:46 of the third period for another powerplay goal. He had a really good game and it is likely that the coaches noticed. The point made here is my first one: this is not a zero-sum game where every roster adjustment is either a "promotion" or a "demotion." And again, the coaches cannot be faulted for a number of decisions made last game which were clearly effective.

Brouwer did have a good game. The Flames locked it down in the 3rd, and Brouwer did have a PP assist (on PP unit 2) and a 5v5 goal after he was put on that PP in the 2nd period. Those things did happen. If they were directly related to each other, then Gully is a player whisperer and one hell of a coach.

I'm taking more issue with Stone performing well in a position, and then not getting the opportunity again.

[Racki]

Originally Posted by AC

I wonder if Jamie Benn kneeing Gaudreau last time we played in Dallas had anything to do with the decision as well:

I would agree. I'm not a pro Gultuzan guy but I can almost make sense of this if I squint a little. Starting off with a two point night and a scrap sticking up for Johnny gets him settled in and feeling good about himself.

It's a sprint right now and Stewart has shown in the past that he can be a real force for short periods of time if he's feeling good about himself.