[PGT] Blue Jackets 2 - Flames 1

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by DomeFoam

Why do we have a blue flag on our red jerseys?

Because the city of Calgary is located in the province of Alberta, and the Flag of Alberta happens to be blue.

[N-E-B]

At this point I think it's safe to say it's best if the team loses (although I'll never cheer for losses, it irritates me too much).

I thought our young guys and Gio were great tonight (Brodie and Hamilton were just okay, but not bad). That's the positive news. Monahan seemed to be getting engaged physically a lot more than usual tonight. I've really liked his game the past few games.

Plain and simple, the veteran guys who got it done last year are not cutting it this year. Hudler and Wideman are the two biggest culprits, but Russell, Jones, Stajan, and Bollig need to go. We can replace these guys through free agency, Stockton, and the draft.

My dream scenario would be to draft one of the Finns and sign Lucic. I also wouldn't mind re-signing Ramo and also going after one of Ward or Raanta.

Gaudreau-Monahan-Laine/Puljujarvi
Lucic-Bennett-Frolik
Ferland-Backlund-Bouma
Colborne-???-???

Brodie-Giordano
Hamilton-???
Smid-Engelland

Ramo
Ward/Raanta

EDIT - Just wanted to say my scenario did not take the salary cap into consideration as I don't have the time or patience to figure it out.

[jg13]

Columbus was something like 1-16-2 going into the 2nd period down a goal.

[doctajones428]

Just a few more left...



Playoffs or 1st overall or bust

[Jason14h]

Finishing bottom 2 gives you the best chances by far.

So that's how the lottery works!

[DeluxeMoustache]

Why do everybody's lineups still include Ferland? Seems like he is capitalizing on his playoff series against Van, but he has really been invisible this year for the most part. Columbus brought a physical game along with the stifling D. I know that it is tough to play the style he needs to play to be effective every night, but when the other team brings that, it is his time to get engaged.

For people that love save percentage, especially on a single game basis, consider how much chance Ramo had on the goals he let in, note his great glove on early breakaway and another beauty glove save coming cross crease, and then count the perimeter shots on Columbus. A beer league goalie would have stopped most of what the Flames mustered.

Lousy perimeter game. Hopefully the boys have a burr in their saddle tomorrow against Van

[Daradon]

Isn't Matthews considered one of the lower tier first overalls of the past few years? Or is it just because last year was so big?

I kinda felt he was a talent level like RNH or something.

And I still can't cheer to lose. I especially can't cheer to drop below the Oilers. Come on CP (and Flames)! Show a little bit of pride!

Nothing is worth that.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Daradon

Isn't Matthews considered one of the lower tier first overalls of the past few years? Or is it just because last year was so big?

I don't think so.

From what I remember, it was said that if he was a couple days older (his birthday is September 17 and the cutoff is the 15th), he would have been in the conversation with McDavid and Eichel for first overall last year. He likely would have gone third (he definitely wouldn't have gone past the Coyotes in 3rd), but he was certainly regarded quite highly.

[dammage79]

Well, I had to leave for work during the 2nd intermission, I thought the Flames had enough jam in their game tonight to at least get an OT point, color me shocked they lost in regulation.

This game tonight should be the back breaker but it won't, Treliving is a last minute guy. Too analytical to just punch the ticket and start the sell off.

How about Joonas Korpisalo? I mean come on, crap on the Flames all you like but that kid is Bob's replacement. I have this wild fantasy that the Jackets are so married to Bobrovsky that they keep Forsberg for the back up role and move Korpisalo to address some roster needs and the Flames trade for him. Really like his game.

Bennett is a stud. Missed the 3rd but his 2 periods of work I watched wee awesome.

And Auston Matthews is in McEichel territory. the only difference is the hype machine cannot pay for all airplane tickets to Switzerland to fawn over him. IMO, Mathews choosing to play in the Swiss league was a brilliant move if only to save himself from the North American media hoopla. He's not going to get the insanely stupid questions over there and the heat from the spotlight is but a luke warm tempurature.

[Aarongavey]

This is exciting, so many teams in the race for dead last in the NHL. Hartley and the Flames have clawed their way back into the race. Well done

[HotHotHeat]

If we can alternate between playoff runs and top 3 draft pick seasons, I'm happy.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Daradon

Isn't Matthews considered one of the lower tier first overalls of the past few years? Or is it just because last year was so big?

I kinda felt he was a talent level like RNH or something.

At points last year it was suggested Matthews could go ahead of Eichel in last year's draft if he was eligible.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Daradon

Isn't Matthews considered one of the lower tier first overalls of the past few years? Or is it just because last year was so big?

I kinda felt he was a talent level like RNH or something..

Let's see:

- better 17-year old USNTDP (Draft Minus 1) numbers than Patrick Kane or Jack Eichel
- a hard, accurate shot that will probably score 35-50 a year
- plays center, and being developed to play NHL-level defense by an experienced NHL coach in his draft year (Not McDavid, Toews, Crosby, or Eichel had a pre-draft coach as accomplished as Marc Crawford. Crawford also coached Kopitar in his first two years and he turned into a perennial Selke contender)
Listed at 6'2" and 210 lbs for the most recent World Juniors.
'Elite' skating / vision / intelligence


You get a chance to draft Auston, you're drafting a player as likely as any in the last decade to become a franchise center. Something, contrary to popular belief, we haven't got right now.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

Ya this was the back breaking game where I've officially lost hope and accepted that this is a lost season and a top-3 pick will go to the Flames for the 1st time in Franchise history. It sucks, but that's where the team is at.

This team should not be in 30th place and really has no excuses to be. Atrocious specials teams which makes no sense with this roster. Hartley doesn't seem the same this year and has made countless questionable line-up decisions. The only bright spot is that the young players are the only ones holding their own and are still developing quite nicely even though they are receiving 0 support from the vets.

[Sainters7]

Originally Posted by To Be Quite Honest

Trade Ramo and Hudler and Russell... Lets play hard but finish last!

The best part will be when we actually finish dead last this year, but Edmonton somehow wins the lottery from the 26th place spot.

[underclassman]

Since when has hockey turned to be an individual effort ? Last year at this time it was a TEAM EFFORT . The chemistry was there between all players . Last nights game was definitely a good demonstration of a losing TEAM !!!!!!!! " TEAM "

[Regorium]

I've ragged on Monahan a lot this year, but I feel like in the last month or so he's really stepped up.

Way more physical, draws more defenders and opens up a ton of space, and is starting to carry the play a bit more (nice cross seam passes that we had only seen from Gaudreau before).

Hope he keeps it up.

[DazzlinDino]

Originally Posted by Bandwagon In Flames

Ya this was the back breaking game where I've officially lost hope and accepted that this is a lost season and a top-3 pick will go to the Flames for the 1st time in Franchise history. It sucks, but that's where the team is at.

This team should not be in 30th place and really has no excuses to be. Atrocious specials teams which makes no sense with this roster. Hartley doesn't seem the same this year and has made countless questionable line-up decisions. The only bright spot is that the young players are the only ones holding their own and are still developing quite nicely even though they are receiving 0 support from the vets.

I think the mandate was to make the playoffs last year and this year I think it is obvious that as a team we are not quite there. I think the focus now has been more about developing the young guys into their roles.

Personally I think we are right on track. We just have to be patient with these bumps in the road. This is a cycle the Flames have to go through if they want to be competitive again. Winning and making the playoffs right now only sets up for failure if this old horse can run't with the best of them all the way to finish line.

Exciting times ahead we just have to wait this part out.

[Sheva #7]

Originally Posted by flameester

can someone explain to me why Brodie is on the bench for the last 1.5-2 minutes of every loss when we are desperate to tie the game

can someone please explain to me why Michael Frolik is one of our highest paid players but gets no PP time, like EVER

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

You get a chance to draft Auston, you're drafting a player as likely as any in the last decade to become a franchise center. Something, contrary to popular belief, we haven't got right now.

Bennett is a franchise player. He'll probably continue at center next season or towards the end of this year. Though drafting Matthews and having the option of keeping Bennett at left wing is drool worthy.