[PGT] Leafs 4 Flames 2

[Mattitude]

Might be some sort of message to get him going offensively. There's no way they think he's the least effective player.

Hopefully he comes out and answers on Friday.

[codynw]

Is Bernier getting any sort of Olympic consideration yet? He's so good, hard to believe he's only 25 years old.

[nik-]

This is going to be a pretty painful rebuild if the only ones ever "held accountable" are the kids.

[browna]

So who is next on Hartley's hit list? So Sven and Backlund are the two most worthy of getting a message sent to them? Sven only got in last game due to Stempniak being hurt. Glencross got a goal so he's off the list for a couple days.

Wonder what Monohan thinks of all this.

[doctajones428]

Originally Posted by Rubber Ducky

I was really disappointed in Jackman's game tonight. He had Ashton all over him to drop the gloves and he just skated away. Then Ashton left him splattered all over the boards. Not sure what Tim brings to the game anymore.

Later Ashton smokes Derek Smith and SOB comes in to rearrange his face. Jackman should've been all over that earlier.

Actually Jackman was all over Ashton, Ashton didn't want to drop the gloves so Jackman skated away.

SOB went after Ashton because he was two strides away. Was Jackman even on the ice?

I don't like Jackman on the team but this post is ridiculous

[Enoch Root]

Very good game - came up against a hot goalie and just didn't get the bounces. It happens.

Once again, the Flames outskated and outworked the opposition.

Tough night for Ramo. For those saying he had a bad D in front of him, that is true this season, but I don't think it was true tonight - the D did an excellent job of shutting down and closing out the Leafs.

The hate on Brodie is amazing. He skates out of trouble, moves the puck well, and makes smart plays all over the ice. One turnover and people are on him like pittbulls on a pork-chop.

Anyway, I am happy with the way they are playing and with the season in general - much better than I expected it to be.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by browna

So who is next on Hartley's hit list? Sven only got in last game due to Stempniak being hurt. Glencross got a goal so he's off the list for a couple days.

Wonder what Monohan thinks of all this.

The funny thing is Monahan's performance started to dip more when they broke up him and Sven. So instead of putting them back together, he benches Sven ... and then refuses to put him on the PP for the majority of the time even though he's one of our most creative players.

I don't know what message they're trying to send, so I sure as hell hope the direct communication to the player is much better than what they're telling everyone else, because I don't see the issues with Sven.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by browna

So who is next on Hartley's hit list? Sven only got in last game due to Stempniak being hurt. Glencross got a goal so he's off the list for a couple days.

Wonder what Monohan thinks of all this.

There are only 2 "kids" on the team, 4 if you include Backlund and Brodie.

Baertschi-21, Monahan-19, Backlund-24, Brodie-23.

I'd say it would be Brodie if we had a defence that wasn't completely putrid, but we'll probably see Baertschi and Backlund in and out of the lineup.

Won't be surprised to see them traded, considering how they're being treated.

The team demands two-way play from Baertschi and Backlund and then doesn't understand why they can't find the back of the net. They're creating good chances, at the least.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Mattitude

Wes Gilbertson ‏@SUNGilbertson


Hartley on scratching Backlund: "Obviously if he would be playing better and contributing offensively in a better way, it wouldn't be him."

I'm starting to get the feeling the Flames are trying to "Win" again, as opposed to putting emphasis on focusing and developing the next generation. I think all the early winning got them thinking that we're close to being good again. I really wouldn't be that surprised to see them trade a young guy for a veteran.

[Enoch Root]

oh, and tip of the hat to O'Brien for laying a beating on Ashton. Unfortunate that it snuffed out a 2 on 1 but it is the sort of thing that makes a difference over the season

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

There are only 2 "kids" on the team, 4 if you include Backlund and Brodie.

Baertschi-21, Monahan-19, Backlund-24, Brodie-23.

I'd say it would be Brodie if we had a defence that wasn't completely putrid, but we'll probably see Baertschi and Backlund in and out of the lineup.

Won't be surprised to see them traded, considering how they're being treated.

It won't go that far. All I know is I couldn't deal with that in a graceful manner if it did.

[Enoch Root]

Baertschi with another solid effort

[mrdonkey]

Originally Posted by nik-

This is going to be a pretty painful rebuild if the only ones ever "held accountable" are the kids.

Ask Edmonton how spoonfeeding their kids all their opportunities worked out for them. I have no problem with young guys sitting out every once in a while to try and light a fire as long as it doesn't become a regular thing. Wouldn't be surprised if Monahan spends a game or two in the pressbox in the coming weeks.

What will be really telling is what happens at or before the trade deadline. We should be moving out marginal players like Jackman and Butler in order to give more opportunity to players in Abbotsford. If these guys are still soaking up minutes by the end of the season we'll have a reason for concern.

[TurnedTheCorner]

Let's watch Hartley's post game comments for some info on the Backlund scratch. Around the 3:05 mark.



Or, let's all flip the #### out over tweets. CP tradition! Everyone take a drink!

[BruceCody]

Originally Posted by Mattitude

Wes Gilbertson ‏@SUNGilbertson


Hartley on scratching Backlund: "Obviously if he would be playing better and contributing offensively in a better way, it wouldn't be him."

okay, mr. Hartley, Tim Jackmen better player in your eyes

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by Table 5

I'm starting to get the feeling the Flames are trying to "Win" again, as opposed to putting emphasis on focusing and developing the next generation. I think all the early winning got them thinking that we're close to being good again. I really wouldn't be that surprised to see them trade a young guy for a veteran.

I'm getting this feeling as well. Didn't management say they want in the playoffs this year (or next?) Not sure benching Backlund for Jackman is a smart move, especially when Colborne gets 23 minutes of ice time.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by mrdonkey

Ask Edmonton how spoonfeeding their kids all their opportunities worked out for them. I have no problem with young guys sitting out every once in a while to try and light a fire as long as it doesn't become a regular thing. Wouldn't be surprised if Monahan spends a game or two in the pressbox in the coming week.

What will be really telling is what happens at or before the trade deadline. We should be moving out marginal players like Jackman and Butler in order to give more opportunity to players in Abbotsford. If these guys are still soaking up minutes by the end of the season we'll have a reason for concern.

If you're watching the game and think Baertschi and Backlund are playing so badly, that to give them more minutes, or to not bench them, would be spoonfeeding them, then I don't know what to say. I'm watching a different game than you are.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by mrdonkey

Ask Edmonton how spoonfeeding their kids all their opportunities worked out for them. I have no problem with young guys sitting out every once in a while to try and light a fire as long as it doesn't become a regular thing. Wouldn't be surprised if Monahan spends a game or two in the pressbox in the coming week.

What will be really telling is what happens at or before the trade deadline. We should be moving out marginal players like Jackman and Butler in order to give more opportunity to players in Abbotsford. If these guys are still soaking up minutes by the end of the season we'll have a reason for concern.

There's a difference between being a team of rookies (Edmonton) with a couple of crappy veterans being sprinkled in, and a team of veterans (Calgary) with a handful of rookies sprinkled in. We are on opposite sides of the spectrum... both extremes are bad.

But can we at least move a little closer to the middle?

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Table 5

I'm starting to get the feeling the Flames are trying to "Win" again, as opposed to putting emphasis on focusing and developing the next generation. I think all the early winning got them thinking that we're close to being good again. I really wouldn't be that surprised to see them trade a young guy for a veteran.

Hartley said his benching wasn't a punishment or to send a message. He wanted more size in the lineup to match the Leafs and thus Jackman was inserted.

[BruceCody]

EmoHarvey

Spoiler!