[PGT] Canucks 5 - Flames 1

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Super Nintendo Chalmers

What are you talking about? I was clarifying that there was no trash talking from the Flames players. In fact, both teams were very cool and calm considering. But when there's a hush over the arena, one person yelling at the ref kinda stands out.

The truth is, Tortorella simply lost it, again. He didn't run into a locker room like a stark raving mad lunatic again, but his comments in the post-game presser were figments of his own imagination. Dude is still in a blind rage, and it is effing hilarious.

[Super Nintendo Chalmers]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

The truth is, Tortorella simply lost it, again. He didn't run into a locker room like a stark raving mad lunatic again, but his comments in the post-game presser were figments of his own imagination. Dude is still in a blind rage, and it is effing hilarious.

I actually like that about him. Doesn't matter. Tortorella will probably be relieved in a few days.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Super Nintendo Chalmers

I actually like that about him. Doesn't matter. Tortorella will probably be relieved in a few days.

Not to be a nitpicker, but . . .

Tortorella will probably be fired. The Canucks and their fans will be relieved.

[old-fart]

Torts has probably coached his last game in the NHL and it is in large part due to Hartley trolling him at an absolutely expert level. Hartley doesn't even need to do anything, just put an opening lineup out with a big guy on it and Torts loses his mind.

What would be hilarious if, years from now, Torts somehow does manage to fluke his way back into the NHL and his team makes the playoffs...whoever they are playing in the first round just "borrows" Hartley as an associate coach to stand on the bench and then starts their fourth line... series over. hahahaha

What a toolbag.

[SportsJunky]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

I was thinking the same thing yesterday. However, considering my reputation around here, I might not be the person you want to have agreeing with you.

What reputation is that? Seriously, I'm out of the loop.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by SportsJunky

What reputation is that? Seriously, I'm out of the loop.

Oh, it's my understanding that I am widely regarded as the village idiot.

[Rick M.]

Well, then, I guess I'm an idiot too as I see Arnold as good right wing material on a club that has a lot of centers right now.

[Manhattanboy]

My bad. Torts did not suggest it was the players doing any talking when Sedin was down, just Bob.

I continue to be amazed by the arrogance Torts displays even when he tries to qualify his remarks by suggesting that he should keep quiet because of his record. In any other industry he would be laughed out of the organization as an idiot.

[Enoch Root]

I think RW is a distinct possibility for Arnold.

However, he is excellent positionally, defensively, and at the dot as a C. Those are valuable traits, which might keep him at C or at least keep him as a hybrid C/RW

[Itse]

Originally Posted by Rick M.

Well, then, I guess I'm an idiot too as I see Arnold as good right wing material on a club that has a lot of centers right now.

Very premature IMO.

We don't have a single center with a FO% above .50 nor a single center with a PPG notably above .50. I would consider every center spot on this team to be up for grabs still.

Most specifically we are short on 2-way centers that can play a physical game and win faceoffs, which is exactly what Arnold could become, and the fact that he seems to have some hockey skills is just a huge bonus here.

(Monahan looks to be on his way to a complete top 6 center, but we need more.)

Anybody have stats on how Arnold did on the dot for the Eagles? He did well in the Canuck game, but of course that's just 1 game.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Itse

I would consider every center spot on this team to be up for grabs still.

I think that's an exaggeration. There's room for five centres on a 23-man roster. Monahan, Backlund, and Stajan are all locks to be on the roster unless they're traded, and none of them are RH shots. That's three centre spots taken, though any or all of them could be pushed down the depth chart by a new acquisition. It's unlikely any of them will be moved to LW with the number of players already at that position.

Then add in Hudler, Colborne, Byron, and Bouma, all of whom are listed at C by nhl.com, though they've all been moved to the wing temporarily or permanently. Then you have Arnold and Reinhart in the system. There's obviously no #1 C on the roster at the moment, but a real logjam of guys who could be #2, 3, or 4.

On the other hand, at RW the team hasn't even got a surplus of bad players. Out of all those centres I listed, I believe Arnold is the only one who shoots right; and for that reason, I'd be tempted to try him on the wing.

[Itse]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

I think that's an exaggeration. There's room for five centres on a 23-man roster. Monahan, Backlund, and Stajan are all locks to be on the roster unless they're traded, and none of them are RH shots.
That's three centre spots taken, though any or all of them could be pushed down the depth chart by a new acquisition. It's unlikely any of them will be moved to LW with the number of players already at that position.

Quantity over quality. If someone takes their spot, sure as hell you put these guys on the wing over roster filler like Jones and Byron.

Then add in Hudler, Colborne, Byron, and Bouma

I don't see any of these guys as serious options for the center. (Bouma for example is just terrible on the dot.) I don't even see Byron having a future on this team. Nothing against the player, but we really need to get bigger and he seems like an obvious guy to not re-sign or trade away. Alternatively, he's the guy that gets pushed out if Gaudreau makes the team next season.

Then you have Arnold and Reinhart in the system.

You're forgetting Granlund and Knight.

In my books, four prospects is a good number to try fill two spots with.

More importantly though, the spot we have open for next season is fourth line center. That seems like a good spot for Arnold to learn the ropes.

On the other hand, at RW the team hasn't even got a surplus of bad players. Out of all those centres I listed, I believe Arnold is the only one who shoots right; and for that reason, I'd be tempted to try him on the wing.

I get that. However, IMO it's better to try develop a guy as a center and move him to the wing if it doesn't work out than the other way around. Besides, most centers can play wing, but few wingers make good centers. It's too soon to say what our roster will look like in a couple of years.

Of course speaking realistically, there's no reason why you couldn't play him both as a winger and a center next season regardless of where he plays (Heat or the Flames) or how the coaching staff sees his future (wing or center). I'm just more opposed to the idea that we have a proper logjam. Mostly because I don't see our center prospects being that great really.

As an important note also. I see Arnold as a guy that could help fix one of our most fundamental weaknesses, not enough size at center. He's not huge, but he's bigger than most our other options. That's one of the main reasons why I'm less than excited about moving him to wing.