[PGT] Oilers claim 10% of their wins this season tonight vs. a very bad Flames team, 5-2

[Caged Great]

The Flames started 6-5 last year. Then some veterans went down with injury or sent to the AHL (Colborne, Backlund, Raymond, Setoguchi) and the Flames with more youth took off.

This year, it's the same story. Too many veteran passengers taking up too many roster spots.

This year's version of those players are Mason Raymond, Brandon Bollig, maybe Backlund and Stajan to a lesser extent, and Deryk Engelland. Additionally neither goalie is playing at an average NHL starters level like they did last season.

The problem is that there is some anchor on each line. Raymond has been put with Backs and Frolik and the play dies for that line whenever Raymond touches it. Then you throw out the two kids Jooris and Granlund and they'll start to do something, but then you've got Bollig as the third guy and the play dies. Add in the Ferland is playing like Bollig instead of being able to contribute anything offensively and the Flames are having anchors on every line.

The Flames need to change up the lines

Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler
Granlund-Backlund-Frolik
Bennett-Jooris-Jones
Bollig-Stajan-Ferland

That would at least have three good players on each of the top three lines for the time being. It's hard to get any flow when you have turnover machines on lines 2-4.

[Caged Great]

A lack of any physicality is also hurting the team as they were at their best whenever they are throwing the body around.

[trublmaker]

losing to these bums is the absolute worst bar none, where was our compete?

[ikaris]

well... that was embarrassing. I hope they deal with the goalie situation ASAP.

[Reign of Fire]

Can't they just start Ortio and see how the team reacts in front of him.

[Flamenfame]

What bothers me more then the loss is how many Oiler fans were in the building tonight . Where is our pride for our team that we sell out our tickets to the rivals. I guess everyone just wanted to watch it on tv and post in the Edmonton is no good thread. Why I hardly ever visit this site anymore. Lots of childish threads . This team is in serious trouble this season.

[Barnet Flame]

Originally Posted by vilzeh

This team is pure garbage. If Ortio isn't starting the next game, I'm done for a while. Can't be arsed to get up 3am+ every night they play to watch this garbage.

I went to bed at the end of the second, got up 3 hours later and pretty much fast forwarded the third. Glad I didn't fight the tiredness to watch the garbage in the third. Which strangely was the highlight of last season.

But unlike last season, there is no belief.


Sent from my SM-A300FU using Tapatalk

[ThaBrink]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

The Flames started 6-5 last year. Then some veterans went down with injury or sent to the AHL (Colborne, Backlund, Raymond, Setoguchi) and the Flames with more youth took off.

This year, it's the same story. Too many veteran passengers taking up too many roster spots.

This year's version of those players are Mason Raymond, Brandon Bollig, maybe Backlund and Stajan to a lesser extent, and Deryk Engelland. Additionally neither goalie is playing at an average NHL starters level like they did last season.

The problem is that there is some anchor on each line. Raymond has been put with Backs and Frolik and the play dies for that line whenever Raymond touches it. Then you throw out the two kids Jooris and Granlund and they'll start to do something, but then you've got Bollig as the third guy and the play dies. Add in the Ferland is playing like Bollig instead of being able to contribute anything offensively and the Flames are having anchors on every line.

The Flames need to change up the lines

Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler
Granlund-Backlund-Frolik
Bennett-Jooris-Jones
Bollig-Stajan-Ferland

That would at least have three good players on each of the top three lines for the time being. It's hard to get any flow when you have turnover machines on lines 2-4.

I've actually been pretty impressed with Bollig so far. Stajan has been pretty good as well. Engelland is kinda hit or miss. Raymond hasn't been great either outside of the game after he was put on waivers. Granlund should be getting a shot in the lineup right now, and so should Ortio. Just see where we are at. Can't do much worse than we are right now.

[jaydaybay]

^no different than any other regular season game vs a rival. Just wait until the habs jets and leafs come to town.

Hopefully this is the season low. It should be.

Ortio needs a start. Im not blaming the tending necessarily but ugh. Nice lids tho.

In no way did i think the flames were a lock to make the playoffs again this year but they are getting straight pumped so far. This team could easily be ofer to date.

The heart the team showed last year has to be recognized but as usual the west is tough. Turn it around in the next 6 or 7 games or posture for a draft pick. Not trying to be over dramatic but thats the reality. No more easy points from edm or phx this year.

[FlameFan21]

[dammage79]

I dislike losing to the Oilers. But the Flames obviously need something to ignite them again. I feel like all the momentum gained from the Vancouver Brawl is all used up now.

I thought it was serendipitous tonight to have a dude with the last name Matthews singing the Anthem in a Flames jersey. Hopefully not an Omen. Anyways...

Dump a fracking goalie already. Take away Hartleys toys. Neither Hiller nor Ramo have proven squat and it's the GM's responsibility to provide and to take away the tools that coaches deploy.

Split the 1st line up. Monahan looks dopey to start the year. Gaudreau's making things happen, but trying to do too much. And Hudler looks straight up frustrated.

As with the goaltending, the GM needs to take away some of they toys Hartley uses on D as well. Engelland needs to disappear. Put Kulak with Hamilton and give Gio someone to work with. It's weird the RH/LH thing isn't clicking with Gio. I think that has to do with being paired with lefty Brodie majority of the season and all the passes are to the wrong side of the player. Watch, it is the root of that pairings problems.

[Dajazz]

I'd like to see Jones with Gaudreau and Monahan, Ferland with Backlund and Frolik, then let Bennett center Hudler and Granlund/Colborne. Stajan with Jooris, last spot depending on opponent. Get Hamilton away from Giordano asap, I think he could complement Russell very well.

[Stud_McCool]

New slogan this year should be:
#OftenQuit

[btimbit]

Hamilton will start to click

Brodie will come back

Gio will return to form

Still not worried. Pissed at the effort so far, but not worried

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

This year, it's the same story. Too many veteran passengers taking up too many roster spots.

This year's version of those players are Mason Raymond, Brandon Bollig, maybe Backlund and Stajan to a lesser extent, and Deryk Engelland. Additionally neither goalie is playing at an average NHL starters level like they did last season.

Raymond, Bollig, Jones, Backlund, and Engelland should all disappear. None of them are skating at the level required for NHL players. As you alluded to, Stajan is on the bubble as well up front, and I'll add Wideman onto the list on the back end. There are plenty of spots where this team can improve the roster, and a lot of that improvement can come from the farm.

The Flames need to change up the lines

Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler
Granlund-Backlund-Frolik
Bennett-Jooris-Jones
Bollig-Stajan-Ferland

I don't think you go far enough. This team needs an injection of youth, speed and enthusiasm, stat.

Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler
Granlund-Bennett-Frolik
Ferland-Backlund-Poirier
Agostino-Arnold-Hathaway
Stajan

Giordano-Brodie
Hamilton-Kulak
Russell-Wotherspoon
Wideman

I'm so sick and tired of this veteran mantra we've had rammed down our throats for years. If these guys with so much pro experience can't get the job done they should be shipped elsewhere. I don't want these supposed character guys and veteran leaders anywhere near this team any more. They are dragging the team down. I don't care what it takes I can't stand seeing the jersey soiled by the likes of Raymond, Bollig, Jones, and Engelland any more. Backlund is dangerously close to finding himself on that list as well. I'd be giving these guys away for whatever you can get at this point. Just make them go away and send a message that this type of performance is not acceptable.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by New Era

Raymond, Bollig, Jones, Backlund, and Engelland should all disappear. None of them are skating at the level required for NHL players. As you alluded to, Stajan is on the bubble as well up front, and I'll add Wideman onto the list on the back end. There are plenty of spots where this team can improve the roster, and a lot of that improvement can come from the farm.



I don't think you go far enough. This team needs an injection of youth, speed and enthusiasm, stat.

Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler
Granlund-Bennett-Frolik
Ferland-Backlund-Poirier
Agostino-Arnold-Hathaway
Stajan

Giordano-Brodie
Hamilton-Kulak
Russell-Wotherspoon
Wideman

I'm so sick and tired of this veteran mantra we've had rammed down our throats for years. If these guys with so much pro experience can't get the job done they should be shipped elsewhere. I don't want these supposed character guys and veteran leaders anywhere near this team any more. They are dragging the team down. I don't care what it takes I can't stand seeing the jersey soiled by the likes of Raymond, Bollig, Jones, and Engelland any more. Backlund is dangerously close to finding himself on that list as well. I'd be giving these guys away for whatever you can get at this point. Just make them go away and send a message that this type of performance is not acceptable.

Not arguing with you. This team does need to move the 30-40 million or so they have tied up in mediocre contracts into players that can contribute. Unfortunately, I don't know if you can do that until the off season, and utilize a series of buyouts.

[Strange Brew]

This team finished 16th overall last year. What I am most disappointed about is that they look like a team that is resting on its laurels and feels that can turn it on and off.

Now that might be just how it looks from the outside but if in any way true, they may need this kind of start for an attitude adjustment. Time for the veteran leadership to step to the front.

[LIP MAN]

Originally Posted by Flamenfame

What bothers me more then the loss is how many Oiler fans were in the building tonight . Where is our pride for our team that we sell out our tickets to the rivals. I guess everyone just wanted to watch it on tv and post in the Edmonton is no good thread. Why I hardly ever visit this site anymore. Lots of childish threads . This team is in serious trouble this season.

So many near our seats. The end of the game they were high fiving over us. I literally blocked the last one, it was so over the top. We were embarrassed, but it's not as if this team hasn't overcome adversity before.

[Dion]

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by New Era

Raymond, Bollig, Jones, Backlund, and Engelland should all disappear. None of them are skating at the level required for NHL players. As you alluded to, Stajan is on the bubble as well up front, and I'll add Wideman onto the list on the back end. There are plenty of spots where this team can improve the roster, and a lot of that improvement can come from the farm.



I don't think you go far enough. This team needs an injection of youth, speed and enthusiasm, stat.

Gaudreau-Monahan-Hudler
Granlund-Bennett-Frolik
Ferland-Backlund-Poirier
Agostino-Arnold-Hathaway
Stajan

Giordano-Brodie
Hamilton-Kulak
Russell-Wotherspoon
Wideman

I'm so sick and tired of this veteran mantra we've had rammed down our throats for years. If these guys with so much pro experience can't get the job done they should be shipped elsewhere. I don't want these supposed character guys and veteran leaders anywhere near this team any more. They are dragging the team down. I don't care what it takes I can't stand seeing the jersey soiled by the likes of Raymond, Bollig, Jones, and Engelland any more. Backlund is dangerously close to finding himself on that list as well. I'd be giving these guys away for whatever you can get at this point. Just make them go away and send a message that this type of performance is not acceptable.

Jones, with his 3 even strength goals to start the season, is part of the problem?