[GDT] Flames vs Coyotes 7pm Mountain

[Flames Fan, Ph.D.]

Chiasson looking any better?

He's not been all that great in the preseason I've watched. I'm wondering how much effort Gulutzan is going to put in to make it 'work' with him.

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

Several posts later he expanded on it.

That one wasn't tongue-in-cheek too?


I suppose polak could use a cellmate.

[JurassicTunga12]

Sounds like Bouma rocked somebody good

[GoJetsGo]

Wow that was crashing loud on the radio.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

And how else would you describe that comment? It's a pre-season game without a top line. It was just an all around premature/pessimistic concern.

My problem is that outside of that line, the rest of the Flames have looked average to poor all pre-season. They either don't look ready for game 1 (not unlike last year) or they are just not very good. Based on what happened last year, I'm going to assume that it's probably more the latter.

I'm hopeful that they'll be better once the season starts, but I'm not seeing much that gives me the confidence to say they'll be a lot better than last year, and they would need to be a lot better to get into the playoffs.

One thing that I'll say is that Elliott has come as advertised. I'm pumped to have a legit good starting goalie on the team again.

[AC]

Bouma absolutely destroys a Coyote, then lights up his challenger.

Clean hit too.

[AC]

Great passing by Tkachuk and Bennett, Brouwer just misses on the one timer.

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

My problem is that outside of that line, the rest of the Flames have looked average to poor all pre-season. They either don't look ready for game 1 (not unlike last year) or they are just not very good. Based on what happened last year, I'm going to assume that it's probably more the latter.

I'm hopeful that they'll be better once the season starts, but I'm not seeing much that gives me the confidence to say they'll be a lot better than last year, and they would need to be a lot better to get into the playoffs.

One thing that I'll say is that Elliott has come as advertised. I'm pumped to have a legit good starting goalie on the team again.

The point is it's way too early to be worrying about things like that. Especially without our top line having played.

The 2nd line has been on fire.

We know Johnny and Monahan are good to put up offense.

So by all accounts, assuming Johnny signs, we look to have two top lines that will be dangerous. I'm not worried about Backlund and Frolik, so in effect you're worried about our bottom six over the pre-season and casting doubt over the entire upcoming season based off it.

It just seems grossly premature. It's also bringing a Polak element to the game-thread.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Tkachuk sticks. Past the 9 game game audition. That is one great line with Bennet and Brouwer.

[schooner]

A first line of Johnny - Mony - X
With a second line of Tkachuk - Bennett - Brouwer
And a third line of X - Backlund - Frolik

Still a few things to figure out but we might actually have the foundation of a solid three lines there. I like!

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

The point is it's way too early to be worrying about things like that. Especially without our top line having played.

The 2nd line has been on fire.

We know Johnny and Monahan are good to put up offense.

So by all accounts, assuming Johnny signs, we look to have two top lines that will be dangerous. I'm not worried about Backlund and Frolik, so in effect you're worried about our bottom six over the pre-season and casting doubt over the entire upcoming season based off it.

It just seems grossly premature. It's also bringing a Polak element to the game-thread.

Hey man, I'm just trying to set realistic expectations after finishing 5th from the bottom last year. This team still has a LOT to prove.

But go ahead, do the blind optimism thing. Just don't get too upset if they don't live up to the hype in your head.

[Kaine]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

Hey man, I'm just trying to set realistic expectations after finishing 5th from the bottom last year. This team still has a LOT to prove.

But go ahead, do the blind optimism thing. Just don't get too upset if they don't live up to the hype in your head.

Realistic is a comment like that based on a preseason game eh?

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

Hey man, I'm just trying to set realistic expectations after finishing 5th from the bottom last year. This team still has a LOT to prove.

But go ahead, do the blind optimism thing. Just don't get too upset if they don't live up to the hype in your head.

Yea, not worrying the season is doomed based on the pre-season when our top line hasn't played is sure "blind optimism".

How many of these pre season games that worry you have you actually seen? I've seen you complaining about lack of access to them. Honest question.

[nik-]

The thought of a the duos of Monahan/Gaudreau and Bennett/Tkachuk for the better part of a decade makes me pee a little.

[DJones]

Looks like we just pulled a legit 2nd line out of thin air.

Seems like a reason for optimism for me.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

The point is it's way too early to be worrying about things like that. Especially without our top line having played.

The 2nd line has been on fire.

We know Johnny and Monahan are good to put up offense.

So by all accounts, assuming Johnny signs, we look to have two top lines that will be dangerous. I'm not worried about Backlund and Frolik, so in effect you're worried about our bottom six over the pre-season and casting doubt over the entire upcoming season based off it.

It just seems grossly premature. It's also bringing a Polak element to the game-thread.

I feel like we're worried about even less than that with this pre-season.

Gaudreau - Monahan - X: Not worried, they'll be true first line no matter who's there

Tkachuk - Bennett - Brouwer: Looking like a wicked second line

X - Backlund - Frolik: Will likely be like last year

So it's really just the 4th line and one more guy for the third line that we need to step up. And really you don't get much from you fourth line anyways. I don't think offense will be an issue this season, just as it wasn't last season.

It was our goaltending and defense that needed to be improved upon, and arguably our defense was a symptom of the goaltending. So with goaltending vastly improved we're looking really good, imo.

[Samonadreau]

Originally Posted by nik-

The thought of a the duos of Monahan/Gaudreau and Bennett/Tkachuk for the better part of a decade makes me pee a little.

Could also be a bladder infection.

[Soliak]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

Hey man, I'm just trying to set realistic expectations after finishing 5th from the bottom last year. This team still has a LOT to prove.

But go ahead, do the blind optimism thing. Just don't get too upset if they don't live up to the hype in your head.

He's pretty much being the opposite of 'blind optimistism'.

We now have a strong, skilled second line. We also have a first line. Backlund and Frolik = great 3rd line players. Our D is good. We have a goalie. Life's good homie.

[GoJetsGo]

By no means am I suggesting we're cup contenders, but the suggestion we should be worried about the entire season based on anything we've seen in the pre-season is extremely suspect.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Jesus, ok guys. I'm an idiot for not picking the Flames to win the cup. I get it.

I just don't see a meteoric rise this year. Some key holes have been filled, but there's still plenty of holes on the roster. They'll probably be a playoff bubble team, or in one of the wildcard spots at most.