[GDT] Preseason: Flames vs Canucks 7pm

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by 8sPOT

Interesting that you didn't mention Anderson. Which I think is partially because he's been pretty steady back there and not at all flashy. I do like his game though and he seems to have some hockey IQ. Think he could be a real good player.

If I were to say any of the kid D men as a lock to make the roster right this second it's Andersson. He's been so steady throughout the tournament and preseason. Sound play in every aspect.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Mister Yamoto

Other teams are using the preseason to evaluate players, establish chemistry, line combinations and be ready for opening night.

If the Flames are using preseason to learn the system and not get injured then that's on Gulutzan. Very unproductive preseason last year, same thing so far this year.

Do you believe the Flames are not evaluating players? Do you think they are not establishing chemistry? Do you think they are not trying line combinations?

You are simply making things up in order to rag on Gulutzan. The Flames are doing the exact same things that every other team is doing. Yes, last year was an issue, but there were multiple reasons why. This season is much more normal.

The fact that the team has played pretty flat so far is not on Gulutzan.

[Five-hole]

Originally Posted by dammage79

If I were to say any of the kid D men as a lock to make the roster right this second it's Andersson. He's been so steady throughout the tournament and preseason. Sound play in every aspect.

Yeah, but as mentioned, as a RD, he's not gonna play above Stone, Hamilton, or Hamonic. No point sticking him in the pressbox if those three are healthy.

[Flash Walken]

Oh my god are there seriously FLAMES fans in 2017 who still put ANY value at all on preseason? Especially the initial games of Preseason?

Good gracious. The board battles?

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by 8sPOT

Interesting that you didn't mention Anderson. Which I think is partially because he's been pretty steady back there and not at all flashy. I do like his game though and he seems to have some hockey IQ. Think he could be a real good player.

I was thinking that after reading some other opinions too. The fact he wasn’t noticeable is a good thing in a game like that. Steady.

It would be cool if a couple of D earned spots this year and relegated Stone to the press box and BART right out of the system.

[Mister Yamoto]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Do you believe the Flames are not evaluating players? Do you think they are not establishing chemistry? Do you think they are not trying line combinations?

You are simply making things up in order to rag on Gulutzan. The Flames are doing the exact same things that every other team is doing. Yes, last year was an issue, but there were multiple reasons why. This season is much more normal.

The fact that the team has played pretty flat so far is not on Gulutzan.

Not ragging on Gulutzan, ragging on the excuse makers. In the Oilers game thread the spin was that veterans don't have to give 100% in pre season and the most important thing is to not get injured. Well if that's the goal, big checkmarks on both. In the Canucks game thread there are people suggesting that players have to learn the system. Didn't we already use that one for three months last year? Might as well bring back "Wideman effect".

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by Mister Yamoto

Not ragging on Gulutzan, ragging on the excuse makers. In the Oilers game thread the spin was that veterans don't have to give 100% in pre season and the most important thing is to not get injured. Well if that's the goal, big checkmarks on both. In the Canucks game thread there are people suggesting that players have to learn the system. Didn't we already use that one for three months last year? Might as well bring back "Wideman effect".

Which made it totally reasonable for you to assert the Flames aren't using their camp for evaluation and that - unlike Calgary - other teams are using training camp to "establish chemistry, line combinations and be ready for opening night"

A completely logical leap to make.

[djsFlames]

To be fair, the vets did play like they were dipping their toes into the water and didn't want to get hurt or try to do too much, and in the most recent game it was largely rookies and pro tryout players that came in with little familiarity with GG and how he wants his team to play. And as you said, it was 2 or 3 months before the regulars got the hang of it, so..

Let's see how things progress over the final games once the squad has been trimmed down to the final group, more or less.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Five-hole

Yeah, but as mentioned, as a RD, he's not gonna play above Stone, Hamilton, or Hamonic. No point sticking him in the pressbox if those three are healthy.

However if he's clearly the 6th best dman in camp it may force Gulutzan to ice a RHD-RHD 3rd pairing. Be interesting to see how the rest of the games go.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

However if he's clearly the 6th best dman in camp it may force Gulutzan to ice a RHD-RHD 3rd pairing. Be interesting to see how the rest of the games go.

I agree. If GG goes against his preference for LH/RH it's gonna be on a pairing that sees limited ice time. IMO Andersson seems to have the most polish to his game, more than Kulak who seems more nervous and more than Kylington, who can try too hard for a flashy play sometimes. I haven't seen Wotherspoon this year. I think Valimaki looks fine but he's easiest to cut.

[Crumpy-Gunt]

Rasmus is a very interesting player. I remember when he came into camp out of shape after he was drafted and thinking to myself, if he just played that well out of shape, he will be an nhler once he figures out how to take care of his body