2nd Round AHL North Division Finals - Hamilton Bulldogs (1) vs. Abbotsford Heat (3)

[EVERLAST]

:w 00t:

[Jetsfan]

Wow...playoff success for the Flames organization beyond the first round!!!

Great job HEAT!

http://www.bclocalnews.com/fraser_va.../92472309.html

[dfsflamesfan]

Backlund has 1 goal 6 assists and a +7 rating. Pretty impressive
Brett Sutter is leading the team in scoring, 9 points. Pretty good pick up for a 6th round pick

[Roof-Daddy]

Baldwin sure seems to have improved this year.

Does this kid ever have a chance of making the NHL?

3rd rounder, doesn't seem like too much of a stretch does it?

[Azure]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Baldwin sure seems to have improved this year.

Does this kid ever have a chance of making the NHL?

3rd rounder, doesn't seem like too much of a stretch does it?

I think a lot of people have been talking how much he has improved.

He moved up in the depth chart.

Problem is he'll have a tough time making the team with the depth we have.

[dfsflamesfan]

Originally Posted by Azure

I think a lot of people have been talking

Problem is he'll have a tough time making the team with the depth we have.

with all the potential 20 goal scorers we have

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by dfsflamesfan

with all the potential 20 goal scorers we have

Aaaah, fresh AND original.

He's a defenseman though so Azure was referring to the fact that, at this point, we have Bouwmeester, Regehr, Sarich, Giordano, Staios, Pardy and Kronwall all signed for next season. Plus White and Pelech are both RFA's (as is Baldwin) and will likely be re-signed.

Negrin is also in the mix, although he had a rough, injury plagued season.

Add to that the fact that guys like Erixon, Brodie and Seabrook are or will be nipping at the packs heels in the next couple years there will be a ton of healthy competition amongst our D prospects.

[Mith]

Originally Posted by Azure

I think a lot of people have been talking how much he has improved.

He moved up in the depth chart.

Problem is he'll have a tough time making the team with the depth we have.

Definately notice baldwin out there making good solid plays. I think we're going to see some D Depth moved out this off season so there's a chance he makes it eventually

[dfsflamesfan]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Aaaah, fresh AND original.

He's a defenseman though so Azure was referring to the fact that, at this point, we have Bouwmeester, Regehr, Sarich, Giordano, Staios, Pardy and Kronwall all signed for next season. Plus White and Pelech are both RFA's (as is Baldwin) and will likely be re-signed.

Negrin is also in the mix, although he had a rough, injury plagued season.

Add to that the fact that guys like Erixon, Brodie and Seabrook are or will be nipping at the packs heels in the next couple years there will be a ton of healthy competition amongst our D prospects.

oops. I didn't know that... my bad. I just assumed that he was a forward.

but hey, at least some healthy competetion won't hurt anybody.

[Patrick]

IMO, Baldwin a big player and has improved. Could have been another reason why Keith Aulie was traded as well. Baldwin plays a similar game and looks to be more developed so far.

[Muta]

When you think about it, it's actually pretty amazing the number of defensemen with NHL potential we have aside from our top-six.

Bouwmeester
Regehr (internally developed)
Giordano (internally developed)
White
Sarich
Staios

Then, guys competing for full-time gigs or who could get NHL playing time in the next couple years:

Adam Pardy
Staffan Kronwall
Matt Pelech
John Negrin
Keith Seabrook
Gord Baldwin
T.J. Brodie
Tim Erixon

And to lesser extents:

Brett Palin
Josh Meyers

This was also the organization that drafted / signed in recent years:

Dion Phaneuf
Ryan Wilson
Keith Aulie
Richie Regehr

... if there's one thing this organization knows how to do, it's develop defensemen.

[sureLoss]

Highlights from Game 1:
http://ahl.neulion.com/team/console.jsp?catid=2&id=4825

[Jetsfan]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Highlights from Game 1:
http://ahl.neulion.com/team/console.jsp?catid=2&id=4825

Geez....what a small crowd.

It looked like they were playing the Thrashers in Atlanta.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Jetsfan

Geez....what a small crowd.

It looked like they were playing the Thrashers in Atlanta.

Yeah I think there were 1800 or so fans and this is a city that wants an NHL franchise?

[Mith]

Originally Posted by Jetsfan

Geez....what a small crowd.

It looked like they were playing the Thrashers in Atlanta.

I know this sounds obvious but, AHL teams arent like a huge draw or anything, not till like..the finals.

I think there are some exceptions but most AHL teams dont get huge crowds even in the playoffs

[Azure]

Originally Posted by Mith

I know this sounds obvious but, AHL teams arent like a huge draw or anything, not till like..the finals.

I think there are some exceptions but most AHL teams dont get huge crowds even in the playoffs

The HEAT would probably get a better crowd on a night that the Canucks are playing.

[LockedOut]

Took a look at the schedule compared to the Canucks. Looks like they figured it out finally and scheduled the Heat's home games on non-Canucks game nights. Hopefully the crowds will improve.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Jetsfan

Geez....what a small crowd.

It looked like they were playing the Thrashers in Atlanta.

Minor league playoff crowds are notoriously small everywhere. Don't read too much into it.

[Azure]

2nd game just started.

[shermanator]

Bouma has drawn into the lineup for Game 2