[GDT] Flames vs Ottawa, 7:00 PM

[NewFan]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I'm not sure that having these guys play 4-6 minutes per game without any special teams in a different team and for a different coach, versus a prominent, high minute and responsible role for Stockton is better development.

For me, it will give them a little bit experience, a bit promotion or award and give message that hard work will be awarded and we will play you over these veterans if you play hard and develop.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by taxbuster

So you're saying Ward is NOT an idiot?

Just want to be clear.

No, he's not an idiot. I'd rather him not be the head coach but he's not an idiot.

[MikeMc]

Originally Posted by Stanley

Because Sam Bennett is mostly ineffective 5-on-5
Because Sam Bennett isn't on the PP
Because Sam Bennett isn't on the PK

Because Sam Bennett is borderline useless unless he's crashing and banging and he's not even doing that anymore

100%.

And he wants out.

Can't wait for the Bennett "I was surprised I wasn't playing. I can only control my side, so I'll focus on that. I want to help the team" quote tomorrow.

Sent from my SM-G986W using Tapatalk

[powderjunkie]

Team record when Leivo plays

>10:00 = 3-8-1
<10:00 = 4-1-1 (7-3-1 incl. scratches)
Out of lineup: 6-4W EDM, 4-3W VAN, 5-1L VAN, 6-1L OTT, 6-3W OTT


Bennett:

>13:00 = 7-5-1
<13:00 = 3-5-1 (3-6-1 incl. scratch)
Out of lineup: 4-1L to Jets,

To be fair, the team is 4-0 when Bennett has played 13:13-13:45, and Bennett has most of his points on nights he played 11-12 mins.

I'm not saying more Bennett is the answer. But it doesn't look like Leivo>Bennett=success.

[Karl]

Flames carrying 4 guys that are basically unplayable. Hope they win.

[flames_fan_down_under]

To be honest none of us know what goes on at practice, or video sessions, team meetings, or in the locker room. Bennett could have shown up late for something, he could have been dogging it at practice. It could be related to his play on the ice as well, which has also been not great.

But this team is already terrible with or without Bennett. Having him scratched is the least of the Flames worries.

[R2theJ]

Originally Posted by MikeMc

100%.

And he wants out.

Can't wait for the Bennett "I was surprised I wasn't playing. I can only control my side, so I'll focus on that. I want to help the team" quote tomorrow.

Sent from my SM-G986W using Tapatalk

Totally agree... Ritchie provides all the same things Bennett does right now - hits, can fight and energy. Glad he's going in and Bennett out - time to say goodbye to Benny!

[Karl]

Originally Posted by ah123

Nordstrom is really strong on the PK. Bennet does not have any area right now where he is really strong

That's not good enough. He's done nothing other than that. It's zero, zero, zero, with him. No goals, no assists, no good...

That's unplayable.

[Stanley]

Originally Posted by powderjunkie

Team record when Leivo plays

>10:00 = 3-8-1
<10:00 = 4-1-1 (7-3-1 incl. scratches)
Out of lineup: 6-4W EDM, 4-3W VAN, 5-1L VAN, 6-1L OTT, 6-3W OTT


Bennett:

>13:00 = 7-5-1
<13:00 = 3-5-1 (3-6-1 incl. scratch)
Out of lineup: 4-1L to Jets,

To be fair, the team is 4-0 when Bennett has played 13:13-13:45, and Bennett has most of his points on nights he played 11-12 mins.

I'm not saying more Bennett is the answer. But it doesn't look like Leivo>Bennett=success.

I don't think anyone is arguing that. Interesting stats tho.

Urgh I'm so hot and cold with Bennett now, it did seem like he was providing some jam on the top line there for a bit and I liked it - but then he's also got so many plays that die on his stick that are so darn frustrating...

That's why I think unless he's crashing and banging and providing strong board play (which when he's working hard he's great at) he's not doing much else.

[Wastedyouth]

I find trotting out Nordstrom's ability on the PK to be laughable as a reason to play him.

This isn't Justin Williams out there destroying Power Plays and scoring SH goals.

This is a pylon, who's negligible benefit on the PK is eminently replaceable.

[SuperMatt18]

Yup Nordstrom is just a warm body on the PK.

Really all the heavy lifting on his most frequent PK unit is done by Lindholm, Tanev, and Gio.

With Ryan back and available for the PK rotation there is no reason for Nordstrom to be in the lineup as a PK specialist.

But overall this is just Geoff Ward's strategy. Scoring goals and generating offence is stupid. Focus on defense and just have guys that have no skill but can grind it out and who know how to collapse in front of their own net.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

Ruzicka is averaging two points a game in the AHL and we have Ritchie and Leivo in the lineup to add size.

Says so much about the team and how it's been managed in the last half decade.

We're filling out our team with plugs like its 2002 and have a full line of dead roster space eating up 10 minutes a game getting shifts at the most suspect times.

We're truly reaching for success here..

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Stanley

I don't think anyone is arguing that. Interesting stats tho.

Urgh I'm so hot and cold with Bennett now, it did seem like he was providing some jam on the top line there for a bit and I liked it - but then he's also got so many plays that die on his stick that are so darn frustrating...

That's why I think unless he's crashing and banging and providing strong board play (which when he's working hard he's great at) he's not doing much else.

The problem with top line Bennett isn't offence - it's that Johnny is terrible at D and Monahan is slow - when he gets back and establishes a position he's OK but he's not a strong backchecker. So ideally their winger is strong on D like Lindholm. And Bennett just isn't good at D - look at his play last game.

Leivo isn't slow, but I really don't have a feel for him defensively. Simon - same. I still think Dube is better than both but he was doing well where he was, plus he seems to have had his own issues with the coach benching him.

[Savvy27]

I am almost nervous about the Flames calling up guys from the Heat right now. If this is truly going to be a lost season and the last gasp of a core that underachieved, then is it possible that leaving quality prospects in the AHL where they are winning and playing important minutes in a more positive atmosphere is the better option? It may be preferable icing a quality team in the AHL to bringing them up and having the current roster teaching them how to prepare and compete.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by Karl

That's not good enough. He's done nothing other than that. It's zero, zero, zero, with him. No goals, no assists, no good...

That's unplayable.

Agreed.

Bringing in a PK specialist who's a total black hole 5 on 5 to be played in all situations and be a line up regular while you have enough capable PK guys already but need offense is such a Treliving move.

Prevent hockey is our game I guess. Funny enough we just get blown out anyway.

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

No, he's not an idiot. I'd rather him not be the head coach but he's not an idiot.

I don't think he's the right type of coach for the style of players we have, and I really wish we had a coach that was infinitely better at in-game coaching, but in no measurable way is Geoff Ward an idiot.

I would even suggest there are very few people on this board that know as much about hockey and/or coaching than Ward does. The reason I can make this suggestion is because I am currently unaware of any NHL coaches that are also members of this message board.

[powderjunkie]

I'd be in favour of playing any of the following:

Phillips
Gawdin
Ruzicka (holy crap, 9P in 5gp with the Heat)
Pospisil
Zary


ahead of any of the following:

Bennett (though I'd keep playing him in hopes of a trade)
Nordstrom
Leivo
Simon
Ritchie
Froese
Robinson
Rinaldo

All guys on the wrong side of 26 (except Bennett) and UFA's at the end of the year (Froese has 1 more).

Tkachuk-Lindholm-Mangiapane
Lucic-Backlund-Dubé
Gaudreau-Monahan-Phillips
Ruzicka-Bennett-Ryan

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by NewFan

I think Ryan is much better player than you think. He is making his line better. I remember last time he was giving 1st line C in couple games and he was playing good.

His much better player than Bennett, Leivo or whoever else that played with Johnny and Monny.

Too much dead weight like this is exactly why the Flames are now what they are Leivo, Simon, Ryan, Bennett, Nordstrom, Richie, Rinaldo 7 forwards that do nothing for the team more often than not, plus Monahan who might have the worst compete level of the whole lot of bums above. Somehow half of them are actually in contention to play on the teams top line on any given night as well! Bravo BT for assembling such a serious contender in year 7 of your tenure....

In Ryan we're talking about a 4th line player on any decent, playoff calibre team. At his cap hit he should be a heck of a lot more than what he is too. You can maybe afford to have 2 of these guys on the roster, but certainly not more than half your forwards made up of garbage bin talent like this.

[Iggy_12]

Sam Bennett had the lowest hockey IQ i think that I have ever seen in an NHL player, how this guy went 4th overall amazes me.

He's the single reason for this failed rebuild

I be happy to never see him in a flames jersey again, i wish i could Men in Black zap him from my memory forever

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by Iggy_12

Sam Bennett had the lowest hockey IQ i think that I have ever seen in an NHL player, how this guy went 4th overall amazes me.

He's the single reason for this failed rebuild

I be happy to never see him in a flames jersey again, i wish i could Men in Black zap him from my memory forever

Ouch.