Feb 17 practice notes. Neal still missing. Smith starts vs ARI

[sureLoss]

Pat Steinberg @Fan960Steinberg
James Neal absent at practice again this morning. #Flames

Ryan Pike @RyanNPike
#Flames G David Rittich out before practice working with goalie coach Jordan Sigalet.

[sureLoss]

Ryan Pike @RyanNPike
Coming off a win in Pittsburgh, Mike Smith in the #Flames starters' net. Doesn't mean anything necessarily, but seems likely he'd start tomorrow.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Ryan Pike @RyanNPike
Coming off a win in Pittsburgh, Mike Smith in the #Flames starters' net. Doesn't mean anything necessarily, but seems likely he'd start tomorrow.

I think this is what I would do. Smith has been really good in games against Arizona. Give Rittich the start v. NYI.

[transplant99]

Yeah the last couple games Smith has looked the best of the 2 since mid January.

Start him against his old team and give BSD the Islanders.

[Gaskal]

Smith is really good against his old team.

He probably enjoys being paid by his old team to beat them. Good roast material.

[Split98]

Smith can also play B2B against the Ducks and Sens with Rittich getting the Islanders games too. Will be good to see Swagger-Smith against the team he always shows up for

[FBI]

Honestly I haven't missed Neal much yet. That being said I hope he comes back with a vengeance and finds his game for playoffs.

[sureLoss]

Pat Steinberg @Fan960Steinberg
Smith starts in net tomorrow vs. Arizona.

No update on James Neal. #Flames

[Gaskal]

I will be shocked if there is an update on James Neal before Treliving makes his move on or prior to the TDL.

[Patek23]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

I will be shocked if there is an update on James Neal before Treliving makes his move on or prior to the TDL.

Are you guessing that’s how severe the injury is or do you think it’s posturing by the Flames? Because if it’s the latter then I think it would be the exact opposite m. The sooner Neal appears healthy the less desperate we look to add someone up front. The longer Neal is out, the higher the cost of a forward addition becomes for us.

[foshizzle11]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

I will be shocked if there is an update on James Neal before Treliving makes his move on or prior to the TDL.

Yup, I agree, no way he shows his cards.

I hope he isn't out long, I think he was starting to play better and getting into it a bit more.

That said, I wouldn't mind Tre making a deal to get someone like Ferly back here if it didn't cost too much. If Stone can come back in and Valimaki, I think we can trade one of the young defenseman out. I know most people won't want to see that, but if we can get a legit top 6 winger, I would trade a Kyllington.

[kyuss275]

Run smith until he turns in a bad game. It would be huge if Smith can revert back to the way he played last season before injury.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by FBI

Honestly I haven't missed Neal much yet. That being said I hope he comes back with a vengeance and finds his game for playoffs.

I think Neal has been solid as a 3rd liner but his inability to shoot has been his downfall and really magnifies his lack of footspeed too. If he gets his shot back Neal is gonna be real dangerous.

Czarnik seems to be able to bring a high level of skill, can shoot, and makes the team much faster. I'm excited to see Czarnik play a role I envisioned for him when we signed him (on the 3rd line with Bennett). I still think the best third line we could roll is Czarnik - Bennett - Neal. rather than Bennett-Jankowski-Neal or Bennett-Jankowski-Czarnik, though.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

I will be shocked if there is an update on James Neal before Treliving makes his move on or prior to the TDL.

I don't know if that's possible.

Deadline is what, 2 weeks off?

Hard to keep that information under seal.

[browna]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

I don't know if that's possible.

Deadline is what, 2 weeks off?

Hard to keep that information under seal.

8 days.

Though the Flames likely know what it likely is, medical confirmation once back home via an MRI or whatever, would be the correct process...and given that they got in town late last night, even if they wanted to release a confirmed diagnosis ASAP, it probably wouldn’t be at earliest until later today or tomorrow anyways.

[monkeyman]

Any word on lines?

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

I don't know if that's possible.

Deadline is what, 2 weeks off?

Hard to keep that information under seal.

Call it day to day until inflammation goes down (regardless of a likely diagnosis)....then in 10 days (if its major) announce a timeline and retroactive him to LTIR.

[csnarpy]

I think the mentality with the goalies, right now, could be play till you lose - unless it’s back to back.

This could potentially set us up with 2 solid and confident goaltenders for the playoffs.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by csnarpy

I think the mentality with the goalies, right now, could be play till you lose - unless it’s back to back.

This could potentially set us up with 2 solid and confident goaltenders for the playoffs.

This would seem odd to me, since this has not been the plan at any point this season.

[Joborule]

Yeah, I wouldn't say there's any actual plan. Just play the hand that you feel most confident with at the moment. Rittich right now is off, while Smith has actually played good in the past back-to-back games, and matches up well against the Yotes. Give Smith more opportunity to build confidence, as well give Rittich a bit more rest to conserve his energy, and re-find his game.