[GDT] Preseason: Coyotes @ Flames. 7pm MT. calgaryflames.com

[Robbob]

For those at the game, we're you suprised how active Smith was away from the play/stoppages. He was all over the place. Not saying it is bad, just the norm with goalies seems to be finding that zen zone.

To follow up on the puck handling, it is going to benefit huge. There were a number of situation where he initiated a quick transition back up the ice. On the PP alone it will give us more offensive zone time.

[Canada 02]

Jankowski: as so many have said, he was solid all night. Gulutzan was using him in every situation possible, and he looked good in all of them. The only worry is facoffs, and on the PK especially, faceoffs a re a problem for him

FYI, Jankowski was 63% on faceoffs, and 50% during the PK

[bigrangy]

Originally Posted by Canada 02

FYI, Jankowski was 63% on faceoffs, and 50% during the PK

That is so odd to me, he seemed to lose almost every faceoff I saw him take. Selective memory I guess.

[Canada 02]

Jankowski FO numbers was 54% (7 for 13) vs Edmonton, 27% (4 for 15) vs Vancouver , and 63% (10 for 16) vs Arizona.

so total over 3 games 21 for 44 or 48%. Looks like capability is there, just needs to work on consistency

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by Robbob

For those at the game, we're you suprised how active Smith was away from the play/stoppages. He was all over the place. Not saying it is bad, just the norm with goalies seems to be finding that zen zone.

To follow up on the puck handling, it is going to benefit huge. There were a number of situation where he initiated a quick transition back up the ice. On the PP alone it will give us more offensive zone time.

I was surprised to see him purposely go behind the net and basically be the third defenceman looking to make the outlet pass. Looks very confident back there, very decisive. He was also trying to score in the final minute, with the goalie pulled and the Coyotes on the PP. Would have been awesome to see that.

P.S. I did see one time, as the puck was being carried across the centre ice, that Smith actually took his mask off, flung his hair back, and put it back on. I've NEVER seen that in the middle of a play...

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

P.S. I did see one time, as the puck was being carried across the centre ice, that Smith actually took his mask off, flung his hair back, and put it back on. I've NEVER seen that in the middle of a play...

Probably wants his own "fabulous" gif.

[Sandman]

I think the thing with Smith's puckhandling is that nobody out there is used to it quite yet, cuz we haven't had a puckhandling goalie like him. They seem to freeze and hesitate sometimes for a second when Smith has the puck on his stick. When they get more used to it, and Smith gets more used to them (especially the D) it will be awesome.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Canada 02

FYI, Jankowski was 63% on faceoffs, and 50% during the PK

Thanks for this. Obviously my comment was a remnant of the prior game. And it looked like things were better last night (for the whole team) on the draw, but I had no idea they were that much better.

Good to hear.

If he can run anywhere near 50% on the dot, then he is making the starting lineup on opening night and never looking back.

[Enoch Root]

I wasn't surprised to see how active Smith was - I expected that. And I knew he was a good passer and confident puck handler.

What surprised me was how quick and decisive he was. He made plays when I thought there was no time for a goalie to make a play. And he made good plays. Really smart and quick decisions. It paralyzes the forecheckers - they go in after him and then he just fires a pass to the open guy and they are off the other way.

I absolutely loved what I saw from him last night.

And this is from a guy who HATES goalies playing the puck. As a defenseman, I always hated it because you never knew what the goalie was going to do. But when he is that awesome, he makes plays and it becomes a benefit.

I know that when he inevitably makes a bad play and it leads to a goal against, the haters will be out in full force. But there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that he is very much a net positive back there.

[cannon7]

Monahan, Backlund, Bennett and Jankowski are gonna be fund to watch down the middle.

[bubbsy]

Someone has got to go to the wing, no? These are all high skill players, splitting them up like that doesn't leave enough ice time to go around...

[cannon7]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

Someone has got to go to the wing, no? These are all high skill players, splitting them up like that doesn't leave enough ice time to go around...

If Gaudreau-Bennett can bring that kind of chemistry consistently then I wouldn't be opposed to mixing things up in the top-six. It also doesn't hurt that Bennett is quick to defend JG. Maybe pair Tkachuk-Monahan and put Jankowski with Backlund and Frolik to start.

[The Fonz]

Originally Posted by cannon7

If Gaudreau-Bennett can bring that kind of chemistry consistently then I wouldn't be opposed to mixing things up in the top-six. It also doesn't hurt that Bennett is quick to defend JG. Maybe pair Tkachuk-Monahan and put Jankowski with Backlund and Frolik to start.

I like this, a lot.

Gaudreau Bennett Ferland
Tkachuk Monahan Versteeg
Jankowski Backlund Frolik
Lazar Stajan Brouwer

Hamilton, Hathaway

[Hockey-and_stuff]

Was at the game, some thoughts:

I thought the Andersson/Wotherspoon pairing were excellent. They got a ton of ice time once the Flames had the lead and played very well. I'm liking Spoon over Kulak for 6D at this point.

Really liked Smith this game. There was a point in the game where the Yotes were cycling the puck well in our zone, they moved the puck behind the net and Smith jumps out, stops the puck and moves it to a D and we exit the zone. Really smart play.

Bennett Gaudreau and Ferland were all excellent. Nothing more to add that hasn't already been said.

Shinkaruk was not good. Too passive and couldn't get into good scoring spaces.

Thought Kkimchuk and Lazar played really well. You want more from Lazar but he was great defensively and played with a lot of energy.

I thought Brouwer was fine. I'm not sure what people expect from him each shift but I thought he was effective, had a few good shots.

Loved Dougie giving the Arizona player the left jab early in the game. We somehow ended up on the PP after that, I don't know how.

Brodie/Hamonic look like they're starting to gel. A few errant passes but Brodie was skating well and Hamonic had a few assists which never hurts.

Sent from my LG-H915 using Tapatalk

[Textcritic]

I have nothing to add to everyone's excellent and much appreciated observations. But I wanted to say that from the SD feed on my computer Bennett looks bigger, thicker and played a significantly heavier game than ever before.

[Five-hole]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

I like this, a lot.

Gaudreau Bennett Ferland
Tkachuk Monahan Versteeg
Jankowski Backlund Frolik
Lazar Stajan Brouwer

Hamilton, Hathaway

I'm warming to this too. I love Mony but he doesn't stand up for Gaudreau enough. Bennett would, no problem.

Tkachuk is as good a playmaker as Gaudreau (better maybe) and can feed Monahan in the slot all day.

I also think that Bennett and Gaudreau play the game at a similar pace. Up-tempo, forcing plays. Tkachuk and Monahan are both "slow the game down" guys and are more cerebral, waiting for a seam. Could be good.

[GoJetsGo]

Good point earlier about Smith looking to spring Gaudreau. Could see a lot of that this season!

[Fan69]

Originally Posted by Five-hole

I'm warming to this too. I love Mony but he doesn't stand up for Gaudreau enough. Bennett would, no problem.

Tkachuk is as good a playmaker as Gaudreau (better maybe) and can feed Monahan in the slot all day.

I also think that Bennett and Gaudreau play the game at a similar pace. Up-tempo, forcing plays. Tkachuk and Monahan are both "slow the game down" guys and are more cerebral, waiting for a seam. Could be good.

That,them, there is an idea worth exploring

[sureLoss]

SOB... did Bennett get hurt last night?

Pat Steinberg @Fan960Steinberg
Sean Monahan and Matthew Tkachuk both on the ice for practice today. Curiously, Sam Bennett wearing a yellow no-contact jersey. #Flames

[kehatch]

Originally Posted by combustiblefuel

This again. He regularly puts up as many points as , Tavares, Toews, Kopitair, Getzlaf and many other top 1c players . He is often ranked in the top ten in many lists baeed on his production.

If you mean he didn't put up as many points in his best season as most of those do in his worst then sure.

He isn't even close to any of those guys offensively except Toews, and Toews is one of the elite two way forwards in the game. I have never seen him ranked top 10. Or top 20 for that matter.

Love the guy. But he isn't one of the elite centres in the league. Not when you compare him to the top guys on teams that have won the cup.