[GDT] Flames @ Ottawa, 5:00 PM

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Wastedyouth

Fingers crossed Ward has come to his senses and isn't playing Nordstrom.

Wow, does he suck.

Another win for the stats nerds.

He serves a big purpose on the PK....but at even strength he is a black hole.

That makes him a better option than the other possibilities unfortunately.

[kermitology]

Murray bounces back and the Flames will think after one game scoring 6 goals that they're good again and return to their lazy awful play. 4-0 Sens.

[WhiteTiger]

Go Flames go!

[SuperMatt18]

Anyone else starting to feel fatigue over this schedule format?

At first it was kind of cool to only be playing Canadian teams, and I don't mind the back to back formats, but just starting to feel boring playing the same teams over and over.

[timbit]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Anyone else starting to feel fatigue over this schedule format?

At first it was kind of cool to only be playing Canadian teams, and I don't mind the back to back formats, but just starting to feel boring playing the same teams over and over.

No offence , but maybe “get back to the gym”.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Anyone else starting to feel fatigue over this schedule format?

At first it was kind of cool to only be playing Canadian teams, and I don't mind the back to back formats, but just starting to feel boring playing the same teams over and over.

Yeah I never really liked it - though completely understood and agreed with needing to do it.
But I enjoy seeing players from other teams. And while I can do that simply by watching other games - it's more interesting to see them against the Flames.

[Puppet Guy]

Go Flames.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by transplant99

He serves a big purpose on the PK....but at even strength he is a black hole.

That makes him a better option than the other possibilities unfortunately.

Yeah just looked it up ... he's no longer the team's most effective PK forward, Lindholm passed him, but he's 2nd.

And yeah five on five he's a complete mess.

Jankowski was a good PK guy that couldn't get it done five on five, but he wasn't unable to make or take a pass or carry the puck. Ironically Jankowski is having a Nordstrom season in Pittsburgh too ... black hole five on five, and not as effective as Nordstrom on the kill.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Yeah just looked it up ... he's no longer the team's most effective PK forward, Lindholm passed him, but he's 2nd.

And yeah five on five he's a complete mess.

Jankowski was a good PK guy that couldn't get it done five on five, but he wasn't unable to make or take a pass or carry the puck. Ironically Jankowski is having a Nordstrom season in Pittsburgh too ... black hole five on five, and not as effective as Nordstrom on the kill.

I miss Reider.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Yeah just looked it up ... he's no longer the team's most effective PK forward, Lindholm passed him, but he's 2nd.

And yeah five on five he's a complete mess.

Jankowski was a good PK guy that couldn't get it done five on five, but he wasn't unable to make or take a pass or carry the puck. Ironically Jankowski is having a Nordstrom season in Pittsburgh too ... black hole five on five, and not as effective as Nordstrom on the kill.

Not ideal either.

Nordstrom may not be a great option but im guessing he is the best the Flames have.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Yeah just looked it up ... he's no longer the team's most effective PK forward, Lindholm passed him, but he's 2nd.

And yeah five on five he's a complete mess.

Jankowski was a good PK guy that couldn't get it done five on five, but he wasn't unable to make or take a pass or carry the puck. Ironically Jankowski is having a Nordstrom season in Pittsburgh too ... black hole five on five, and not as effective as Nordstrom on the kill.

I do question how much you need Nordstrom on the PK, especially once Ryan is back.

The individual statistics are tough because really the PK at times is a 4 man unit. If you look at our PK more as a unit.

Nordstrom+Gio+Lindhom: 34 minutes, 3.93 XGA/60
Gio+Lindholm no Nordstrom: 14 Minutes, 5.83 XGA/60
Nordstrom without Gio & Lindholm: 10 minutes, 11.49 xGA/60

So his individual numbers are really propped up by playing with those two for the majority of his PK time.

I think Lindholm, Mangiapane, Backlund, Ryan are probably our top 4 penalty killers. And really I think they should be starting to try out Dube in that role more, as I think his speed could be a real asset on the PK.

Honestly don't think there is a need to dress Nordstrom just for his "PK prowess" because really I don't think he's the one driving the boat on a strong PK. By the eye test he generally looks slow and a step behind on his coverage on the PK, and I think he's been carried by Lindholm, Gio, and Tanev on that top PK unit.

[Naitix]

After watching some heat games over the past week, it makes no sense to not have Phillips and Ruzicka called up here and give them a good look, or even Pospisil if they want to add some grit with skill. Both Phillips and Ruzicka completely dominate AHL and look better than anyone else, there is no way they would have less offensive success than Nordstrom, Robinson, Bennett, Leivo, or Simon.
Just get Phillips/Ruzicka up here in the top 9 with more than 4 minutes of ice-time per game (Gawdin)

[genetic_phreek]

Gawdin could also play on the PK.

How fun would that be? A 4th line of Ruzicka, Gawdin, Phillips.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Must win game.
Now or never to get the season going.

[Erick Estrada]

According to Rintoul on 960 this morning the Flames will need to go 20-13-1 to make the playoffs so this game is big as they can't afford to use up their remaining 13 losses to Ottawa.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Naitix

After watching some heat games over the past week, it makes no sense to not have Phillips and Ruzicka called up here and give them a good look, or even Pospisil if they want to add some grit with skill. Both Phillips and Ruzicka completely dominate AHL and look better than anyone else, there is no way they would have less offensive success than Nordstrom, Robinson, Bennett, Leivo, or Simon.
Just get Phillips/Ruzicka up here in the top 9 with more than 4 minutes of ice-time per game (Gawdin)

TBF, you know who led the Heat last year, along with Gawdin? One Byron Froese. Actually a better PPG than Gawdin (Quine was even better).

I’m concerned about Ruzicka’s ability to play at NHL speed.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by genetic_phreek

Gawdin could also play on the PK.

How fun would that be? A 4th line of Ruzicka, Gawdin, Phillips.

Dont think so....way to slow.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

According to Rintoul on 960 this morning the Flames will need to go 20-13-1 to make the playoffs so this game is big as they can't afford to use up their remaining 13 losses to Ottawa.

With 20 home games left on their schedule this is very achievable.

Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

I do question how much you need Nordstrom on the PK, especially once Ryan is back.

The individual statistics are tough because really the PK at times is a 4 man unit. If you look at our PK more as a unit.

Nordstrom+Gio+Lindhom: 34 minutes, 3.93 XGA/60
Gio+Lindholm no Nordstrom: 14 Minutes, 5.83 XGA/60
Nordstrom without Gio & Lindholm: 10 minutes, 11.49 xGA/60

So his individual numbers are really propped up by playing with those two for the majority of his PK time.

I think Lindholm, Mangiapane, Backlund, Ryan are probably our top 4 penalty killers. And really I think they should be starting to try out Dube in that role more, as I think his speed could be a real asset on the PK.

Honestly don't think there is a need to dress Nordstrom just for his "PK prowess" because really I don't think he's the one driving the boat on a strong PK. By the eye test he generally looks slow and a step behind on his coverage on the PK, and I think he's been carried by Lindholm, Gio, and Tanev on that top PK unit.

Not sure I agree.

PK is such a reactive thing that I don't think any one player drives it per say, but Nordstrom has a simplistic komikaze approach to the puck carrier and shooter that has been really effective.

However I hear you overall. When Ryan is back they can certainly try it without him and see where it goes. I'd prefer not to see him five on five ... but then with Ryan out and Leivo in the doghouse (assuming) because of those back to back minors the fourth line is a mess anyway.

[Naitix]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

TBF, you know who led the Heat last year, along with Gawdin? One Byron Froese. Actually a better PPG than Gawdin (Quine was even better).

I’m concerned about Ruzicka’s ability to play at NHL speed.

That's true, but I usually don't care about anyone getting PPG in AHL if they are older than 26, at that point its almost certain that they can put up points in the AHL but can not transition their game into the NHL. It does not matter if Froese was PPG and is trash in the show, that's like saying Agostino should be good because he puts up close/over PPG in the AHL every year. Putting up PPG in the AHL in their second and third professional year is really good, and they need to be given an opportunity to succeed in the NHL, what else can they do to get a chance?
Ya I think Ruzicka's skating was a concern but it has improved imo, he looks really good out there