2012/13 General Heat Discussion Thread

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Hey folks, just like last season this is a thread dedicated to anything related to the Heat.

I'll try and update you guys with line combinations, injuries, player awards/milestones, etc. The Heat training camp will be starting in about a month and I'll try and get out to as many practices as I can.

BTW, here's a good video from the Flames site this morning about Troy Ward's "Program":

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Vanni De Bartolo
‏@VanniDeBartolo

Former #Chilliwack Chief Jordan Kremyr and former #Vancouver Giant Gary Nunn will attend @abbotsfordheat camp next month.

Jordan Kremyr is a 25 year old LW. He has lots of BC connections. He was born in Cloverdale, BC. He played for the Chilliwack Chiefs and Alberni Valley Bulldogs of the BCHL. He went to Providence College for four seasons before joining the Alaska Aces of the ECHL. Here are his stats: http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/p....php?pid=83879

Garry Nunn is a fairly small RW at 5'9", 175lbs, but he's only 22 years old. He too has BC connections. He was born in Victoria and played three seasons with the Vancouver Giants. He has since been playing with the Alaska Aces of the ECHL. Here are his stats: http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/p....php?pid=83894

[Reanimate]

I'll be getting AHLLive as well so I can add my observations.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Correction: Garry Nunn wasn't only invited to camp, but he was also signed to an AHL deal as well (ATO or PTO, not sure which one).

[Bowvechkin]

I will be investing in AHL Live too, I won't let a lockout stop me from watching hockey!

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Just as a warning to you guys getting AHL Live, AHL broadcasts are really not well done like Gamecenter Live is.

[Reanimate]

Yeah. I've had it before. They are straight out of the 90s for vid quality.

[Bowvechkin]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

Just as a warning to you guys getting AHL Live, AHL broadcasts are really not well done like Gamecenter Live is.

Compared to our national league (Australia) and the games they stream online, this will be first class. Are all game streamed?

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by Bowvechkin

Compared to our national league (Australia) and the games they stream online, this will be first class. Are all game streamed?

Yep, they'll all be streamed. It's just the camera quality that's crap.

[Freeway]

I strongly recommend perhaps saving your money and instead listening to the live game coverage by Ryan Pinder on the radio.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Freeway

I strongly recommend perhaps saving your money and instead listening to the live game coverage by Ryan Pinder on the radio.

I learned this last year, I got a few games here and there but the Heat radio broadcasts are nearly as good and would be better if it weren't for the fact there is no visual

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by Freeway

I strongly recommend perhaps saving your money and instead listening to the live game coverage by Ryan Pinder on the radio.

Ryan Pinder's awesome. His playcalling style takes a little getting used to. He could add a little more excitement in his broadcasts, but for a guy used to calling BCHL games, he'll have an adjustment period.

Vanni De Bartolo, who colour commentates sometimes, is very good at what he does. He adds so much to the broadcast.

Harrison Mooney, on the other hand, sucks. He's very unprofessional and makes lame jokes at bad times. Plus, he's a Canucks fan.

[Bowvechkin]

I have caught a few calls from Ryan Pinder and he is great. I guess I will wait and see how the AHL Live is before committing. Any ideas on costs?

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

From what I remember it's around the $200 mark. Their prices aren't up until closer to the start of the season.

[RyZ]

When does camp start? Im excited to see how Sven and Reinhart look against AHL regulars.

[Reanimate]

It's only 200 if you get every teams feed. 99$ for team pass.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by Reanimate

It's only 200 if you get every teams feed. 99$ for team pass.

Ah thanks for clarifying. That's very very reasonable.

[Ashasx]

Hey Pierre, do you think Baertschi will start on the first line with the likes of Kolanos/Walter, or even Reinhart? Ideally they'd both get immediate top 6 time for their development (they both should be able to handle it easily). I have little doubt Baertschi gets top 6 time (I would want first line minutes), but I'm not so sure about Reinhart.

I ask because I am concerned about his development. I can't remember any of our prospects that didn't struggle in their transition to the AHL.

I know that we've had few prospects in the past even comparable to Sven, but he's certainly a prospect that we can't screw up. I do have faith in Ward, certainly more than any of the past coaches, to do what's right, but it's difficult to let go of the thought that we are still a poor development team.

[Freeway]

In the event of a lockout, I'd imagine the Flames would be a bit more hands-on in Abbotsford.

That said, there's a LOT of respect for Ward within the hockey operations department, and Abbotsford is his ship to run.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Yeah, there's no doubt in my mind that Baertschi will get first line minutes. He could play on the wing beside Walter and Kolanos or he could play beside Reinhart and Nemisz.

I would personally like to see what kind of chemistry Baertschi has with Reinhart. He and Nemisz showed fairly good chemistry already at the NHL level. On the other hand, Walter is basically the Tanguay of the Heat, so he'll be the best set up man for Baertschi and Kolanos.

I'm going to be really interested to see the Heat training camp in a few weeks because Ward will have some line combos together. I want to see who he's pairing together.