cross16

Thought he was awful to start but I've liked his last 2 games. He created some really nice rush opportunities last night. Over the last 2 games Nordstrom leads the team in many categories at 5 on 5. I wouldn't complain if Simon came in for him but at the same time i'm with Jtech that the Lucic-Ryan-Norstrom line has been real good so I think you need to stick with that.

I actually think it's time for Ward to stop the line tinkering for a while. I know they lost but I liked a lot of the things the flames did last night, especially going back and watching some of the game, and while there are things to improve upon I think they are finding their game. Time to keep a lineup together for a few games and let them build on some chemistry and get on a roll here because I think it's coming. Johnny - Mony Mang Tkachuk - Lindholm - Dube Bennett - Backs - Leivo Lucic - Ryan - Nordstrom. Leave it alone and stop the blender. The team hasn't always made it easy on the coach with some so/so efforts but I also think Ward is tinkering too much (ie, no reason Mang should have sat like he did last night). Individually most of these guys have found their game, or have at some point this season, so let them go for a little while.

I thought that line got off to a really good start but they've started to slide. The last 4-5 games he is closer to the bottom than the top of those rankings. I just don't see him dirving offense the way you want a center in that spot to be doing. Small sample size both directions and i'm obviously more of a skeptic of him at center so I am biased I just don't like the trend. My fear with moving Lindholm to center is i'm not big on his ability to create offence and we are starting to see that.

There has been a lot of talk about Gio and Anderson and their impact on the team but someone who has been escaping any criticism is Elias Lindholm. if that’s to be their number one line they need a lot more out of Lindholm. He’s been pretty invisible at 5 on 5 for most of the season but especially the last 3-4 games. I know they are pretty committed to him at center but I don’t think the early returns have been very good.

I thought Gio was rough for the first few games but I thought the last 2-3 he's been good. Thought he was good last night too. I think that pairing is struggling because of a lack of communication, chemistry or understanding. I don't think you can put the blame on either one as both are making mistakes. They don't seem to be on the same page with how each other wants to play. Rasmus was particular rough last night. Really tough game from him.

I've been thinking the same but I also think Nesterov was really, really good last night as was that 3rd pairing. I'm also struggling with the idea of putting Kylington into the 3rd pairing (which for the most part has been great this season) when you've got the Gio-Andersson pairing struggling. Can you afford to risk having 2 of your 3 pairings struggle? I feel for Kylington but i'm just not sure you take Nesterov out of the lineup. I personally wouldn't change the pairings right now. You've got 2 of 3 playing really well and i'm just not sure you risk that at this point especially given that Gio-Andersson have had success in the past so there is reason to believe they will get it together. I also don't think Gio-Nesterov is going to work because in the past Gio hasn't really done well with dmen who freelance and play aggressive like Nesterov does. Gio-Kylington make be worth a try but as I said above tough to justify taking Nesterov out of the lineup. I think you just need to give it some more time. Clock is ticking but it's not at zero yet.

How Ward involves the dmen in the offence is one of my favorite things about him as a coach. I've got question in other areas and it does lead to some communication breakdowns, but he's done a really nice job of encouraging dmen to get in the play and really rush as more of a 5 man unit. That was really on display last night. If that's he game the Flames are shooting for i'm excited. He's had some ups and downs but you are really starting to see why many are so high on Valimaki. I really believe that guy is going to be an all star one day.

play center with 2 below average players or wing with a center like Backlund. pretty easy choice.

I mean they stuck him between Lucic and Nordstrom. What would you expect him to do?

Why do letter's need to change for there to being a change of the guard though? What's getting lost is Conroy didn't turn the C over to Iginla because he felt there needed to be a change of the guard. he did it because it was already happening and he felt wrong to be holding it back. so unless it's already happening in the locker room, I don't see what effect it will have.

At the same time, it was Tkachuk who challenged the team and said they were going to be much better. Went out and had one of the worst games he's had as a pro. That's nothing against Tkachuk, it happens. The point is talk is pretty cheap and the captain role is overrated. I don't see what this team gains by swapping letters.

Is Tkachuk really ready to be captain? I'm not in the room so I can't comment there but on ice, while I appreciate many, many ways of how he plays the games i still think his "antics" sometimes hurt the team as much as he helps it. I'm not sure that's the personality this team should really take on.

Honestly the result of Bennett wanting out doesn’t even make me upset. What makes me upset is it was so crystal clear this wasn’t going to work midway through Peters first season and rather than do something about it they just sat on it. Maybe I’m wrong and he was worth nothing in trade but I find that hard to believe. the whole Sam Bennett experience is one this organization better learn from. A really big failure in multiple ways. It’s not all their fault but it’s a real black mark.

Is this really true though? every flames game has been on TV for years and it doesn’t seem to affect their attendance. Chicago blacked out it’s games forever and when they changes course didn’t see a dip in attendance. I’ve never quite understood the blackout will mean more fans in the stand argument.

wanting another rebuild is very much a be careful what you wish for proposition with this club. If you are wanting a rebuild that takes it’s time and is ok with 3 or more losing seasons then I wouldn’t hold your breath. It’s not going to happen so long as Murray Edwards is running the flames.

they lost Byron (which is not at all a big deal and people should let it go) because they couldn’t decide on goalies and instead chose to carry 3 rather than risk losing Ortio on waivers.

The decision to sign Toffoli would have come down to do your want Toffoli or Tanev. Outside of that they would have had to move significant salary to make it work and it would not have been easy. Fair if you would have preferred him over Tanev but to say it was easy to get both is not accurate.

This is fair but at the same time it's a 56 game season and they are in game 6 and the top 4 teams make it. It's the equivalent of game 8-9 in a full game season. for sure get it addressed, i'm just not sure it's cause for concern at this point. For me anyway, I know others are different.

Maybe, but for a team that really will only be defined based on what they do in the playoffs coming out flat to start a regular season isn't overly concerning IMO.

This is exactly what you would want to see them do

If Simon and Leivo were anything but just place holders than I would be find with it, but they are not.

I get what he is trying to do but man having both Bennett and Mang outside the top 6 makes no sense to me. 1 sure but both? Not a fan.

The "always earned never given" is a good example of what I'm referring to. to me that is not an identity that's a mantra or a rallying cry a coach can use as part of the vision but identity needs to be more than that. Every team needs to work hard, that's a given, the identity has to be how are we going to play and what style of play is going to make us effective. When I watch a team play I look for their identity being defined in when they play well and then also what happens when they break down. I may not have always agreed with it but I actually don't think there has been an identity problem until now and with this coaching staff. Outside of Jim Playfair I felt every coach since Sutter had an identity, even if the team results weren't great. Identity does not equal results as a lot go into it but this is the first team in quite a while where I can't tell you what this coach wants his team to be.

Not a big Jim Rutherford fan and think is is one of the more overrated execs out there but I do hope all is well. Always feels a little ominous when someone resigns so suddenly so really hope all is ok with him and family. Wonder if you'll see Conroy's name come up in the search.

Your discovery of the gif function is one of my favorite things about this place right now