cross16

Actually I think Sutter's got Huberdeau in a good position. I think Huberdeau needs to start being a bit more selfish. He had the puck a lot last night but he's too predictable right now. it's on his stick on off his stick right away, he's not even looking at what opportunities he can create for himself it's all about where can he put the puck for his teammate. Not bad necessarily, but I think he's passing up too many good shot opportunities and he's got to start driving/shooting more. When he does I think he's going to start being a pretty dangerous player. Few tough turnovers last night for sure but I liked a lot of his game. Created a bunch of scoring chances.

Pretty similar script. Play pretty well, great for stretches, but goaltending can't bail out you, get a bad break, get yourself in a position to win the game and they don't get someone to step up and win it for them. For the most part they are playing solid hockey as a team they are just not getting the timely goals/saves which means their best players are not stepping up when they need them to. Until that happens they'll probably stay in this middling area as a team. Really hard to win in this league consistently when your best players are not your best players.

The Canucks D core is big but they are also slow. The faster Phillips would have been the better call IMO. I also agree it would be nice to have a coach that would be willing to see that getting a kid his first game at home in front of friends/family could give him( and the team) a jolt. He'll get one in so not super upset, but something I wish he'd do differently.

I'm not sure there is much of an "argument" made around strength of schedule. For me it's simply a data point and something worth looking at. I think pointing out that the Flames have had the hardest schedule in the league so far simply offers a potential reason to look at why they aren't exactly firing on all cylinders. In most years I probably woudln't even discuss it but I think it matters when you have a team with such large turnover. Whether that is a reason or an excuse is up to the team. Their schedule gets easier so theoretically there is as opportunity here for them to get on a roll and start to stack good games/efforts but that's all it is, an opportunity. Up to them to prove it.

As expected, Ronni is on Team Finland

your going to need patience. When you over turn as much as your team as they did it takes time and 30 games isn't enough. Remember when Sutter took over as the coach? Coached for 56 games and they looking middling at best. Easier to forget that going into last season many were picking the Flames to miss the playoffs. it takes time and especially it takes time for a Darryl Sutter coached team. We shouldn't be rushing to conclusions until 40-50 games IMO.

Yup no question it's in the bottom 3rd of the league. I don't think it "falls of a cliff" because while Pelletier and Zary are not necessarily high end prospects they are good ones IMO, with both having a good shot at NHL careers. But past that then your into roll the dice category. There are some intrigue with some because with a lack of high picks over the last few years there isn't much to get excited about that's fair. There is some potential diamonds in the rough (Beck if he could stay healthy) but that's it. Why I would be a proponent of keeping picks this year.

There has been a lot of focus on what he hasn't done, but what hasn't been talked about enough is how Huberdeau has flipped the script this year. Gone from a poor defensive player to a top end one. Yes it's at the expense of his offense but this is the same transition Gaudreau went through when Sutter got here and we all know it's how he works. Weegar has also come as advertised just doesn't have the raw totals to show for it.

there were actually several rumors they were looking at it and I actually heard they had a taker. Not sure if it fell apart but I do know that to sign Kadri to the deal he did Monahan had to go.

it wouldn’t have cleared enough space to sign Kadri and it would not have opened up the position. to sign Kadri Monahan had to go.

Once again this team just love to shoot themselves in the foot. honestly. They are a mess right now.

Obviously really clear this group hasn’t found their way yet but I’m not letting the coaching staff off the hook here. While engagement is an issue I also don’t see the game plan in terms of how this team is supposed to play. At times it’s uptempo, at times it’s low event but there isn’t any consistency to it, which for me reflects on your coaching staff. Low event is not how this team was built either so I think it’s definitely fair to question if Sutter has the correct pulse on his team. everyone, coaches included, are still trying to find their way which isn’t a huge surprise nor a large concern yet imo. honestly this group just needs to find a way to get into the playoffs and try to get hot at the right time. I don’t think it’s realistic for a team with as much turnover as they had to have a really successful regular season. Takes time to learn to win as a group.

What was rumored tomorrow is official. Rooney clears and Zohorna up.

Agreed and just to add your top 9 is playing well right now, why change it? It's the 4th line that is hurting them so improving that should be the priority. It makes sense for multiple reasons.

Agreed. I've had some complaints about Sutter this year but I thin he's got Ruzicka in the right spot right now. His ice time at both 5 on 5 and all strengths over the last 15 games is 9th for forwards but he's basically getting the same ice time as Dube/Toffoli. Heck he's only 40 seconds behind Lindholm at 5 on 5. And he's got him with the right players IMO. Ruzicka's game is about peaks and valleys. When he's good he's excellent but he's still got a lot of valley's to his game, be it effort, decision making, or play in his own end. Makes perfect sense to me to pair him with the 2 safest players on the entire roster. Allows him to play to his peaks without having the valley's hurt the team. I honestly am not sure what more you can want for Ruzicka.

What’s the rationale for Sutter disliking ruzicka? he has his playing the 2nd PP unit,with key players and has praised him multiple times. Don’t get where that narrative comes from.

I missed that. That is cool

Just to add there, the Wranglers had to call up Kerins. So your shuffling players through 2 levels now which I don't think yo do for a short term fix or to have a guy eat popcorn at the NHL level. There is a long term plan at place here.

Good. I hope the Oilers continue to move out good assets for players who won't address their weaknesses.

There is too much roster movement here for this to just be about getting him some xmas money IMO. Not to mention you just took your leading scorer off your AHL team, that happens to being red hot. He is going to play IMO. This plan doesn't make sense if the goal was just to get him some extra money they could have done that without waiving Rooney.

At least Phillips got the call up first but i'm not a fan of Zohorna coming up over Zary. With waiving Rooney I do think you need a center, I just don't get why you wouldn't want your first round pick. Too bad for Pelletier but positional need dictated that.

With Phillips on the Flames, and the potential for another move too, Kerins is up with the Wranglers. I hope this is fairly long term

Roster shuffling continuing. Rooney on waivers likely means another call up is coming. Fully expect Rooney will clear

Interesting