travel_dude

I have suspected there was a reason why he was not playing in Canada this year. I do hope that the two players recently announcing personal leave are not for this reason. Of the "likely suspects" for the squad, I thought Dube and Hart were the least likely. Don't know why, but figured they both seemed to have good character.

There is giving a guy a 2nd chance and using their culture issues to sign to a team friendly deal. Kane was not exactly a guy deserving a 2nd chance, since it was not simply a 2nd time he had been toxic to a team. Perry is just a well known douchebag, but his recent struggle should have put him on the recovery train for this season. Not on a shopping list for a team thinking they are a contender.

They would fit into the EDM version of team culture. Anybody welcome, we don\t care what you did.

The "reach" is nonsense based on a couple of guys' opinions. Honzek or ASP, doesn't really matter. We need both types of players. Both showed well in the WJC. An 18 year old playing with pros in the SHL is impressive, but big rinks and good teams. Ya can't tell at this point.

Sniff, sniff

I would prefer that it points more to players from the team that had a lot more local players there. London Knights. But Hart was not a part of them, either was Dube. Maybe it's just something that age group is going through.

I notice the subtle plays he makes. He's a very smart player, just is a little soft on the passes. IMHO his biggest fault is he doesn't shoot enough. He has one of the better wrist shots on the team, but is never in a position to use it. Perhaps that comes from C play, where being on the wing with Lindholm or Kadri means he gets them off.

My bad. Forgot to check.

I considered moving Coleman up as well. Of all the players on the team, the two most deadly are him and Sharky with Kadri at 3rd. Coronato needs to learn a bit on both ends of the ice and get passes from C that don't put him in a bad situation. I thought Coronato had a decent game, and he is capable of possession in tight. They ran him into the boards a lot, so that's kinda what he has to get more used to. If he is able to attack from the middle of the ice more, then I expect more quality shots. I don't get the love for Oesterle. I must be watching the wrong player, since I see very little that suggests he is a capable 3rd pair guy. When you pair him with a relative rookie, then disaster will occur. I think the issue with Ruzie is he is a top 6 player that doesn't do well on the 4th line. He's had as many up as down games in the top 6 as Kadri or Huberdeau or Lindholm. It's almost like we are getting used to a depth player like Ruzie being kept out until we trade Lindholm. I doubt the coach would say that out loud, but I get that sense. He usually says positive things about Ruzie's play. He didn't do enough to get sat. So, in the alternate universe where we have traded Lindholm and not added a C, here is the possible projected lines, also assuming Pop is out: Huberdeau-Backlund-Sharky Zary-Kadri-Coleman Mangiapane-Ruzicka-Coronato Greer-Schwindt-Klapka With Pop back in, then this: Huberdeau-Backlund-Sharky Zary-Kadri-Pospisil Mangiapane-Ruzicka-Coleman Greer-Schwindt-Coronato

#Flames projected tonight vs. St. Louis: Huberdeau-Lindholm-Sharangovich Zary-Kadri-Coronato Mangiapane-Backlund-Coleman Greer-Schwindt-Klapka Weegar-Andersson Hanifin-Tanev Gilbert-Oesterle Markstrom Schwindt makes his NHL debut, taking out Ruzicka. Honestly, I'm not sure what bad things Ruzicka does to warrant being sat so much. Him and Markstrom are the only chnages to the lineup that lost to the Oilers. And a hint, it was not the 4th line that got scored on. 4 and 52 out for two goals against, while Oesterle and Gilbert for one for one against. 10, 17 and 28 out for every goal against. None of them out for the only goal.

Cole is one of the longest lasting prospects at TC, so no doubt they saw something they liked. I wasn't that impressed, but that was a long time ago.

Flames call up Schwindt. Not really a surprise they need another body. We are down a C/RW with Dube out. CS can play either.

The other thing I would add, and this is more about us than them, is we need a 13 game win streak to counter the records of the other Pacific division. We were not as tragically bad as the Oilers prior to their win streak. But without it, we can think about passing them or making up 6 points. 13 game win streak = 73 points in 59 games. 34-20-5 record 73 points = .618 points % Closer to a normal playoff team. A steady .618 points % for the remaining games = 101 points Looking at that, there is almost zero chance of the 13 game win streak and/or a .618 points %. Our current record is .511 so at that pace we end up with 84 points. Nowhere near a playoff team. Let's not kid ourselves in thinking we are getting the first scenario.

This is because they feel they are being pushed around, even though they get good calls from refs whenever somebody looks sideways at McD. Perhaps they feel they can add a level of cheating they haven't had in the playoffs. Or Nurse's sister needs a date. Next practice Nurse turns up with a black eye.

Mangiapane not at practice today.

"Chicago released Perry in November following what was described as an 'alcohol-fueled incident' that included Blackhawks employees and corporate sponsors." Yup that's probably a good reason to seek out mental health assistance. A month and a half later, he is good to go. And you are spot on saying that it's a joke that he can be terminated one month and then sign a similar contract. EDM will justify and embrace him. The funny thing is his 60 day window to file a grievance hasn't even concluded. Well, that sure sounds familiar.

Flames tied for 10th worst overall, but only 3 points ahead of 6th worst team. Bottom 5 is a bit out of reach right now, as we are 10 up on 5th. Three games this week against STL, CBJ and CHI then 9 days off. 3 wins does little, but 3 losses puts us in lotto for 1st overall. Long season yet, but 3 games against bottom feeders sets the tone.

Kylington set to practice with the Flames, so closer still to returning to the lineup.

The Oilers are all about cheap 2nd chances for douchebags.

My first thought, but I will give the kid the benefit of doubt there. We don't know his family situation or any stress he is under. Unlike Kylington, there was no hint. Two guys that were in top form before camp and both are out.

Dube out indefinitely for mental health reasons.

Interesting..... Kylington recalled from AHL, but remains on LTIR. Must have to do something to get released from it.

I would rather that they play a (semi) solid goalie with the rooks. They are going to run the goalie whenever possible, since that's waht they do. I would have played Kuz over Oesterle, but that's just me. He is tougher than most of our other D. Gilbert is up there.

I just post em, don't try to understand em. Oesterle and DeSimone were clearly the worst against TOR. Oesterle has not really had any good games since TC. Gilbert is okay, but really just as a guy that can hit and get a shot off. Kuz did as well or better than Oesterle. Solo was looking like he had improved in his last showing. Against one of the higher scoring teams that has a lethal PP, we put out a fringe NHL 3rd pair. Make a trade for F's sake to improve the D. Either we are losing Hanifin or not, but we still need a NHL pairing. I have no idea why we waived Oesterle if we are just going to play him. He's an ex-Oiler that hasn't done much.

Projected lines against EDM. Notice Klapka and Coronato in, Dube out. Pospisil week to week at this point, but could be shorter. Huberdeau-Lindholm-Sharangovich Zary-Kadri-Coronato Mangiapane-Backlund-Coleman Greer-Ruzicka-Klapka Weegar-Andersson Hanifin-Tanev Oesterle-Gilbert Vladar