travel_dude

The team can account for 5 goals that you really shouldn't plame on the goalie. The 6th of them was really a screen shot. Funny how we can get through a single shot from the point when we have a screen. Can't hit the net worth beans.

He's appealing it, so they might just let him play after 3. Not deserved maybe, but it sucks to hype the game then impose a suspension like that. Dumb time to make a hit like that, but I have seen worse get less.

Morin is 18, so impossible for him to play in the AHL next year. March birthday. Saying that, he may be ready for that level. I'm not even sure he is on TC's radar for the WJC. Always so much politics and talent to be considered. The politics does benefit him somewhat.

And Poirier has 5 points in 2 AHL games.

Vladar confirmed to be the starter against BUFF. It's a B2B, so it makes a tone of sense. This tended to be the opposite of what was done last year, where they went start then backup in B2B games.

There's nothing to suggest he played injured. He had 3 games that I can track his minutes: Sept. 27 - CGY @ WPG - 14:36 (mostly prospects) Sept. 29 - CGY @ EDM - 8:46 (mostly full squad, 4th line minutes) Oct. 4 - CGY @ EDM - 3:16 (mostly prospects) I don't recall the game but it was likely obvious when it happened. Would have been Oilers homer coverage. If it was streamed, you would be lucky to have them notice Flames players on the ice.

He would be on their radar, so if he is healthy in time, they will hold a spot for him.

You were talking about the now first off. I didn't get the sense you knew where to fit Pelts in. Which is fine, you have to find the right spot. He's a passer more than Huberdeau. SO, can't really play him with Huberdeau. Kadri is a better passer than shoot, so stop just feeding him. When Dube and Rosie were playing catch and they used the D, they scored. Rosie scoring the way Dube can. Lindholm can do that exact play too. Dube scoring the way many many players should. Where is Kadri if he's not 2 feet from the net. Everywhere else that doesn't help. Let him be a bumper on the PP and Little Joe tips into the net.

The PP looks like a carbon copy of last year. Coronato scored on the place you want to see shots from. Instead we are passing it around from the D to the boards to the D to the other boards. Guy walks in and passes it back to the D. All the other team has to do is overload one side and we can't get it out of there. A 2 footer pass to another guy in coverage. Your suggestion with Govich is fine, but who is the other winger? Rosie has been one of the few consistent players and you want him on the 4th line? Hunt and Greer the only other names we have right now. I don't know how we get Pelletier into the lineup with this group. Perhaps on the 4th line? He's a long ways from ready to play though.

It depends on his health at the time the rosters are announced. He has been there done that for two years already

Not bad suggestions. I agree that perhaps Coleman is probably the best to use on the 4th line of all the other top 9 players. I would possibly caution the using of Huberdeau with Backlund, but it's better than with Kadri. Backlund is good on transition, but I would hate to see 75% of Huberdeau's usage in a defensive posture. I know that's not the zone start numbers, but it is how Backlund is mostly deployed. Honestly, with Kadri I don't remember his usage with Mange and Dube from last year. I'm assuming that he should pass more and shoot less. Paired with Ruzicka, Kadri is shooting more. I prefer that he pass more and get in down low or as a 2nd chance tap in guy. Create havoc. Draw penalties from the D. Let the shooters shoot. Govich is really the one standing out as in the wrong position. Current lines could still work, but a change could also work faster.

^^^^^ It's difficult to remove a bona fide top 9 player because you have another one playing on the 4th line. Unfortunately, you are burning his confidence by doing it. He needs to contribute. Nothing wrong with Duehr, but overall the line is being reduced to a grind line. I'm not super impressed with Greer, but he's not shown any worse than Hunt. The other thing is you don't really worry about with the 4th line is getting overwhelmed. They have some weaknesses but not like putting out Lucic. Dube has not been a problem in the top 6. I don't like Mange on RW.

98% I don't believe that the Oilers are close. I say that because they fall into the exact same trap they always have and that is offense and nothing but it. McD is good at stripping the puck on a backcheck, but that's due to his speed. He excels in the D-zone by picks and holds. He's getting better but they have nobody close to a Selke C. The bigger issue is that they have one NHL D-man that actually understands defense.

As a team still trying to adjust to a new coach and new look lines, we are on track. 1-1-1 is not a lousy record. We got a penalty (rinse and repeat?) in OT, but managed a tie. Our PK is perfect so far and that included 5v3 PK. We have shown the ability to dominate a period, so it's just getting that for 60 minutes or enough scoring to allow for the lapses that will come to any team.

I like Ekholm, but even he wasn't enough to prevent scoring on 16 shots. I also see they are loading up the top line with McD, Dria and Kane. They haven't scored many at 5v5, so I guess this makes sense.

They (rumor) are reaching out to BOS for one of their goalies. Yeah, sure. Why does BOS do any trade where whey have the best tandem from last year in the NHL. What are the Oilers going to offer? Their topp players have NMC's. Bouchard and Ekholm are the only other valuable pieces. Why did they wait until the gong show started to even think they should do something?

In the AHL, Poirier off to a great start. 2 games, 1 goal and 4 assists.

Considering the uneven start, I expect this thread to drop down in number of comments. It's like an old dog that people pet every now and then.

Maybe we should move on from last year to this year's predictions in another thread? No point in using this thread now.

1 - Will the Flames make the Playoffs? YES 2 - What will the Pacific Division standings be both points going out at end of each month up to and including END of season? Number each team from 1st to 8th of your prediction. Pacific Division standings: 1. Vegas 5. SEA 2. CGY 6. VAN 3. LA 7. ANA 4. EDM 8. SJ 3 - Name from 1st to 3rd the top 3 GOAL scorers Lindholm Huberdeau Mangiapane 4 - Name from 1st to 3rd the top ASSISTs in points Huberdeau Lindholm Andersson Format Example to use: Playoffs (Yes / NO)? _____ Pacific Division standings: 1. 5. 2. 6. 3. 7. 4. 8. Goals: Assists: 1. 1. 2. 3. 3. 4.

Or in game. I like Dube on RW more than Mange and definitely more than moving Huuberdeau to RW to help. Perhaps it's just practice but they likely want to see if it was just luck or typical of the chemistry.

I think we make the playoffs and actually win a round. No point making a prediction like Oiler homers thinking they win the cup. They are still bad at hockey and we are not as bad as we looked last year. The seeding for round 2 will be interesting, especially if the Oils get bounced or fail to make the dance.

I'm not exactly sure what happened with the top line, but the cahnge was made and somehow it worked for the GWG. I might just be Dube being a passer on RW. Dunno. I saw a lot of Mangiapane falling down mid play, so I don't know how that shook out. I do like returning to Ruzicka on LW with Kadri and Nato. They worked well in pre-season. Govich on the 4th line though? He is definately a good defensive player, but not sure this is a good use. Gilbert getting reps? Oesterle had a rough night but I don't know he was the only problem.

It's not that simple. If our pick this year is between 20 and 32, Montreal can decide to take it. They don't have to. They would be forced to take a pick in 2025. They can choose the better of the Flames or FLA pick if they are both outside top 10. It gets really complicated, so we wait for the results from this year's season.

Here here.