GDT: Flames at Danger Fish: Dec. 20 at 8:30pm MT on SNW

[Anglesmith]

Started off hating the reffing, hated the Flames in the middle, and ended hating the reffing again. Fun game.

 

[Ace Rimmer]

We will always have Scorch dancing with Left Shark.

 

[OvermanKingGainer]

Better team won. Remember back when the Flames would play well 5-on-5 but lose due to special teams (like, back when we beat the Sharks) We've officially flipped around to playing well on special teams but losing due to 5-on-5. Which, generally, is even worse as 5-on-5 is much more important.

Also, Gulutzan's system has turned Mark Giordano into an undersized Regehr. I am not convinced this team can win games like this without its D being dangerous threats down to the faceoff circles.

 

[Mobiandi]

We were dominated in all facets of the game. Flattering scoreline

 

[BigRangy]

Lance Bouma 0 CF in just about 8 mins on 5v5 ice-time. just lol

on to the next one

 

[SKRusty]

Boys played a pretty decent road-game in the first period but after a very physical trip to the dessert the boys ran out of gas. All San Jose needs is a step and they will make you pay.

Bennett wrecks the shutout giving many of us some joy but overall a less than impressive night.

All four goals were blown defensive coverage. 3 of them were our d-men being a step slow.

Doubtful any of the goals could be hung on Johnson.

Time to look to Friday when the Canucks are in town. (Hopefully they bring Mr. Benning to town impersonating Santa) Would be nice to welcome a Eriksson for Wideman trade to bring in the New Year.

 

[Unlimited Chequing]

I swear Hrudey praises everything we do

I used to think he was pretty neutral but yeah, there's no arguing he's a homer now.

 

[Alwalys]

you guys have more and better sharks gifs than we do on the sharks board!

 

[Mr Snrub]

you guys have more and better sharks gifs than we do on the sharks board!

You guys have more and better team

 

[Unlimited Chequing]

You guys have more and better team

Sad, but true

 

[Johnny Hoxville]

Winning the gif game is what matters anyways.

 

[DFF]

All four goals were blown defensive coverage. 3 of them were our d-men being a step slow.

No it's not Johnson's fault they lost. Even if he played well (he didnt), they would have lost anyway.

With 3 straight losses his grip on the number one is slowly slipping away.

 

[Bounces R Way]

Flames record with Garnet Hathaway in the lineup is 12-3.

Stop taking this guy out.

 

[Ace Rimmer]

Flames record with Garnet Hathaway in the lineup is 12-3.

Stop taking this guy out.

Correlation does not imply causation.

 

[Mr Snrub]

Correlation does not imply causation.

True, but a lot of our goals against happen when our fourth line is out. One player can certainly impact a line's effectiveness in a huge way, and if that line is your weakest link that can add up to big differences on the scoreboard.

Could be that he's a lot bigger of a difference maker than we want to admit. He certainly looks damn good in pretty much every outing.

 

[InfinityIggy]

Correlation does not imply causation.

You can't argue with these advanced statistics.

 

[Johnny Hoxville]

Hathaway is the new Paulstar Byron.

 

[Ace Rimmer]

You can't argue with these advanced statistics.

I mean, I like Hathaway, but I don't think that he's the difference maker that the posted stat line shows him to be.

 

[Deen]

I swear Hrudey praises everything we do

Hrudey is a moron. I am a life long Flames fan and find him unbearable honestly.

 

[SKRusty]

Too often critics zoom in too close to a problem rather than looking at the root of the problems.

BT has done well bringing in some good players but an area where he is lacking is focusing which players are "his" future and giving them the opportunity to succeed.

BT has attracted some college and Euro players to sign in free agency and then after signing them adds another 3-4 at their position so that these new players are so far down the depth chart they lose their enthusiasm.

Nakladal, Pribyl, Rittich, and Morrison are good examples. Stan Bowman does no such thing in Chicago. He targets his guys and they play. Look no further than Panarin and Anisimov.

Meanwhile Chaisson, Brouwer, Vey and Versteeg were added. It is doubtful any of them are exactly what BT envisions the right side to be.

Wideman, and Engelland should have been moved 2 years ago to create room for your AHL'ers and free agents from Europe that you courted heavily to play as neither of them is what BT or his management team have envisioned for a competative team.

Calgary right now has 4th liners better than most teams 3rd liners and there is another 3-6 sitting in the AHL. Klimmer, Janko, Kulak, and Pribyl should likely be playing in the NHL but players like Chaisson, Bouma and Stajan are occupying the desired slots. Now part of it may be that BT is trying to keep his young players protected from Vegas but it is a poorly kept secret if this is his goal.

The long and short of it is the AHLer's all have a best before date and some are getting very close to being stale dated.

The only players Calgary does not have to contend right now are a top line sniper and an elite goalie. Personally considering the instability in goal I would have Rittich up and playing games to see if he is the real deal. Use his high confidence to make his entrance into the NHL and for the love of god give Gillies the bulk of the starts to develop more.

Calgary needs less insurance policies and more development.

 

[HAKAN LOOB]

I mean, I like Hathaway, but I don't think that he's the difference maker that the posted stat line shows him to be.

Probably not, but he's a better player than Lance Bouma, and dressing our better players gives the Flames a better shot at winning.