100 agree with this. Glencross should sit on the Czech line, simply because he's a great two way player. Backlund - Bartschi on the third, and then it is simply a matter of finding a bit of size and a physical presence (doesn't have to be a bone breaker, just someone that won't let the line get ramaged by your prototypical third line).
I have a feeling Cammy is our #1C next year. Hartley loves to ride his vets which will guarantee Cammy is in the top 6. If we sign someone like Jagr, he is also automatically in the top 6 which then bumps down Stajan IMO. Also, Feaster said he expects Cervenka to be a top 6 guy so that leaves us with: Tangs, Cammy, Iggy, Glencross, Cervenka and Jagr. I know Cervenka played wing in the KHL, but Feaster did say he's a guy they expect to play a top 6 centre role. So this is what I see assuming Jagr came here:
Tangs Cammy Iggy
Glencross Cervenka Jagr
That's a pretty kick ass top 2 lines IMO.
One change I could see is Baertschi on the 2nd, then move Glencross down to the 3rd to add some much needed size to that line.
This is what I imagine will be tested, it only makes sense from Hartley's resume. Only problem is that Cervenka likely cannot win many FOs, and we already know that Cammy cannot.
100 agree with this. Glencross should sit on the Czech line, simply because he's a great two way player. Backlund - Bartschi on the third, and then it is simply a matter of finding a bit of size and a physical presence (doesn't have to be a bone breaker, just someone that won't let the line get ramaged by your prototypical third line).
Latendresse would also fit the bill really nicely.
This is what I imagine will be tested, it only makes sense from Hartley's resume. Only problem is that Cervenka likely cannot win many FOs, and we already know that Cammy cannot.
WE NEED FO HELP
I'm actually one of the few on here that didn't hate B. Sutter but I fully agree it was time for him to move on. One area that I had a problem with Sutter was FO's on our team. I feel he was a very poor teacher in regards to that aspect. This is obviously total speculation on my part as I was never been on the ice for a practice. But I remember he actually had Conroy come down to the ice last year to help teach the guys how to win a draw. Why this took so long I'll never know.
In Crosby's 2nd year at the allstar game, I remember he went up to Yanick Perrault who was the league leader in FO% back then and he was asking him how he does it so good. Crosby obviously took the advice to heart and worked on it a lot as he has much improved in that area since.
My point is, I think the coaching needs to place a lot of emphasis on this next season. While its nice to have guys that are naturally skilled at FO's, we don't have that luxury here in Calgary in our top 6 unless Stajan is used there. The coaching staff needs to collectively work on this with ALL the centres a great deal. They should have competitions in practice, have competitions for does the best in a stretch of games or whatever. They need to get creative with what we have to motivate our guys to become collectively much better as a group. And its possible as FO's is one area that a centre can work on and improve probably more so than any other area of their game.
And for ******* sakes, use Conroy to teach or spear head the task if need be!
Hartley also put 2 rookies with Sakic, had Forsberg as the #1 Center.....point being what Sutter thought or at least what we think are the lines could be completely different than what he thinks. You could see:
I'm actually one of the few on here that didn't hate B. Sutter but I fully agree it was time for him to move on. One area that I had a problem with Sutter was FO's on our team. I feel he was a very poor teacher in regards to that aspect. This is obviously total speculation on my part as I was never been on the ice for a practice. But I remember he actually had Conroy come down to the ice last year to help teach the guys how to win a draw. Why this took so long I'll never know.
In Crosby's 2nd year at the allstar game, I remember he went up to Yanick Perrault who was the league leader in FO% back then and he was asking him how he does it so good. Crosby obviously took the advice to heart and worked on it a lot as he has much improved in that area since.
My point is, I think the coaching needs to place a lot of emphasis on this next season. While its nice to have guys that are naturally skilled at FO's, we don't have that luxury here in Calgary in our top 6 unless Stajan is used there. The coaching staff needs to collectively work on this with ALL the centres a great deal. They should have competitions in practice, have competitions for does the best in a stretch of games or whatever. They need to get creative with what we have to motivate our guys to become collectively much better as a group. And its possible as FO's is one area that a centre can work on and improve probably more so than any other area of their game.
And for ******* sakes, use Conroy to teach or spear head the task if need be!
The best faceoff guy in franchise history still lives in Calgary, and he even works at the Dome......
The best faceoff guy in franchise history still lives in Calgary, and he even works at the Dome......
Learning how to be good at faceoffs is not as easy as one would think. We need players that can already faceoff to allow the other players Backlund, Cervenka, and Cammy to figure it out at their own pace.
I'm actually one of the few on here that didn't hate B. Sutter but I fully agree it was time for him to move on. One area that I had a problem with Sutter was FO's on our team. I feel he was a very poor teacher in regards to that aspect. This is obviously total speculation on my part as I was never been on the ice for a practice. But I remember he actually had Conroy come down to the ice last year to help teach the guys how to win a draw. Why this took so long I'll never know.
In Crosby's 2nd year at the allstar game, I remember he went up to Yanick Perrault who was the league leader in FO% back then and he was asking him how he does it so good. Crosby obviously took the advice to heart and worked on it a lot as he has much improved in that area since.
My point is, I think the coaching needs to place a lot of emphasis on this next season. While its nice to have guys that are naturally skilled at FO's, we don't have that luxury here in Calgary in our top 6 unless Stajan is used there. The coaching staff needs to collectively work on this with ALL the centres a great deal. They should have competitions in practice, have competitions for does the best in a stretch of games or whatever. They need to get creative with what we have to motivate our guys to become collectively much better as a group. And its possible as FO's is one area that a centre can work on and improve probably more so than any other area of their game.
And for ******* sakes, use Conroy to teach or spear head the task if need be!
They need to hire at least 1 FO specialist IMO. That guy can be used to mentor other players in the dot. If Konopka does not re-up with OTT we need to be in on this guy. Solid vet, provides grit, and wins tons of FOs. He's a decent enough player to not be a liability on the ice. He'll come cheap, and address a few needs this team has.
TBH though, there are some decent FO guys in FA outside of Konopka. We need to land 1 of them.
They need to hire at least 1 FO specialist IMO. That guy can be used to mentor other players in the dot. If Konopka does not re-up with OTT we need to be in on this guy. Solid vet, provides grit, and wins tons of FOs. He's a decent enough player to not be a liability on the ice. He'll come cheap, and address a few needs this team has.
TBH though, there are some decent FO guys in FA outside of Konopka. We need to land 1 of them.
I wouldn't mind Konopka at all, but as we well all know Feaster has a hard ** for Jones so I expect him to be back.
I wouldn't mind Konopka at all, but as we well all know Feaster has a hard ** for Jones so I expect him to be back.
Expecting Cammy, Stajan, Backlund, and Jones to get the job done in the dot is a mistake if management goes that route. I like Jones, but he could easily play wing and spot fill at center. If management thinks we don't need a FO specialist I have no hope for next season. Someone needs to be on the ice in practice, full-time, showing these guys the ropes.
We are the worst team in the league at FOs!!!! How this has not been addressed already is beyond me. It is such an important aspect of winning hockey games, especially when you take into account the parity in the league today.
This team will not get a sniff at the post season unless this is addressed. Every one of our current guys (outside of Stajan, for the most part) needs to improve vastly in the dot for this team to have any success beyond a 9th-12th place finish.
Learning how to be good at faceoffs is not as easy as one would think. We need players that can already faceoff to allow the other players Backlund, Cervenka, and Cammy to figure it out at their own pace.
Having a guy like Otto run a mini camp specializing in winning faceoffs couldn't hurt. Sure there are guys that are naturally good (and bad) at it, but focusing more on it would help.
Or from the dozen times I watched him live in Abb. Either or.
Don't show colours and be those insane fanatics who think because a kid has a couple good games that he'll be a stud in the NHL. Also, you should also watch his goals for the big boy team again. It's not like they were those "Holy crap this kid's got to be with us next year!" types.
Or from the dozen times I watched him live in Abb. Either or.
Don't show colours and be those insane fanatics who think because a kid has a couple good games that he'll be a stud in the NHL. Also, you should also watch his goals for the big boy team again. It's not like they were those "Holy crap this kid's got to be with us next year!" types.
Oh, come on. It takes skill to throw a puck to the middle at the precise time and angle to deflect off Cammalleri's skate.
Expecting Cammy, Stajan, Backlund, and Jones to get the job done in the dot is a mistake if management goes that route. I like Jones, but he could easily play wing and spot fill at center. If management thinks we don't need a FO specialist I have no hope for next season. Someone needs to be on the ice in practice, full-time, showing these guys the ropes.
We are the worst team in the league at FOs!!!! How this has not been addressed already is beyond me. It is such an important aspect of winning hockey games, especially when you take into account the parity in the league today.
This team will not get a sniff at the post season unless this is addressed. Every one of our current guys (outside of Stajan, for the most part) needs to improve vastly in the dot for this team to have any success beyond a 9th-12th place finish.
I agree, just pointing out that Feaster and Conroy have been on the record a couple of time citing what a key pickup Jones was. I would be shocked if he hasn't brought back.
My point is management and the coaching staff are just as much of the problem as the players are. Its like not practicing the PP and wondering why we are last in the league in that category. Yes I agree we need to get someone, but the coaches need to make this as a priority for improvement starting in training camp.
No one comes into the NHL being a stud at doing draws, they need to be taught the tricks of the trade. Sutter last season said how the wingers need to position themselves better to help out their centres. While he had a point, a larger focus should of been on winning draws in practice.
Or from the dozen times I watched him live in Abb. Either or.
Don't show colours and be those insane fanatics who think because a kid has a couple good games that he'll be a stud in the NHL. Also, you should also watch his goals for the big boy team again. It's not like they were those "Holy crap this kid's got to be with us next year!" types.
Never said he was a great player but it is everything he does away from the puck I have liked. Even in Abby he likes to go to the net and be physical and in peoples faces. I agree he is a 4th liner and should not be thought of as more but a year ago people said he had no defense and was all offense and he had a bad attitude. In one year in Abby he learned how to play defense and how to act off the ice I wouldn't pencil him in but he could surprise people with a good offseason.
