I agree with you Kevin. You just can't find guys like Gio in some magic barrel at the end of some glossy rainbow made of candy canes. The intangibles of having him in the room- being a solid captain who helps develop those around him, a guy who leads by example on the ice, you just can't trade one of those away and not suffer the consequences.

Good teams realize that there is so much more to winning than just plucking individuals and placing them in the line-up, that you recognize the subtleties of chemistry and leadership and try to not FU(K that up for a sexy, unproven return.

2 cents in the bank.
- jazzca1974

Bingo! What value do you put on the fact that Gio/Brody have the ability to develop & shorten this rebuild by 2-3 years. Brody is still growing, lord only knows what his ceiling is. Having decent goaltending & an elite top pairing defence makes this team & young players confident & develop that much quicker. It's not a coincidence how well any of our young players play when they are called up. Trade Gio & we will have nothing but posts about how we can acquire a top pairing Dman, what never happens. Why I was so upset with the return we got for JBO.

See Justin Schultz...
- geta02it

Exactly. If teams should trade players based on if they'll regress we'd see Doughty traded, Subban traded, Keith traded..... The year Gio is having makes him just as valuable as Subban, and if he's 7mill or less that's a god damn bargain.

I'm very happy with how things are. It's a very exciting team to watch. Whenever the net was pulled with the old regime I cringed. The old core didn't have what this team does. Hunger and desire to win.

I just wish they'd capitalize more in the first 2 periods.
- ScotsonFire

That and a better PP. Can you imagine if our PP clicked higher? We'd be really scary then.

Bingo! What value do you put on the fact that Gio/Brody have the ability to develop & shorten this rebuild by 2-3 years. Brody is still growing, lord only knows what his ceiling is. Having decent goaltending & an elite top pairing defence makes this team & young players confident & develop that much quicker. It's not a coincidence how well any of our young players play when they are called up. Trade Gio & we will have nothing but posts about how we can acquire a top pairing Dman, what never happens. Why I was so upset with the return we got for JBO.
- Kevin R

Defence is more of an apprenticeship at the NHL level. Look at what Gio has done for Brodie's game. You keep a guy like that around, especially for your prospects and young defencemen. The guy is a leader. Even if he regresses as the years go on he's worth keeping just for the mentorship he gives.

That and a better PP. Can you imagine if our PP clicked higher? We'd be really scary then.
- Drakaland

We need that sniper for the PP. Maybe a Poirier?

Here's a question.

A while ago I brought up whether it would be a good idea or not if Bennett were around for the playoffs, and the value of the playoffs to this team's core.

With less than 40 games left to play do you think Calgary keeps Bennett with the team simply because it won't burn a year off his RFA status?

We need that sniper for the PP. Maybe a Poirier?
- ScotsonFire

Man I can't wait for him and Bennett.

Here's a question.

A while ago I brought up whether it would be a good idea or not if Bennett were around for the playoffs, and the value of the playoffs to this team's core.

With less than 40 games left to play do you think Calgary keeps Bennett with the team simply because it won't burn a year off his RFA status?
- ScotsonFire

I go back to a quote Hartley had when Granlund was sent down earlier in the season. He said that the Flames are in a playoff hunt and it's not the place for a young player to learn the game. I think he'll go back to Junior and if Kingston gets eliminated from play offs early then he might draw into a game or two unless we are still in the hunt. That's what I think will happen. I'd like to see him get a couple of games before a they decide.

a bad pinch converted by bollig on a bad pinch? lol what

I go back to a quote Hartley had when Granlund was sent down earlier in the season. He said that the Flames are in a playoff hunt and it's not the place for a young player to learn the game. I think he'll go back to Junior and if Kingston gets eliminated from play offs early then he might draw into a game or two unless we are still in the hunt. That's what I think will happen. I'd like to see him get a couple of games before a they decide.
- Flames in 6 04

I think coming off of shoulder surgery, just having him play hockey at a high level, in a place where he will be immediately comfortable just going out to play is far more important than our/his lust to play for the Flames this year. Go to Kingston, see what happens after that.

Defence is more of an apprenticeship at the NHL level. Look at what Gio has done for Brodie's game. You keep a guy like that around, especially for your prospects and young defencemen. The guy is a leader. Even if he regresses as the years go on he's worth keeping just for the mentorship he gives.
- ScotsonFire

Agreed. There's virtually no package out there that would justify moving him.

I mean, I'd consider it for a package built around Aaron Ekblad... but that's just not going to happen.

I think coming off of shoulder surgery, just having him play hockey at a high level, in a place where he will be immediately comfortable just going out to play is far more important than our/his lust to play for the Flames this year. Go to Kingston, see what happens after that.
- jazzca1974

I think it will largely depend on the Flames' center health when he's ready.

If there's a hole there for any reason, he'll at least get a portion of his 9 games.

Here's a question.

A while ago I brought up whether it would be a good idea or not if Bennett were around for the playoffs, and the value of the playoffs to this team's core.

With less than 40 games left to play do you think Calgary keeps Bennett with the team simply because it won't burn a year off his RFA status?
- ScotsonFire

I think they'll send him down to get some games in & hopefully go on a nice playoff run.

If his playoffs end early and/ or we run into significant injury problems I could see them bringing Sam back up. BTL doesn't want the heat that would come if he were to hurt himself playing in the NHL prematurely this year, so I'd say the odds of him drawing in are fairly slim.

Besides we still have Poirier and Baert ready to step in and hopefully make an impact during this stretch drive.

good hockey? He sat in the box for longer than he played against the oilers, you people are all obsessed with 4th line useless players just like last year where mcgratten and westgarth were so great apparently, and everyone wanted to keep them playing third line minutes
- monymonymony

I had no interest in seeing McGratton and Westgarth in the line up. But the last couple of weeks, Bollig has been playing much better. Hes had several scoring opportunities and seems to be coming around in that regard. I still believe you toughness, functional toughness, on your bottom 6 to be successful. Obviously if he reverts back to playing like a useless tit, sit him. But you dont do that just when hes starting to play like it was hoped he would when we traded for him.

I think it will largely depend on the Flames' center health when he's ready.

If there's a hole there for any reason, he'll at least get a portion of his 9 games.
- jtommyt

He'll likely see close to the 9 games at some point. The Fan sugggested send him to the A on a conditioning stint, see how he plays and bring him back if he thrives for 9 or less. No scenario I see him staying for the balance of the season, save a major trade involving current roster players (at center) or him scoring hat tricks every night in the A and the 9 games he plays here. OHL playoffs after this experience being with the big club...win-win

a bad pinch converted by bollig on a bad pinch? lol what
- Flamesfan_34

Thats how good he is Le sigh.


I can't afford an editor okay!?

I think they'll send him down to get some games in & hopefully go on a nice playoff run.

If his playoffs end early and/ or we run into significant injury problems I could see them bringing Sam back up. BTL doesn't want the heat that would come if he were to hurt himself playing in the NHL prematurely this year, so I'd say the odds of him drawing in are fairly slim.

Besides we still have Poirier and Baert ready to step in and hopefully make an impact during this stretch drive.
- Saskabush

I think if he goes down to Kingston he is down for the whole year unless the whole NHL/AHL rosters fall on pretty hard times in the injury department.

Just an idea but what if we got to see a line of Baertschi, Bennett , Poirier ..... that could be pretty fun to watch.

I think Bennett should be sent down but it sure would be tempting to see how he handles the NHL. I think a couple games in the Big Show might help motivate him to get back to the Big Show come next years training camp.

good hockey? He sat in the box for longer than he played against the oilers, you people are all obsessed with 4th line useless players just like last year where mcgratten and westgarth were so great apparently, and everyone wanted to keep them playing third line minutes
- monymonymony

You're the one obsessing that they should be benched and calling Hartley and idiot for playing them, despite the fact that they are 3-1 since the ASB

Nobody ever said McGratten and Westgarth should get 3rd line minutes either. Maybe it was the voice in your head saying that???

I think if he goes down to Kingston he is down for the whole year unless the whole NHL/AHL rosters fall on pretty hard times in the injury department.

Just an idea but what if we got to see a line of Baertschi, Bennett , Poirier ..... that could be pretty fun to watch.

I think Bennett should be sent down but it sure would be tempting to see how he handles the NHL. I think a couple games in the Big Show might help motivate him to get back to the Big Show come next years training camp.
- buddy_doug

I think he'll get a look but remember he's still 18. He's not eligible to play in the AHL until he's 20.

You're the one obsessing that they should be benched and calling Hartley and idiot for playing them, despite the fact that they are 3-1 since the ASB

Nobody ever said McGratten and Westgarth should get 3rd line minutes either. Maybe it was the voice in your head saying that???
- The-O-G

yes the flames beat the 2 worst teams in the league better keep engallend in and sit our top D prospect!
this is just too good

yes the flames beat the 2 worst teams in the league better keep engallend in and sit our top D prospect!
this is just too good
- monymonymony

Yeah cause that's what he said.....

yes the flames beat the 2 worst teams in the league better keep engallend in and sit our top D prospect!
this is just too good
- monymonymony

Engelland has been decent through the last few weeks. From Hartley's standpoint, I can understand why he's reluctant to play the young kids right now. When you're battling to make the playoffs you can't really treat games as learning opportunities. You need to win as many games as possible and that generally means icing the team that you feel most confident about.

Engelland may only be a #6 defenseman, but the uncertainty around Wotherspoon makes him riskier right now. He might be a #3, but he also might not even be an NHLer. You can't really know until he plays, but you don't want to put him in and have him cost you a game you need to win.

yes the flames beat the 2 worst teams in the league better keep engallend in and sit our top D prospect!
this is just too good
- monymonymony

They also beat the Winnipeg Jets, a playoff team who, although on a tough stretch, have been playing strong physical hockey this season.

On a larger sample size, the Flames are also a team currently in the playoff picture with a record above .500 and a positive goal differential. If you're going to blame them for their ineffectiveness while we're losing then they must also help when we win, being a team game and all.

I also have to assume, again basing this on the fact that we have a winning record, that Hartley has a better idea than you do about what players he should be sitting and which players should be playing. But like you I am just a fan on the internet so who the (frank) knows

I think he'll get a look but remember he's still 18. He's not eligible to play in the AHL until he's 20.
- ScotsonFire

I believe he can be sent down to go on a conditioning stint but that counts against his 9 pro games total before they have to send him down to Kingston or blow away a whole year of his entry level contract.

Here's a question.

A while ago I brought up whether it would be a good idea or not if Bennett were around for the playoffs, and the value of the playoffs to this team's core.

With less than 40 games left to play do you think Calgary keeps Bennett with the team simply because it won't burn a year off his RFA status?
- ScotsonFire

I think with the amount of time off he has had, you send him back to the OHL, get him playing some games again, use the off-season to gain a little more strength and break camp with the team next year.

Playoffs are an extremely physical brand of hockey, I would be nervous about throwing him to the wolves so to speak.