In all fairness, when is the last time you have been at a game where a staged fight breaks out. People cheer the poop out of them. I've never witnessed anyone turn away or complain at a game. It's usually "get him", "give it to him" etc..

Wasn't a question, just a point.

As for staged fighting. Here's a question I have. Kassian hits Gagner or Smid hits Trouba, next shift at the draw Eager fights Kassian or Thorborn fights Smid. Is that not staged? Yet it's because a heat of the moment fight.
- Lahey

Not disagreeing with that, I think if we need to find a place to keep the nay sayers at bay, the staged are the easiest way. Give a 10 min misconduct or something. I just hate the guys chatting, joking and next shift they leisurely drop the gloves, duke it out, give each other a kiss on both cheeks, little love tap on the ass and exchange phone numbers in the penalty box...

Ooooooooo.......u r so wise.
- TandA4Flames

not sure if there was sarcasm here or not lol...but they exist. I think ALL players should wear visors(mandatory) and they all come equipped with quick release (just a clip you detach and off it goes).

I really dont know why you wouldnt want to wear one given the freak accidents we've seen. It BARELY makes a difference to your vision, and will save you from losing an eye. Even more than that....I got clipped last night by a stick but my visor stopped the stick from adding a new feature to my face.

I dont mind the idea of having a quick release visor...
- Colin Dambrauskas

Mine has two clips, less than 2 seconds it would be off...

So what group gets tasked with shutti g down OV? At least for the majority?

Not disagreeing with that, I think if we need to find a place to keep the nay sayers at bay, the staged are the easiest way. Give a 10 min misconduct or something. I just hate the guys chatting, joking and next shift they leisurely drop the gloves, duke it out, give each other a kiss on both cheeks, little love tap on the ass and exchange phone numbers in the penalty box...
- geta02it

So how do you stop it? There is already some sort of rule I thought about dropping them right off the draw, but the goons found away around it.

The problem is that you can't have two sets of rules. I guess the NHL could do what the OHL or whoever it was and limit fight totals per guy. Would still allow guys to stand up for each other, but would have goons thinking twice about when they drop them.

We have Russell, Butler and SOB playing in the 4-6 spot and Smith in the pressbox. I think he is worth a look. Smith and Butler have no future after this year with the flames.
- nigelwright275

I agree with Smith but I still think Butler could still have some trade value. Yea, I certainly wohldnt mind having a look at this kid. That would give us 9 D on the NHL roster when Breen is healthy again.

not sure if there was sarcasm here or not lol...but they exist. I think ALL players should wear visors(mandatory) and they all come equipped with quick release (just a clip you detach and off it goes).

I really dont know why you wouldnt want to wear one given the freak accidents we've seen. It BARELY makes a difference to your vision, and will save you from losing an eye. Even more than that....I got clipped last night by a stick but my visor stopped the stick from adding a new feature to my face.
- Colin Dambrauskas

No sarcasm. Good idea.

A few facial scars isn't too bad a thing. Its bad ass and chicks dig it.

So how do you stop it? There is already some sort of rule I thought about dropping them right off the draw, but the goons found away around it.

The problem is that you can't have two sets of rules. I guess the NHL could do what the OHL or whoever it was and limit fight totals per guy. Would still allow guys to stand up for each other, but would have goons thinking twice about when they drop them.
- Lahey

Thats the thing, I think its an all or nothing situation. The helmet rule was meant to protect the players but you know it was also meant to help deter, especially the visor guys. Like I mentioned my visor clips in and out so again, another way around. I subscribe to Hockeyfights.com, its the only thing I was really skilled at when I played so i'm all for fighting NEVER going away. Just trying to keep the pacifists somewhat happy...

No sarcasm. Good idea.

A few facial scars isn't too bad a thing. Its bad ass and chicks dig it.
- TandA4Flames

I lost a tooth and was close to needing stitches under my eye from hockey so the visor went on.

I agree with Smith but I still think Butler could still have some trade value. Yea, I certainly wohldnt mind having a look at this kid. That would give us 9 D on the NHL roster when Breen is healthy again.
- TandA4Flames

Does not matter Urbom was claimed by the Caps.

I doubt Butler has trade value. He had an expiring contract last year at the deadline and was not traded. He looked even worse this pre-season. At $1.7 million for this year, nobody will be looking to pick him up until the trade deadline if lucky.

I lost a tooth and was close to needing stitches under my eye from hockey so the visor went on.
- Colin Dambrauskas

I just about lost an eye sitting on the bench while wearing a visor so it is what it is, a dangerous game... Literally cut for 5 stitches UNDER my eyelid, was f'n awful!

I lost a tooth and was close to needing stitches under my eye from hockey so the visor went on.
- Colin Dambrauskas

I just about lost an eye sitting on the bench while wearing a visor so it is what it is, a dangerous game... Literally cut for 5 stitches UNDER my eyelid, was f'n awful!

I lost a tooth and was close to needing stitches under my eye from hockey so the visor went on.
- Colin Dambrauskas

Mine went off when I had a stick caught in my visor. Thankfully the guy who's stick it was took his hands off the stick.

You either play full shield or no shield IMO. Half is for guys kidding themselves

Mine went off when I had a stick caught in my visor. Thankfully the guy who's stick it was took his hands off the stick.

You either play full shield or no shield IMO. Half is for guys kidding themselves
- Lahey

my half shield has protected me many times...just bad luck if a stick gets caught up underneath...comes with playing the sport...but a visor will stop MOST stick work where it matters...around the eyes...mouth/chin/teeth...fair game

I've said it for a while, Dubnyk's #'s are not too bad. He Just lacks the ability to make a save at the most important stages of the game. Moments when he could change momentum in the Oilers favour or steal it back, he hands it to the other team. He lacks Kipprusoffian abilities.
- TandA4Flames

who doesn't?

Lines expected for tonight:

Galiardi - Backlund - Hudler
Glencross - Stajan - Stempniak
Baertschi - Monahan - D Jones
Bouma - Street - McGrattan

Colborne

Giordano - Brodie
Russell - Wideman
Butler - O'Brien

Ramo
- Colin Dambrauskas

Really looking forward to seeing that 3rd line play tonight!!! Should be fun.

I'm just hoping they keep it close.

As for the fighting, it seems that the more "rules" the NHL phts into fighting (and other things) the more injuries tend to happen. As lahey said, if they have players wear full face shields that would pretty much eliminate the face punching. That would suck. The injuries are unfortunate but there are sticks and a hard rubber disc out there as well. Injuries are inevitable.
- TandA4Flames

If you can't fight, you can always shoot the puck at the guy's head... that's not illegal

Does not matter Urbom was claimed by the Caps.

I doubt Butler has trade value. He had an expiring contract last year at the deadline and was not traded. He looked even worse this pre-season. At $1.7 million for this year, nobody will be looking to pick him up until the trade deadline if lucky.
- nigelwright275

How did he slide all the way to the Caps? Oh well.

Really looking forward to seeing that 3rd line play tonight!!! Should be fun.
- wicket

That makes 2 of us.....in reality that could be our first line in 2 or 3 weeks

Really looking forward to seeing that 3rd line play tonight!!! Should be fun.
- wicket

Yea that line is my focus as well. But there are 9 new faces in the line up (if u include Baertschi). Its whole different team and I'm so curious to see how play together.

Colin Dambrauskas: Calgary Flames Season Opener Game Day!
- Colin Dambrauskas

Isn't Glencross Stagan Stemper our 1st line?

Isn't Glencross Stagan Stemper our 1st line?
- whipper334

Thats what I thought, but according to this mornings skate/update thats who was slatted where...ill update if anything changes.

Caps expected lines

Marcus Johansson - Nicklas Backstrom - Alex Ovechkin
Brooks Laich - Mikhail Grabovski - Troy Brouwer
Jason Chimera - Eric Fehr - Joel Ward
Martin Erat - Michael Latta - Tom Wilson

Karl Alzner - Mike Green
John Erskine - John Carlson
Jack Hillen - Connor Carrick

Braden Holtby

Caps expected lines

Marcus Johansson - Nicklas Backstrom - Alex Ovechkin
Brooks Laich - Mikhail Grabovski - Troy Brouwer
Jason Chimera - Eric Fehr - Joel Ward
Martin Erat - Michael Latta - Tom Wilson

Karl Alzner - Mike Green
John Erskine - John Carlson
Jack Hillen - Connor Carrick

Braden Holtby
- Colin Dambrauskas

What a waste of Johansson imo. Maybe the Flames should be talking to the Caps about him.

Not sure why people are worried about the Flames doing too well and not getting a top pick. If the team does that well it means the Ramo is awesome and the young guys are playing great. That is far better than one player that might pan out down the road.