On a side note did anyone hear the eulogy that Dallas Eakins gave for Taylor hall not making this team ....he's treating him like he's Marty not making it
- Redmile247

Rather have Hall on the big ice than Nash...

agree with THIS BLOG
- Aerchon

Everyone should IMO.

As a lifelong diehard Blues fan I can assure you Jay Bo is not riding Petro's coat tails, quite the opposite. Since the trade last year Petro's game has risen big time!!
- meyrman

I honestly believe that the contract the flames gave j bo is all ppl think of when talking about him ... He was an all offense no defense guy in Florida who was then paid to be a shutdown guy in Calgary ... Then when that stroke of genius idea didn't work everyone called him a bum... Playing under sutter he learned the defensive side of the game and then once Hartley took over he let loose on the reins and j bo was allowed to be the same offensive guy he was in Florida with the defensive abilities he learned while playing dead puck hockey in cow town.... Guy deserves a lot more credit than ppl give him and making this team is a good start

Also as a Blues season ticket holder, I can tell you that JBo has actually been the better of the pairing, or at least more consistent. Petro still makes some "young player" mistakes. Intensity is perception. JBo is calm through the highs and lows. It is seen as a positive aspect when you win to remain calm and not get too high, and a negative (don't care) when you lose. Yet in reality, when you remain calm throughout all the ups and downs, you remain more consistent. Unfortunately for Flames fans, while JBo was there, not many highs were reached. Therefore, you perceive him as uninterested or lacking intensity. Playing with an up-and-coming superstar, his calm demeanor has been a great positive and will be for the Canadians in the Olympics.

I honestly believe that the contract the flames gave j bo is all ppl think of when talking about him ... He was an all offense no defense guy in Florida who was then paid to be a shutdown guy in Calgary ... Then when that stroke of genius idea didn't work everyone called him a bum... Playing under sutter he learned the defensive side of the game and then once Hartley took over he let loose on the reins and j bo was allowed to be the same offensive guy he was in Florida with the defensive abilities he learned while playing dead puck hockey in cow town.... Guy deserves a lot more credit than ppl give him and making this team is a good start
- Redmile247

He wasn't all offense in Florida. He was a solid d-man in every zone just like he was in Calgary. The issue is his complete lack of intensity. His issue has never been talent/ability.

Also as a Blues season ticket holder, I can tell you that JBo has actually been the better of the pairing, or at least more consistent. Petro still makes some "young player" mistakes. Intensity is perception. JBo is calm through the highs and lows. It is seen as a positive aspect when you win to remain calm and not get too high, and a negative (don't care) when you lose. Yet in reality, when you remain calm throughout all the ups and downs, you remain more consistent. Unfortunately for Flames fans, while JBo was there, not many highs were reached. Therefore, you perceive him as uninterested or lacking intensity. Playing with an up-and-coming superstar, his calm demeanor has been a great positive and will be for the Canadians in the Olympics.
- bluenoter

That is a well thought out and expressed argument, so I honestly appreciate the dialog. I even agree that his even keel has helped out on the Blues. I just don't like the lack of intensity, that's my opinion, and especially in a short tournament I think a little more drive in needed. He's still a very good defenseman, my point was just that I wouldn't take him.

He wasn't all offense in Florida. He was a solid d-man in every zone just like he was in Calgary. The issue is his complete lack of intensity. His issue has never been talent/ability.
- vetts

Exactly!

Even though Jbo plays at a pretty high level he has never been able to elevate his game beyond that...and more importantly there is no need or want on his part to find that next level.

Exactly!

Even though Jbo plays at a pretty high level he has never been able to elevate his game beyond that...and more importantly there is no need or want on his part to find that next level.
- bastage

What really shocked me was when he was traded to St. Louis... I figured that finally... He's going to make the post-season... He's finally got a great reason to be excited and elevate his game...

The way he responded when asked about being in the playoffs for the first time since he was a toddler... Scared the crap out of be to be honest... I've seen people more excited to be in line for flu shots...

Reached for comment on making Team Canada, Jay Bouwmeester nodded, blinked once, and shifted his left eyebrow nearly imperceptibly.

— Adam Proteau (@Proteautype) January 7, 2014

I love this tweet.

I honestly believe that the contract the flames gave j bo is all ppl think of when talking about him ... He was an all offense no defense guy in Florida who was then paid to be a shutdown guy in Calgary ... Then when that stroke of genius idea didn't work everyone called him a bum... Playing under sutter he learned the defensive side of the game and then once Hartley took over he let loose on the reins and j bo was allowed to be the same offensive guy he was in Florida with the defensive abilities he learned while playing dead puck hockey in cow town.... Guy deserves a lot more credit than ppl give him and making this team is a good start
- Redmile247

And By the time Hartley came to town and released the reins the re-build was under way and the talent level on the Flames roster was starting to dip so he really had a bad shake here in Calgary. I think Jay Bo is going to do just fine in Russia adn who knows playing along side some of those guys that have intensity he might learn a thing or 2 about getting ready to play in the big game that he can translate back to St Louis just in time for a cup run

On a side note did anyone hear the eulogy that Dallas Eakins gave for Taylor hall not making this team ....he's treating him like he's Marty not making it
- Redmile247

Yea heard it. The guy is such a doofus. Maybe he should send Taylor some flowers and a bottle of wine

That is a well thought out and expressed argument, so I honestly appreciate the dialog. I even agree that his even keel has helped out on the Blues. I just don't like the lack of intensity, that's my opinion, and especially in a short tournament I think a little more drive in needed. He's still a very good defenseman, my point was just that I wouldn't take him.
- vetts

Also, keep in mind that Petro does not show much emotion either. It may be a result of his time with MacInnis. He was the same way. We both can relate to that.

Also, keep in mind that Petro does not show much emotion either. It may be a result of his time with MacInnis. He was the same way. We both can relate to that.
- bluenoter

Chopper showed WAY more emotion than JBo.

I understand the sentiment though.

Chopper showed WAY more emotion than JBo.

I understand the sentiment though.
- vetts

IDK. Both pretty quit guys. Interesting personality comparison.

Hey,

I really liked the alternative view on Team Canada - great read. I agree with your point overall, but everything can't be applied consistently - as the world's greatest writer Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of the mind" - so, while one set of justifications works for one guy, it doesn't necessarily apply to the other. (Example Bouwmeester and Seabrook)

I was really hoping they would pair Phaneuf and Weber using the almost reverse Seabrook/Bouw argument- that Dion doesn't have a star to partner with in TO and would be a lot better if he did.

Either way, with a few exceptions I think what they wanted with this team was speed on the big ice. Boumeester and Marleau are fast - Phaneuf, Seabrook, Thornton, Giroux are a little less speedy. (Well more than a little).

But I commend them for taking Nash. Its easy to get caught up in the present, but Nash has ten years of being great. Yeah, maybe his numbers are off, but his size and speed combo and the way he can skate while protecting the puck will never let him become a Heatlyesque washup.

Just my thoughts. Love the blog. Come check our Coyotes blog - our blogger is the best! (just kidding, its me! )

Seriously though, great to read some original thinking on the Olympics. I can't take anymore Cox-Simmonds-McKenzie-Dreger-everyone saying nearly the same thing over and over again for months .

Hey,

I really liked the alternative view on Team Canada - great read. I agree with your point overall, but everything can't be applied consistently - as the world's greatest writer Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of the mind" - so, while one set of justifications works for one guy, it doesn't necessarily apply to the other. (Example Bouwmeester and Seabrook)

I was really hoping they would pair Phaneuf and Weber using the almost reverse Seabrook/Bouw argument- that Dion doesn't have a star to partner with in TO and would be a lot better if he did.

Either way, with a few exceptions I think what they wanted with this team was speed on the big ice. Boumeester and Marleau are fast - Phaneuf, Seabrook, Thornton, Giroux are a little less speedy. (Well more than a little).

But I commend them for taking Nash. Its easy to get caught up in the present, but Nash has ten years of being great. Yeah, maybe his numbers are off, but his size and speed combo and the way he can skate while protecting the puck will never let him become a Heatlyesque washup.

Just my thoughts. Love the blog. Come check our Coyotes blog - our blogger is the best! (just kidding, its me! )

Seriously though, great to read some original thinking on the Olympics. I can't take anymore Cox-Simmonds-McKenzie-Dreger-everyone saying nearly the same thing over and over again for months .
- James_Tanner

Thanks, appreciate it!

Shaune Vetter: I Don't HATE Jay Bouwmeester
I have always maintained that I don't believe JBo should be on Team Canada. Doesn't mean I don't like him.
- vetts

I dunno...Sounds like you hate him. Hater...

Rather have Hall on the big ice than Nash...
- vetts

When I think of Taylor hall playing in Sochi the thought of him scoring the big goal doesn't come to mind ... There are plenty of others to do that ... It's the thought of him trying some high risk move they results in a turnover and a 3 on 1 the other way ... Guy is skilled but needs to learn a bit more before he is ready for the big stage

He wasn't all offense in Florida. He was a solid d-man in every zone just like he was in Calgary. The issue is his complete lack of intensity. His issue has never been talent/ability.
- vetts

When j bo first came to Calgary he wasn't the same player you see today ... His defensive game has evolved quite a bit

I read this blog and all I can think of is sour grapes.

When j bo first came to Calgary he wasn't the same player you see today ... His defensive game has evolved quite a bit
- Redmile247

Completely disagree. It was the way he was coached here. You could even see a difference once Hartley showed up. Sutter wouldn't let him enter the O zone, Hartley gave him free reign because he knew JBO had the ability to get back.

don't get me wrong, I love gio and would love him on the leafs... but Girardi,Seabrook, Phaneuf, Letang, Staal, Boyle, Letang all make it over him... then it comes down to what type of d you want to fill out the final spot... with beauchemin, Campbell, bieksa, methot and gio all worthy...
- lumlums

....Well at least you did the work for me and lost all credibility on your own. Let me put it this way...if Giordano played for a high profile team in the east (let's say one that has a leaf on the front of it) there would have been weekly TSN articles on the merits of him making the team, and public outrage over the fact that he was not included on the roster. Staal isn't healthy (non-factor), Letang (honestly it was either him or subban, wouldn't be both), Phaneuf (seriously? I'm not a Phaneuf hater to be clear, but Giordano is just a better all around defensemen, that brings the same elements Phaneuf does with much less risk).

...I'm not even going to waste my time going through the rest, because TSN is confirming our belief that Gio is next in line for a D spot.

I read this blog and all I can think of is sour grapes.
- Gerk

Your comprehension is lacking.

Completely disagree. It was the way he was coached here. You could even see a difference once Hartley showed up. Sutter wouldn't let him enter the O zone, Hartley gave him free reign because he knew JBO had the ability to get back.
- whipper334

This^^

Completely disagree. It was the way he was coached here. You could even see a difference once Hartley showed up. Sutter wouldn't let him enter the O zone, Hartley gave him free reign because he knew JBO had the ability to get back.
- whipper334

I agree Hartley coming in let j bo get back to jumping into the rush and being more offensive ... But to say he was the same defensively his first game as a flame compared to his last is wrong ... Guy was brought in to shutdown and looked lost trying to do so ... Not so much last year