They won the shot clock against a team without its top 2 centers and half its top 4 d man. Hold on to this moment.
- Newgod77

so the Bruins were playing guys fighting for jobs and the Flames had vets just trying to shake the rust off?

Not time to panic yet, but definitely some cause for concern since they were using a lineup that's probably pretty similar to what we'll be seeing most nights and their entire season was encapsulated in yesterday's game.

Dominating performance shots and possession-wise, a couple breakdowns that ended up in the back of their net, phenomenal play from the top line and defensive pairing, but no finish from anyone else. The power play didn't look great, but at least they converted on a couple of them.

Kind of disappointed that it seems no one taught Gilles over the offseason that sitting back in your net and trying to react isn't going to cut it at the NHL level.

Having recorded the game and now having watched it, Czarnik and Ryan really impressed me. Both were all over the ice and had some great chances. The top line looked fantastic as well and Lindholm seemed to fit seamlessly with Gaudreau and Monahan. Brodie with Gio is night and day and Gillies was solid minus that stretch in the 1st. Expected more out of Neal, but there's no reason to be worried yet.

This team looked good, and they showed a resilience that was lacking a lot last season. There's certainly reason to be optimistic.
- Helios

did anyone have thoughts or comments about the Hanifin/Hamonic pairing?
That's the one I'm more worried about

(didn't watch the game so asking for opinions)

Ritters going to hold it down and be a solid backup this year for Smith!

because of a preseason game with a third string goalie playing...lol
- flashfire

yes, also after like 200+ games with the Canes

yes, also after like 200+ games with the Canes
- Nucker101

They are different teams dude. 200+ games in Carolina are irrelevant.

[url]Not time to panic yet, but definitely some cause for concern since they were using a lineup that's probably pretty similar to what we'll be seeing most nights and their entire season was encapsulated in yesterday's game.

Dominating performance shots and possession-wise, a couple breakdowns that ended up in the back of their net, phenomenal play from the top line and defensive pairing, but no finish from anyone else. The power play didn't look great, but at least they converted on a couple of them.

Kind of disappointed that it seems no one taught Gilles over the offseason that sitting back in your net and trying to react isn't going to cut it at the NHL level.
- Hunkulese

Not time to panic yet??? Seriously, panic even comes to your mind after 1 practice & the first exhibition game. Perspective might be in order.

[/img]

did anyone have thoughts or comments about the Hanifin/Hamonic pairing?
That's the one I'm more worried about

(didn't watch the game so asking for opinions)
- cpltanto

Hanifin looks like he is going to be a very good player. Considering he is only 21, I think he has huge ceiling. Hamonic looked steady & I have no issues with what I saw. He will be a great solid influence on Hanifin. Lindholm looked really good on that top line. I am stoked we were able to add two very talented young guys to our emerging young core we already were building on. Brodie & Gio looked solid.

did anyone have thoughts or comments about the Hanifin/Hamonic pairing?
That's the one I'm more worried about

(didn't watch the game so asking for opinions)
- cpltanto

They were fine. Nothing spectacular but it was their first game together and they didn't really cost us. Our blue line as a whole did a good job limiting shots and were pretty solid.

They are different teams dude. 200+ games in Carolina are irrelevant.
- Kevin R

not completely irrelevant, but my original post was a troll post

not completely irrelevant, but my original post was a troll post
- Nucker101

No sh!t!

Hanifin looks like he is going to be a very good player. Considering he is only 21, I think he has huge ceiling. Hamonic looked steady & I have no issues with what I saw. He will be a great solid influence on Hanifin. Lindholm looked really good on that top line. I am stoked we were able to add two very talented young guys to our emerging young core we already were building on. Brodie & Gio looked solid.
- Kevin R

Had no problem with Hamonics game last half of the season. Tough defender that plays steady and fights once in a while. I really think Brodie had a rough personal year last year, he wasn't his usual self. Maybe now that he's playing with Gio again we'll see that spin away from trouble move and use his speed to get away.
Very excited to see this team play this year, I don't think they're finished tweaking yet. Hoping one of Dube or Valimaki will make the team.

Welcome to Jack Hughes


Meanwhile the Flames back interested familiar territory, an annual fringe playoff team that finishes 7-10th in the West and gets their asses kicked in round 1 or 2
- Nucker101

One game into the pre-season...in China... in September...

Not time to panic yet, but definitely some cause for concern since they were using a lineup that's probably pretty similar to what we'll be seeing most nights and their entire season was encapsulated in yesterday's game.

Dominating performance shots and possession-wise, a couple breakdowns that ended up in the back of their net, phenomenal play from the top line and defensive pairing, but no finish from anyone else. The power play didn't look great, but at least they converted on a couple of them.

Kind of disappointed that it seems no one taught Gilles over the offseason that sitting back in your net and trying to react isn't going to cut it at the NHL level.
- Hunkulese

One game into the pre-season...in China... in September...

One game into the pre-season...in China... in September...
- geta02it

shoulda left peters in china

yes, also after like 200+ games with the Canes
- Nucker101

Bottom 3 payroll in the league

You are an idiot to blame Peters for a preseason SO loss after he has had ONE practice with his team.

Flyers lost 3-0 to the Islanders tonight, guess their season is over

Bottom 3 payroll in the league

You are an idiot to blame Peters for a preseason SO loss after he has had ONE practice with his team.

Flyers lost 3-0 to the Islanders tonight, guess their season is over
- flashfire

Bottom 3 payroll in the league

You are an idiot to blame Peters for a preseason SO loss after he has had ONE practice with his team.

Flyers lost 3-0 to the Islanders tonight, guess their season is over
- flashfire

Don't believe everything you read. He's a Rebelling Canuck fan!

- Nucker101

When they bite, they bite hard.

Well done.

One game into the pre-season...in China... in September...
- geta02it

PANIC!!!!!!

Duuubes is makin this team I tell ya!

Duuubes is makin this team I tell ya!
- Saskabush

He's got slick hands and if Janko and Sam are our 4th line Dube would be a great compliment.

He's got slick hands and if Janko and Sam are our 4th line Dube would be a great compliment.
- K-man25

Then the kid goes and pots 2 for a hat-trick

Johnny Money Lindholm
Tkachuk Backlund Neal
Frolik Ryan Czarnik
Bennett Janko Dube

I'm good with that, as long as the bottom 3 lines are rolled-out fairly regularly. That 4th line should be getting more than 10-12 mins.


Also, I think Kylington has surpassed Kulak, looking very strong out there.

Well it's only 1 game but... a SV% of .774 seems like Rittich is done. I say the Flames are goalie shopping at least for a backup before the end of the year.
If so, when are they most likely to make a deal and is Bennett (and/or Lazar) the most likely trade bait?
Would those two be enough to get a decent backup? Or would the Flames wait to see how Smith does and maybe try to get a starter midseason if he's struggling?

Well it's only 1 game but... a SV% of .774 seems like Rittich is done. I say the Flames are goalie shopping at least for a backup before the end of the year.
If so, when are they most likely to make a deal and is Bennett (and/or Lazar) the most likely trade bait?
Would those two be enough to get a decent backup? Or would the Flames wait to see how Smith does and maybe try to get a starter midseason if he's struggling?
- itwasin

Rittich is done after one preseason game with AHL/CHL rosters? The Flames better not be trading Bennett for a backup goalie.