Minor happenings: Moose 5 Heat 4 (SO)
by Robert Cleave on Oct 15, 2009 8:51 AM PDT
32 comments
via media.winnipegfreepress.com
I had an opportunity, for what will very likely be the only time this year, to watch the Flames' minor-leaguers in action last night at the MTS Centre. Here are a few notes from an odd affair:
Roster-wise Matt Keetley started in net, and through two periods, the regular D pairs were Pelech-Negrin, Seabrook-Baldwin, and Cole-Aulie. Playfair had the blender out for the forwards. I'm not sure why no Brett Palin, and Carsen Germyn was also scratched. Injured, possibly?
As for the game, if anyone wanted to know why Matt Keetley has had trouble getting over the hump, last night's game had many of the answers in microcosm. He made quite a few good saves, but mixed that work with shaky rebound control, some positioning issues, and had a couple of pucks go right through him. His good play was the reason the game was tied at 1 after two periods, and the iffy stuff was a big part of the reason the Heat found themselves down 4-1 with just under 9 minutes to go. The Heat put Leland Irving in for the OT and shoot-out. It looked like a tactical move by Playfair rather than an injury to Keetley forcing things.
Matt Pelech had a very difficult game, -2 with some poor reads, and a reckless foray up ice lead to a lengthy (read:cricket match-lengthy) three on one that was finished by a very patient Sergei Shirokov's deke and goal. That appeared to end Pelech's night, because I don't remember seeing him in the last 11:54 of regulation or OT. I don't think he was hurt, either, if you follow. Keith Aulie joined him as a spectator in the second half of the third, so if two of your touted prospects are watching Gord Baldwin and Brad Cole, you pretty much know what kind of night it was through the first 50-ish minutes.
The Heat defence in general had some issues with the Moose forecheck on the way to giving up 43 shots in actual play, and Keith Seabrook made a D to D power play pass so terrible to set up the 4-1 goal for the Moose that it should read this way:
TERRIBLE!!!!!!!
Keetley didn't aid matters by letting the ensuing Mario Bliznak shot slide through the 5 hole, but it's one he shouldn't have faced. Seabrook wasn't out of place otherwise, settling down in the last 9 minutes, along with the other 3 defencemen that Playfair used, as the Heat mounted a PP fueled comeback.
The forwards were lead by the Lundmark-Jaffray pairing. Jamie Lundmark truly is, in baseball terms, a AAAA player. He's never quite good enough to stick long-term in the Show, but too good for the minors. Jaffray fits this description as well, and the two were the main threats at EV and with an extra man. The two each scored a goal on the PP, and Lundmark tied the game with Keetley pulled, using a change-up shot Greg Maddux would have been proud to call his own. Or he whiffed on it and hit the underside of the bar and in, take your pick ;-) Colin Stuart scored the other goal on a nice PP tip of a Riley Armstrong shot.
The young guys up front were a bit mixed. Mikael Backlund skated with Grantham and Cunning to start, worked with Stuart and Sutter during the second, and then proceeded to watch the last 6 minutes of that period from the center of the bench. He didn't play much in the third either, until it was 4-1 Moose, when he likely played half of the last 9 minutes with Jaffray and Lundmark as the Heat were chasing the game. He certainly doesn't look like the best player on the team, and I noticed Playfair putting him out on O-zone draws when he could. You can see the skill and imagination, but he wasn't quite able to finish plays, and I think strength on the puck is something he'll continue to need to work on. Armstrong and Sutter were pretty nondescript, frankly. Sutter did have a good chance gifted to him when Cory Schneider left a puck beind the net, but he was unable to convert the wrap-around.
As I noted up top, strange game. Manitoba was pretty clearly better until they went down two men late in the third, then gave up two goals in short order to get the Heat right back in it. The OT was all Heat, with Garth Murray having a breakaway chance to finish things, stymied only by a good glove save from Schneider. Desbiens finished a lack-luster shoot-out with a nice deke to send most of the alleged 5,516 in attendance home in a good mood. Alleged, because if there were more than 4,000 actually in the building, I'd be shocked.
Summing up, the players that might be considered young prospects (Keetley, Pelech and the 3 rookie D, Backlund, Armstrong, Sutter) were generally kind of meh, with Pelech a step below that. In the interests of fairness, Abbotsford started the season a week later than other teams, so they still have some ground to make up.
Oh, and if anyone cares, Jimmy Canaryshirt didn't live down to the nickname, sporting a light blue-almost hinting to-mauve number last night. Inquiring minds, and all that.
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I’ll be seeing roughly 10 games of the heat this year. Got my ice pack and now I can truck out to Abbotsford from Vancouver once or twice a month.
I saw the last pre-season game versus the moose, and I was surprised to see this result. The heat mopped up the ice with the moose, and had a roster that sported Cole and Baldwin on the top D pairing, and Chucko and Backlund and Greentree being the “star forwards”.
The player that impressed me the most was Riley Armstrong. Not afraid to go into the puck battles, win them, throw big hits, battle infront of the net. Reminded me a bit of Langkow with a slightly more physical edge.
Also, it’s a bit unnerving to hear that both the big boys and the young kids are struggling!
by jessnbrown on Oct 15, 2009 9:15 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Manitoba wasn’t icing anything close to a proper lineup in those games, jess, because the Canucks were late in making their cuts. They were much weaker than they are now, by an even larger factor than the Heat.
by Robert Cleave on Oct 15, 2009 9:43 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Playfair was playing Backlund with Grantham & Cunning? Is he in the doghouse or something? why on earth would you put a guy like Backlund on a line with a rookie enforcer and a likely career AHL grinder? Makes no sense to me. You figure that they’d at least put him on the 2nd offensive unit.
by Parallex on Oct 15, 2009 9:19 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
By the looks of the score sheet, he did that on Tuesday night as well, Parallex. In the second period last night, Backlund started to play more with Stuart and Sutter, and with Chucko on occasion, but to be honest, until they were down 4-1 and he started playing with Lundmark and Jaffray, “doghouse” was the word I was thinking as well. As I noted, he sat for the last 6 minutes of the second. Pelech was the guy I was really disappointed in. Through two-and-a-half periods, he and Negrin were being given first pair minutes and responsibility, and Pelech looked really off.
by Robert Cleave on Oct 15, 2009 9:49 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I do want to reiterate that the Heat are roughly a week behind other teams, because they played their first games this past weekend, and everyone else was in action by Oct. 3/4. It’s early enough where that could still make a difference.
by Robert Cleave on Oct 15, 2009 9:51 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
The biggest thing, in my eyes, was the lack of Schneider in net.
I wonder how the loss of Greentree is treating the Heat?
by jessnbrown on Oct 15, 2009 10:34 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
That’s a trade that’s making less and less sense by the day now that Sarich is back and Johnson (and now Kronwall) sits in the pressbox.
by Parallex on Oct 15, 2009 10:48 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe Greentree was unhappy? Who knows. Although he had a breakout season with the heat last season.. hard to say.
Just checking the stats, looks like last night was the tail end of a back to back, and the Heat took the Moose for 4-2 the night before. However, it’s no excuse, as both teams were on the back to back. Regardless of games won/lost, the fact of the matter is, the prospects are not developing at any sort of desirable rate. Doesn’t bode well for the Flames future.
by jessnbrown on Oct 15, 2009 12:28 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
It’s their fourth game of the season, for many of them playing their first year in an adult men’s league… exactly how fast were you expecting them to develop? Yeesh. Patience is a virtue y’know.
Still puzzling over the Backlund placement thou. He was playing with Germyn & Van der Gulik in the preseason yes?
by Parallex on Oct 15, 2009 1:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
That’s true, but for some of these guys, it’s the second and third seasons in the AHL. Germyn is a life-time AHL’er at this rate.
by jessnbrown on Oct 15, 2009 2:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The only players who’s development looks like it might be off a bit are Pelech and Keetley, and I’d still give Pelech another 50-60 games to get his act together. The three D that have made the junior to AHL transition should get all of this year and next, and Sutter and Armstrong should get at least all of this year, along with Backlund. One thing to keep in mind is the AHL team has been a bit of a wasteland in terms of attention from the brass, because they didn’t really have many prospects. They have enough now, on the backend at least, that things should change in that regard.
by Robert Cleave on Oct 15, 2009 2:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree about the D, for sure. D-Kids usually need extra time, which is fine. I’m just glad the higher ups decided to shore up the kiddie club so that they could become better players.
by jessnbrown on Oct 16, 2009 8:30 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Reading these posts – I was thinking back to the old days when the Flames had a shuttle service going from SLC or SJNB or Moncton or wherever … constantly taking a quick look at players during the course of the season. Obviously that is not the philosophy in this new era.
Does anyone know off hand how many current Flames are on one-way deals? I remember reading about Boyd’s new contract but I was curious. If you look at the Flames history of developing prospects in the minors … it’s a little sketchy (they should watch the Sharks and take some notes).
I don’t want to witness that one of the ways we’ll see some prospects … is if the Jolly Rancher walks the salary cap tightrope again and we have some emergency call ups like that late-season fiasco we already sat through.
by Calgarian in SJ on Oct 15, 2009 2:14 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
the only thing i’ve learned from theoren fleury’s book thusfar (i’m on page 162) is that the latest collective bargaining agreement doesn’t allow call-up players to compete for NHL roster spots. the only way to “try out” the younger guys over the course of a season is in the case of injury replacement.
see ?
totally worth the $32.99.
;)
by walkinvisible on Oct 15, 2009 2:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
wi is correct. If a team is using it’s 23 spots on the roster, barring injury, you have to keep the numbers in balance, which means if you call someone up, someone else needs to go down, and be exposed to waivers in the process, since the Flames have no waiver-exempt players on the current NHL roster. BTW, with the acquisition of Aaron Johnson, there are 24 guys on one-way deals, with Stuart being the only Heat player on a one-way.
by Robert Cleave on Oct 15, 2009 2:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Full list of Calgary contracts here.
Thanks for the re-cap Bob. I’ll admit, my hopes of Backlund becoming an NHLer any time soon are fading rapidly. The fact that Pelech is still struggling at the AHL is a bad sign as well.
How did Chucko look? He’s the lone first rounder doing anything right now.
by Kent Wilson on Oct 15, 2009 2:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Chucko was just OK, Kent. The whole team really struggled at EV until midway into the second, but the only players who really stood out were Jaffray and Lundmark. They were just so obviously better than any of the other Heat it was kinda painful at times.
Don’t give up on Backlund too quick, Kent. He certainly needs time to get used to what’s happening when it isn’t just other kids out there, but when they needed a goal late, he was one of the guys Playfair used. He also got a regular turn in OT. He’s the one guy where it’s clear that he’s adjusting to the tempo and responsibility inherent in the pro game, rather than simply being not quite good enough, and I don’t think that I’d look askance at him until he gets at least half a year under his belt. If the Flames need him before March at the soonest, they’re screwed anyway.
Pelech? I just don’t know. I’m willing to give him a bit of time, because he’s still only 22, but he and Negrin were given the big boy stuff last night, and he looked like he was trying to do a bit too much. Like I said, they’re only 4 games in, so I don’t mind waiting for a few months to see how they’re progressing. One other thing to keep in mind this year is that Abbotsford’s travel is going to suck comprehensively, so players might be better than they appear some nights.
by Robert Cleave on Oct 15, 2009 3:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Now, now… no cause to be such a pessimist due to the fact that Pelech struggled in the 2nd half of B2B AHL road games. I mean 1 game in very less then ideal conditions isn’t really the kind of sample size one can use to make accurate assessments.
by Parallex on Oct 15, 2009 3:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pelech struggled last year too. And he didn’t face the tough sledding either. At some point, I like to see the arrows pointing in the right direction and that hasn’t happened with Pelech.
As for Backlund, same issue. He’s just 20, of course, so there’s lots and lots of time, but he’s been underwhelming whenever he’s faced men rather than teenagers (Sweden, training camp, AHL so far). Granted Im grading pretty harshly because I have hopes of him being a difference maker at the NHL level, but…
by Kent Wilson on Oct 15, 2009 3:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
So many on another Flames blog that shall remain nameless (let’s just say Ek’s supposed “rumors” are killing it, that’s why I came here), had Backlund actually playing a regular shift on the Flames first line and tearing up the NHL lol … based on nothing more than hype momentum. Please.
On a more realistic note, Chucko and Pelech are RFA’s next season. Where does that leave Calgary in terms of the big picture??
by Calgarian in SJ on Oct 15, 2009 4:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
personally, i would be as forgiving (if not more) of the heat than i am of the flames:
1. it’s the first pro year for a lot of these players
2. they are also learning a new system
by walkinvisible on Oct 15, 2009 6:03 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I lived in Abby for a couple of years
and was pretty happy when I heard they got the Flames affiliate. It’ a little odd to want to cheer for Abbotsford based on past regional pride, even though if they were wearing a slightly different red jersey, I’d be hating on them.
Thanks for the recap
by Temujin on Oct 15, 2009 7:13 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
unrelated, but are you guys going to do any coverage on the fleury stuff thats going on? or do you think its been exhausted enough by tsn, etc?
speaking of tsn, i assume youve seen the new lines. Thoughts?
iginla-conroy-glenx
lanks-bourque-nigel
joker-nystrom-sjostrom
prust-mcgratton-boyd
by Dustin Timberlake on Oct 15, 2009 9:37 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
i wrote my thoughts on the above over at the ol’ hitthepost site, but what i only noticed LATER was the shocking new defensive pairings: jaybouw/sarich, regehr/phaneuf, gio/pardy. i presume it tries to steady the 5/6 pairing but i think it’s hugely overestimating the current abilities of one #6.
by walkinvisible on Oct 15, 2009 10:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I find sarich quite effective, if he’s paired with someone capable. If i recall, he spent most of last season with lesser line mates trying to balance out the 5/6 pairing.
by jessnbrown on Oct 16, 2009 8:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
i’m not sure i agree on this. if I recall, he spent time with lesser linemates because he couldn’t handle the tougher competiton…..
we’ll see, i guess.
it obviously makes sense on paper. gio to steady pardy, sarich to offer some heavy hitting prowess to jaybouw….
bets that all the vancouver goals come with the 3/28 pairing ?
by walkinvisible on Oct 16, 2009 12:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wi….let’s be positive, what do you mean ALL the Vancouver goals? They’re gonna score?… actually I agree with you, and dammit I hate Phaneuf for making Reggie suck.
.
..
…
….even though Regehr isn’t exactly helping matters himself.
by LawrenceS on Oct 16, 2009 12:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
i don’t think it’s just dion making reggie suck. i think reggie is sucking all by himself…. when i went to the red v. white scrimmage he looked just AWFUL. here’s what i wrote over there about the both of them, in case you don’t feel like clicking the link:
“regehr, quite frankly, sucked in the first period —though, admittedly, he wasn’t allowed to play “his” game in a non-physical scrimmage… he kept losing his man, and seemed to be scattered and out of position a lot. i’m hoping this is just the result of learning a new system, but it was disconcerting at best…. dion also scares the crap out of me, currently, as he was noticeably the guy doing NOTHING in front of the net during opposing scoring chances (one which led to a goal)…. we’re talking flat-footed, stick on the ice, doing his best bertuzzi impression…. ugh…"
by walkinvisible on Oct 16, 2009 2:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I am also a big Sarich fan and after R O took me on the geek out fest in the summer here. I now have the opinion that Sarich is quite an underrated player. I think he and Jbo will be good together. I remember making this comment about Sarich’s 08/09 season:
“2nd toughest Qual Comp. Decent Corsi for a defensive d-man, good raw +/-, and your numbers: Best rate of shots against/60 @ 43.71, crazy good GAON/60 – 1.67, he is a fierce hitter and was a warrior in the playoffs.”
He also, (albeit in 2 games) has the best corsi of anyone on the team. After two games, Gio and Jbo were down at the bottom, and Sarich played Chi-town.
Lastly, I really dig Gio, the Flames defense is nowhere near the same without him. With that said, we have to know his strengths and limitations. The last two games especially apparent when matched up against Byufuglien, he was man-handled. Sure, Buff is huge, but Sarich ain’t a small dude either – Gio on the otherhand is.
by LawrenceS on Oct 16, 2009 8:47 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I love watching Gio play.
Hopefully the JBo Sarich combo will allow JBo to show some of that “offensive” prowess from the blue line.
We’ll see though.
by jessnbrown on Oct 16, 2009 10:48 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
ps: having just noticed the photo, i’m officially insisting we call them “jarmstrong” and “rarmstrong”.
i will decide the ramifications of non-complyers as we move forward.
by walkinvisible on Oct 16, 2009 4:44 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
buddy of mine and i call him RAMSTRONG.
guy throws big hits.
by jessnbrown on Oct 19, 2009 2:30 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
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