So I got to watch the Flames game last night thanks to the magic of the online Center Ice service.
In retrospect, I probably should have done something more interesting - like clean my kitchen lino with a toothbrush.
I've now seen 6 straight periods of goalless hockey from the Flames. And all this sucking is kinda killing my anticipatory buzz, even if the exhibition record is meaningless in the grand scheme of things. Maybe buying all those pre-season tickets was a mistake...
The team's near complete lack of results is also making it kind of difficult to evaluate the youngsters. Boyd and Stevenson looked alright last night, but they ended up with the same stats line as the guys that seemed to struggle.
Not that that's going to stop me from sharing my subjective impressions anyways:
Dustin Boyd -
Is usually the prospect I notice the most. Fast and shifty, Boyd has also added an element of strength and physicality to his game this year. A much stronger board presence than last pre-season, he's certainly not the punching bag he seemed to be previously.
Eric Nystrom -
Nystrom had a good first period in Vancouver. He generated some chances with Boyd off the rush and was one of the more notable Flames skaters. Then he vanished completely. I have almost no recollection of Nystrom after the first intermission. I assume he was still playing, but if someone told me he was benched or injured, it wouldn't surprise me.
Palin and Pardy -
One was steady if unspectacular and the other was clearly out of his league. Can't honestly remember which was which.
David Van Der Gulik -
Didn't play a lot and wasn't too noticable when he did. Generated a scoring chance and drew a penalty in front of the Canucks net. Penalty killed a bit too.
Warren Peters -
Crash and bang forward got in a fight. Wouldn't have remembered him otherwise.
Grant Stevenson -
Probably the second best bubble guy behind Boyd last night. Also, the only prospect to generate any sort of positive results so far this pre-season (goal in Saskatoon). Has a nose for the net and makes things happen in the offensive zone.
Curtis McElhinney -
Rough night for the young hopeful. Gave up 3 goals on just five shots, including a last minute stomach-punch tally from the top of the circle at the end of the game. Has yet to really impress.
Take my impressions for what they're worth. As mentioned, none of the youngsters are really jumping out and making a rock solid case to land a spot on the big team. I'll leave the vets out for now, since it's probably immaterial how they perform anyways. The next game is on Saturday against the Oil. Here's hoping we score a goal!
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In other news, 13 more kids were culled from the herd yesterday. According to Calgaryflames.com, the list includes:
Gord Baldwin (D)
Kris Chucko (RW) (not surprised)
Brad Cole (D)
Cam Cunning (LW)
Ryan Donally (LW)
Matt Keetley (G) (somewhat surprised)
Krys Kolanos (C) (give it up, Krys. Dan Cleary you ain't.)
Kevin Lalande (G)
Tomi Maki (LW) (not surprised)
Matt Pelech (D)
Tim Ramholt (D) (not surprised)
Dan Ryder (C) (he finally made it to camp)
Aki Seitsonen (RW)
That leaves 4 'tenders (Krahn, McElhinney, Irving and Kipper), 10 defensemen (7 NHL players, plus Palin, Pardy and Negrin) and 20 forwards (the vets and Boyd, Nystrom, Van Der Gulik, Stevenson, Peters, Sutter and Watt).
I don't think Sutter, Watt, Van Der Gulik, Peters, Palin, Negrin or Irving are going to last much longer. Irving, Negrin and Watt will likely go back to Junior while the rest are destined for QC duty.
UPDATE - The Flames have cut 6 more players today. Heading to QC are:
Brett Palin
David Van Der Gulik
Eric Nystrom (is he officially a bust yet?)
And, back to Junior go:
Leland Irving
John Negrin
JD Watt
Surprisingly, Sutter and Peters made the cut. Too bad about Negrin, though. I wanted to see him in action. And is anyone that surprised Nystrom is headed back to the Farm?
