Comments on Five Hole Fanatics: Improvement Through Nothing

although I wonder if Nilson may be a good fit o...

2008-01-09T11:41:00.000-07:00
although I wonder if Nilson may be a good fit on the 'nothing' line.

I dont think Keenan has any use for Nilson. He's been usurped by Nystrom completely. Which is fine with me. If only we could get Nilson's salary off the books now...

Does anyone have Keenan's e-mail, let's all send him links to this post!!!!

Hah. I don't pretend to know as much as Keenan about hockey. This is just as things appear from my view in the stands as an obsessed fan.

Im sure if he read this he'd have a chuckle a few small words for me. One of them would be be "off". The other would start with an "f".

I'm in complete agreement with you, although I won...

2008-01-09T10:38:00.000-07:00
I'm in complete agreement with you, although I wonder if Nilson may be a good fit on the 'nothing' line. Does anyone have Keenan's e-mail, let's all send him links to this post!!!!

he's just "sending a message" to the big guns.<...

2008-01-09T10:17:00.000-07:00
he's just "sending a message" to the big guns.
which is obviously stupid, since i'm pretty sure iggy and co. were well aware they were down three goals to a pretty shithot phoenix team.

mark smith gets more minutes in those situations than anyone....

I'm confused by Keenan's 'Blender technique' wi...

2008-01-09T09:21:00.000-07:00
I'm confused by Keenan's 'Blender technique' with lines as things start stinking in a game. There appears to be no thought in who he throws on the ice. That seems foolhardy to me.

I find it frustrating as well, mainly because I think it's more about psychology than strategy with Keenan. When he sends out Nystrom on the PP or Smith and Yelle get double shifted, he's not trying to accomplish anything particular on the ice...he's just "sending a message" to the big guns.

I think we should anonymously send this post to Ke...

2008-01-09T08:40:00.000-07:00
I think we should anonymously send this post to Keenan if he doesn't read this blog already. If last evening's game didn't throw your hypothesis into sharp relief, then your 'last ~18 games' analysis should bite you in the face.

I'm confused by Keenan's 'Blender technique' with lines as things start stinking in a game. There appears to be no thought in who he throws on the ice. That seems foolhardy to me.

sounds about bang on to me

2008-01-09T00:26:00.000-07:00
sounds about bang on to me

I've been saying it for a while - we don't need...

2008-01-08T17:31:00.000-07:00
I've been saying it for a while - we don't need to keep switching the same guys around, we need new guys.

Not all new, but we just have some real dead weight.

Can't argue against you there - Primeau, Nilson, Nolan and even Conroys contributions aren't consonant with their cap-hits. Unfortunately, I think we basically have to play the cards that have been dealt. We *might* add one more guy down the stretch, but, by and large, this is the Calgary Flames.

Uh, how come you forgot Primeau on your proposed l...

2008-01-08T16:59:00.000-07:00
Uh, how come you forgot Primeau on your proposed line combinations? He's the most memorable player on the team!

Seriously, I'm totally with you on this — idea and personnel. The Flames haven't had a good line of this variety since my favoured Nieminen-Yelle-Nilson combiation of the '04 playoffs. I think Conroy would thrive if put back in a defensive role, and Nolan could extend his career, since he can't pass anymore.

As for break up the kids: Definitely. And Tanguay-Lombardi-Boyd is the right choice for the second line, with a healthy Moss, Yelle and whoever else is available on the fourth.

I've been saying it for a while - we don't need to...

2008-01-08T16:42:00.000-07:00
I've been saying it for a while - we don't need to keep switching the same guys around, we need new guys.

Not all new, but we just have some real dead weight.

Does this make sense to anybody else or am I a ...

2008-01-08T16:14:00.000-07:00
Does this make sense to anybody else or am I a madman screaming obscenities at a parking meter?

I can't speak well enough about Calgary's specific players, but you've nailed down the benefits of the Pahlsson line very well.

And as a bonus, if they perform the role (stay out of the defensive end as long as possible) well enough, then they are worth their weight in gold. I mean, I can even use "Rob Niedermayer" and "valuable" in the same sentence now!

Im with you, MG. I always thought that Conroy coul...

2008-01-08T16:01:00.000-07:00
Im with you, MG. I always thought that Conroy could make a 'better' Rob Niedermayer if put in the right defensive role.

You forgot our 6'4" 240lb center, who evidently, "doesn't grow on trees" in your depth chart mix.

Where does Wayne Primeau fit in?!?!?!?

Or is he a different kind of 'nothing' line?