121 replies to this topic

[DirtyDeeds]

Pretty simple question but not so simple answer. 5 games 0 goals; 1 assist; -2

With 5 NHL games under his belt should we keep him here or send him to Abby for what will probably be a more ice time? No matter where you think is best, tell us why please.

Seeing as I can't vote I will say up front he has earned his stay here no matter how long it turns out to be. He has brought a good youthful energy to the Flames so far this season.

[yukonwolf]

I voted stay. Like DD I like the energy he brings with his game although I wish he had better line-mates.

[DL44]

I voted send him to Abby...

He's getting 11:23min/gm here with less than stellar teammates.

Why not let the 20 yr old develop some solid offensive confidence and get 16-18 mins/night playing with a greater chance of success vs lesser competition.

I mean if his upside is as a top 6 guy - then definitely send him down to develop his scoring touch... if he's pegged as a 3rd liner... then i guess let him grind it out like he is on the 4th/3rd lines and work it out at the NHL level. The experience he's gaining is invaluable either way.

But i think he would be better suited long term riding the bus for at least a good sample of games here... you can always bring him at will..

With the flames slowish start and with enough bodies on the roster... why not send him down for a run of 5-6 to 10-20 games... He should come back better, with more confidence and ever hungrier to stay..
(it's almost a must most players get some sort run in the A.. they always state its great for the character of the player as well.)

[successfulblackman]

Pretty simple question but not so simple answer. 5 games 0 goals; 1 assist; -2

With 5 NHL games under his belt should we keep him here or send him to Abby for what will probably be a more ice time? No matter where you think is best, tell us why please.

Seeing as I can't vote I will say up front he has earned his stay here no matter how long it turns out to be. He has brought a good youthful energy to the Flames so far this season.

I already made a topic on this

[pcs]

I like him - certainly better than Stajan. I think that he's earned time here, and to me, doesn't look as out-of-place playing in the bigs as many borderline rookies do. The biggest problem, really, is the rest of the roster. If we've got trades in the works (and I hope we do), there may be some actual space opened up for him on a consistent basis on this team. I'm personally in no position to judge this kind of thing, but I would think a consistent spot on this roster (especially at the expense of some more established veterans being shipped off) would do a great deal for a young player's confidence (which is one of the usual arguments for sending him back to the AHL).

If things stand as they are, though, with Horak only skating when another worthy player gets the occasional healthy scratch, I'd much rather see him getting consistent ice in Abbotsford, at least until there's some consistent need for him at a later date.

[Ring-a-ding-dong-dandy]

I'd prefer to see him in Abbotsford used in a scoring role.

[Boodogs]

Horak showed tonight he has the ability to step up in NHL level games. 1st goal, 1st star, 23 shifts with 6 minutes in the 3rd period.

The flames need some jump in the lineup and he should stay.

[Flyerfan52]

Horak showed tonight he has the ability to step up in NHL level games. 1st goal, 1st star, 23 shifts with 6 minutes in the 3rd period.

The flames need some jump in the lineup and he should stay.

1 game is a small sample to base that on. 2 of his 3 points in 6 games came tonight.
I'd rather let him get used to the NA game (long season & such) in the AHL to have a better player next year (& he'd still be counted as a rookie in the 1st year of his EL contract).

[geos]

He certainly made a good case to stick around tonight, our top forward for sure (Bourque was there too, though his last goal was actually Olli's... will be changed).

With a poor effort from Stajan over the last few and Backlund returning Nov 3rd, I think he should stay.

He's an upgrade over Stajan in a similar role on this team. If Feaster really means the best guy will play, then Stajan must sit and Horak must play.

[kutarna]

He certainly made a good case to stick around tonight, our top forward for sure (Bourque was there too, though his last goal was actually Olli's... will be changed).

With a poor effort from Stajan over the last few and Backlund returning Nov 3rd, I think he should stay.

He's an upgrade over Stajan in a similar role on this team. If Feaster really means the best guy will play, then Stajan must sit and Horak must play.

I think (could be wrong, not an expert) that the goal is attributed to Bourque because a penalty shot was called on an empty-net (he had the puck and was taken down from behind while alone on a breakaway). From my understanding (and what the announcer said), this means an automatic goal.

Could someone more knowledgeable confirm this?

--

Horak looked great out there tonight, liked what he did. He might be served better on the Heat and it would be a boon to the organization contract-wise.

[Louis23]

I think (could be wrong, not an expert) that the goal is attributed to Bourque because a penalty shot was called on an empty-net (he had the puck and was taken down from behind while alone on a breakaway). From my understanding (and what the announcer said), this means an automatic goal.

Could someone more knowledgeable confirm this?

--

Horak looked great out there tonight, liked what he did. He might be served better on the Heat and it would be a boon to the organization contract-wise.

Yeah you are right, that's the correct rule.

[Ring-a-ding-dong-dandy]

I think (could be wrong, not an expert) that the goal is attributed to Bourque because a penalty shot was called on an empty-net (he had the puck and was taken down from behind while alone on a breakaway). From my understanding (and what the announcer said), this means an automatic goal.

Could someone more knowledgeable confirm this?

--

Horak looked great out there tonight, liked what he did. He might be served better on the Heat and it would be a boon to the organization contract-wise.

Yes it's Bourque's goal for that reason. If a player is hauled down on a breakaway a penalty shot shall be awarded, but when the goaltender is pulled a goal is awarded.

[kotaliksuperfan]

He played good, let him stay, as long as hes earning his spot on the team.

[DarthHenning]

He may not be the best forward on the team, but he's a massive upgrade at center over Stajan. I'd keep him on the ice, and Stajan on the bench quite happily for the rest of the season.

He's not going to have a 20 goal rookie season, but he'll play well and contribute a decent 25-35 points I expect, which is pretty good for a first year. I don't think there's any reason to send him down because he's clearly ready for some time up with the team, even if its not top-line minutes.

[Ring-a-ding-dong-dandy]

He may not be the best forward on the team, but he's a massive upgrade at center over Stajan. I'd keep him on the ice, and Stajan on the bench quite happily for the rest of the season.

He's not going to have a 20 goal rookie season, but he'll play well and contribute a decent 25-35 points I expect, which is pretty good for a first year. I don't think there's any reason to send him down because he's clearly ready for some time up with the team, even if its not top-line minutes.

wow, a "massive upgrade" over Stajan? do you even watch the games?

[Coolie]

Stajan can't be a playmaker if he plays with fourth line grinders. He's not a checker! He hasn't played good enough to earn ice time though. Time for a trade.

[yukonwolf]

A "massive upgrade" may be a bit of an overstatement but I agree with DH that I like Horak's game better than Stajan's. Horak brings energy, drives the net and doesn't get knocked all over the ice. The kid has true hockey smarts and his play has been much better than Stajan's imho. There's a reason Stajan was a healthy scratch last night and it comes down to compete level. Horak has it, Stajan doesn't right now. Personally I think Stajan is just a warm body right now and has lost interest in playing for this team or at very least the coach. But again that's just the way I see it.

[Flame111]

wow, a "massive upgrade" over Stajan? do you even watch the games?

Stajan simply does not fit on the Flames at the moment. Honestly if you could move him and Bourque for a decent piece like Turris I do it.

[cross16]

If you took the price tag out of the equation, I would say that since the start of the year Stajan and Horak have been dead equal. Last night, Horak obviusly had his game but since the start of the season I would argue that there has been no difference between Horak and Stajan. It comes down to age and upside and you know Stajan doesn't have it and Horak does and IMO that's why he stays in the lineup and should stay in the lineup. I mean if he can play as well as Stajan and has an oppornity to grow it makes sense, but I just dont' think it's fair to say that he has been even better than Stajan. Stajan has not been all that bad this year he just hasn't been 3.5 mill good and Yes that plays a part i realize that. Let's just be a little more reasonable here is all.

[hurtin_albertan]

A "massive upgrade" may be a bit of an overstatement but I agree with DH that I like Horak's game better than Stajan's. Horak brings energy, drives the net and doesn't get knocked all over the ice. The kid has true hockey smarts and his play has been much better than Stajan's imho. There's a reason Stajan was a healthy scratch last night and it comes down to compete level. Horak has it, Stajan doesn't right now. Personally I think Stajan is just a warm body right now and has lost interest in playing for this team or at very least the coach. But again that's just the way I see it.

Completely agree. Here's how I would evaluate their respective games:

Faceoffs: Stajan > Horak
Defensive awareness/positioning: Horak = Stajan
Passing/Playmaking: Horak = Stajan
Scoring: Horak > Stajan
Compete Level: Horak > Stajan

The only thing I see Stajan doing better than Horak is winning faceoffs, which, given how poor the Flames are as a team in this respect, ends up being a significant factor. In everything else I see Horak being just as good if not better than Stajan, especially in the effort department. Stajan for the most part looks like he just wants out of here.