Comedy SILVER out of Calgary

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It's pretty amazing that two of the best players on the Flames were 4th round draft picks. Likely more luck than anything else, but that's like stumbling into a gold mine.

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

It's pretty amazing that two of the best players on the Flames were 4th round draft picks. Likely more luck than anything else, but that's like stumbling into a gold mine.

Very Detroit-ish of them.

And don't forget undrafted Gio.

 

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I like Sam Bennett...

 

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Way to go, Johnny (named first star of the month for December).

FIRST STAR – JOHNNY GAUDREAU, LW, CALGARY FLAMES

Gaudreau led the NHL with 12 goals and ranked second with 18 points in 13 games to power the Flames (18-18-2, 38 points) to a 9-4-0 December, helping the club set a franchise record with 11 consecutive home victories. He registered at least one point in nine of his 13 appearances, highlighted by four multi-goal performances and a pair of hat tricks: Dec. 4 vs. BOS (3-1—4) and Dec. 22 vs. WPG (3-0—3). In doing so, Gaudreau became the first Flames player to post multiple hat tricks in one calendar month since February 2003 (Jarome Iginla: 2). He also collected three game-winning goals, capping his first hat trick at 3:20 of overtime Dec. 4 vs. BOS. The 22-year-old Salem, N.J., native paces the Flames and ranks eighth in the NHL with 17-22—39 in 38 games this season. His three overtime goals are tied for second in the League, while his five game-winning goals share third place.

SECOND STAR – BRADEN HOLTBY, G, WASHINGTON CAPITALS

Holtby went 9-0-1 with a 1.69 goals-against average, .947 save percentage and one shutout in 11 appearances to rank second in the NHL in wins and lead the Capitals (28-7-3, 59 points) to an 11-2-1 December as well as the top of the Eastern Conference standings. He allowed two or fewer goals in nine of his 11 outings, including a 31-save shutout Dec. 28 at BUF. The 26-year-old Lloydminster, Sask., native owns a 24-4-2 record in 31 games this season, pacing the NHL in wins while also ranking in the top five in goals-against average (2nd; 1.92) and save percentage (5th; .932). He has earned at least one point in 18 consecutive decisions dating to Nov. 12 (16-0-2), the longest such streak by any goaltender since Roberto Luongo posted a 21-game run with the Vancouver Canucks in 2010-11 (16-0-5).

THIRD STAR – PATRICK KANE, RW, CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

Kane again paced the NHL with 9-10—19, including five power-play goals, in 15 games to power the Blackhawks (23-13-4, 50 points) to a 9-5-1 December. He extended his point streak 26 games (16-24—40) before he and the team were shut out Dec. 15 vs. COL. In doing so, Kane set a franchise record as well as the longest point streak by a U.S.-born player in NHL history. Overall, he collected at least one point in 12 of his 15 December appearances, highlighted by a trio of three-point performances: Dec. 3 at OTT (1-2—3), Dec. 29 at ARI (1-2—3) and Dec. 31 at COL (1-2—3). The 27-year-old Buffalo native has recorded at least one point in 35 of 40 games this season, leading the League in points (57), assists (34) and power-play goals (t-12) while sharing second in overall goals (23).

 

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Seen Stamkos?

 

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By the way, if last night's game is any indication, somebody is going to overpay for Stamkos and I sure hope it is not the Flames. Sure, he scored a goal late with the goalie out and an extra attacker, but was pretty much invisible for the rest of the night.

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

By the way, if last night's game is any indication, somebody is going to overpay for Stamkos and I sure hope it is not the Flames. Sure, he scored a goal late with the goalie out and an extra attacker, but was pretty much invisible for the rest of the night.

If Mike Babcock can make Tyler Bozak a functioning NHL centre, he can motivate Stamkos.

Of course, a little hometown discount wouldn't hurt either, especially considering he can make up the extra coin in sponsorships.

 

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Well, you could be right BBB, also I wonder if Jon Cooper has lost that room, that didn't look like a very motivated Bolts team to me last night.

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

Well, you could be right BBB, also I wonder if Jon Cooper has lost that room, that didn't look like a very motivated Bolts team to me last night.

It's actually really funny how many pundits I've heard in the past couple weeks saying how TB is going to be the breakout team in the East in the 2nd half, as if they've completely been ignoring what's been happening there thus far. If anything I'd be predicting them to totally flounder given that they might have to trade their best player and as you said it seems the coach has totally lost his influence in the room.

 

[KennyBanyeah]

By the way, if last night's game is any indication, somebody is going to overpay for Stamkos and I sure hope it is not the Flames. Sure, he scored a goal late with the goalie out and an extra attacker, but was pretty much invisible for the rest of the night.

He was absolutely invisible.

If you ask me Stammer hasn't looked like the same player without St. Louis and his original, intact Tibia.

I think you're right on the money about someone overpaying for him. He looks like a shell of his former self. Here's hoping he can find his game again because he was a really fun player to watch.

Maybe a new coach and good setup man is all he needs.

 

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Ferlund moved to the Flames top line - This should be fun.

 

[jstewismybastardson]

Ferlund moved to the Flames top line - This should be fun.

has he been playing well or irrelevant like bieksa?

 

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has he been playing well or irrelevant like bieksa?

I think it's more a case of Hartley throwing things against the wall and see if anything sticks - Hudler and Frolik being out of the lineup is a bit of a problem and Joe Colborne isn't the answer.

 

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No problem Gary, just stroke a cheque from the NHL cheque book for $200 million (US funds please) and I'm Ken King and the rest of the owners will start putting shovels in the ground.

Bettman urges new arena in Calgary

 

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By the way, Gary, maybe you haven't noticed, but the local economy in Calgary isn't so great right now, I don't think a new arena is at the top of anybody's list (especially when the current one is still viable). Sure, it doesn't have enough luxury suites for you and your cronies to hob knob in, but it's still does a adequate enough job.

Edit: I suppose you could argue that some people who have been recently laid off (construction workers as an example) could be employed in the building of the new arena, but something tells me whomever lands the construction bid will be looking for the cheapest labo(u)r possible (i.e. most likely non-Alberta residents). I guess we'll wait and see what happens.

 

[forty_three]

By the way, Gary, maybe you haven't noticed, but the local economy in Calgary isn't so great right now, I don't think a new arena is at the top of anybody's list (especially when the current one is still viable). Sure, it doesn't have enough luxury suites for you and your cronies to hob knob in, but it's still does a adequate enough job.

Edit: I suppose you could argue that some people who have been recently laid off (construction workers as an example) could be employed in the building of the new arena, but something tells me whomever lands the construction bid will be looking for the cheapest labo(u)r possible (i.e. most likely non-Alberta residents). I guess we'll wait and see what happens.

Hey, it worked in Detroit!

 

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Flames organist playing 'China Girl' at the first stoppage of play tonight - RIP David.

 

[higgyfan4]

Hey, it worked in Detroit!

 

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I think it's more a case of Hartley throwing things against the wall and see if anything sticks - Hudler and Frolik being out of the lineup is a bit of a problem and Joe Colborne isn't the answer.

Darren Haynes @DarrenWHaynes

Goal, assist, 7 hits, career-high 20:55 in TOI. Micheal Ferland accomplished more vs SJ than the top line RW had contributed the past month.

I would say that's relevant.