Thought the same as the posters above about Jagr. To old to slow, cannot keep up with the play - so why do they keep him on? Extra ticket sales for the name cannot exceed his salary can they - does someone in the organization want to him a swan song - wouldn't that maybe be the Pens that should do that?
First, great game. When I was watching the game, I just kept thinking: "Columbus is playing playoff-type hockey, and they look good doing it." Flames have been out-chancing their opponents for the most part, but to me, it felt like they were just getting schooled last night. Great job by you guys. Columbus is one of two Eastern teams that I am rooting for this year.
As for Jagr, he has actually been good. Though his speed is slower, he actually looked slower than usual last night. Probably the pace of the game and how aggressive your team was at defending. However, for the most part, he has really solidified that third line. Flames are really great off the rush, but if there is one area where they have trouble in, it is cycling. The Bennett-Jankowski-Jagr line has been dominating along the boards for the last segment of games, and Jagr has been a huge reason why. They didn't seem to be able to do that against you guys tonight (and that line was eventually broken up halfway through the game to try and get something going), so Columbus basically took the wall away from Calgary. And the open ice as well. And just about every other inch of the ice. The only facet of the game that the Flames seemed to dominate last night was face-offs. All in all, Jagr has actually looked pretty good for the Flames, but it is his teaching that makes the signing so useful thus far. He really spends time with the young kids on the team and shows them the finer points of the game, and it seems to be paying off. If Jagr doesn't register a single point the rest of the way, it will still be worth it as long as he continues to take players under his wing.
Columbus played a very structured, very playoff-type of game last night, and it paid off. It took some bad luck on Calgary's side with the puck just rolling off Brodie's stick at the most inopportune moment, but there is no guarantee that the Flames would have scored on Bobrovsky anyway. Just happy that Smith stole a point for the Flames, and hopefully this shows how important it is for the Flames to tighten-up defensively. PLD looked really good. Most people were laughing at the draft as to why he was picked ahead of Puljujarvi, but when a Finnish GM passes on a highly touted Finnish player, you know he must have some inside scoop. PLD looked good. Better than I thought he would. He looks like a player about to break out. Milano I thought really stood out positively for you guys as well. Heck of a good young core there.
Good luck to you guys the rest of the season. Looking forward to the rematch near the end of the season. May both teams be comfortably in the playoffs and looking strong then.
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