Blair Jones recalled to Calgary

[LIP MAN]

Originally Posted by neo45

Yelle was an established NHLer with 2 cups when he came to the Flames (as a 3rd line guy), Jones is still trying to break into the league. Big difference there.

And such an integral piece to our defensive identity. He was one of the best at shutting teams down. Dare I say it, but Colorado never was the same after losing Yelle.

[neo45]

Originally Posted by handgroen

Quick question, jones is signed for one more year at the league min, but do you guys see blair jones as a guy who occupies a roster spot that could be better used on someone like reinhardt? or a 26 year old bottom 6 piece that could be part of a turnaround next year and beyond?

just want to gauge the temperature on this guys future, considering the future is about all we've got right now.

I think he is a buy out candidate this summer. Gets the contract off the books, saves the team money, and we can bring in a guy who does the role better. There aren't many other buyout candidates, Sarich maybe but he does fill a need.

If he impresses in this call up he will probably be here next year, either in the minors on with the big club.

[moon]

He would be on a one year 650,000 deal next year. I can't see the point of buying him out to save money or get the contract off the books as pretty much any contract he is replaced with is at best going to be equal if not more expensive and longer.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by neo45

I think he is a buy out candidate this summer. Gets the contract off the books, saves the team money, and we can bring in a guy who does the role better. There aren't many other buyout candidates, Sarich maybe but he does fill a need.

If he impresses in this call up he will probably be here next year, either in the minors on with the big club.

No need to buy him out. If he does not make the team next year then send him down.

[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by handgroen

Quick question, jones is signed for one more year at the league min, but do you guys see blair jones as a guy who occupies a roster spot that could be better used on someone like reinhardt? or a 26 year old bottom 6 piece that could be part of a turnaround next year and beyond?

just want to gauge the temperature on this guys future, considering the future is about all we've got right now.

I prefer him on the 4th line than Begin. I think we have a wealth of pluggers; no need to sign old pluggers like Begin in the offseason.

Reinhart isn't a lock for the Flames next year, especially with Blair Jones around. These young guys need to compete against each other so that we get the most out of them.

Jones, Reinhart, Bouma & Nemisz should be battling it out with Jackman for 4th line spots. Dangle the carrot and see who is the hungriest!

[Flames Draft Watcher]

I'd keep him. He and Reinhart can be the 3rd/4th line centres.

[Sakari]

He's great at faceoffs, he plays with grit and energy every game, he's not too old, so imo he's a great 4th line piece.

[CSharp]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

What was our recordafter he got sent down?

Don't think it mattered with or without him anyway. He's just a small insignificant cog in the Flames' system, just like Comeau was.

[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by moon

If the team is fine with finishing bottom 5 next year then sure go with Reinhart on the 3rd line but I think with the lack of center depth on this team you could have both Jones and Reinhart on the team.

Reinhart hasn't really shown that he is good enough to make it on the team full time next year so if he is you have to be ready for a lot of mistakes and/or have someone ready to fill in whether for games or rest of season if he falters too much. As we saw this year having center depth isn't a bad thing and keeping a cheap, non-liability center around isn't a bad thing.

The new sure-fire tanking-for-lottery technique: play Reinhart to draft Reinhart.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Begin has had much better possession rates in very similarly sheltered service to Jones, not to mention having chipped in with a couple of timely goals.

Hopefully Jones has been motivated by his time in Abbottsford as he earned his demotion this year. He did win some draws but that is about all. He was not very good earlier.

[Vulcan]

Hartley was just on 960 and said he wanted Jones to play more like Jackman. I think his problem is he isn't aggressive enough. He has to reassess his talents and realize he ain't going to play in the NHL unless he starts scrapping. Eric Nystrom learned the same lesson.

[mrdonkey]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Hartley was just on 960 and said he wanted Jones to play more like Jackman.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by mrdonkey

Jackman plays in the NHL, Jones not so much.

That's the trouble around here and with this team, people don't realize that players like Jackman serve a purpose. It isn't all about point totals.

[sun]

Maybe we'll see Jones go after bieksa tonight.

[Da_Chief]

Jones needs to bring chippyness to his game. I think PMM said he has been doing that in the minors, he can be a decent 4th liner moving forward if he does that on a consistent basis.
This is likely the 4th line next year if he can do that.
Jackman-Jones-McGratton

[Psytic]

Originally Posted by browna

9-15-1 from my quick look since Feb 17.

Looking back at the words when he got sent down, they wanted to move Comeau from the wing to C and in Hartley's words "build around Comeau".

Lol oh that is rich if he said that. Build around Comeau haha.