[Signing] Flames re-sign Lazar (2 yrs, $950k AAV)

[Gaudfather]

You put him on waivers and you risk losing him - simple as that. No way Tre would do that, at least until he gets a sense at what Lazar looks like to start the season.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by Gaudfather

You put him on waivers and you risk losing him - simple as that. No way Tre would do that, at least until he gets a sense at what Lazar looks like to start the season.

Yes, I addressed that and I agree the odds are low. But if you could theoretically sneak him down to Stockton, is it even worth it to do so from a development standpoint?

That is my question.

[Jiri Hrdina]

They just protected him in the expansion draft - they aren't waiving him. Nor do I believe that he has anything to learn in the AHL.
And when your list of RWers is Freddie Hamilton, Hathaway and Chiasson that isn't a log-jam....it is a material weakness in the lineup.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by DoubleF

Yes, I addressed that and I agree the odds are low. But if you could theoretically sneak him down to Stockton, is it even worth it to do so from a development standpoint?

That is my question.

No. But the answer must weigh other factors beyond simple development. The optics are bad, and the possibility to lose him on waivers is too high after having spent a second round pick to acquire him. It is highly debatable whether Lazar would benefit significantly from more AHL time, so to take such an unnecessary risk pretty much eliminates the possibility of your scenario.

[Since1984]

Originally Posted by DoubleF

I ran into this idea elsewhere and wonder what CP collective thinks about this idea about Lazar. The idea essentially was this:

Send Lazar down to the AHL around pre-season roster shaving time (so most teams don't have room to claim him) and have him play a few months at C before calling him back up.

Could Lazar being snuck into the AHL even be plausible?


Pros:
- Gives Lazar plenty of playing time to develop more a centre rather than bottom 6 minutes at RW
- Helps repair certain aspects of Lazar's development due to him being rushed
- Reduces RW logjam of Brouwer/F Hamilton/Hathaway/Chiasson (if re-signed)
- Lazar has openly been called a project. Him with his draft peers in Stockton might not be a bad thing. All of them looking for redemption.
- More roster slots = more competitive camp?

Cons
- Waiving Lazar isn't completely without risk
- Optics are bad
- Does it affect Lazar's game negatively more than positively?
- Lazar may develop better around NHLers than AHLers.

Thoughts?

I would guess there is no way Lazar makes it through waivers. I would prefer Lazar as RW that can take draws when needed ala Jarome Iginla. I feel there are a couple better options at Center and not so many on the RW. Developing on the 4th line in the NHL for Lazar, I feel is way more advantageous than centering a line in the "A".

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by Wild GM

They just protected him in the expansion draft - they aren't waiving him. Nor do I believe that he has anything to learn in the AHL.
And when your list of RWers is Freddie Hamilton, Hathaway and Chiasson that isn't a log-jam....it is a material weakness in the lineup.

I forgot to mention Versteeg and Foo. But I think your comment is fair.

Originally Posted by Textcritic

No. But the answer must weigh other factors beyond simple development. The optics are bad, and the possibility to lose him on waivers is too high after having spent a second round pick to acquire him. It is highly debatable whether Lazar would benefit significantly from more AHL time, so to take such an unnecessary risk pretty much eliminates the possibility of your scenario.

Fair comment and the answer I was wondering about. Risk>Reward is the consensus perception. Not worth it to try and sneak him down.

Gotcha.

Originally Posted by Since1984

I would guess there is no way Lazar makes it through waivers. I would prefer Lazar as RW that can take draws when needed ala Jarome Iginla. I feel there are a couple better options at Center and not so many on the RW. Developing on the 4th line in the NHL for Lazar, I feel is way more advantageous than centering a line in the "A".

Curious question. In your opinion, does Janko play in the A, or wing in the NHL? Stajan/Bennett needs to be moved to wing to accommodate another C. If Lazar is projected as C as per Burke, then he's part of a prospect centre development logjam.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Zero chance of that happening. They didn't trade a 2nd for him and protect him in the expansion draft to give him away for nothing on waivers

[Love]

Lazar better come into camp and impress, because at this point in time I'm not sure he's any better a player than Klimchuk or Poirier and the only reason he's being held to that higher standard than them is because he was rushed to the NHL by the Senators.

[Since1984]

Originally Posted by DoubleF

Curious question. In your opinion, does Janko play in the A, or wing in the NHL? Stajan/Bennett needs to be moved to wing to accommodate another C. If Lazar is projected as C as per Burke, then he's part of a prospect centre development logjam.

If Janko plays in the NHL I feel he plays at center and you slide Stajan to the wing and keep both Janko and Bennett at their natural positions. Staj is a warrior and true team player. I have a feeling he is more than willing to allow for the younger guys to develop and for him to do whatever it takes for the Flames to win.