RH defense prospect or AHL that could help

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by New Era

To me the shopping list is limited because they must meet certain criteria.

- Right handed shot.
- Minimum 6'2
- Minimum 200 pounds
- Good skater
- Plays physical
- Under the age of 24, preferably 21 or 22.

I don't want to see retreads or career minor leaguers brought in. I want to see a move that fits in with a team in the 2nd year of a rebuild with the intentions of solidifying the lineup and making big improvements in the next year or two.

Kenney Morrison meets all criteria. Write up on him from 10 months ago

Kenney Morrison, D
Sophomore, Western Michigan University (NCHC)

Following in the footsteps of former teammate Dan DeKeyser (DET) last season, Kenney Morrison has become the hottest defensive commodity available on the college hockey free agent market this season. Numerous NHL teams have Morrison on their collegiate free agent wish list and it’s not hard to see why. Among the teams that could potentially land the coveted young rearguard is the Edmonton Oilers, whose prospect camp Morrison attended this past summer.

The Lloydminster, AB native has played in all 35 of the Broncos’ games to date, posting 18 points (three goals, 15 assists). Morrison logs upwards of 25 minutes per game playing in all situations. He has been especially good on Western Michigan’s power-play, where all of his goals so far have come. Morrison leads the Broncos with 75 penalty minutes and ranks fifth on the team with a +7 rating.

Morrison is an excellent skating, two-way defenseman who is blessed with size (6’2”, 205 lbs.) and great hands. He moves the puck exceedingly well and has greatly improved his decision-making while controlling it. But what has scouts clamoring to get glimpses of him is his pro-style shot. Morrison possesses one of the NCAA’s hardest shots and to say that he has a cannon of a slapshot might be an understatement. One notable attribute that Morrison has shown this season is his ability to employ different types of shots. This has resulted in increased shots on goal, and more importantly, accurate ones.

Two other attributes that scouts like about Morrison are his skating and physicality. He has good foot speed and is active in jumping up into plays. Morrison can deliver some solid checks and has begun to strike a balance between his hard-hitting style and playing with discipline.

all you have to do is convince him to sign with Calgary.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Yes, but anyone who checks off all those boxes would cost a king's ransom.

If he's going to be a core player on our blueline for the next five to eight years, then so be it.

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Kenney Morrison meets all criteria. Write up on him from 10 months ago

Interesting guy. Is he ready to step in and play right now? I wouldn't be so enthused about a guy that has to play a couple years in the minors to get ready. If he could pull a DeKeyser then he might be worth the investment. If he's going to be Justin Schultz, then I'd be hesitant. I'd rather cough up a couple assets to get a really good one like Mark Pysyk or Ryan Pulock than roll the dice on guys that might get there.

[CKPThunder]

Originally Posted by New Era

To me the shopping list is limited because they must meet certain criteria.

- Right handed shot.
- Minimum 6'2
- Minimum 200 pounds
- Good skater
- Plays physical
- Under the age of 24, preferably 21 or 22.

I don't want to see retreads or career minor leaguers brought in. I want to see a move that fits in with a team in the 2nd year of a rebuild with the intentions of solidifying the lineup and making big improvements in the next year or two.

How about someone like Dylan McIlrath from the Rangers? Not a big time scorer but has a big shot. I know he had to work on his mobility before but I don't know if he has improved in that area or not.

I believe he becomes waiver eligible this fall. Are players drafted before the lockout subject to the new waiver rules or are they grandfathered under the old CBA rules?

Meets most of the criteria above except maybe skating.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by New Era

If he's going to be a core player on our blueline for the next five to eight years, then so be it.

That's all well and good and I agree that we need another high quality defenseman.

But teams don't trade top young defensive prospects. We would have to overpay - and probably by a lot. And I don't think they can afford to do that yet.

I think the Flames need to target guys with a little less pedigree, guys that don't check all the boxes. They have a few guys in the system now that may become good players (guys like Rafikov, Hickey, OM, Sieloff, Culkin, Kulak). They need to acquire more of them. Several more if possible. And not 18 year olds but, as you say, 21 year olds - guys that aren't too far away. Guys like Wotherspoon - solid prospects that might be relatively affordable.

You never know which defensemen will climb the mountain. It's a numbers game, so keep increasing the odds.

[The Original FFIV]

My vote is for Alex Petrovic of the Panthers. Seeing as how we absconded with Shore from Florida, maybe Treliving can call up Tallon and get this guy. Checks off a lot of the boxes.

http://forecaster.thehockeynews.com/...layer.php?7942

[JohnnyTitan]

Originally Posted by Poe969

It's going to cost a lot to get a lot but the thing is we need someone who checks all those boxes. It's going to suck if we have to trade for someone because it'll cost a lot but unless we draft someone like that, it's how we're going to have to do it. One way or another, we're going to have to get someone like that in the next year or so.

I know the OP is suggesting to find a candidate in the AHL, and if you're thinking we need a guy in the next two or three years I think that's what you need to do.

I started this thread a couple weeks back foreseeing the same void in the Flames future line-up that I think a lot of see. The conclusions were:
- D-Men take at least four years to develop after their draft year. More like six
- D-men rarely peak before they're 30
- The top guys can come from anywhere in the draft. (Gio undrafted). It does seem to be more of a crap shoot with them!

Here's the thread: http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthr...ight=blue+chip

[Komskies]

Cody Franson is an upcoming UFA. He's a right shot D too. I wonder if we could bring him in this summer to fill out our bottom pairing.