Quote:
Originally Posted by Swayze11
No, although they have.
The harm is you lose their entry level contract, you MUST take advantage of it. Please do not take my point wrong, I have no problem whatsoever of putting players on the farm, my point is... how long is long enough and how long is too long. I would have no problem putting Pelech in the lineup but with all the vets already here there no chance he becomes a regular EVER because most of these guys are locked up long term. I look at it from the players perspective, if I was a d-man who was drafted by the flames and my dream was to play in the NHL and I saw Bouwmeester, Regehr, White(RFA - will re-sign), Sarich all locked up long term and Pardy and Gio locked up for another year I would be pissed.
Backlund is the main focus here, maybe its just me but I thought he has looked REALLY good with the big squad. Look what a chance and better line mates can do to a player whos dream is to be in the NHL. Motivation to play in the AHL is a lot lower then someone whos dream is to be in the NHL.
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I like your point about infusing youth into an nhl squad to help make a far more cost effective roster, while infusing young legs, etc.
I think ANY GM would want this, however, excellent drafting is a critical prereq. for that.
The flames a) haven't done any amazing drafting in the past few years, b) have drafted dmen which take longer to transition by virtue, c) the one naturally, offensively gifted forward drafted in sometime, Backlund finished his juniour career last year, played half hte season in the AHL, and is now being given his shot in the NHL. I am positive he will be back as soon as the season commences.
Top 6 forward prospects are extremely tough to slide into a lineup. Boyd/Kobesew are obvious examples. They aren't strong enough coming in to be in the top 6, aren't effective to be in the bottom 6, but are arguably good enough to play in the NHL. On teams that are middle of the heap teams, sure you let them play in the top 6 and hope they get accustomed sooner than later. But, the leash is a lot shorter in environments like calgary the past few years where every year is considered "the year".....