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Originally Posted by 868904
You aren't looking at everything that went on for both the Flames and the Canucks. You make it sound like Bieksa and Edler were given spots as soon as they turned pro, when that is not the case. Both players spent time in the AHL and "earned" spots in the NHL. The Canucks brought in lots of vets from other organizations such as Hamhuis, Ballard, Errhoff, Salo, Rome, Alberts. The only difference is, it's worked out better for the Canucks right now. Both the Flames and the Canucks have the same approach to developing players. They both have vets and youngsters and they don't just "hand" spots out, youngsters have to earn it. The same went for kesler and Burrows. They played in the AHL too.
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There is one thing for playing in the AHL there is another thing for not giving players a chance - I think it is likely that Erixson acted in bad faith and had no intention to sign with the Flames but the Flames didn't do themselves any favours and give him reasons to sign with the Flames. I think that the way they have handled young players for years now - where the chances to crack the lineup have existed but the Flames just kept bringing in old, slow veteran players instead.
And if you want to know the big difference between the Flames and the Canucks, it is the fact that the Flames evidently had players who were NHL ready in the minor leagues waiting to get a shot - I can't think of any players from the Moose who are playing a regular shift on other teams but the the Heat/Quad City/Omaha, there is Commadore, Montador, Wilson, Aulie.
The issue was a system issue though, look at Taratukhin, good young player, came over for a year which indicated he was looking at playing in the NHL at the very least, isn't given a sniff and goes back to Russia. While he may not have been a great player or anything the potential was there and the Flames didn't take advantage of it.
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If a player is ready, the Flames will play them. Phaneuf went straight to the NHL. Brodie started last year as 20 year old FIRST year pro before they sent him down for more seasoning in the AHL. Pelech has been given time, but injuries have killed his career. Erixon WAS going straight to Calgary. His spot on the first powerplay unit was pretty much guaranteed because no one was going to challenge him opposite Giordano.
And again, the salary cap issues are moot because by the time Erixon is up for a raise, there will be plenty of cap space.
Erixon just wanted to play for the Rangers and these are just lame excuses to mask the fact that he's a whiny b*tch.
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Sorry but if history repeats itself Erixson had a strong possibility of heading to Abbotsford. I remember people being excited about Ramholt as well and I still think that the Flames handled him very poorly and killed any career he may have had.