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FlamesAddiction · 02-14-2013, 09:32 AM

My feelings on Irving are that he is slightly behind where we should have hoped he would be at 24 and being a 1st round pick. I was really hoping at this point he would be a legitimate back-up that would push a 36 year old Kiprusoff for starts and not just get them because of injury or a planned rotation. I wasn't expecting him to be a starter.

Skillwise, I think Irving is at the NHL level in some aspects. He is fast and athletic. In other aspects, he is lagging. Maybe the only way to get him there is by giving him experience though. You can only teach a player so much before they have to learn by doing, and if you keep a player in the AHL for too long, then you end up developing an AHL player. As frustrating as it can be, I think it might be necessary to let him sink or swim.

I will say this as well, Irving is better than McElhinney ever was, and McElhinney was a fan favourite for some reason. It just goes to show you how draft position can influence expectations.

02-14-2013, 09:32 AM	#43
FlamesAddiction Franchise Player Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Vancouver Exp:	My feelings on Irving are that he is slightly behind where we should have hoped he would be at 24 and being a 1st round pick. I was really hoping at this point he would be a legitimate back-up that would push a 36 year old Kiprusoff for starts and not just get them because of injury or a planned rotation. I wasn't expecting him to be a starter. Skillwise, I think Irving is at the NHL level in some aspects. He is fast and athletic. In other aspects, he is lagging. Maybe the only way to get him there is by giving him experience though. You can only teach a player so much before they have to learn by doing, and if you keep a player in the AHL for too long, then you end up developing an AHL player. As frustrating as it can be, I think it might be necessary to let him sink or swim. I will say this as well, Irving is better than McElhinney ever was, and McElhinney was a fan favourite for some reason. It just goes to show you how draft position can influence expectations. __________________ "A pessimist thinks things can't get any worse. An optimist knows they can."