Quote:
Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire
Let's be honest here. Here is who I would list as legitimate prospects in Abbotsford (and those with a legitimate shot to perhaps one day put a Flames jersey on):
- Sven: Played top minutes on the first line. First unit PP.
- Reinhart: Was a victim of an absolutely packed top 4, so he played 3rd line shutdown centre minutes. Is now one of the team's go-to PK guys and defensive zone draw guys. He's now getting first unit PP minutes on the blueline.
- Byron: Has played top-6 minutes all year and is one of the most fastest, most creative guys out there. Gets lots of PP time.
- Sylvester: Exact same as Byron. Gets PP time.
- Street: The go-to guy for offense. First or second line centre. First unit PP guy. Ward told him to shoot every chance he gets and he's right at the top of the list in shots on net in the league. His shooting % is low, so I'd expect it to go up.
- Horak: Always out there in offensive situations. Gets second unit PP time.
- Brodie: Logged damn near 30:00 a game. Enough said.
- Carson: First unit PP blueliner. Plays big shutdown minutes. Leads all defensemen in shooting % in the AHL.
- Bancks: Another go-to PK/energy guy. I'd go as far as to say the next captain of the Heat.
- Aliu: Injuries and inconsistent effort kept him out. I'd say more Aliu's fault than Ward's.
- Lamb: Took a while to get going, but the departure of Brodie and McCarthy opened up space for him in the lineup. He's now on the second PP unit and has a pretty decent shot. He's always looking for the big hit.
- Breen: With Brodie gone, he's the most relied upon d-man. Plays HUGE defensive zone minutes. Wouldn't surprise me to see Breen in a Flames uniform next season. He's taken a big step forward in his development this season. The biggest improvement: his physical game. He's near impossible to beat in a fight.
- Bouma: Played a ton in the three games before he got hurt.
- Howse: Conditioning issues again. Not consistent enough to be a full-time player in the lineup right now.
- Blair Jones: Huge minutes in every situation. The first one out on PP, PK, even strength, extra man, etc.
- Eddy: Not a very good player. Bring a bit of speed and toughness, but not much else.
- Irving: Honestly don't know what happened there.
- Taylor: I still think he has a future with the Flames beyond this season. Ward's go-to goaltender.
So as you can see there's perhaps three that could've got more ice time, but didn't because of inconsistency, conditioning, attitude problems (Howse, Eddy, Aliu), two that I suppose could be placed on Ward's shoulders in Irving and Lamb (early in the season). The rest have been given huge amounts of opportunity.
I think what's most likely is that we don't have the greatest prospects on the farm right now. To develop a winning culture around the ones we do have, Ward plays capable veterans to get wins ALONG with capable prospects.
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Got a question about Breen for you?
Just say Butler was traded for some grit, do you think Breen would be ready to take over on the bottom pairing?
I don't think Anton has much of a chance of getting back into the lineup. I don't think Hartely likes the foot speed of Sarich to give him the every game status of bottom pairing.