Quote:
Originally Posted by Ashasx
It just seems that there are constant excuses for our prospects failing. Today it's that Howse is an awful skater, or that Wahl was never the same after Volpatti crushed him.
The only player the Flames have developed since Phaneuf is Brodie. No team is producing less quality and less quantity than the Flames right now. I don't know how this can be denied when you look around the league.
Soon we're going to start making excuses about Baertschi, saying he was never that good and benefited from playing on a good Winterhawks team, or that Gaudreau was always too small and never had a chance at the NHL.
I want to make changes before it's too late, because it's just so predictable right now.
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They aren't excuses. They are reasons.
Howse has failed because he hasn't taken being a pro seriously. He's shown up to two straight camps out of shape. That is unacceptable and there is no one to blame but him.
This is what you get with these guys. There are reasons why they are available in the later rounds - and a lot of it has to do with the fact that they do one or two things really well (Howse has an unreal shot) but need to round out their games. The rare guys that make it figure it out - the rest of them become minor league scorers or fade into the sunset.
No one should have ever expected Howse to be a likely NHL player. He was always a long shot.
Sven will be just fine. He has elite skills in all the areas you need them in. The Flames haven't had a prospect like him in their system in a decade.
Johnny G is a different kettle of fish. I think his amazing hockey IQ will help him make up for his size, but he is also far from a sure thing.
You are calling for change based on some really poor examples.