Quote:
Originally Posted by Enoch Root
Players have bad years - it happens.
Flames are in rebuild mode and Cervenka is a prospect in my mind. Is he 19? No. But he is someone who might become a decent NHLer and we already have him here.
We obviously won't have cap constraints, and I doubt very much that we'll have constraints with the 50 contract limit this year, so it is an absolute no brainer to give him another chance (assuming he is interested).
Upside: he proves he is the player they thought he was.
Secondary upside: he becomes a tradable asset at the deadline (or his wife/fiance/partner moves to Calgary!)
Downside: none
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Downside:
*Cervenka is 27 years old(so yes not 19), which means that by the time the Flames will be competitive he will be around 30+.
*A long contract is too risky, which means you will sign him to two years at the most. As a result, by the time he outperforms the contract you either have to give him a substantial raise or let him walk.
*We need to improve team defense, and we already have too many small one dimensional offensive players on the roster.
*Cervenka was a healthy scratch on many nights. I don't think the coach is interested in what he brings.
*Cervenka will most likely have to occupy a top 9 spot, which could be given to a (younger) prospect.
Bottom line:
I think Cervenka is a good player, and hopefully he improves... I just don't think there is a spot on the Flames for him next season.