Quote:
Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire
In a nutshell he tries so damn hard to try and create something, anything. He's trying to dangle through legs, makes passes that won't work 99% of the time. He takes decent shots though.
The thing is, that flashiness will rarely work in the AHL and he just looks so frustrated out there.
Furthermore, he ducks sooo many hits. Even if it risks losing the puck, he'll dodge a hit and lose the puck. It happens far too often and I'm just not sure how he can get over that mental hurdle. That's why they're professionals though. You can't say Ward hasn't given him a shot. He's playing on a line with Reinhart and Granlund. I mean, if you can't create something/break out of a slump playing with Reinhart (who has 12 points in his last 10 games) and Granlund (who leads the Heat in goals), then something's wrong.
I wouldn't give up on the kid because he's got a special skill set. It's just something that'll take time. I hope.
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Yeah, sounds like he is simultaneously desperate to get back to the NHL and worried about getting hurt (which might adversely affect his ability to do the former).
I feel like we should leave him in the AHL for the rest of the season, have the coaches work hard with him down there and give him a concrete plan for his offseason workouts and see how he's doing in the fall.
I don't think the Flames should trade him. He is a talented player and has a lot of great assets. My reasoning here is not that he is untouchable, because he isn't and shouldn't be... it's that what you would get for him in trade right now is not remotely what he could be worth to the organization down the road when he gets more confidence and maturity to his game.