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Old 03-29-2014, 11:24 PM   #187
gvitaly
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle View Post
Do not understand this type of point of view................let the kids play? They aren't related discussions, so why do they keep coming up? Butler does not prevent the kids from playing. All a kid has to do is earn their spot versus Butler, and they will play. Re-signed Butler doesn't stop this from happenning or make it less likely that kids will play, especially if Butler is as bad as many on here think.

We don't need to get rid of veterans or older players to "make room" for the youngsters....................I wish people would stop suggesting this is a requirement. If there is a youngster who can't un-seat Butler from his role, then two things are true:

1. Butler isn't as bad as people are saying and should be given a spot on this team cause he's not that old.
2. The youngster isn't ready to make the jump and should stay in the AHL.
The reason the argument about letting the kids play keeps coming up is simple, a hockey player's performance is not solely dependent on skill. When the Flames bring a player up he has to get used to the new systems, find chemistry with a new partner, and he has to do it meanwhile essentially moving to a new city. Yes, hockey players are professionals and need to get used to such conditions from a young age, but a player will be gripping his stick a little harder when he knows any mistake might cost him his job(and there is quite a difference in salary for 2 way contracts).

The other side of the argument is of course that we don't want players to get too comfortable with having a roster spot. However, I think letting players like Byron know they are now an NHL player improves their performance. The same way I think a gradual increase in a players responsibilities helps in his development(Backlund, Colborne this year). I am not sure this can happen if that player plays 5min a night as an injury replacement.

As for Butler like I said before he is average in all aspects, so the Flames will be the same team with or without him. I just prefer a riskier investment in a younger player with a higher potential. Butler is not going to be the difference between playoffs or no playoffs. I think he will be much the same as players like Comeau, Babchuck, Jackman(yes I know 2 of them are forwards) etc. They have a good half a season then we sign them to a 2 year contract and don't know what to do with them when the contract is up.
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