Setoguchi will for sure be in the lineup on opening night (barring injury of course). Does he deserve his spot on opening night? I think so. Why? Because he has a track record of scoring 20 goals per season for the most part. Flames will give him every opportunity to turn his career around and get it back on track.
What happens if he does turn it around? The Flames just picked up a nice asset for free. They can either re-sign him or they will trade him before or at the deadline. Win.
If he continues to show himself as a poor player through October and into November, he gets scratched. If he continues to do so, he gets waived and assigned to the minors (if he goes unclaimed). End of the world? Not in the slightest.
The kids will get their chance to shine. There will be injuries. Backlund is hurt. Jones just got hurt. There will (unfortunately - regardless of a whipping boy or not, I never wish for an injury) be injuries throughout the year. It is up to the kids to impress and keep impressing. They have to make a case for themselves. They will get lots of opportunity this season.
Flames will not go out and make a trade to replace a vet with another vet due to injury. They will recall players. That is the opportunity that these kids won't find on teams contending. Those contending teams are who we flip veterans to when they go through their injury issues (hopefully anyways).
There will be LOTS of turnover in this season. Lots. There will be a lot of opportunity. Just because a kid isn't scribbled into the lineup on opening night doesn't mean that we won't see them in Calgary even for the majority of the season. Let's just show some patience, and enjoy how this season unfolds. It is a work in progress.
Also, what do you guys think about the Brookbank vs Diaz battle for the 7th defencemen? I am starting to lean more towards Brookbank myself. Seems steadier out there on defence, which I think is important for a young team. Diaz is definitely better on offence, but I find myself cringing at times with him in the defensive zone. Will be interesting to see who (if either) gets a contract.
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