Quote:
Originally Posted by Resolute 14
Sure. But this is not a case of saying one thing and doing another. This is a case of your own faulty assumptions causing upset. The Flames never set arbitrary times on when, where and how they complete their evaluations, even if you have.
Jooris went from AHL project to a kid knocking on the NHL's door. He's vaulted himself well up the organizational ladder, and as a result, I fully expect he will make his NHL debut this year. That is something that was not remotely guaranteed at the start of camp. It is, however, an example of how meritocracy really works. Jooris has shown the Flames that they can trust him to come into this lineup when the need arises.
There is nothing he can prove in Adirondack. The Flames signed him with the hope that he can provide a little offence for the NHL team. He has to be on the NHL team to do this. The simple truth is, his history in the NHL is what earned him an extended look. But the play of guys like Jooris also leaves his footing insecure. I'm not going to worry about whether or not Setoguchi should be in the lineup until around game 10. But he has to produce.
No, the disconnect is that you are taking an extremely narrow view of what "earned" and "given" mean and coupled it with an arbitrary deadline. Setoguchi did enough, past and present, to earn a longer look. Jooris did enough to earn a place in the conversation when call-ups become necessary. Baertschi, IMO, has shown that he is much closer to being an NHL regular today than he was at the end of last season.
Looking at these three players, I expect that - good or bad - Setoguchi does not end the year in Calgary, Baertschi does, and Jooris gets at least a few games. All three of these events would be the result of merit. Training camp is only a small part of that process.
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I don't agree.
I think the team did set expectations with fans about the introduction of youth into the lineup, and a team identity built upon earning a spot on the squad. That includes giving your young players marching orders over the offseason on what they need to do to take the next step. Sven in particular seemed to do exactly that.
I think that Treliving has lost street cred with the decision on Setoguchi. Yes, I understand he is a veteran and will get some regular season time to see how he performs, but it is very difficult to say that Setoguchi outplayed Sven or Jooris in the preseason. I've seen nothing to say he came in and beat those kids out of a spot.
The expectation was set by coaching and management, and fans are entitled to be surprised/disappointed that expectations were not met.