Quote:
Originally Posted by mile
I disagree with most about this season being a make or break season for Sven. He needs to be in the AHL for at least half a season this year, maybe even a full one. He is still a work in progress - Byron is a very good example of a player we've had who has had to put in 3/4 seasons in the AHL before he was ready. This mentality that he HAS to make it his season is something he needs to forget about, and he needs to focus on developing at his own pace.
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I would also disagree with that statement that this is a make it or break it season for Sven. I do, however, worry about his contract negotiations (his ELC expires this season according to capgeek). I do worry about him being waiver-eligible next season as well. I would, however, expect the Flames to invest a good half-season on Sven staying in the NHL, and making a trade if they can't justify keeping him up based on his performance (or at least, his development). So, next year I do see it as his 'make it or break it' season, but agreed that it is not this one.
Being waiver-eligible is often the cut-off for these higher draft picks that garnered a lot of attention league-wide. There will always be a GM or two out there that will try and pick-up a young possible superstar who may have just needed a change of scenery. Next season is when the Flames will be forced to make a decision - keep him up, trade him (if possible), expose him to waivers.
This is, of course, all dependent on how Sven performs from now until at least the mid-point of next season I think. I don't think they will give up on him even if he doesn't look NHL-ready to start next season, but at some point
IF he is still not performing well, then that is when the decision becomes a tough one. I just really hope that isn't the case, and he just becomes a contributing fixture in our top 6 or even top 9.