Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - QOTD: Have young players forced the Flames hand?

Calgary4LIfe · 11-07-2014, 05:19 PM

I think NHL clubs have to prioritize assets and development relative to one another.

Treliving does believe in over-cooking prospects in the AHL, citing that is safer to do so than to bring them up prematurely. I tend to agree with this. However, I also think there are some prospects that are ready now, and have been showing it.

Now it becomes a balancing act.

I think prospects have to reach a certain developmental threshold where their future development can continue at the NHL level without hurting them. I think prospects that reach this threshold are better off further developing in the NHL, and those who aren't at that threshold can have their development impaired.

Noting the above, how much does it 'hurt' in retrospect sending these NHL-ready prospects down to continue developing in the AHL (they aren't being hurt, but I argue once you reach that threshold, you can develop faster at the NHL-level) vs the benefit of giving yourself time to properly manage your other assets (i.e. trade opportunities by sending vets who are seen as peripheral to the rebuild either with their current play, sheltering capabilities or leadership attributes).

I do think there will (unfortunately) be other injuries that will push back the necessity to make a decision immediately, but injuries really are unpredictable, so they are tough to plan for other than trying to ensure your organization has enough depth in case they do come. Planning development around injuries is another matter entirely, I think.

In essence, does a guy like Jooris experience a slower rate of development in the AHL vs NHL, and if so, is that slower rate of development worth whatever asset can be recouped for these peripheral veterans?

I do think the safe answer is "Yes, it is worth it", as I don't think you are stunting an NHL-ready prospect's development by giving him another few months of AHL time. In a perfectly fair world, a deserving prospect should play over an under-performing vet. However, this is a business, and the more assets the Flames can acquire, the more chance they will have of having as many holes filled internally by the time the rebuild is over.

If a decision has to be made (ignoring the possibility of future injuries, even though it was a selection), I would assume Treliving would send down the waiver-exempt assets and start trying (if he hasn't already started) to move the required number of vets.

11-07-2014, 05:19 PM	#24
Calgary4LIfe Franchise Player Join Date: Jun 2010 Exp:	I think NHL clubs have to prioritize assets and development relative to one another. Treliving does believe in over-cooking prospects in the AHL, citing that is safer to do so than to bring them up prematurely. I tend to agree with this. However, I also think there are some prospects that are ready now, and have been showing it. Now it becomes a balancing act. I think prospects have to reach a certain developmental threshold where their future development can continue at the NHL level without hurting them. I think prospects that reach this threshold are better off further developing in the NHL, and those who aren't at that threshold can have their development impaired. Noting the above, how much does it 'hurt' in retrospect sending these NHL-ready prospects down to continue developing in the AHL (they aren't being hurt, but I argue once you reach that threshold, you can develop faster at the NHL-level) vs the benefit of giving yourself time to properly manage your other assets (i.e. trade opportunities by sending vets who are seen as peripheral to the rebuild either with their current play, sheltering capabilities or leadership attributes). I do think there will (unfortunately) be other injuries that will push back the necessity to make a decision immediately, but injuries really are unpredictable, so they are tough to plan for other than trying to ensure your organization has enough depth in case they do come. Planning development around injuries is another matter entirely, I think. In essence, does a guy like Jooris experience a slower rate of development in the AHL vs NHL, and if so, is that slower rate of development worth whatever asset can be recouped for these peripheral veterans? I do think the safe answer is "Yes, it is worth it", as I don't think you are stunting an NHL-ready prospect's development by giving him another few months of AHL time. In a perfectly fair world, a deserving prospect should play over an under-performing vet. However, this is a business, and the more assets the Flames can acquire, the more chance they will have of having as many holes filled internally by the time the rebuild is over. If a decision has to be made (ignoring the possibility of future injuries, even though it was a selection), I would assume Treliving would send down the waiver-exempt assets and start trying (if he hasn't already started) to move the required number of vets.