I don't think it's likely that he'll go back to europe real soon. He's almost as much a north american as a european now, he's been here since he was 15 or 16 and there's no doubt in my mind that another team will give him a chance if the flames give up on him.
On a team with a little less focus on defense I bet he could put up 40-50 points on a top 2 line right now. I understand the flames focus on 2 way play but not every team expects their forwards to play that way.
People here have a tendency to parrot whatever flames management is saying and their tone has been negative lately... There's no doubt the kid is struggling but he's not close to done. He has already proven he can score in the ahl and somebody will give him a shot in the nhl unless the flames refuse to move him and bury him.
Unfortunately his trade value has been knocked down pretty good. Maybe could return a 3rd or a 2nd?
|