Quote:
Originally Posted by flames_fan_down_under
However last season he played 26 games with the Flames, over 1/4 of a full season, not one game did he get less than 10 minutes. He was playing 18 minutes some nights, some nights 15 minutes. He was given ample opportunity to shine and he had 2 goals and 9 assists, and a pretty ineffective 200 ft game. He had his opportunities. This season the competition on the wings was stronger, the games have been much more important, they're fighting for the playoffs, ice time just isn't as easy to give out. I just don't buy that he wasn't given some leash. He was given a tremendous amount of opportunity.
Detroit is obviously the benchmark on player development and for good reason.
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That's the big issue. Sven got passed by on the depth chart, but at the same time, the Flames screwed up his development. They didn't make Sven earn his minutes before. He was gifted opportunities and he did a pretty good job. And then suddenly, Sven got publically criticized by Burke, and he got benched while guys like McGrattan played.
The Detroit player development model isn't a cookie cutter one. Sure, they like to give their prospects at least some AHL time, but they have also been criticized for keeping their prospects in the AHL too long. They also don't call out their prospects.
I don't hold any ill will towards Sven. He has been very complimentary of Calgary and the Flames organization and him threatening to go to Europe is just a rumor. I don't know what went on in Sven's mind. Given his waiver status next season, he should be confident that he will get every opportunity to stay in the NHL. I guess that is what he wanted to talk to Treliving about. I don't fault the guy. How many of us felt that Sven was in the Flames' long-term plans?