Quote:
Originally Posted by druetetective
I feel like we should take 1 vet and 1 rookie for the last 2 spots on D.
So one of Nakladal/Wilson and Wotherspoon/Kulak. We need to start grooming 1-2 of our young Dmen to be able to fill in once the Engelland/Russell/Wideman run out. With all the young players we have to resign were going to need at least 1 defenceman on a ELC.
I personally would go with Nakladal/Wotherspoon. Sign Wilson and send him down. I'm much higher on Kulak and think he will be a bottom pairing guy for the Flames for years to come but I think another full year playing 1st pairing mins in the AHL will do wonders for his development.
Then you can rotate Engelland, Wotherspoon and Nakladal in and out of the lineup based on matchups and performance. I know you don't want kids sitting in the pressbox but at this point I think playing even every other game plus NHL practices would be better for spoons development than AHL. If he's not up to the task you send him down and call up Kulak or Morrisson. I just really hope the Flames start grooming one of these kids in the NHL this season.
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I think the grooming will start happening this season, and will be due to the inevitable injury issues (which happens pretty much every season). These kids will start getting more time in the NHL, and it will be up to them to make sure they stay there and force Hartley's hand in playing them more, and force Treliving's hand in making a permanent roster spot. Brodie is out now (and Smid is still not ready to go yet). This is a chance for 2 guys to come in and stay in.
There will be other opportunities as well throughout the season. I wouldn't worry so much about anyone (even forwards) making it on the team straight out of camp. It will always be up to them to force management's hands when they do get that opportunity.