[wingmaker]

The constant griping about the ice time for marginal players and prospects is so over wrought on this site. I am luke warm on Hartley. I like that he is a teacher because of all the young players, but I think he has shown an inability to develop strategies to match different opponents. He definitely gets out coached many nights.

But the ice time thing...my god, people. Seriously. The NHL is not a development league. The AHL is a development league. It is not Hartley's job to develop anybody. Of course young players have to mature and can only improve at the NHL level with game time, and Hartley has gone out of his way to be patient in this way with the players that deserve it. But you have to deserve the spot first to get that patience, and for this you have to prove that you are MORE deserving than the established players on the team to get a shot. Nakladel, Ortio, Wotherspoon, etc...none of these players have done that. And no, it is not Hartley's job to gift them ice time on the NHL roster during a push to the playoffs to prove it one way or another. They prove it in practice, in the AHL, etc. And while it may seem difficult from the outside for a player like Nakladel to prove anything without being given game action, that really isn't Hartley's problem. He is the coach, and if he doesn't think Nakladel is better that Smid or Engelland, he is going to sit on the bench. If Nakladel goes to another organization next season because Hartley never feels confident in putting him into games, so be it. He is a 27 year old who had a decent year so far in the AHL. If the Flames lose him, they will move on.

For Ortio, if Ramo is out long term, he will probably get another start or two, barring the Flames making a trade for a goalie. But, if Hartley doesn't like what he sees in practice, and Poullen is brought up in his place, that is not Hartley's fault. It is not on Hartley to play Ortio. It is on Ortio to prove to the team and coaches that he can play and win at the NHL level. And guess what, Hartely is not alone in this. Management, assistant coaches are also watching practices and communicating with one another. If management really felt that the coach was mis-identifying the talents of his players, they would let him go. If Hartley is behind the bench, it is because he has the trust of the organization, and if a player wants to be on the ice, he has to win Hartley's trust. Plain and simple. Again, the pro level is not about development. If you as a fan want to watch young players and see how they're developing, follow an AHL team. Otherwise, this is called professional sports where you have to make the best of the chances you are afforded. For many players, chances come along once and never again. It's harsh but it is the nature of the beast when winning is worth millions of dollars.