Lots of good points in the thread. A couple generic comments I would like to make:
1) what the Flames did 10 or 20 years ago is irrelevant - different management, different coach, different players. Yes, the Flames have a less than stellar track record with prospects. However, that is entirely irrelevant with respect to the current players. Let's keep the discussion to what is actually going on today
2) With respect to the Chicago / Detroit discussion, I believe it is important to keep in mind where a team is at in their growth cycle, before just unilaterally saying that over-ripening or giving opportunities quicker is a better strategy. If you look at Chicago, they have a veteran, talent-laden lineup - it is MUCH easier in that situation to give a job to a kid and control their exposure. The other end of the spectrum is Edmonton - without a solid core of vets, throwing kids into the fray can kill them. It all depends on the make-up of the team, and the role given to the player.
Taking that to the Flames, as the team matures, they will be in a much better position to plug kids into situations than they have been in the past. I think we saw that last year with Tkachuk, and we might see it this year with Jankowski. Compare that to Bennett, who is learning how to be a C on the fly - MUCH more difficult.
I think the issue is far more complex than a simple: give them opportunities vs over-ripen them debate. It depends on the player, it depends on the role, and it depends on the nature of the team at the time.
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