[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Because this is a hyperbolic way to frame things?

The team has done a lot of good. Specifically with respect to Kylington they made a great decision to trade for the pick needed to draft him. They helped him develop wonderfully in the AHL - a couple years on AHL middle pairs picking up reps, with tons of time in the video roomreviewing every mistake I'm sure. Got him sent to the WJC where he was functionally their all-situations #1D (though a young Dahlin's savvy also impressed).

Cail MacLean came in and allowed Kylington an opportunity to be his powerplay, PK all situations guy in the AHL. Earned him a quick callup where he impressed for months before hitting a rookie wall.

The Flames developed Kylington right for three and a half years.

And then as soon as he hit the inevitable bumps in the road that come with transitioning to the NHL, they defaulted to a team fearful of his inexperience - even though he was very much a part of the hot start pre-All Star Break in 2018-19. Their response to his rookie wall was Oscar Fantenberg.

And since then, they treated him like an afterthought, eith no real flexibility for error or any show of belief in his potential.

Is it really so problematic to be questioning that specific aspect of how the Flames have handled some HIGH end talent?

It's not just Kylington, it's Bennett too.

It's watching your favourite team shoot itself in the foot playing Nick Shore or Nikita Nesterov types while pushing Bennett to a trade request and exposing Kylington on waivers. They were lucky Kylington cleared - I'm surr teams had interest but didn't have time to free up a roster spot for him, but no matter how calculated the risk was - it was an unnecessary one (see also Byron).

Why is the team immune to criticism for this key aspect of player development?

Darryl Sutter's utilization of not only Kylington, but also Dillon Dube this year is in stark contrast to how the organization has been run since Fall 2016. It's beyond fair to praise him for it, but that requires highlighting the contrast with how Gulutzan, Peters, Ward, Sutter and Treliving operated from Fall 2016 to Spring 2021.

I’ve highlighted some more hyperbole for you.