Quote:
Originally Posted by dino7c
Those guys got plenty of chances in the preseason and didn't earn a spot...now they have been average in the AHL while the Flames bottom six has been good in the NHL.
Gotta earn it
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I simply don't agree with that at all. Not a single prospect got playing time with the top nine forwards on this team during the preseason outside of maybe Dube. You have to put these players in positions to succeed. I point to LA finally having the awareness to play Vilardi big minutes in the preseason alongside players who actually compliment his skillset and look at what he has done with that opportunity. Ruzicka's production since turning pro is extremely similar to his - yet he couldn't dream of sniffing an opportunity in the top six/nine here. Zary and Pelletier got two games with plug linemates and they were gone. That's a surefire way to kill a kids confidence after a summer of hard work, and I think it's trickled into their starts this season. Sutter is overly reliant on those he is comfortable with and it's one of his only faults.
For a roster that is as old and experienced as the one we are icing we are sure seeing a lot of braindead mistakes. These mistakes would have first or second year guys stapled to the bench. We saw it with Ruzicka who was benched after a poor defensive read in his first game of the season.
Our forward group is dull and lacks creativity and energy.