Quote:
Originally Posted by TheScorpion
I don't think the Flames have drafted poorly at all, although their lack of picks has been to their detriment.
I don't think they're developing guys poorly, otherwise I don't think they wouldn't have had all the playoff success in the A they had last year. (I touched on both these points in the piece).
I think the issue is the attributes they prioritize when it comes to promoting guys. I'm with Bingo, I don't think guys like Ritchie, Lewis, Lucic have really been problems at all this year when they've been deployed in situations befitting their roles. What I can't wrap my head around is why Lucic is the guy they're going to for second-line minutes, or Ritchie is the guy getting PP2 minutes, when they have highly skilled prospects who have developed well and are pining for roles.
Like ... the sentiment all along is that some of these guys need to play top-six roles, or bust. Well, right now, the top-six guys are the ones who are struggling. But asking Milan Lucic to play on a scoring line when he hasn't scored a goal with his stick in 68 games isn't the answer.
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this is where I'm coming from on the issue also . the drafting and developing has been good for what pick positions they've had to work with .. it's who they are choosing to fill roles when they need skill help in the top 9 that is highly questionable . a lot of square peg + round hole decisions by Sutter early on
I was also under the impression that the top 9 hole was meant for top six "type" players , not the likes of Lewis .. which was the whole point of those tryouts in camp . even if no one really stuck out going to a grinder/energy player after all that is a worse solution than putting the right type of player there and giving them the chance to grow into it
it's such a lazy stop gap move that seems like an FU to the under performers in camp . what the team really needs is to get long term solution players into those roles asap so that they can help our window over the next 3 years . the lack of long term outlook is a little infuriating from a fan perspective . Lewis isn't helping us win a cup in a top 9 role ... whereas letting Pelletier get through his growing pains now in october could pay dividends come April if he finds his footing
then it saves you picks you would otherwise be spending on two months of players like Jarnkrok !! ... this is exactly why its importanr to promote at least one young player per season