Quote:
Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan
I have an odd take, but hear me out.
Wolf is no longer a prospect. The Flames traded Markstrom ostensibly to make room for Wolf to at least share the net with Vladar. He'll at least be a backup this year, but more likely it will be 50/50. There's nobody else in the organization that is likely to make the team out of camp. He's graduated.
Coronato is far from guaranteed to make the team. He still has some physical and mental parts of his game that are underdeveloped that mean he could still benefit from some development in the AHL. Looking at the roster, there isn't necessarily a clear spot for him:
(not a lineup, more of a depth chart)
Huberdeau-Sharangovich-Kuzmenko
Zary-Kadri-Mantha
Coleman-Backlund-Pospisil
Lomberg-Rooney-Coronato?
Duehr-Hunt-Frk
Ideally, he shouldn't be playing 4th line minutes, but perhaps he breaks into the lineup that way and works his way up to a top 6 role.
Last year he played more games for the Wranglers than the Flames. To me, that means he's still a prospect. If he plays more games for the Flames this year than the Wranglers, I'll consider him graduated.
Koumontzis is unsigned and playing in the ECHL, but I would still consider him a prospect, at least for one more year. He's 24 and entering his second pro season. He did okay in his first season with 19 points in 47 games, so he's not a complete washout...yet. However, unless he has a great season, makes his way to the AHL, or is signed by the Flames, I would drop him off the list after this year. 24 is the absolute oldest I would consider any skater to still be a "prospect". After that, you're just a pro who may get a shot at the NHL one day if everything goes right, but more likely you become a journeyman minor leaguer.
Boltmann I would drop from the list because instead of moving on after 4 years in a college program to the pro ranks, he's going back for a 5th year at a new school. To me that says he's not ready for the pros, or doesn't think he can make it, and wants one more year where he's comfortable. I don't think he'll even make it to the ECHL. He's shown next to zero offense, and mediocre defense. He remains unsigned by the Flames. All signs point to him being a washout, even though he's only 22. Keep him on the list as a technicality, but I guarantee he'll be at the absolute bottom of the list this year.
TL;DR-Wolf and Boltmann off the list, Coronato and Koumontzis on the list.
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Your perspective makes sense, but hear me out. If Wolf stumbles in the first quarter of the season (plays 10 games for example) and is sent down to AHL to find his game, then do you still think of him as a prospect, a bust, or an established player?
For me, he's still a prospect that is developing. So, he could be considered for next year's list at that point in my opinion. I think once they lose eligibility for the Calder as a rookie it leaves little doubt.