Quote:
Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe
I agree with your statement only if the player hurt was playing himself out of the lineup. A player coming in for an injured player that seizes the opportunity should be given a spot - but not necessarily the injured player's spot.
In applying it to the Flames, this is how I see it thus far:
Honzek earned his look on the Kadri line through preseason. I argue he hasn't earned his spot since, and if Coronato seizes the opportunity, then a DIFFERENT spot for Honzek should be made, or he should be in the 13th forward rotation, or sent down to the AHL as part of his development. I think you probably agree here (I think anyway - don't want to put words in your mouth of course).
What happens with Sharangovich then? I would say he earned his spot with his play last season. I would imagine he maintains priority in the lineup, correct? Unless the Pospisil at C experiment is over, I would imagine that Sharangovich takes back his spot.
Rooney was strong last season. He earned his spot again during the preseason. He got hurt in the first period of the season opener. I don't think it is right for him to lose his spot now. I think Kirkland deserves a longer look - this is why I think he should be on the rotation with Klapka when Rooney returns.
I agree with you in principle, but I also think it is (and should remain) more nuanced. If a player is performing well, then an injury should not risk that player losing his spot on the team.
I would imagine that if a couple of players who are playing well within this aggressive system that the Flames are employing, that it would send the wrong signal. "Do I really want to block this shot and get injured? Take this hit to make this play? Should I really finish off this hit?" I think it is like anything - want your team to run through a wall for you? You have to make them feel like you have their backs too when it counts. Players who are performing well and getting hurt running through walls shouldn't be displaced. The ones not performing well can be. That's the distinction that I see, otherwise I do agree with you.
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I don't think his spot as the premiere goal scorer on the team has been usurped. And even if it were, there is plenty of room for him in the top 6.
The problem Rooney faces is that, if Costco outplays him, there is nowhere else for him to slide. That is a different scenario than a top 9 guy getting injured and a new player playing well. There is two sides to it - earning a job, and losing a job. Someone earning a job doesn't mean the injured player is the one losing a job.