Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - [Signing] Flames re-sign Joel Hanley (2 Years, $1.75M AAV)

drewtastic · 07-01-2025, 10:16 AM

I also think people need to look more objectively at Poirier/Solo/Kuznetsov…they’re 23/24/23 yrs old respectively.

While it does sometimes take time for Dmen to develop, at what point are they tweeners at best, AHL Pros at worst (which ain’t all that bad)? I have hope for Kuznetsov to become a reliable bottom-pairing D, but neither Solo nor Poirier have rounded their games to a degree the Flames like as of yet (…particularly frustrating with Poirier because I’d like to see his offensive game at the NHL level…but injuries seem to have set him back…)

With other D prospects on the rise, Hanley is a good transitional player to help the young guys acclimate to the bigs. Hopefully after year two, his mentorship will no longer be needed. Another good piece of work by CC, IMO.

07-01-2025, 10:16 AM	#64
drewtastic First Line Centre Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: So Long, Bannatyne Exp:	I also think people need to look more objectively at Poirier/Solo/Kuznetsov…they’re 23/24/23 yrs old respectively. While it does sometimes take time for Dmen to develop, at what point are they tweeners at best, AHL Pros at worst (which ain’t all that bad)? I have hope for Kuznetsov to become a reliable bottom-pairing D, but neither Solo nor Poirier have rounded their games to a degree the Flames like as of yet (…particularly frustrating with Poirier because I’d like to see his offensive game at the NHL level…but injuries seem to have set him back…) With other D prospects on the rise, Hanley is a good transitional player to help the young guys acclimate to the bigs. Hopefully after year two, his mentorship will no longer be needed. Another good piece of work by CC, IMO.