As long as his demons are behind him, this is exactly the type of reclamation project that the Flames should consider. He has the size, skating, skill and IQ. What was missing was the character - the lack of motor + his substance abuse. One got corrected. Can the other one? If so, you have a player here.
He got a taste of the NHL lifestyle, things definitely got away from him and this probably contributed to him getting waived by Calgary. Then things probably escalated further in Arizona, where he published that notorious video. He lost his NHL career over it, and had to go over to the KHL and work at getting his life and career back on track. He seemed to find good success too.
I am all for giving this kid another chance, and he has team Slovakia here to help him out too. Maybe get Big Ern to check up on him now and then as someone he can lean on (and apparently he is willing according to his last interview). Plus he is a center, and while I don't think he ever had 1st line center potential, he had solid 2nd/3rd line center potential. I would definitely take him back and see what he is at the NHL level now that he is clean.
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