The sky high expectations of some were grossly misplaced so it's not a surprise that some people are looking at any other possible reason for him not meeting them other than the fact that he isn't an NHL caliber player right now by most measures. It's like all those scouting reports over the past couple of years identifying pretty glaring flaws that need to be corrected before he can be an NHL regular, don't exist.
I think the Flames are doing the right thing by easing him in slowly given that junior is the only other option, and that the additional year in junior last year didn't seem to help. I don't think there is a team in the NHL that would just let him go without reins though. He needs to show that he is working on the things he needs to in order to garner more trust.
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"A pessimist thinks things can't get any worse. An optimist knows they can."
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