Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post

Calgary4LIfe · 02-25-2026, 10:30 AM

I don't think 4th line minutes is being fair as far as 'opportunity' goes. I don't judge any prospect who gets called up and plays 5-8 minutes on the 4th line, other than maybe to see how fast he can skate. That's a tough position to put him into - hard to get into the game while not getting a regular rotation. Now, if he is a 4th-liner type, then that's perfectly fine. Giving a top 6 player a game on the 4th line is saying to me: "We don't believe in this kid, but we want to be seen as a place known for giving opportunities." It just isn't a real opportunity. (Oh, and Kerins has had real opportunity, and I bet will have it again).

So who is he blocking?

Kirkland - 29 years old. 50GP in the NHL. 6'3", 183. I like he plays with some pop sometimes, and he is great on the shootout. Great tweener, IMO, with a ceiling of a 4th liner.

Morton - 26 years old, 4GP in the NHL. 6'0", 185. He has had spurts where I liked his game, but that's essentially all he has had. I don't see an NHL player here, at least not without a development curve. He is already 26, but still some room to develop. Maybe he develops into a 4th liner one day.

King - 24 years old. 5'10, 185. Calgary kid with the best stats in the NCAA out of the bunch. Smallest, so something to think about for a 4th line type. However, given his NCAA resume, plus how he looked in preseason, there may be more than a 4th liner here, and I do believe he has the highest ceiling of the bunch, even if it hasn't translated into point production yet in the AHL.

Beecher - 24 years old (and the youngest of them all surprisingly), and the biggest at 6'3, 220. 155 GP in the NHL - that stands out for sure, right? Hopefully he 'pops' (10G 15A, PK'er, strong in the dot, and hard to play against). I think he is a placeholder right now with some potential upside still. He is not a block. Right now, he is a small speed-bump that you would hope other prospects/players would easily jump over, right? So there really isn't an argument to be had here, at least IMO.

Now, if we want to debate whether or not a 4th line tour of duty spot is an actual opportunity to anyone other than a 4th liner, then that's a different argument altogether. I don't see it that way personally. I see the 4th line only for 4th liners, or demoted in-game players who aren't having a great game. That's it. I don't even want to see Stromgren on this line unless he gets called up, starts on one of the first 3 lines, but isn't playing well so he is sheltered on the 4th out of necessity. I just don't think starting a kid on the 4th line - who isn't a 4th liner type - is an opportunity.

02-25-2026, 10:30 AM	#55
Calgary4LIfe Franchise Player Join Date: Jun 2010 Exp:	I don't think 4th line minutes is being fair as far as 'opportunity' goes. I don't judge any prospect who gets called up and plays 5-8 minutes on the 4th line, other than maybe to see how fast he can skate. That's a tough position to put him into - hard to get into the game while not getting a regular rotation. Now, if he is a 4th-liner type, then that's perfectly fine. Giving a top 6 player a game on the 4th line is saying to me: "We don't believe in this kid, but we want to be seen as a place known for giving opportunities." It just isn't a real opportunity. (Oh, and Kerins has had real opportunity, and I bet will have it again). So who is he blocking? Kirkland - 29 years old. 50GP in the NHL. 6'3", 183. I like he plays with some pop sometimes, and he is great on the shootout. Great tweener, IMO, with a ceiling of a 4th liner. Morton - 26 years old, 4GP in the NHL. 6'0", 185. He has had spurts where I liked his game, but that's essentially all he has had. I don't see an NHL player here, at least not without a development curve. He is already 26, but still some room to develop. Maybe he develops into a 4th liner one day. King - 24 years old. 5'10, 185. Calgary kid with the best stats in the NCAA out of the bunch. Smallest, so something to think about for a 4th line type. However, given his NCAA resume, plus how he looked in preseason, there may be more than a 4th liner here, and I do believe he has the highest ceiling of the bunch, even if it hasn't translated into point production yet in the AHL. Beecher - 24 years old (and the youngest of them all surprisingly), and the biggest at 6'3, 220. 155 GP in the NHL - that stands out for sure, right? Hopefully he 'pops' (10G 15A, PK'er, strong in the dot, and hard to play against). I think he is a placeholder right now with some potential upside still. He is not a block. Right now, he is a small speed-bump that you would hope other prospects/players would easily jump over, right? So there really isn't an argument to be had here, at least IMO. Now, if we want to debate whether or not a 4th line tour of duty spot is an actual opportunity to anyone other than a 4th liner, then that's a different argument altogether. I don't see it that way personally. I see the 4th line only for 4th liners, or demoted in-game players who aren't having a great game. That's it. I don't even want to see Stromgren on this line unless he gets called up, starts on one of the first 3 lines, but isn't playing well so he is sheltered on the 4th out of necessity. I just don't think starting a kid on the 4th line - who isn't a 4th liner type - is an opportunity.