Quote:
Originally Posted by Lanny_McDonald
I appreciate the desire to see what a guy leading the AHL in scoring has to offer. It's an intriguing story. But at the same time it's humorous people are suggesting that Phillips has not had opportunity with the Flames. He's been to how many training camps including the last one? He was just given a "prove-it" contract. That is all the incentive and opportunity most players get. Show up and be the best player in camp. Force a decision when you're actually going head-to-head against NHL players. That didn't happen. It isn't like Phillips was the last player sent down. He didn't impress the decisions makers in any shape or form. Again, this is D+7. This is not surprising actions by the team. I still contend they are watching the farm closely and have a couple players on a short list for call up. Phillips just doesn't appear to be on that watch list, for obvious reasons. If the team continues to fall further behind the playoff pace things may change, but I don't see the Flames making a gamble on anyone from the farm in a top six role.
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I hate this argument because it ignores the AHL season.
He’s proven it for three seasons at the AHL level with no NHL games or real call ups. That’s not a real shot.
He was perfectly fine this training camp and the best player in the Seattle game, got sent down anyways. He deserved to stay in camp more than Eakins, Ruzicka, and Milano ImO as they were all worse than he was in camp but they got to the end of camp to find their game.
Let just say what it is. He’s 5’7” and the coach is too stubborn and old school to take a shot on a 5’7” forward that isn’t already a proven star. So the team finds any excuse they can to justify that the coach just won’t play him.
Gotta keep running Lucic, Rooney, and Ritchie out there.