What do you expect from the minor league affiliate?

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Ok, just to get the topic off the current state of the team or which 4th liner is better than the other, I wanted to ask a question of the CP forums. This was stirred in my mind by the disappointment Estrada showed for the current state of our own AHL affiliate.

What is your expectation for the role of the minor league affiliate in the grand scheme of the franchise?

Well, individual players are in the minors for several different reasons:

1. Not skilled enough: this is your classic journeyman that have B-grade tools at their disposal, but are proficient at thinking the game and playing a complete game.

2. Not big enough: here is where those who haven't physically matured go until they add enough bulk to handle the NHL. Isn't a knock on anything but their ability to stand up to punishment and usually take a couple years to get there.

3. Have enough skill but still don't know how to play a complete game: think Wahl, Ferland, Howse. They may never figure out what it takes to be an NHLer but the coaching staff will work tirelessly to guide their decision making and compete level.

4. Have one or two flaws in their game: A couple years ago this was TJ Brodie. He looked promising but needed to work on defensive zone coverage and handling a physical brand of hockey. The coaching staff will usually work specifically on those parts of their game while integrating them into the team and giving them more responsibility as they improve those deficient facets.

See, to me, the minors is where younger players go to develop, sure, but it's also where they learn what the expectations are as a pro player, as well as developing chemistry among teammates, and god forbid, learn how to win. We only need to look as far as Edmonton's struggles to see how important that last one is. Development is partially about the individual, but it's also partially about creating a future "team" of individuals.

You look at why L.A. won despite having some key holes in their forward group last year...they had guys who had played together for a while in Manchester and knew how to play a good team game. They weren't the ultimate difference makers, but they added to the team's consistent play and contributed enough to make them effective. I mean Dwight King, Jordan Nolan, Kevin Westgarth, Trevor Lewis....none of those names strike fear into the opposition individually, but as a group that played together and knew the team game and how to execute it...that's invaluable.

This to me is what Ward is doing down there: moulding the prospects into players that fit into the Flames philosophy and style of play. He is teaching them individual skills and he is teaching them how to win. Knowing how to respond the way a winning team would vs. a losing team is really important to future success. This is why there are veterans on the Heat showing the younger guys what to do. Sometimes the biggest difference maker in a player's development is a mentor, and veteran AHLers have that opportunity to mentor the kids with the Flames.

Anyway, this is just my perspective. What's yours?

[Badgers Nose]

Get prospects ready for the nhl.

[t0rrent98]

IMO, if the D men aren't ready by the ripe age of 25, they may never get a shot at the NHL unless you go else where other than the AHL. Forwards are probably the easiest to develop as most of them are easily brought up before the age of 25, I say anything past 25, you'll probably end up being an AHLer for life.

As for goalies if they aren't in the same category as Price and Fleury , I'd like to see them stay down in the AHL/KHL until they reach the ages of 26-28, again, anything past that age, you may not get a chance to play a game in the NHL.

But than again, it all depends on the player, if they are willing to work hard and reach their goals they may achieve it.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Do not forget to include fan requirements and economic viability of that franchise. This was also mentioned. Fans don't just want to see a loser with prospects. There is some requirement to balance development against being competitive.

[Poe969]

minor league hockey...

[$ven27]

To develop prospects..

[Wronskian]

I would love if our AHL affiliate solely focused on player development but I feel thats an unrealistic expectation. They are running as business, same as the NHL where wins are worth money. That alone leads teams into structure that incorporates both elements.

[Roof-Daddy]

Well, you don't want your farm team to be just a team full of prospects that gets arse whipped on a regular basis.

You want to have a nice mix of AHL vets and organizational prospects that make for a competitive team, and builds a solid learning environment.

I do wonder though, why our farm team is having such a hard time scoring goals, especially recently. They have forwards who have put up better AHL numbers in other places. My best guess though, is the defence is really lacking any significant puck moving, offensive D men, especially since Brodie left.