Flames bring back Douglas Murray and Aaron Johnson on PTOs - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

sureLoss · 09-14-2015, 10:48 AM

Roger Millions @RogMillions
With #Flame vets Douglas Murray is back on PTO. All skating this am except Paul Byron . FYI Dougie Hamilton skating with Ladislav Smid

Roger Millions @RogMillions
Giordano, Brodie, Hamilton, Russell, Wideman, Smid, Engelland, Murray, Wilson. That's a whole lot of NHL Veteran Defenceman #Flames

SuperMatt18 · 09-14-2015, 10:51 AM

They probably sign one of Murray or Wilson as an AHL body and injury protection.

Lots of young d-men on the farm, already have one injury back there (Culkin) and the other young guys could use a good veteran to learn from in the AHL.

CroFlames · 09-14-2015, 10:51 AM

Well what do you know. I guess BT is never satisfied.

The bottom pairing has no shortage of options I guess with the vets and prospects all clamoring for a job.

Locke · 09-14-2015, 10:55 AM

I find that strange seeing as we've got 3-4 guys already knocking on that door. Murray couldnt hack it when we really needed someone but now we're logjammed.

CroFlames · 09-14-2015, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locke

I find that strange seeing as we've got 3-4 guys already knocking on that door. Murray couldnt hack it when we really needed someone but now we're logjammed.

I see this as BT sending a message to the players. No one's job is safe and nothing is given. You better come to camp to work.

Hell, if Murray has an amazing camp, then we have a vet with experience in Stockton who can pinch hit when needed.

undercoverbrother · 09-14-2015, 10:58 AM

"Always Earned, Never Given"

Finger Cookin · 09-14-2015, 11:00 AM

Do we really have 3-4 defensemen knocking on the door?

MoreDrank · 09-14-2015, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

They probably sign one of Murray or Wilson as an AHL body and injury protection.

Lots of young d-men on the farm, already have one injury back there (Culkin) and the other young guys could use a good veteran to learn from in the AHL.

Perhaps this is true. However, Douglas Murray is not a good veteran. He's the opposite of good. He's bad. Very bad. Even too bad for the AHL bad.

I think the Flames are bringing him to camp so Hamilton doesn't feel lonely being the only Doug.

Cleveland Steam Whistle · 09-14-2015, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finger Cookin

Do we really have 3-4 defensemen knocking on the door?

Yes I concur, who are these 3-4 almost ready prospects? I can't think of any D-man who wasn't on the team last year (save Hamilton) who I'm even remotely confident have a shot at being ready this year. I guess Morrison (which I only think because of the hype last year when we signed him, I actually don't know) and Wotherspoon are the most likely, and Wotherspoon didn't raise up my confidence last season.

Locke · 09-14-2015, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CroFlames

I see this as BT sending a message to the players. No one's job is safe and nothing is given. You better come to camp to work.

Hell, if Murray has an amazing camp, then we have a vet with experience in Stockton who can pinch hit when needed.

I could see some of this, but he'd probably be more keen on a European job than an AHL job. I'm guessing this is his last kick at the NHL can. He's not likely going to get signed here but if he has a good camp maybe someone will pick him up.

It is a message to the Flames players, but not much of one. We've basically got our 7 defencemen all sewed up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finger Cookin

Do we really have 3-4 defensemen knocking on the door?

From what I understand any one of Wotherspoon, Morrison and Nakladal are in prime running and then theres some guys behind them in development as well.

Strange Brew · 09-14-2015, 11:05 AM

I get the whole "no risk move" thing. But Murray is awful. Didn't realize they were short of bodies for training camp because seems to me, that's all he is.

Finger Cookin · 09-14-2015, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locke

From what I understand any one of Wotherspoon, Morrison and Nakladal are in prime running and then theres some guys behind them in development as well.

I guess I just take the phrase "knocking on the door" to be a lot closer to being regular NHL players than you do. Yes, the Flames have greatly improved the depth of defensive prospects compared to a year ago. But I don't think it's to the point where we turn over more than half of our NHL roster D to make room for them. I don't see the Flames moving out every experienced defensemen not named Giordano, Brodie, or Hamilton to make way for these prospects -- at least not right now. Let's see how camp goes. Maybe someone will be moved if a player takes a job away from another.

Locke · 09-14-2015, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finger Cookin

I guess I just take the phrase "knocking on the door" to be a lot closer to being regular NHL players than you do. Yes, the Flames have greatly improved the depth of defensive prospects compared to a year ago. But I don't think it's to the point where we turn over more than half of our NHL roster D to make room for them. I don't see the Flames moving out every experienced defensemen not named Giordano, Brodie, or Hamilton to make way for these prospects -- at least not right now. Let's see how camp goes. Maybe someone will be moved if a player takes a job away from another.

No, no, no, on that we're on the same page.

I'm talking about being on the verge of breaking in as a sheltered 7th defenceman and occasional injury callup.

In that respect Wotherspoon is basically already that.

If there were ever a reason to call up a guy like Murray then circumstances would have to be dire indeed.

Finger Cookin · 09-14-2015, 11:18 AM

Ah, got it. Not promoting 3-4 guys, but that any one of those 3-4 could be on the NHL roster as a 7th D.

saillias · 09-14-2015, 11:20 AM

Flames can't get enough of this guy it seems. Ryan Wilson I like. But Murray couldn't skate at the NHL level when he was last in the league and I don't see how he's gotten any faster playing in Europe.

wireframe · 09-14-2015, 11:21 AM

Why would Murray sign this? The Flames are one of the deepest defensive teams in the league. He has virtually no chance of making the team.

Locke · 09-14-2015, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wireframe

Why would Murray sign this? The Flames are one of the deepest defensive teams in the league. He has virtually no chance of making the team.

I think its just to try and showcase himself to other teams. Its not like training camp is done behind closed doors all teams are watching players on PTOs.

Finger Cookin · 09-14-2015, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wireframe

Why would Murray sign this? The Flames are one of the deepest defensive teams in the league. He has virtually no chance of making the team.

@Fan960Steinberg 11m11 minutes ago
From my understanding, Doug Murray coming to training camp is connected to the PTO he signed last year. #Flames

TorqueDog · 09-14-2015, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locke

I think its just to try and showcase himself to other teams. Its not like training camp is done behind closed doors all teams are watching players on PTOs.

Pretty much this. A player can sign a deal at any point during a PTO, so this could allow Murray some additional exposure and perhaps help him find a contract somewhere.

CroFlames · 09-14-2015, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wireframe

Why would Murray sign this? The Flames are one of the deepest defensive teams in the league. He has virtually no chance of making the team.

If you were not in the NHL (which you aren't) and someone offered you a tryout, you would refuse because they have a deep d-corps?

It's the NHL man. Of course he's sign something for a crack at making it.