That being said, Weisbrod feels the day Gillies joins the Flames might come sooner than his future employers originally expected.
“I mean, we all knew he had this kind of potential,” Weisbrod said of the third-rounder (75th overall) from their 2012 litter. “But I think it’s been a pleasant surprise he’s climbed the ladder and made such progress so quickly. At the same time, being a goaltender is the hardest position to transition into. There’s a big difference between a top amateur goaltender and a top professional goaltender.
“It’s very easy to damage kids by trying to rush them into the environment to quickly.”
Weisbrod said they’ll likely re-evaluate him again next summer and, depending on his progress, they might sign him after his sophomore year.
“When we drafted him last year . . . I thought maybe a good reasonable time frame was he spent a good three years in college,” he said. “Conceivably, he’d be ready to sign after his junior year. Since he’s performed so well, in a lot of ways, he’s probably ahead of schedule. Maybe that conversation — if he stays on track and stays healthy and everything continues to go as it has and he makes another step forward this year — maybe we have some discussion about that signing time being next summer.
“We try and ballpark projections as far as our planning but, really, the time frame is in control of the player.”
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I see the AHL in his future next season, maybe even the NHL if Berra and Ramo crap the bed this season.
It will be hard to cheer for Canada against the United States in the World Juniors with Gillies in net, but I will find a way. 1-0 win, with Monahan getting the goal and Poirier and Jankowski with the assists.
Let him Pwn the NCAA. My hope is the Gillies carries his team to a national title before he turns pro. I like that he's developed faster than anticipated but I hope they don't sign him next year. Third or fourth year yes. Like Feaster has said before (from comments about Brodie ) " It's good he had a good season. But let's see him do it again, and again after that. Then we can talk about contracts."
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The longer you can wait for a young goalie the better. I'd like to see him spend 4 years in college. I think we can keep him on a two way contract for 3 years after that with out him going through waivers. Of course need could throw the time table off.
Under Contract For 2013-14: Ramo, MacDonald, Berra, Brossoit, Orto
Under Contract For 2014-15: Ramo, Brossoit (MacDonald UFA, Berra & Ortio RFAs)
Under Contract For 2015-16: Brossoit (Ramo UFA)
“It’s very easy to damage kids by trying to rush them into the environment to quickly.”
Hooray for this most sensible of statements, I hope that this is how they feel about all of our prospects. No need to rush them all in this year and ruin their development getting spanked every night (that is if we do get spanked every night rather than surprising the world on our way to a run at the cup)
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He wasn't just a dominant rookie last year in the NCAA, he was dominant, period.
If he is dominant in the WJC and owns the NCAA this year, I don't see any reason to hold him back at all.
He certainly has the physical attributes for the next step. And while goalies typically take longer, it is not all that unusual for younger guys to break through.
If he's ready to jump to the A next year, I am all for it. And Weisbrod was pretty clear that he is only interested in that IF Gillies continues to progress on his current trajectory.
I have felt from day 1 that this kid was a cut above and was on the fast-track to the NHL. Absolutely nothing he has done has ever made me re-think that.
There is a side benefit as well, if it happens. Watching Gillies jump to pro would likely intensify the fire under Jankowski's butt.
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Great to see a potential #1 goalie in the organization. 5 years from now I don't see goaltending being an issue for the Flames, and I hope Gillies is the main reason why.
Just leave him in college. Weisbrod seems to be in a hurry to show how smart he is. I love the .....“I mean, we all knew he had this kind of potential,”. Just comes off as a bag of wind until we see results. He could be right, but he needs to tone down a bit. Word track is similar to how Feaster was saying that Janko might be the best player out of that draft year. Those words probably came from Weisbrod.
I like our prospect depth. He just seems like a guy that is keen to make projections and take credit.
What is wrong with them telling people how they view our prospects? I get what you are saying, but what is with people nowadays just hacking on every single thing that comes through the media?
Cripes, I for one enjoy hearing things on our prospects - whether it is where they think they are, where they think they will be, etc. I would way rather get a candid response that beating around the bush on these things. If they think Gillies could challenge for a pro contract after next season, say it. What is the harm in it really? Gillies could read too much into it, press himself, and faulter? Good lord, if that is the case, then we really don't have much of a prospect in him. If anything I read that Weisbrod is challenging Gillies to be even better. You want a pro contract? Come and get it.
Also - if Weisbrod thinks he found a gem, and wants to let people know about it, good on him. It appears, as of right now, that we might have. I'd prefer this approach to the media/fans, as opposed to having socks jammed in our managements mouths.
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One thing I actually really like about those highlights is they're not very flashy. Other than a few flashes of leather (and the diving save at the end), they were just solid positional saves and reading the play really well. I'd rather our goalie make all the saves look routine than have a highlight package full of acrobatic desperation saves.
I personally will not be upset if he isn't signed for a few more years. Goalies do not develop as fast as players, and they are able to play at a high level at a high age. Obviously there are some exceptions, such as Carey Price, but I don't think he will be Price. Let him take his time to develop. What's the point of bringing him in? We're going to sick anyway.
Weisbrod: Flames may sign Gillies as soon as next summer
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