QOTD: Are the Flames re-thinking the Drew Shore situation?

[Bingo]

Called up within a week of being acquired, one practice, straight in against the Coyotes ... then back to back healthy scratches on the eve of his waiver exempt setting game.

Was this the plan all along?
Did his first game not match their expectations?

[devo22]

Don't think so, there's no harm in giving him more time to adapt to a new team. Also, didn't they scratch Colborne a few times too after acquiring him last season?

[kyuss275]

Voted no. They knew they had a 2 game cushion and they are using it.

[Ulrith]

I don't think so. I think they're just giving him some time to learn the system and watch from the press box.

[dying4acup]

Nothing to see here. Adjustment period is normal.

[mrkajz44]

It's just the Hartley "don't fix what isn't broke" formula in my opinion. The team is winning games without Shore contributing, so no need to change that in the short term. I don't think this is a sign he's being sent down, or anything like that.

[IamNotKenKing]

While I appreciate it may be difficult to come up with a QOTD every day, no, there is nothing odd about how they are dealing with this situation.

[DJones]

If he plays another game don't they have to give him a contract?

[btimbit]

Mikael Granlund is a Flame now too? Neat

Anyway, I voted the 3rd option since maybe his conditioning isn't where they thought? But really there's nothing wrong with him sitting. Didn't Hartley say last year he likes guys sitting sometimes so they can see everything that's going on on the ice? Could be a good way to learn the systems, and also if what's in the ice is working/winning Hartley isn't going to change it.

[Robbob]

I think after the trade the PHX game was the best shot to see him. I don't think you want to throw him in the deep end against SJ and LA, which are pretty critical games for the team. He will get more out of it practicing with the big club since games are few and far between down on the farm (I think I read 3 games the rest of the month).

[Poe969]

I think he's part of the team moving forward. I think he needs to learn the game from the press box for a game or two....it worked for Johnny. I like the kid and trust that he belongs with the team.

[Huntingwhale]

What? It's been 1 game. I was a bit surprised he got scratched, but I think Hartley did it so that he could get a bird's eye view of the game and system. He's done that with pretty much every newcomer. Nothing to see here other then a new guy getting a feel for how things are done. As well I think his waiver situation definitely played a role. He's a victim of circumstances, not from his play.

[Table 5]

Personally, this is why I was questioning bringing him up so early....it was a decision that seemed to handcuff the team for no reason. I don't question bringing him up, I question why they had to do it right away if he wasn't going to be able to play a full-time role. Prospects need to play, not sit.

If he's just adapting to the Flames ways...we're told the farm team works under the same coaching style as the big club, so it would've made sense for the Flames to play him in Adirondack to get used to how things are done in this organization. Then when he was brought up, it could've been a more seamless transition.

[Lanny_McDonald]

He's nothing more than a marginally better Corban Knight. He looked about as good as Corban Knight in his one game. He had a little more speed, but nothing else that made me feel like he'd be anything more than what Knight was. They should have kept him in Addy until he had 10 games in the Flames system under his belt before calling him up.

[Super-Rye]

I don't think anything has changed. If I remember correctly Colborne was scratched for a few games as well early in his Flames tenure so that he could learn the system. I think this is what is happening with Shore. He looked solid in his first game so I can't imagine he did anything that caused management to think they made a mistake.

With that said, what might be complicating things for the Flames is the fact that Ortio is forcing them to carry 3 goalies atm, that, combined with Granlund playing really well last game has further complicated the numbers game.

[tvp2003]

I was thinking about this today. I guessing the game against Phoenix was intentional, and meant to evaluate Shore in a game that wasn't against the likes of SJ, LA or ANA. That's why they put him in right away.

The rest of the evaluation comes from how he does in practice; I wouldn't be surprised if he gets sent down one more time (depending on the roster situation) before getting called up for good this year.

[FlamesAddiction]

I think they just want him to get in more practices to learn the system. There is no rush really. I doubt one game means anything.

[FlameZilla]

Strange situation.

With Granlund playing better after his time in the pressbox and Jooris imminently returning I can understand the thought of sending Shore down while he's still exempt from waivers.

If he is demoted it's purely because of the numbers game; it has nothing to do with his play the other night, which was strong. I'm sure the staff will make that clear if he ends up in Adirondack.

Do you think Shore being around has lit a fire under Granlund's ass enough to get him to step up his play? He looked much better against the Sharks, and I'm sure it's at least partially due to competition arriving for his roster spot.

[wingmaker]

As has been mentioned by other posters in other threads, the Adirondack Flames have very few games this month. Given that, Shore will get the best introduction to the system travelling and practicing with the big squad rather than practicing with the AHL squad. They have the room to carry him, so no need to rush. It may be that they re-evaluated at the All-star break and send either he and or Granlund or Ortio down at that point. We shall see. But I doubt that he is sitting because management is regretting trading for him. They don't have to insert him into the lineup so they are taking their time making the right call while he is still waiver exempt.

[Vinny01]

This is a similar situation with Colborne. He needs to spend time with the coaching staff working hard in practice and get used to the system. I also feel they might send him down to the AHL for the all star break and bring him back up after.