What to do with Mason Raymond?

[TheScorpion]

Ah, Mason Raymond. How far you've fallen.

MayRay was a highly-touted free agent acquisition in 2014. For two weeks, he played like the player who we all wanted him to be: a speedy second-line left winger with a scoring touch.

Then he got hurt. Then he came back, and finished the year with a thud, going goalless in the playoffs.

Ah, well - he was hurt.

Then 2015-16 happened. The Flames missed the playoffs. #21 scored only 5 points in 29 games, barely enough to qualify as a 13th forward. He was scratched, waived, and demoted.

But then, something interesting happened. In the AHL, Raymond played well. Really well, like someone with something to prove. He scored 15 points in 15 games, helping push Stockton towards a playoff spot. While they didn't reach the Calder Cup playoffs, Raymond kept them alive longer than they should have stayed.

Now, the Flames have some holes to fill up front. The team has no #1 right winger, no #2 left winger, and... hey. We might have a #2 left winger!

This is Mason Raymond's chance. He's flourished in this position before, coming into Toronto on a one-year deal in 2013 and putting up 45 points in 82 games. Should the Flames hire a coach more suited to Raymond's playing style, or one who he is familiar with from his Vancouver days... is it possible that Mason Raymond could once again have an impact at the NHL level?

[bigrangy]

Raymond-Backlund-Frolik as the 2B line next year. If Bouma and Colborne can put up points with Backlund anyone can.

[GranteedEV]

A shot. Nothing more, nothing less.

[TheScorpion]

Personally, I believe that we have to give him a fair shot. That means sustained playing time with Bennett.

We can't afford to play this like we did with Setoguchi.

[Roof-Daddy]

The answer to your poll depends entirely on how Raymond does in camp.

That's if they don't buy him out first.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

A shot. Nothing more, nothing less.

Yup, just this. Not even a guaranteed spot out of camp, but give him an honest look

[northcrunk]

Wow it's almost as if the AHL has easier competition! Is "fire him into the sun" now an option?

I would keep him as far away from the NHL as possible. He does not have what it takes anymore and is a perimiter player never in the tough areas. It might be possible to put up points in the AHL that way but not in the NHL.

[Caged Great]

Give him a shot to salvage his career. If he doesn't earn the spot in training camp, then off to Stockton he goes never to be heard from again.

[Lil Pedro]

What pisses me off about Raymond is that he never uses the tool that got him this far in the NHL; his speed. I would love to see him get back to that are start burning defenders wide and create chances. When he moves his feet he can create space for him and his line mates. It all depends on the new coach and how good he plays in the training camp/pre-season.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

Give him a shot to salvage his career. If he doesn't earn the spot in training camp, then off to Stockton he goes never to be heard from again.

I thought that's what last season was.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Buy him out.

[calgaryblood]

Mason Raymond isn't a prospect, he's had about 10 shots in the NHL, he's not about to have an epiphany and learn how to be an effective player.

[FlamesAddiction]

I don't like any of the choices in the poll.

I say give him every chance to make the team and redeem himself. Maybe a new coach will help.

If he can't play on the 1st or 2nd lines, he is useless on the bottom 6. If this happens, send him to Stockton and call him up if he earns it.

[MissTeeks]

Didn't we already do this?


EDIT: Yes, yes we did.

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthr...hlight=Raymond

[ricardodw]

In what alternate universe does Raymond do better in a more standard system?

He didn't perform well in the Hartley's run and gun system of 3 line passes and forwards turning up the ice as soon as the D comes close to a puck.... basically a system tailored to his abilities.

The 2016-17 Flames will be a lot more grinding than the 2014-15-16 Flames as there is basically no other way to go.

In other breaking news there will not be 3 Flames D-men chipping in with 40+ pts.

[polak]

I heard the sun might run out of fuel in a billion years or so. We should fire him in there just in case.... You know, play it safe?

[blankall]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I don't like any of the choices in the poll.

I say give him every chance to make the team and redeem himself. Maybe a new coach will help.

If he can't play on the 1st or 2nd lines, he is useless on the bottom 6. If this happens, send him to Stockton and call him up if he earns it.

Raymond has been a very effective 3rd liner on a lot of other teams. He's obviously not physical, but can be an effective energy/forechecking/penalty killing type.

I wouldn't buy him out. He's still an NHL calibre player that we can slide into the top 3 lines in the case of injury.

[FireItUp]

It would be nice to see him get a second chance and succeed but the reality is his game as a whole, isn't good enough. He has all speed and not much else, and in today's NHL you've gotta have more assets to crack a roster spot.
If he doesn't get traded he'll most likely be hanging around in the minors next season unless he's currently working on his game this summer and comes to camp with a more complete game to earn a spot on the roster.

[Karl]

Originally Posted by blankall

Raymond has been a very effective 3rd liner on a lot of other teams. He's obviously not physical, but can be an effective energy/forechecking/penalty killing type.

I wouldn't buy him out. He's still an NHL calibre player that we can slide into the top 3 lines in the case of injury.

Is he though? Is he really STILL that player? Are you sure you're not thinking about the Raymond from 3 years ago and before? To me he looks closer to being washed up than not.

And who would you buy out, if anyone? Just curious.

[Vinny01]

Done with him