[Trade] Mitch Wahl traded to Philly for Mike Testwiude

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I agree with your post but apparently there are very real reasons our prospects aren't being put in positions to succeed as how else do you explain what's going on down there this season?

Let's be honest here. Here is who I would list as legitimate prospects in Abbotsford (and those with a legitimate shot to perhaps one day put a Flames jersey on):

- Sven: Played top minutes on the first line. First unit PP.
- Reinhart: Was a victim of an absolutely packed top 4, so he played 3rd line shutdown centre minutes. Is now one of the team's go-to PK guys and defensive zone draw guys. He's now getting first unit PP minutes on the blueline.
- Byron: Has played top-6 minutes all year and is one of the fastest, most creative guys out there. Gets lots of PP time.
- Sylvester: Exact same as Byron. Gets PP time.
- Street: The go-to guy for offense. First or second line centre. First unit PP guy. Ward told him to shoot every chance he gets and he's right at the top of the list in shots on net in the league. His shooting % is low, so I'd expect it to go up.
- Horak: Always out there in offensive situations. Gets second unit PP time.
- Brodie: Logged damn near 30:00 a game. Enough said.
- Carson: First unit PP blueliner. Plays big shutdown minutes. Leads all defensemen in shooting % in the AHL.
- Bancks: Another go-to PK/energy guy. I'd go as far as to say the next captain of the Heat.
- Aliu: Injuries and inconsistent effort kept him out. I'd say more Aliu's fault than Ward's.
- Lamb: Took a while to get going, but the departure of Brodie and McCarthy opened up space for him in the lineup. He's now on the second PP unit and has a pretty decent shot. He's always looking for the big hit.
- Breen: With Brodie gone, he's the most relied upon d-man. Plays HUGE defensive zone minutes. Wouldn't surprise me to see Breen in a Flames uniform next season. He's taken a big step forward in his development this season. The biggest improvement: his physical game. He's near impossible to beat in a fight.
- Bouma: Played a ton in the three games before he got hurt.
- Howse: Conditioning issues again. Not consistent enough to be a full-time player in the lineup right now.
- Blair Jones: Huge minutes in every situation. The first one out on PP, PK, even strength, extra man, etc.
- Eddy: Not a very good player. Bring a bit of speed and toughness, but not much else.
- Irving: Honestly don't know what happened there.
- Taylor: I still think he has a future with the Flames beyond this season. Ward's go-to goaltender.

So as you can see there's perhaps three that could've got more ice time, but didn't because of inconsistency, conditioning, attitude problems (Howse, Eddy, Aliu), two that I suppose could be placed on Ward's shoulders in Irving and Lamb (early in the season). The rest have been given huge amounts of opportunity.

I think what's most likely is that we don't have the greatest prospects on the farm right now. To develop a winning culture around the ones we do have, Ward plays capable veterans to get wins ALONG with capable prospects.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

Let's be honest here. Here is who I would list as legitimate prospects in Abbotsford (and those with a legitimate shot to perhaps one day put a Flames jersey on):

- Sven: Played top minutes on the first line. First unit PP.
- Reinhart: Was a victim of an absolutely packed top 4, so he played 3rd line shutdown centre minutes. Is now one of the team's go-to PK guys and defensive zone draw guys. He's now getting first unit PP minutes on the blueline.
- Byron: Has played top-6 minutes all year and is one of the most fastest, most creative guys out there. Gets lots of PP time.
- Sylvester: Exact same as Byron. Gets PP time.
- Street: The go-to guy for offense. First or second line centre. First unit PP guy. Ward told him to shoot every chance he gets and he's right at the top of the list in shots on net in the league. His shooting % is low, so I'd expect it to go up.
- Horak: Always out there in offensive situations. Gets second unit PP time.
- Brodie: Logged damn near 30:00 a game. Enough said.
- Carson: First unit PP blueliner. Plays big shutdown minutes. Leads all defensemen in shooting % in the AHL.
- Bancks: Another go-to PK/energy guy. I'd go as far as to say the next captain of the Heat.
- Aliu: Injuries and inconsistent effort kept him out. I'd say more Aliu's fault than Ward's.
- Lamb: Took a while to get going, but the departure of Brodie and McCarthy opened up space for him in the lineup. He's now on the second PP unit and has a pretty decent shot. He's always looking for the big hit.
- Breen: With Brodie gone, he's the most relied upon d-man. Plays HUGE defensive zone minutes. Wouldn't surprise me to see Breen in a Flames uniform next season. He's taken a big step forward in his development this season. The biggest improvement: his physical game. He's near impossible to beat in a fight.
- Bouma: Played a ton in the three games before he got hurt.
- Howse: Conditioning issues again. Not consistent enough to be a full-time player in the lineup right now.
- Blair Jones: Huge minutes in every situation. The first one out on PP, PK, even strength, extra man, etc.
- Eddy: Not a very good player. Bring a bit of speed and toughness, but not much else.
- Irving: Honestly don't know what happened there.
- Taylor: I still think he has a future with the Flames beyond this season. Ward's go-to goaltender.

So as you can see there's perhaps three that could've got more ice time, but didn't because of inconsistency, conditioning, attitude problems (Howse, Eddy, Aliu), two that I suppose could be placed on Ward's shoulders in Irving and Lamb (early in the season). The rest have been given huge amounts of opportunity.

I think what's most likely is that we don't have the greatest prospects on the farm right now. To develop a winning culture around the ones we do have, Ward plays capable veterans to get wins ALONG with capable prospects.

Got a question about Breen for you?

Just say Butler was traded for some grit, do you think Breen would be ready to take over on the bottom pairing?

I don't think Anton has much of a chance of getting back into the lineup. I don't think Hartely likes the foot speed of Sarich to give him the every game status of bottom pairing.

[sureLoss]

Nice write up on Testwuide:
http://www.calgarysun.com/2013/02/26...ing-the-waters

"It's huge for me to perform well for these last 20-plus games and playoffs, so I can showcase what I have and what I bring for the Flames," Testwuide said. "They've been great to me already. They've already reached out to me with so many guys and they seem excited, and I'm excited. I think it's a good fit, a good situation.

"And hopefully, it's a great situation for the future."

If Testwuide is able to eventually scratch his way to the Saddledome, he'll know who to call for advice. During his days at the University of Denver, J.P. Testwuide was roommates with current Flames blueliner Chris Butler, and Mike was often hanging around their place despite playing hockey for the arch-rival Tigers.

"Mike's a big guy with good skills, and he plays the game hard. He was always a tough player to handle," Butler said after Tuesday's morning skate in Minnesota. "I think he'll be a guy that surprises a lot of people."

Down the hall at Xcel Energy Center, Minnesota Wild defenceman Nate Prosser also provided a promising scouting report on the Flames' latest acquisition, his teammate for four seasons in the college ranks.

"In the weight-room, he's a freak. He was breaking records at our school," Prosser said. "And on the ice, you can tell in the corners that he's solid on his feet. He can put the puck in the net, as well.

"The way he works, I have no doubt he can make it (to the NHL). I think he will."

[Roof-Daddy]

From the bottom of that article:

THREE STARS

G Jon Gillies -- The Providence Friars' freshman puck-stopper could be on this list every week. One week after setting a school shutout record, the 19-year-old backstopped the Friars to a pair of wins over Northeastern, allowing just four goals on 67 shots, good for a .944 save percentage.

D Tyler Wotherspoon -- The Portland Winterhawks rearguard was plus-8 in four outings last week. Heading into Tuesday's action, the 19-year-old ranked second in the WHL with an incredible plus-58 rating in 53 appearances.

D Ryan Culkin -- Calgary's fifth-round selection in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, the offensive-minded blueliner has seven points -- two goals and five assists -- over his past seven skates with the Quebec Remparts.

Three prime examples of Flames prospects having "bad" years.

[SuperMatt18]

What Gillies is doing as a true freshman goalie is pretty remarkable.

Just as, if not more impressive, then what Gaudreau did last season.

Especially considering his team was not supposed to be that good but he has led them to being one of the top teams in the conference.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

Got a question about Breen for you?

Just say Butler was traded for some grit, do you think Breen would be ready to take over on the bottom pairing?

I don't think Anton has much of a chance of getting back into the lineup. I don't think Hartely likes the foot speed of Sarich to give him the every game status of bottom pairing.

Yes. As a bottom pairing d-man, yes. Very few players in the AHL can match him strength-wise. Plus, he adds much needed toughness to the blueline. He an actually hit people and he'll drop the gloves.

His foot speed is about par with Sarich and Babs, but he's way more physically imposing than Babs and probably exceeds the defensive abilities of Sarich at this point in his career.

[SuperMatt18]

I think Butler and Breen would actually be a good bottom pairing.

Smith has not been as effective this year as last(improving every game though).

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Watched the Heat practice this morning and Testwuide is a big dude. About the same height as Nemisz, but way bulkier. He's got about average foot speed and acceleration, but I can see him adding that much-needed sandpaper to the Heat lineup. I like the acquisition already.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

The Heat (or whatever the new name will be) need a complete overhaul next year.

The team needs to get young. Enough of players like Walter, Kolanos, Piskula. They have to be the oldest team in the AHL.

The Flames need to sign Ramage, Wotherspoon, and Culkin for next season. Give them all top 4 minutes on the blueline. All situations, PK, PP, what have you.

Give Brossoit a lot of games (40+). Give Ferland top 6 minutes. If Arnold decides to sign this off-season, give him and Reinhart top line minutes.

There's no reason our prospects shouldn't be put in positions to succeed.

It is arguable whether putting a bunch of rookies in roles they may not be ready for and then having the team bomb would be putting them in position to succeed.

I think you underestimate how many teams in the AHL win with AHL veterans and overestimate how much of an immediate impact most rookie pros make. I also think some people are reading a bit too much into Ward's choices when the NHL was in lockout mode and he had extra bodies (Baertschi, Brodie, etc.)

The young players that earned top minutes have gotten them (Baertschi, Brodie, Horak.) Guys like Reinhart have been seeing increased minutes as their play has improved and the depth was decreased.

Guys like Ferland and Howse bombed because they were out of shape and not ready to be pros. Not sure why there is a sentiment that Ward is holding any young guys back. Seems like the players that haven't gotten significant roles haven't deserved them.

[EddyBeers]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

From the bottom of that article:



Three prime examples of Flames prospects having "bad" years.

I would think that is three examples of Flames prospects having good weeks, they may relative to their peers in the same draft class be having bad years though.

[BloodFetish]

Roof-Daddy was using sarcasm, I'm pretty sure.

Gillies and Wotherspoon are having very good years. Culkin...I don't know enough about him, his play, or the league he's in to say.