UFA Poll: Should the Flames resign Kevin Westgarth?

[#-3]

option #5, would strongly consider a Tryout at Training camp to see where the other chips fall. (if he has no other offers, which is possible)

[Fire]

In any case, if they sign him or not, there is no point making a decision until the UFA period has started. Let's see who else is available first.

[Yamer]

Really wanted to say yes. He sounds like a pretty good guy and I think he fits well on that 4th line. However, too many young guys that can slot in there (or rotate between lines) and it's time for some turnover in this department.

Let him walk.

[StrykerSteve]

Yes.

[Stupid]

I chose option #2. We want our young guys to have to conquer a spot. If we free the spot up there's not much to conquer anymore. I don't necessarily see the position being filled by Kevin Westgarth but I do like the second fighter.

I really like the second half of our season and the reduction in hits against our team after he was added. Reduced injuries and more confidence is exactly what a rebuilding team (without size) needs.

[the_professsor]

I'm surprised to see so many 'yes' votes.

Westgarth is one of the worst players I've ever seen in the NHL, and he's only an average fighter. If we want a "2nd fighter" to protect the kids, why not go for someone who can contribute to the game, i.e. Konopka with faceoffs, or someone who is gonna win fights like a J. Boll

[t0rrent98]

Westgarth and McGratton should become the next Bash Brothers.

Speaking of Bash Brothers, there MAYBE a Mighty Ducks 4 on the way.

http://www.tsn.ca/bardown/Story.aspx...253f&id=454428

[FBI]

God no. If we keep re-signing all our crap, guess what we're going to be left with: crap

[Wolven]

Originally Posted by Tacoman

Two reasons for my "No" vote: 1) I'd love to get an actual player like Ferland or Wolf in the lineup instead and 2) With Westgarth in the lineup, the other team's goon will always want to fight him instead of Big Ern. And that just ain't right.

That pretty much summed up what I was thinking too. We already have enough "good guys" on the team. McGrattan is a great guy. Hudler is a great guy. Backlund is a great guy. Giordano is a great guy. Do we really need to keep Westgarth because of the locker room aspect? I don't think so.

As for the hockey side of it. I'd rather watch McGrattan fight and I would rather see Ferland, Wolf, BVB or pretty much any other young guy fighting his way up the depth chart play.

[Calgary Highlander]

Just because we sign him doesn't mean he has to play in a lot of the games. If Ferland or Wolf beat him out then he'll be the perfect 13th forward who is going to be a great teammate in practice and in the locker room. And if a couple of bigger players like McGrattan or David Jones get hurt then he can step in a be a physical presence. I honestly don't see the downside to signing him.

[Yanda]

Anything Westgarth does, Bouma does better.
He will do everything. better than you.

[btimbit]

I really started to like Westgarth, both on and off the ice. But unfortunately I just don't think there's room for him.

Wouldn't be upset if he came back, but just don't see the need.

[Hatter]

Voted no. I'd like to see Wolf or Ferland in that spot. They have at least a little offensive upside.

[chubeyr1]

A second level of protection for our young players is what Westgarth provides. I firmly believe in the two goon mentality. Westgarth knows his role. Terrible fighter but always game. No need to tap on his shoulder , he knows his role.

Team played better with him protecting the young guys. Every team has a goon, We have The Big Ern, he takes the other teams goon off the ice. Westgarth though is what other teams don't account for. Other teams don't take liberties with our players. Time to time Westgarth takes the other teams heavy weight off the ice. Normally losing the fight. Yet The Big Ern is left out there as a protector. Not many teams have an answer for this.

Is Wolfe or Van Brabant ready for this role? Maybe the nut Gillies on the heat? If Gaudreau play this year on our team I want a second goon handy. No one needs to tell Westgarth to protect this kid. I believe Westgarth could get 20 goals this year playing with Gaudreau. Gaudreau can shoot the puck off his head, his butt, his skates.

Gotta protect the young guys. Are team is more character than pure skill. We need westgarth for another year or two.

[Jackpot_Smooth]

I'd like to see how ferland comes along in camp before resigning westgarth. big ern is the heavy but there is a lack of middle weight guys. i don't see wolf as a heavy but more of an agitator/middleweight guy if he sticks with the nhl club. ferland also will fill that role if he can stick.

[Zulu29]

Voted no, however I really do like Westgarth for what he brings. I jus don't feel he should take the spot of a Wolf or Ferland on their way up. Best of luck to him and I hope he finds an nhl role somewhere.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Zulu29

Voted no, however I really do like Westgarth for what he brings. I jus don't feel he should take the spot of a Wolf or Ferland on their way up. Best of luck to him and I hope he finds an nhl role somewhere.

Even if re-signed he can lose a job to Wolf, Ferland or whomever else if that player is ready to be an NHL contributor. Which is better than leaving the spot open for someone to take and risking having no one ready to do so.

People claim they want meritocracy, then they want jobs handed to prospects.

[DoubleF]

Isn't it more like they want the prospects to have an unhindered ladder to the top? Not quite handing a job to a prospect, but still a pretty poor "earning" of a role. Sounds a bit Edmontonesque tbh.

[Caged Great]

Wolf in my mind is the new westgarth. If not, then you can find someone easily

[Point Blank]

Wait, if we want a shot at McDavid next year, wouldn't we want to have Westgarth signed for one year?