2014 Training Camp Cuts. UPD: Oct 5 - Baertschi, Jooris and Ortio cut

[Wastedyouth]

Originally Posted by Goodlad

McGrattan is the toughest guy in the league and can play actual 4th line minutes without hurting the team. Add to that his leadership in the locker room and his relationship with Monahan I can't think why he would get cut from the team.

Incorrect. He is the most sheltered, most easily zone started, most massively outshot player on the Flames.

He's a possession black hole and he hurts the team more than he helps it.

Unless you think a dancing bear on skates helps a team play hockey.

[Vulcan]

Most of the young players have also been playing in Penticton, so they have a head start on the vets. It's too early to make any definitive decisions as far as our vets are concerned.

Having said this, I'd like to see two rookies make the team as the vets didn't prove much last season. Also it's generally a good idea to have a couple of rookies make the team each season. It keeps the team fresh. The other point is if we have a few players that are ready now but we make them wait a year, we'll have even more players ready next season and I don't see it as being smart to have say 5 rookies on a team.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

...I'd like to see two rookies make the team as the vets didn't prove much last season. Also it's generally a good idea to have a couple of rookies make the team each season. It keeps the team fresh. The other point is if we have a few players that are ready now but we make them wait a year, we'll have even more players ready next season and I don't see it as being smart to have say 5 rookies on a team.

Your last point is valid, but chances are high that even if only one or two rookies make the team out of camp, there will be another three or four that see time in the NHL due to injuries, suspensions and such. I'm just not sure if it is a good idea to hold open a couple of spots on the team every year, because the beginning of every year is a little different. One thing that is certain is that next year will be very, very interesting as a result of all the young players who will be ready to play.

[PeteMoss]

Paul Byron is 25 years old. He's a month younger than Backlund and a year older than guys like Brodie/Bouma/Colborne. Its a junk stat, but he had the highest +/- of any forward on the team.

He's not the world's greatest player, but he's a similar value as a guy like Bouma and a step up from the McGratton/Bolligs of the world.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

Paul Byron is 25 years old. He's a month younger than Backlund and a year older than guys like Brodie/Bouma/Colborne. Its a junk stat, but he had the highest +/- of any forward on the team.

He's not the world's greatest player, but he's a similar value as a guy like Bouma and a step up from the McGratton/Bolligs of the world.

I think he's better than Bouma. He at least has the capability to put up some solid offensive numbers. Bouma is good at just about everything but offense though. Maybe he should become a defenseman?

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Finger Cookin

Capgeek added a good feature this off-season, where it shows each player's waiver status. The only players the Flames have who aren't already regular NHLers that would have to clear waivers are Acolaste, Cundari, and Thiessen.

http://capgeek.com/flames/

You forgot Byron and Potter, they also need to clear waivers if they are cut and are not NHL regulars.

[Finger Cookin]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

You forgot Byron and Potter, they also need to clear waivers if they are cut and are not NHL regulars.

I considered them NHL regulars when I wrote my reply, which I guess is debatable.

Byron has played part of the last 4 NHL seasons, last year marking the first season he's played more NHL games than not. Potter has played more NHL games than games in other leagues in each of the last three seasons.

YMMV

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Originally Posted by New Era

Yeah, you don't want to get into an argument over the value of the 13th forward from the 27th place team in the NHL. You'll lose every time. Every team has numerous Paul Byrons waiting to get their shot in the NHL. For the Flames I would much rather see Granlund, Reinhart, Agostino, Arnold or Ferland take that roster spot. Byron is middling talent with little to no upside left in his game. His diminutive stature makes him completely unattractive in the NHL game. He would pass through waivers without a problem. If he doesn't, no big loss. Opens up a spot for better players with greater upside.

Sounds like MSL while he was with the Flames.

Not saying Byron can get to that level, but you are not giving him enough credit. He put his time in the minors, improved his game and has decent possession and production numbers, given the role he has been given. He isn't necessarily the 13th forward, and certainly isnt the reason they finished 27th.

[Ring of Fire]

This is from earlier this month, but Diaz was offered a try-out with the Red Wings and chose the Flames offer. It must be the Hiller-Baertschi-Hartley-Swiss connection that led to the Flames getting something the Red Wings wanted.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=729746

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Finger Cookin

I considered them NHL regulars when I wrote my reply, which I guess is debatable.

Byron has played part of the last 4 NHL seasons, last year marking the first season he's played more NHL games than not. Potter has played more NHL games than games in other leagues in each of the last three seasons.

YMMV

You have an extremely loose definition of NHL regular. What you defined is a part time NHLer.

[sureLoss]

Cundari on waivers per Lavoie

[CsInMyBlood]

Originally Posted by New Era

Yeah, you don't want to get into an argument over the value of the 13th forward from the 27th place team in the NHL. You'll lose every time. Every team has numerous Paul Byrons waiting to get their shot in the NHL. For the Flames I would much rather see Granlund, Reinhart, Agostino, Arnold or Ferland take that roster spot. Byron is middling talent with little to no upside left in his game. His diminutive stature makes him completely unattractive in the NHL game. He would pass through waivers without a problem. If he doesn't, no big loss. Opens up a spot for better players with greater upside.

How the hell do you know what Byrons upside is or isn't? Nobody knows at this point. Did you actually watch the guy play last year? He was one of our best players on many nights.

There is no way Reinhart, Agostino, Ferland, Granlund or Arnold are better than him or more NHL ready at this point.

From what he showed last season and the way he has been playing this preseason, Byron deserves a spot to show just what his ceiling may or may not be.

[OzSome]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Cundari on waivers per Lavoie

Not surprise on this move at all. Cundari might be a good defenseman but he won't make it here in Calgary as an NHLers. I don't even think he is a Top 10 of Flames D depth chart.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Cundari on waivers per Lavoie

another shrewd Feaster move

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by CsInMyBlood

How the hell do you know what Byrons upside is or isn't? Nobody knows at this point. Did you actually watch the guy play last year? He was one of our best players on many nights.

There is no way Reinhart, Agostino, Ferland, Granlund or Arnold are better than him or more NHL ready at this point.

From what he showed last season and the way he has been playing this preseason, Byron deserves a spot to show just what his ceiling may or may not be.

To me, Byron is the epitome of what the Flames want from a younger player. Paid his dues ripening in the AHL, seized the opportunity to play in the NHL when given the chance (would have been earlier if he hadn't been injured), plays hard every single shift with a mix of grit and skill, plays whatever role is asked of him without complaint. If we was average size he'd be an absolute lock on the team if not a leader.

He may not be part of the long range plan but he's an excellent asset and example to have on the team right now. If the team is serious about rewarding the right things he should be on it.

[Finger Cookin]

Surprised more cuts haven't been announced yet today.

[Arya Stark]

Byron should be a lock. He drove our offence on so many nights last season and created a lot, played physical, and was a machine back checking.

What more can this guy prove?

[sureLoss]

Pat Steinberg @Fan960Steinberg
#Flames assign Turner Elson, Emile Poirier, John Ramage, Ryan Culkin, and Mark Cundari to Adirondack.

[Bingo]

so that's 40 players left

3 goalies
14 dmen
23 forwards

and what's the hurt count at? Raymond, Smid, Backlund, Granlund?

[bubbsy]

is there a list of who's left at camp floating around anywhere?