Calgary Wranglers 2023 Playoffs Thread

[Canada 02]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

I think at this point Phillips has proven enough that he could easily get AHL contracts for good money from any team, or in Europe.

He likely tried to find a coach that will give him an NHL shot because really it's his last shot.

Dave Lowry - Assistant in Seattle - Coached him in Victoria
Mitch Love - ???? - Coached him his best two seasons in the AHL

If Mitch Love is the new head coach in Calgary, then I think he stays. It's still his home town and with the Wranglers being here too then it's easier for him.

If Mitch Love isn't the next coach...then I think it will be Seattle.

I think Conroy pushed to draft Phillips. If he were the new GM, perhaps he makes a strong offer to convince him to re-sign. Regardless, I doubt Phillips comes back

[Naitix]

I think Phillips re-signs if the Flames offer similar deal to other NHL clubs. He should get as fair of a shot with the Flames with Sutter gone as with any other club, and I bet he would prefer to stay with the Flames. Flames AHL team being in Calgary is huuuuge, if he doesn't make the Flames roster he just needs to walk down to a different dressing room, his life stays the same. A lot of AHL clubs are in the worst cities in the country. Phillips is not guaranteed a spot on any NHL team, so might as well stick with the Flames if the money is similar

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by greyshep

Stupid choice to have to make.

It's a minor league. They don't have the travel budget, so their 5 game series' need to be 2-3 format.

What would you propose?

[TheScorpion]

Yeah with Sutter gone I could absolutely see Phillips re-signing. At worst, he still gets to play in his hometown. We'll see if the Flames express interest.

[Moneyhands23]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Yeah with Sutter gone I could absolutely see Phillips re-signing. At worst, he still gets to play in his hometown. We'll see if the Flames express interest.

If they offer him a 2 year 1 way like Walker then I can see him being in to it.

[jlh2640]

Phillips is gone, no question

[mile]

Originally Posted by jlh2640

Phillips is gone, no question

Even if Love is the next Flames coach?

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by jlh2640

Phillips is gone, no question

Two days ago I would've agreed with you. And it's still very possible. But there are three guys in this organization — Love, MacLean, and Huska — who have coached him in the A and love his game, and I very much could see a one-way deal being a possibility.

If it's not here, I think it'll be Seattle or Vancouver. His family has strong west coast ties. But if he senses there's an NHL opportunity opening up in Calgary with this head coach (who was the major impediment to his chances) now gone, I think the odds of him re-signing increase tenfold. We'll see.

[greyshep]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

It's a minor league. They don't have the travel budget, so their 5 game series' need to be 2-3 format.

What would you propose?

Throw them on a bus if flying is too expensive. Its not like they are against having excessively long breaks between games lol. 2-2-1 format should be mandatory. The scenario where the higher seed has to make a crappy choice like this should not exist IMO.

[TheScorpion]

The AHL will not let its teams bus any distances longer than 300 miles. The players would never go for it.

Calgary to Abbotsford is obviously way over that threshold.

[Lanny_McDonald]

What would be a comparable for Phillips? Carcone or Barre-Boulet? Probably Carcone since Barre-Boulet was signed to a long-term extension before reaching possible free agency? So probably a two-year deal with a league minimum NHL salary and then a bump on his AHL salary to $150-175K?

[CroFlames]

These are minor leaguers, but still professional athletes. They ain't going to want to bus 12+ hours each way for one extra homegame.

[cowtown75]

Does anyone know where Stromgren is right now ? I know he signed the ATO with the Wranglers and got a couple of games in with the club near the end of the year but isn't on the Wranglers playoff team ?

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

It's a minor league. They don't have the travel budget, so their 5 game series' need to be 2-3 format.

What would you propose?

a 3-2 format

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by cowtown75

Does anyone know where Stromgren is right now ? I know he signed the ATO with the Wranglers and got a couple of games in with the club near the end of the year but isn't on the Wranglers playoff team ?

They released him from his ATO a couple weeks ago. Just too many bodies and it was highly unlikely he was ever going to play in the playoffs.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by jlh2640

Phillips is gone, no question

I don't think he has as many options as people think

[greyshep]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

These are minor leaguers, but still professional athletes. They ain't going to want to bus 12+ hours each way for one extra homegame.

Then treat them like pros and fork out the money for an extra playoff flight if necessary. 2-3 playoff formats are not what I would call professional.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Isn't Conroy a huge Phillip's fan?

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by greyshep

Then treat them like pros and fork out the money for an extra playoff flight if necessary. 2-3 playoff formats are not what I would call professional.

It's not a Flames decision to make though. It's league policy, and some of its member teams are independently owned. It's not something the Canucks and Flames can bilaterally agree to do for their series. And what's the Canucks' motivation to play along?

[CMPunk]

It must be hard for some of you to have to keep finding something to complain about after the season the Wranglers had.

Travel is always going to be an issue with the team in Calgary. We can always move the team back to Stockton, then everyone else would be alot closer and we wouldn't have to worry about who gets two games and who gets three.