Is Tyler Wotherspoon That Bad?

[Erick Estrada]

I think Hartley's earned the benefit of the doubt here. It's not like Wotherspoon did anything in the Jets game to warrant playing in the playoffs and he's obviously not convincing the coaches in practice that he's ready or he would have got in the lineup earlier in the season. I can only assume the coaches have a much better grasp of where a player is than fans.

[ricardodw]

I think it is not just Wootherspoon , but the Flames have not developed any NHL calibre d-men since Brodie.

Is Billins eligible to play in the playoffs?

It looks like the playoffs in Sweden are done. His team won the Champions’ Hockey League Cup on Feb 3,2015.. His team Lulea was eliminated in the quarter finals of the SEL playoffs losing game 7 to Forlunda on March 26

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

What I haven't seen is why Potter is so limited in minutes - he's looked OK to me, as good as Smid or Diaz in his own zone. Not much offence but that's not his job.

I agree. Not sure what he did last night to get benched.

[Eric Vail]

It looked to me like Wotherspoon was responsible for two goals against vs Winnipeg in the last game. That is not going to help him get in the lineup.

I thought he would be better. I hoped he would be in the NHL by now. His play against Winnipeg showed me why the coaches don't think he is ready.

It was great to have that Winnipeg game to give all our young d a shot and see what we have.

Any chance we will see Diaz or that guy from the Oilers again?

[mikeecho]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

Different playing in the last game exhibition game with Kulak and Ramage and Potter as your pairing partner.

Based on the -5 Colborne had in that game he would not be playing on a line with Backlund and Bennett last night.

Just a guess, but I suspect the coaches, scouts, etc... watch the games and make assessments on game play and the body of work to that point as opposed to +/-.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

Different playing in the last game exhibition game with Kulak and Ramage and Potter as your pairing partner.

Based on the -5 Colborne had in that game he would not be playing on a line with Backlund and Bennett last night.

totally different situation...if you can't see that there is no point on elaborating


Flames are in the playoffs and up one game in the 2nd year of a rebuild and Hartley is getting career years from 5 d-men...I think the coach knows what he's doing

[automaton 3]

imo Wotherspoon did not look great against the Jets.

I was pleasantly surprised by Ramage though.

[PeteMoss]

The question for the coaches isn't who do you trust to play 3 minutes a game as the 6th d. Its who do you trust if something happens to one of the other defenseman and this guy suddenly has to play 15-20 minutes. Obviously right now the answer is Potter.

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

I think it is not just Wootherspoon , but the Flames have not developed any NHL calibre d-men since Brodie.

Is Billins eligible to play in the playoffs?

It looks like the playoffs in Sweden are done. His team won the Champions’ Hockey League Cup on Feb 3,2015.. His team Lulea was eliminated in the quarter finals of the SEL playoffs losing game 7 to Forlunda on March 26

They haven't picked many defenseman in the draft (and made iffy picks on the guys they did pick) up until the past couple years.

[expatflame]

Here's hoping we draft some blue chip prospects in the upcoming draft (or trade for them).

[badger89]

I trust Hartley and Treliving to make the call, but it is curious that Wootherspoon got into 14 games last year and generally looked good but hasn't gotten a sniff this year. Hopefully that's just a result of more depth this year, not a step back in his progress.

[yads]

I'm guessing Potter's ice time is being limited due to matchups as well. Expect to see him with a bit more ice time in games 3&4.

[VladtheImpaler]

As I mentioned in some other thread a couple weeks ago, Molberg said on the radio that he "heard" that the Flames brain trust was not happy with Wotherspoon because of entitlement issues this season after he played some games last year. They were not happy with his attitude after he was sent down to the AHL earler in the year - too much pout apparently. So, take that for FWIW...

[taco.vidal]

So has Wotherspoon's play continued to not impress this preseason? Im starting to hear grumblings again.

Is he getting passed on the Flames' prospect depth chart?

[flamesfan55]

Originally Posted by taco.vidal

So has Wotherspoon's play continued to not impress this preseason? Im starting to hear grumblings again.

Is he getting passed on the Flames' prospect depth chart?

I would say without a doubt he's getting passed on the depth chart. But I don't think he's a bust or anything like that. I just think he needs to elevate his game. This is the first year that the Flames have really had a great depth of rookie Dmen in along time. So I think this is the first year that Wotherspoon has really been challenged on a rookie level. I think he still turns out to be a good top 6 dman.

[Finger Cookin]

Is there a more meaningless qualifier in pro sports than "top 6" when it comes to defensemen?

Do you think Wotherspoon is going to be a NHL journeyman, a bottom pairing D, a mid pairing D, or a top pairing D when you call him "top 6"?

[Poe969]

Tyler Wotherspoon will play the hockey.

Last year when there was a lot of hype about him, I didn't see anything special and I still don't. I don't think he's terrible but I think there are better options in the Flames system than him.

[Five-hole]

I think the issue is that he doesn't really excel at anything. Nor is he particular bad at anything. Just average at everything. It's probably easier to draw in if you have a more pointed skill set, in particular if you're great defensively. Engelland is poor at most things but way above average in physicality, hence him drawing in. Especially since physicality is something this team's management values highly. IMO.

[GioforPM]

If the Flames are looking at a 6/7, and considering Brodie's injury, his competition for a spot is now Wilson, Andersson, and Nakladl (depending on what happened to him last night).

I'm betting they go Wilson, just because of the role that would be assumed.

[Huntingwhale]

It's not that Wotherspoon is bad. It's just that our prospects on D are so good now. Great problem to have. Unfortunately, some players feelings are going to be hurt.