to be fair to the guy though, he probably prepared the same way for several years, and after the season he had had the year before, why would he not assume it was just an off year?
Maybe because he was showing significant signs of not being able to play the game at a high level anymore in 2014-2015 too?
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He used to play the PP/PK in some capacity for his entire career, on pretty good teams, but for some reason isn't able to here, on two of the worst special teams units in the league? He deserves an honest chance to find himself a role whether Hartley and co. want to give it to him or not. It's not hard to argue that he wasn't really given any sort of opportunity outside of the odd shift here or there this season. Plus, who outside of the the teams top 2/3 forwards did anything for 80% of the season? The numbers don't lie, nobody executed at a high level or this team wouldn't be drafting in the top 10.
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I hate to tell you this, but I’ve just launched an air biscuit
That is an option, its basically "keep him with the big team". If he's with the big team come the opening day, he'll have to have earned it.
Agreed.
Fans are in complete denial if they think he was so bad that he doesn't potentially deserve a spot ahead of players like Bollig, Jooris, Ferland and Stajan. In fact, the Flames entire bottom 6 was a complete joke this season and Raymond wasn't even part of the equation having been demoted. If even half these guys had performed reasonably, the season could have been different.
Raymond may not be the answer, but he most definitely deserves a crack at unseating one of those coaches favorites who had a grand total of 51 points between them, were a collective -30 and often completely unplayable.
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I hate to tell you this, but I’ve just launched an air biscuit
I could MAYBE see him being traded this off-season. Last year of his contract. It would be for 'future considerations', and I think there will be salary retention on top of it - but Mason Raymond essentially for free at 1.5 million or so could still produce 20 goals under the right circumstances and be viewed as attractive. I could see either cap-crunched teams willing to take a chance on him if they have a winger spot open, but more likely a rebuilding team adding a free asset and to plug a hole in the hopes he plays well and can be flipped for a pick at the deadline.
If trading him doesn't work out, of course he tries out for the Flames. Who knows, he may take this off-season as his 'have to do what it takes to stay in the NHL' and actually impress in training camp.
If not, then you send him down.
I just don't think you ever buy him out with only one year remaining on the contract. Might as well just let his contract run out.
Let him come to camp. If asked what he did different for offseason season training and says 'nothing', like last year, then off to the sun Raymond Mason.
Fans are in complete denial if they think he was so bad that he doesn't potentially deserve a spot ahead of players like Bollig, Jooris, Ferland and Stajan. In fact, the Flames entire bottom 6 was a complete joke this season and Raymond wasn't even part of the equation having been demoted. If even half these guys had performed reasonably, the season could have been different.
Raymond may not be the answer, but he most definitely deserves a crack at unseating one of those coaches favorites who had a grand total of 51 points between them, were a collective -30 and often completely unplayable.
Raymond is twice as bad as every player you mentioned. He has no chance of out performing any of those guys.
I said trade him but that was totally unrealistic, unless he (a) impresses at camp and (b) the Flames retain salary.
Everyone knows I am not a Raymond hater. I've defended him, not so much overall, but against the whipping boy element. But he clearly doesn't have a spot on this team right now, though he has seemingly not putted and performed in Stockton. I guess you never know though. Wideman had a good year after a crappy one two years ago. Colborne had a good finish after a mediocre start.
No kidding. This would have been the year for an expansion draft.
25%? No problemo.
Wideman? Exposed (He'd give permission despite his NMC)
Stajan? Exposed
Raymond? Exposed
Smid? Exposed
Engelland? Exposed
Bollig? Exposed
Take em all you filthy expansion teams.
After next season they're all done here except for Stajan, which should be a good thing but because of a potential looming expansion draft it makes a guy nervous.
