How players Sutter has drafted as the Flames GM are doing this season

[HelloHockeyFans]

I think in prior years, Sutter drafted with the full intention of filling out his prospect base with serviceable players. Coming into the organization, the prospect base was laughable and Sutter seems like a guy who believes in promoting from within.

Now, having said that, he'd be silly to promote from within with the stable of players he had when he first arrived.

So he traded down often, to grab more picks in the early years, and drafted players he and the staff felt would be a likely NHL roster guy - even if they maxed out as a 3rd liner - rather than take the risk and pick a "sexier" player. The organization simply had to minimize the number of busts and flakes because they were working with an empty cupboard.

I also think that's why Sutter's been so active on the trade front... Because there was no one from within to fill the organizational gaps.

[Torture]

I think in prior years, Sutter drafted with the full intention of filling out his prospect base with serviceable players. Coming into the organization, the prospect base was laughable and Sutter seems like a guy who believes in promoting from within.

I couldn't agree more, great post.

[mikey_the_redneck]

Originally Posted by Delthefunky

Maybe they realize that he has all the offensive tools, he just needs to work on more important parts of his game?

I certainly hope so. It sounds odd for sure, because I think they would want him to be a scoring machine in order to gain that offensive confidence and bring it to the big league. I just hope he doesn't have that laziness or disinterest in him.......
Does anyone know if Backlund is playing center? Is he good at faceoffs?

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by mikey_the_redneck

Does anyone know if Backlund is playing center? Is he good at faceoffs?

Yeah, he's been at Center during ES play in the games I've seen. He's okay at faceoffs, he's no dynamo at it, but pretty average to my eyes.