Does Kris Chucko get another contract?

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Well its not surprising that an off year makes everyone dismiss the progress he appears to have made since being drafted. Pretty low risk to sign him again.

That said I didn't watch him this year in Abbotsford. If the Flames scouts, Sutter and Playfair have given up on him then we'll move on. If they still think he could be a player then re-signing him seems likely.

Unfortunately I don't think we have a lot of recent quotes from Playfair, Sutter, or our scouts on him. Therefore its all really a guessing game as to what they think of him. A guessing game where its trendy to write him off. I don't think most of us have enough good information on him to have informed opinions on the matter. I certainly haven't seen him enough to say if he's a write-off at this point.

However Chucko is a winger. It is not a position like goalie or even top 4 defense where you might worry that giving ice time to him will hold back other perhaps better prospects from developing. Thats really the only reason to actively get rid of him unless they truly believe he's got very little chance of being an NHLer. There's enough winger spots to go around and its not like we're drowning in amazing goal scoring wing prospects in the pro ranks next year. Not much harm in bringing him back if they think he still has a chance of developing into an NHLer even if they only think its 50/50.

[Loob/Backlund]

As a former 1st round pick, I think he should get one more contract for sure. He was a late bloomer before he was drafted and I think he will be a late bloomer as a pro.

[Nuje]

Originally Posted by Loob/Backlund

As a former 1st round pick, I think he should get one more contract for sure. He was a late bloomer before he was drafted and I think he will be a late bloomer as a pro.

Some called him a late bloomer. Most called him a foolish pick at that spot when it happened, and never backed down.

[Super-Rye]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

Nystrom always seemed to have more future and depth though. Chucko always seemed to be brawn that was kind of slow and a player that should have been picked in the old NHL. Sutter was still locked into the wrong mindset at this point about the game.

That was a horrible first round pick.

Chucko was picked in the old NHL. He was drafted in 2004. Sutter was not "locked in the wrong mindset" he was trying to go with a safe two way player because no one knew what the CBA would bring. I think Chucko will get another contract, and I think he will have a strong showing in training camp too.

[Nuje]

Originally Posted by Super-Rye

Chucko was picked in the old NHL. He was drafted in 2004. Sutter was not "locked in the wrong mindset" he was trying to go with a safe two way player because no one knew what the CBA would bring. I think Chucko will get another contract, and I think he will have a strong showing in training camp too.

Maybe so, but other than Phaneuf (who was a high 1st rounder), Sutter didn't draft in any considerable skill in 03 either. In 04, he picked Dustin Boyd, and then his usual type of player again (of which only Prust turned out to be an NHLer at this point).

People say that he wanted to pick all these safe players to fill out the prospect system, but no matter who you are, to go through 2 whole drafts and ignore offensive skill in most of your picks, is not good drafting, even when you're in the 'old NHL'.

[oldschoolcalgary]

Originally Posted by Super-Rye

Chucko was picked in the old NHL. He was drafted in 2004. Sutter was not "locked in the wrong mindset" he was trying to go with a safe two way player because no one knew what the CBA would bring. I think Chucko will get another contract, and I think he will have a strong showing in training camp too.

Every GM was in that situation in 2004 - that didn't prevent others from drafting good players.

"safe pick" does not = "two way player" btw

[albertGQ]

1 year, 2-way contract. No risk, little reward. I'd do it.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by albertGQ

1 year, 2-way contract. No risk, little reward. I'd do it.

I'd say there is some risk in that you keep a 25 year old and give him ice-time over a 21 year old player.

I'd hate to bother with Chucko and then see someone like Wahl lose out on valuable ice time while still trying develop Chucko. There is an opportunity cost.

As others have mentioned, there are bound to be minor league UFAs with more potential than Chuck and who would make better call-ups if we really need a veteran down there.

[Patrick]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I'd say there is some risk in that you keep a 25 year old and give him ice-time over a 21 year old player.

I'd hate to bother with Chucko and then see someone like Wahl lose out on valuable ice time while still trying develop Chucko. There is an opportunity cost.

As others have mentioned, there are bound to be minor league UFAs with more potential than Chuck and who would make better call-ups if we really need a veteran down there.

I dont see how that makes sense? Maybe if the Flames had a ton of young wingers but Wahl is a center and will most likely be given a role of center and be developed in that spot versus Chucko and him being a winger.

[Erick Estrada]

I don't see why you would cut him lose after an injury plagued season. May as well bring him back for one more season and see what he can do if healthy. If he has a solid year maybe give him a shot for 4th line of the big club. If he doesn't show that he's going to be an NHLer they can cut him lose next year. He is a 1st round pick so you want to exhaust all possibilities before cutting ties.

That said I've always thought he wasn't going to be an NHLer so I really doubt he can make it but it doesn't hurt the team to give him one more shot.

[jschick88]

I say sign him for another year. If he has a good training camp and a good pre-season, he stays. If he has a terrible camp, send him down to Abbortsford. If he gets claimed on waivers, big deal not a big loss. This is the year Chucko if resigned is make or break it for him.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Patrick

I dont see how that makes sense? Maybe if the Flames had a ton of young wingers but Wahl is a center and will most likely be given a role of center and be developed in that spot versus Chucko and him being a winger.

The point being, we have other guys coming down the line who deserve a shot now, we don't need Chucko taking their icetime.

Also, as everyone knows, many junior centres get converted to the wing in the pros.

[Super-Rye]

Originally Posted by Nuje

Maybe so, but other than Phaneuf (who was a high 1st rounder), Sutter didn't draft in any considerable skill in 03 either. In 04, he picked Dustin Boyd, and then his usual type of player again (of which only Prust turned out to be an NHLer at this point).

People say that he wanted to pick all these safe players to fill out the prospect system, but no matter who you are, to go through 2 whole drafts and ignore offensive skill in most of your picks, is not good drafting, even when you're in the 'old NHL'.

Every GM was in that situation in 2004 - that didn't prevent others from drafting good players.

"safe pick" does not = "two way player" btw

Of the 6 players taken after Chucko in the first round only Schultz and Green have done anything at the NHL level. Players taken in the second round that fit your "offensive skill" are Bolland(32) Booth(53) and Dubinsky(60). The only other player of note taken in the second round is Grossman. 36 picks and you get 6 NHL players.

In 2004 there were some really good picks in the top 10. There were some good players in the 11-20 range but a clearly a drop in talent. By the 21 to 30 range it was a crap shoot. Going into the draft the weakness was forward depth so Sutter makes a trade, grabs a couple thirds and takes Chucko 23rd, Boyd and Prust in the 3rd round. He took 1 pick and got 2 NHL players out of it. You make it sound like he should walk in there and draft everyone good but at the end of the day Sutter does not get the luxury of hindsight that we all seem to like throwing around here lately.

In 2003 the first round was one of the best we will ever see. Most of the guys drafted in the first round not only went on to play in the NHL but become important cogs on their hockey team...but then you look and the second round and guess what? Few impact players and most of the guys drafted from here on out will never stick with an NHL team.

Sutter has stocked the system full of promising young goalies and dmen. Hell we have even started to see the forwards get more skilled. Rebuilding a system from NOTHING takes a long time and Sutter has done a very good job of that and deserves credit for it. We will see some of his young players push some guys off the roster this year which means Sutter has something to dangle without creating a hole on his hockey team. Sound like some other teams? Possibly New Jersey or Detroit or Nashville?

Did Chucko turn out to be a second line player like some of us thought? No, but guess what? It happens. The draft is always a crap shoot unless you're in the top 10 or have a year like 2003. (Which is something Sutter has preached since he's been here) Chucko still may find his way into the NHL as an energy line player but signing him to a 1 year deal is a low risk move that may pay off for this hockey team.

[Patrick]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

The point being, we have other guys coming down the line who deserve a shot now, we don't need Chucko taking their icetime.

Also, as everyone knows, many junior centres get converted to the wing in the pros.

So who would play center if a guy like Wahl is played on wing? Your argument only works when the Flames have a ton of prospects playing PRO. They are still a couple years from this happening so it isnt an issue.

[Reign of Fire]

Originally Posted by Super-Rye

Sutter has stocked the system full of promising young goalies and dmen. Hell we have even started to see the forwards get more skilled. Rebuilding a system from NOTHING takes a long time and Sutter has done a very good job of that and deserves credit for it. We will see some of his young players push some guys off the roster this year which means Sutter has something to dangle without creating a hole on his hockey team. Sound like some other teams? Possibly New Jersey or Detroit or Nashville?.

Yeah I hear Sutter has his eye on a real solid promising superstar with the 13th pick in this years draft....oh wait

[dfsflamesfan]

Originally Posted by Reign of Fire

Yeah I hear Sutter has his eye on a real solid promising superstar with the 13th pick in this years draft....oh wait

Really? Do you need to put this joke in? Everyone knows that we don't have it, get over it. Quit putting salt into a wound.

[Ren]

Originally Posted by dfsflamesfan

Really? Do you need to put this joke in? Everyone knows that we don't have it, get over it. Quit putting salt into a wound.

Being overly negative is just as annoying as being overly positive. No matter how you look at it Sutter has not had anywhere near the drafting ability of teams like Detroit, NJ, Nashville.

When you look at the drafting and development record of all 30 teams over the last decade or so the Flames are probably somewhere in the bottom 5. Somebody has to be, right? Besides Phaneuf the Flames haven't drafted and developed any impact players in the NHL since 1987, which is pretty abysmal considering this is the first year in a long time we haven't had a first round pick. Comparing us to some of the best in the league at this part of the game is laughable and incredibly homeristic.

Hell, I bet Phoenix gets a better player out of that 13th overall pick than any player currently in our system.

[oldschoolcalgary]

Originally Posted by Super-Rye

Of the 6 players taken after Chucko in the first round only Schultz and Green have done anything at the NHL level. Players taken in the second round that fit your "offensive skill" are Bolland(32) Booth(53) and Dubinsky(60). The only other player of note taken in the second round is Grossman and Krejci. 36 picks and you get 6 NHL players.

In 2004 there were some really good picks in the top 10. There were some good players in the 11-20 range but a clearly a drop in talent. By the 21 to 30 range it was a crap shoot. Going into the draft the weakness was forward depth so Sutter makes a trade, grabs a couple thirds and takes Chucko 23rd, Boyd and Prust in the 3rd round. He took 1 pick and got 2 NHL players out of it. You make it sound like he should walk in there and draft everyone good but at the end of the day Sutter does not get the luxury of hindsight that we all seem to like throwing around here lately.

In 2003 the first round was one of the best we will ever see. Most of the guys drafted in the first round not only went on to play in the NHL but become important cogs on their hockey team...but then you look and the second round and guess what? Few impact players and most of the guys drafted from here on out will never stick with an NHL team.

Sutter has stocked the system full of promising young goalies and dmen. Hell we have even started to see the forwards get more skilled. Rebuilding a system from NOTHING takes a long time and Sutter has done a very good job of that and deserves credit for it. We will see some of his young players push some guys off the roster this year which means Sutter has something to dangle without creating a hole on his hockey team. Sound like some other teams? Possibly New Jersey or Detroit or Nashville?

Did Chucko turn out to be a second line player like some of us thought? No, but guess what? It happens. The draft is always a crap shoot unless you're in the top 10 or have a year like 2003. (Which is something Sutter has preached since he's been here) Chucko still may find his way into the NHL as an energy line player but signing him to a 1 year deal is a low risk move that may pay off for this hockey team.

well, Calgary did trade down, so from their original pick, they had the choice of Zajac, Wolski, Meszaros, Schremp, Shultz and Green...those are from picks 20-30 and guys ranked higher than Chucko on the final CS rankings.

What "I" want, is Calgary to actually draft well. Hindsight is something that defenders always cite, as is "luck" in the draft. But if one looks at other teams, it is pretty hard to argue that we've done anything compared to other team (unless we are now lumped into the bottom third teams in the league, who also suffer from poor drafting/development)...

Is it too much to ask that Calgary drafts a guy like Giroux? Or Vesteeg? or Bolland, Bufyglein, Richards once every few years? Because, that is exactly what Calgary needs to do in order to remain competitive with the top teams in the league.

As for the "promising young goalies and dmen" that our system has, I guess we'll have to see...I haven't seen a difference maker yet - most seem to fall in the 5-6 range. Gio was a massive hit that Sutter et al deserve credit for and Backlund, might become that top 6 guy we've been hoping for...but outside of that, the 5 year plan has yet to show much.

the "top 10" argument is unsupportable - there are a ton of players that are top 6 forward/top 4 dmen drafted AFTER pick 10. I named just a handful above: the league is littered with those guys...except for Calgary.

[Super-Rye]

Originally Posted by oldschoolcalgary

well, Calgary did trade down, so from their original pick, they had the choice of Zajac, Wolski, Meszaros, Schremp, Shultz and Green...those are from picks 20-30 and guys ranked higher than Chucko on the final CS rankings.

What "I" want, is Calgary to actually draft well. Hindsight is something that defenders always cite, as is "luck" in the draft. But if one looks at other teams, it is pretty hard to argue that we've done anything compared to other team (unless we are now lumped into the bottom third teams in the league, who also suffer from poor drafting/development)...

Is it too much to ask that Calgary drafts a guy like Giroux? Or Vesteeg? or Bolland, Bufyglein, Richards once every few years? Because, that is exactly what Calgary needs to do in order to remain competitive with the top teams in the league.

As for the "promising young goalies and dmen" that our system has, I guess we'll have to see...I haven't seen a difference maker yet - most seem to fall in the 5-6 range. Gio was a massive hit that Sutter et al deserve credit for and Backlund, might become that top 6 guy we've been hoping for...but outside of that, the 5 year plan has yet to show much.

the "top 10" argument is unsupportable - there are a ton of players that are top 6 forward/top 4 dmen drafted AFTER pick 10. I named just a handful above: the league is littered with those guys...except for Calgary.

You are correct, I did miss Krejci taken with a supp pick in the second round.

Sutter did trade down but he picked 2 NHL players with those two picks. Like I stated Calgarys need was for forward depth and getting 2 NHL players out of it was good. I'm not saying Calgary HAS a great system like Nashville or New Jersey or Detroit, what I'm saying is Calgary is on their way to developing such a system. These don't just happen over night. Since Sutter has taken over our system has started developing some promising players. I feel much better about having Pelech, Seabrook, Negrin, Brodie and Erixon as well as young guys like Gio, Bou, White, and Pardy for our defensive depth than I did when we had Brennan Evans filling in for injuries. And I like the 'Dors and everything but at the end of the day neither of them is top 4 either.

Will all of our prospects work out? Probability says no and chances are if a bunch of them do make the NHL, some of them won't be with the Flames. It's the nature of the business. Would it have been nice to get our hands on a Versteeg or a Bolland? Of course it would have been. But when these guys were drafted no one knew how they were going to turn out. Not even the teams that drafted them. Versteeg was traded for Brandon Bouchenski. 29 other teams probably with they drafted Versteeg, or Giroux ect. ect.

I will be the first to admit I have not agreed with all of Sutter's picks but Sutters drafting has not been horrendous. We have all seen horrible drafting before, we all know what it looks like and it's not what Sutter is doing. Drafting Chucko 23rd overall was not bad drafting. He still has a chance at making the NHL and because we traded down we got 2 NHL players for the price of 1. Drafting Rico Fata and all of those guys who haunt us when we were continually in the top ten is bad drafting. Now that Sutter has a decent pool of prospects built up I can see him trying draft the occasional home run pick. He didn't have that luxury when he took over. Calgary's system is clearly heading in the right direction.

[Reign of Fire]

Originally Posted by dfsflamesfan

Really? Do you need to put this joke in? Everyone knows that we don't have it, get over it. Quit putting salt into a wound.

Really? you guys are quick to point out what Sutter has done, but nobody wants to acknowledge when Sutter fails...put salt into a wound...who created that wound?