[Signing] Flames sign Ben Hanowski (2 years, two-way ELC, AAV 900k)

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by BACKCHECK!!!

I'm pretty much 100% with moon on this one (which happens from time to time).

In fact, I'll go a step further, and say that I think that if this guy hadn't been traded for Iginla, there's no way he'd be getting NHL time this season.

I'm sure it'll be good for him, and I wish him well. I just think that this is probably just so management can say "Look we actually got an NHL player out of our deadline deals"

Hanowski was going to be a UFA if he wasn't signed by August so they didn't have the luxury to wait. Now was as good of a time as any to sign him considering the season is a write off and it gives them a chance to see him play. Probably 99% of the time a team acquires the rights to player, the intention is to sign him and not lose him for nothing. From Hanowski's perspective, getting an NHL cup of coffee this season could have been a big selling point to instead waiting a few months and signing with another team. Could you imagine the grief Feaster would get from fans if that happened?

[Flames Fan, Ph.D.]

Originally Posted by BACKCHECK!!!

I'm pretty much 100% with moon on this one (which happens from time to time).

In fact, I'll go a step further, and say that I think that if this guy hadn't been traded for Iginla, there's no way he'd be getting NHL time this season.

I'm sure it'll be good for him, and I wish him well. I just think that this is probably just so management can say "Look we actually got an NHL player out of our deadline deals"

Well, *someone* had to get traded for Iginla. So if it wasn't Hanowski it would be another player. And regardless of who it was, I would want to see them play in order to get an idea of what we have.

I'm happy to let his play speak for itself. If good, we keep; if not, we dump. To the team it doesn't matter if he came via a trade for Jarome Iginla or for Anton Babchuk.

[JiriHrdina]

The flames have been slammed for not giving young guys enough chances. Now they do and some still find a way to complain about it.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Hanowski was going to be a UFA if he wasn't signed by August so they didn't have the luxury to wait. Now was as good of a time as any to sign him considering the season is a write off and it gives them a chance to see him play. Probably 99% of the time a team acquires the rights to player, the intention is to sign him and not lose him for nothing.

Totally agree, its the rule that made Justin Schultz a UFA.

There is no risk in terms of signing the kid, its a 2 year deal.... Send him to AHL and hope he makes a good impression.

I bet very... very few people on this forum have actually seen him play.. is he a career AHLer or a 4th liner who knows....

[Da_Chief]

Originally Posted by BACKCHECK!!!

I'm pretty much 100% with moon on this one (which happens from time to time).

In fact, I'll go a step further, and say that I think that if this guy hadn't been traded for Iginla, there's no way he'd be getting NHL time this season.

I'm sure it'll be good for him, and I wish him well. I just think that this is probably just so management can say "Look we actually got an NHL player out of our deadline deals"

Disagree, he could've chose to not sign with us and explore his options. Feaster had same plans for Gadreau had he signed. Other NHL teams are doing the same after they get a UFA NCAA prospect signed.

I wana see what this guy can do.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Flames Fan, Ph.D.

Well, *someone* had to get traded for Iginla. So if it wasn't Hanowski it would be another player. And regardless of who it was, I would want to see them play in order to get an idea of what we have.

I'm happy to let his play speak for itself. If good, we keep; if not, we dump. To the team it doesn't matter if he came via a trade for Jarome Iginla or for Anton Babchuk.

I agree. People can criticize the trade all they want (and lord knows I have), but criticizing the signing of one of the prospects we received back (a pending UFA at that), seems unfair.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

The flames have been slammed for not giving young guys enough chances. Now they do and some still find a way to complain about it.

No one is complaining about Reinhart, Baertschi etc. This is a different situation and some people have cynical views on it. Surely you don't think this is solely about giving a young player a chance that people are questioning the motives.

and yes ...

[R2theJ]

Originally Posted by Flames Fan, Ph.D.

Well, *someone* had to get traded for Iginla. So if it wasn't Hanowski it would be another player. And regardless of who it was, I would want to see them play in order to get an idea of what we have.

I'm happy to let his play speak for itself. If good, we keep; if not, we dump. To the team it doesn't matter if he came via a trade for Jarome Iginla or for Anton Babchuk.

Who is Anton Babchuk? Is he on this team?

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by nik-

No one is complaining about Reinhart, Baertschi etc. This is a different situation and some people have cynical views on it. Surely you don't think this is solely about giving a young player a chance that people are questioning the motives.

and yes ...

Actually I do. Lots of college players get a crack in the nhl late in the season in part because physically they are more ready.

Johnny G and bill Arnold would have probably got a look too. But instead of being excited to see a young player lets create a negative wrinkle to it. Fun.

[dino7c]

we want prospects in the lineup no? I sure as hell do and I don't care how they were acquired. For the people questioning this who do you think should get the call instead?

Flames traded 10 goal, 35 year old Iggy who was gonna walk for nothing and got a first and two "who knows" prospects

get over it

[Max Cow Disease]

Some folks seem determined to construct an entire underlying and imaginary storyline and attach it to everything that management does, especially lately.

First, Iginla needed to be traded, and wasn't. Finally, it happened, but did so far too late, and the return was too laughable (AND Hanowski's an FA soon and may not even sign here in the first place). Then, we sign the guy almost immediately, but the talk can't be about the kid's character or leadership qualities, but must rather center around the fact that he doesn't project as a 50 goal scorer, got signed in lieu of some other prospect, or even that his signing is a ploy to appease the masses and make the crappy trade look better!

Say what you will about drinking the kool-aid, but I'll echo another poster in saying that I'd much rather take a few swigs every now and then than live in the dank dungeons of sour hatred.

[Flames Fan, Ph.D.]

Originally Posted by nik-

No one is complaining about Reinhart, Baertschi etc. This is a different situation and some people have cynical views on it. Surely you don't think this is solely about giving a young player a chance that people are questioning the motives.

If we accept the cynical angle, then it means Flames management knows they got a very very poor player but are going to play him pretending that he can... but they know he will play awfully.

Ok. If I'm the cynical GM trying to cover my butt, the better way is to sign the kid, say all the right things (he's been on our radar for a long time, etc...) and throw him into the minors "to develop." He'll be out of sight in a year or two and I'll have effectively hidden my blunder from 95% of hockey watchers. Why would I want to publicly display my poor choice on national TV, especially if my concern is to save face?

We were the little blind on this, and we have the money to call the big blind and see the flop. When you have the chips, you do it every time. Simple as that.

[StrykerSteve]

http://flames.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=665576

Hanowski heading to Calgary.

[Northendzone]

I hope he visits a barber before stepping on the ice with the flaming c, his head is a huge mess

[Goodlad]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

I hope he visits a barber before stepping on the ice with the flaming c, his head is a huge mess

He's growing his hair to donate it to a charity. He said he has about an inch to go before it's long enough, then it's all gone. Hope he keeps the beard though.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by moon

I don't think he did and can't see where I said that.

I have no problem with them playing Hanowski at the end of the year and am interested to see how he does and what he brings.

My comment was in response dino7 talking about people snickering about these guys never being NHL guys. I don't think that does much to disprove that theory.

I hope he does well and turns out to be a great NHLer for us but I guess that is just my pessimist view of things.

This is exactly the why everyone gets riled up with some of your posts Moon.

I think you are a logical poster, and stand by how you see things. I have also seen some posts where your mind has been changed upon gathering more information from other posts. 95% of your posts are worth reading (regardless if I agree with them or not).

To respond to Dino's post, perhaps you should responded with THIS EXACT POST I quoted, instead of snickering back?

I think more posters here would take you more seriously anyways. Just what I think anyways, irregardless of how much that is worth

As for the topic at hand - when do you guys think Hanowski will get his game(s) in? Curious to see how he does, and how soon he will be in action. I am guessing they will want him to report to Abbotsford first so that Ward can get a good look at the guy, and then come up in the last few games for the Flames, but that would probably then count as one of the 4 allowable call-ups, correct?

[devo22]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I am guessing they will want him to report to Abbotsford first so that Ward can get a good look at the guy, and then come up in the last few games for the Flames, but that would probably then count as one of the 4 allowable call-ups, correct?

well, the Heat season ends on April 20, and I think the Flames are allowed to call up whoever they want once the Heat's season ends ... so I'd expect him to get a couple of games in Abby before playing for the Flames. Assign and keep him in Abby until April 20 and then recall him along with a few other guys and see what he can do.

[pylon]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Actually I do. Lots of college players get a crack in the nhl late in the season in part because physically they are more ready.

Johnny G and bill Arnold would have probably got a look too. But instead of being excited to see a young player lets create a negative wrinkle to it. Fun.

And don't call me Shirley.

fixed

[Da_Chief]

Whats that about^? Shirley?

[FlameZilla]

I think if Hanowski was a prospect in our system that we acquired any other way (draft, free agency) we would all be keen to have him signed and give him a cup of coffee with the big club. At this point in the season a lot of guys are getting a few games, so why not this guy? If we were in a playoff hunt maybe it would be more wise to send him straight to the Heat.

I hope this Iginla stigma isn't going to follow him and Agostino for their whole careers. These guys are our prospects now. May as well forget how they were acquired or who we traded for them because it makes absolutely SFA difference.