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

[Stay Golden]

Kind of weird that ELC are 3 years usually for AHL, CHL European leagues etc players but they can be 2 years for NCAA. It seems there is more limitations with the NCAA route for NHL clubs. The style of game, the limited amount of times a team can contact a NCAA that has been drafted by them. The option to stay in College/University for 2-5 years.
I'm just glad Hanowski actually signed.

[Canada 02]

Originally Posted by Stay Golden

Kind of weird that ELC are 3 years but they can be 2 years for NCAA. It seems there is more limitations with the NCAA route for NHL clubs.

it isn't junior vs NCAA; it is the players age that determines the contract length

http://www.capgeek.com/faq/how-do-en...racts-work.php

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

So he's gonna be a 40 goal scorer?

Love it when people talk about their "feelings" in regards to young players they've never seen or barely seen.

Based on your posting history, how does that differ from the opinions you share? Do you see all of these players to make judgements about their ceilings and capabilities? Just seems strange to see you so critical of sharing their opinion of a player when that seems to be your bread and butter.

For the record, I have FSN Sports package and have seen all of the college players in question multiple times, not that that really means anything. You really can't tell anything about these guys until you see them against NHL players.

[Zevo]

Originally Posted by New Era

Based on your posting history, how does that differ from the opinions you share? Do you see all of these players to make judgements about their ceilings and capabilities? Just seems strange to see you so critical of sharing their opinion of a player when that seems to be your bread and butter.

For the record, I have FSN Sports package and have seen all of the college players in question multiple times, not that that really means anything. You really can't tell anything about these guys until you see them against NHL players.

I too don't think the 'gut feeling' posts have any value other than saying you hope a player does well. They have about as much worth as when people say' in my NHL13 game he kicked @ss'.

Now if you say you've watched him a few times and think he may be good, or a bust, or whatever, well that's different. That's you're opinion, or evaluation, on something concrete. 'Gut feeling' is just that, a feeling, not an observation. Which is fine, but that's all it is.

[backs60]

Originally Posted by Zulu29

I'm assuming that shot was at me since I used the term "known commodity". Before you tell me to give my head a shake maybe look at my other posts just above the one you're referring to. I said Im excited to see Hanwoski get his shot and see what he's made of.

No it wasn't directed towards you, I just like that term. I'm talking as a whole, I've seen way more people bashing the trade then accept it and think positive about it. Time will tell just like most trades involving prospects.

[Flame Of Liberty]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

i am prepared to be convinced. You're up kid, show us this is more than just a PR move.

agreed, but the fact he wasn't ranked in top10 prospects in Pens organisation and apparently Pitts wasn't in a rush to sign him either and Feaster rushing to "give him a chance in the NHL" after the same Feaster had no problems to bury a superior player in Horak in the AHL for so long....well it does raise a few flags.

but the beard is epic is i'm on board.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Flame Of Liberty

agreed, but the fact he wasn't ranked in top10 prospects in Pens organisation and apparently Pitts wasn't in a rush to sign him either and Feaster rushing to "give him a chance in the NHL" after the same Feaster had no problems to bury a superior player in Horak in the AHL for so long....well it does raise a few flags.

but the beard is epic is i'm on board.

What top ten list is this? Is there some internal top ten list of Penguins prospects that was leaked to the public?

[Flame Of Liberty]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

What top ten list is this? Is there some internal top ten list of Penguins prospects that was leaked to the public?

According to Pens beat writer for the Tribune review Josh Yohe neither Hanowski nor Agostino were in Pens top ten prospect list. I know you will discredit that but frankly I don't care. I don't care much either because in grand scheme of things Hanowski will probably not matter much, but as I said, it raises a few flags for me at least.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by Flame Of Liberty

but the beard is epic is i'm on board.

Well played
Reason enough to be on board, most certainly

[Dagger]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

What top ten list is this? Is there some internal top ten list of Penguins prospects that was leaked to the public?

A Pittsburgh beat writer spoke to a Pens scout and reported that he was told neither Hanowski or Agostino were thought of as top 10 prospects within the organization. It's not very far fetched when you consider who they had before their trades.

Bennett
Pouliot
Despres
Morrow
Maata
Harrington
Dumoulin

They're all undeniably higher touted as prospects, and then you have guys like Murray, Archibald, Blueger and Sundqvist who are are about in the same class as Agostino that you can fill the other 3 spots with.

[Mightyfire89]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

i am prepared to be convinced. You're up kid, show us this is more than just a PR move.

Do you really think this is strictly a PR move? Man, you're cynical.

[killer_carlson]

Unfortunately i do think this is a PR move.

The return on the trade was universally panned. A writer familiar with the pens org didnt have him in the top ten of the pens prospects. Im worried he is being dressed up amd presented to the fans improperly. 11th or so prospect in Pitts is able to burst into our lineup? I dont buy it.

Feaster has a talent for building hype around prospects - remember how we went from an empty prospect cupboard under Sutter, and then suddenly these same prospects started getting hyped up by the organization. Remember the outrage when the Flames included Patrick Holland in th Bourque trade? And where is the guy now?

Im prepared to be convinced otherwise, but my gut (yes my gut - not really sorry if that offends you because i have an initial reaction) tells me this is a PR move.

[The Original FFIV]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Krack Korn

Do you really think this is strictly a PR move? Man, you're cynical.

Your experience shows you've been on the board for a while so you should be used to this. Two things you can count on - KC being cynical and Moon being pessimistic.

[killer_carlson]

Originally Posted by The Original FFIV

Your experience shows you've been on the board for a while so you should be used to this. Two things you can count on - KC being cynical and Moon being pessimistic.

Cant speak for Moon but that is fair descriptor of me.

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

Unfortunately i do think this is a PR move.

The return on the trade was universally panned. A writer familiar with the pens org didnt have him in the top ten of the pens prospects. Im worried he is being dressed up amd presented to the fans improperly. 11th or so prospect in Pitts is able to burst into our lineup? I dont buy it.

Feaster has a talent for building hype around prospects - remember how we went from an empty prospect cupboard under Sutter, and then suddenly these same prospects started getting hyped up by the organization. Remember the outrage when the Flames included Patrick Holland in th Bourque trade? And where is the guy now?

Im prepared to be convinced otherwise, but my gut (yes my gut - not really sorry if that offends you because i have an initial reaction) tells me this is a PR move.

It's just as likely that they want to see him in NHL action, give him a taste of what to expect, committed it to him to help get him signed, maybe a combination. And yes it could very well be in part a PR move. The Flames are a business and they sell entertainment. Nothing wrong with PR.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Flame Of Liberty

According to Pens beat writer for the Tribune review Josh Yohe neither Hanowski nor Agostino were in Pens top ten prospect list. I know you will discredit that but frankly I don't care. I don't care much either because in grand scheme of things Hanowski will probably not matter much, but as I said, it raises a few flags for me at least.

Well, that's fine then. I'm always a little leery about stuff that comes out after the trade. Home town media guys tend to be just as much fans as you or I unfortunately. They post or tweet things like that to pump up the trade even more.

Originally Posted by Dagger

A Pittsburgh beat writer spoke to a Pens scout and reported that he was told neither Hanowski or Agostino were thought of as top 10 prospects within the organization. It's not very far fetched when you consider who they had before their trades.

Bennett
Pouliot
Despres
Morrow
Maata
Harrington
Dumoulin

They're all undeniably higher touted as prospects, and then you have guys like Murray, Archibald, Blueger and Sundqvist who are are about in the same class as Agostino that you can fill the other 3 spots with.

This is also a good reason why "not in the top ten" sounds a lot worse then it is. Are those guys even in the Flames "top ten"? Does it even matter? Do teams even actually make lists like these?

Jon Gillies, Laurent Brossoit, Svan Baertschi, John Gaudreau, Mark Jankowski, Ryan Culkin, Patrick Sieloff, Tyler Wotherspoon, Brett Kulak, Lance Buoma.

That's ten names right there.

Now if Markus Granlund and Bill Arnold were traded by the Flames I suppose we (fans or media) could suggest these two "aren't in the Flames top ten". That doesn't make them any less prospects though.

When Patrick Holland was traded by the Flames to Montreal last year, was he is our top ten?

No idea honestly, but he was a quality young prospect sent the other way.

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

Im prepared to be convinced otherwise, but my gut (yes my gut - not really sorry if that offends you because i have an initial reaction) tells me this is a PR move.

Are you referring to this?
http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthr...95#post4197695

The problem with posting a "gut feeling" on a messageboard is no one can possibly refute anything you "feel".

Hanowski will be 23 by the team next season starts, giving him a shot right now is no different then 20 year old Baertschi getting one, 20 year old Max Reinhart or 21 year old Roman Horak getting theirs.

Feaster has said he wants to see how this young kids play. Don't seen this as anything different.

I can assure you killer, I was anything but offended. Just point out the absurdity of posting what your gut tells you. On a debate board debating a persons personal feelings is impossible.

#Remember the outrage when the Flames included Patrick Holland in th Bourque trade? And where is the guy now?#

He's a first year pro in the AHL. I have no idea where you're going with that question.

Originally Posted by edslunch

It's just as likely that they want to see him in NHL action, give him a taste of what to expect, committed it to him to help get him signed, maybe a combination. And yes it could very well be in part a PR move. The Flames are a business and they sell entertainment. Nothing wrong with PR.

I highly doubt if it's PR. The Flames have given a shot to Reinhart, Baertschi, Aliu, Horak, Street etc post deadline, I think this is just more in line with that. If gives the kid a huge chance to get a taste for the NHL. The season is a write off, it makes total sense.

[JiriHrdina]

Bottom line is whether or not he was in the top 10 list doesn't really matter. What will matter is if the kid makes the NHL or not. We see all the time that kids "come out of nowhere" to make the NHL - when they weren't considered part of an organization's "top 10" as widely reported.

Most teams have some clear blue chips that are clearly above the other prospects in the system - probably 3-5 names on average. After that it's just a schmozzle of other guys.

[killer_carlson]

Exactly. Is this kid more Kyle Greentree or is he more David Moss? Time will tell.

[Alberta_Beef]

I said this when they were acquired and will again.

If you look at the HF ratings, while they are flawed they are still one of the better prospect sites out there and if you look at the 7.0c rating that each Agostino & Hanowski hold it is a higher rating than any Flames prospect outside of our big 4 (Sven, Johnny Hockey, Janko & Max).

[May 25, 1989]

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthr...126938&page=10

According to fotze's post 10 in Roman Horak was the Rangers 14th best prospect when acquired. Maybe we should wait to see how the kid plays and develops before getting hung up on arbitrary organizational rankings.