[News] Flames recall Chris Breen

[Enoch Root]

Learning how to play defense in the NHL takes time - it is a HUGE learning curve.

He has shown in the AHL that he is more than competent. And he is 6'7" - you can't teach that.

He has played a grand total of 19 minutes and some of you want to write him off

It's a rebuilding year - I have tons and tons of patience to see if he can elevate his game to the NHL level because the payoff would be enormous!

[1991 Canadian]

Being outshot and outplayed catches up with you eventually. Its a shame the east is so weak this year. Toronto is still likely to sneak into the playoffs.

[OzSome]

Originally Posted by Rollin22x

I guess it's just me. I miss having an agitator.

I actually agree. We haven't any in your face pain-in-a-butt type of player since Nemo left. We tried Aliu and he was good vs Anaheim last season practically annoyed the whole team, then the next season he stopped being annoying.

[Trailer Fire]

Originally Posted by OzSome

I actually agree. We haven't any in your face pain-in-a-butt type of player since Nemo left. We tried Aliu and he was good vs Anaheim last season practically annoyed the whole team, then the next season he stopped being annoying.

B. Jones was a fantastic agitator before he blocked multiple point shots with the same foot. San Jose and especially Joe Thornton hated him.

[thymebalm]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Learning how to play defense in the NHL takes time - it is a HUGE learning curve.

He has shown in the AHL that he is more than competent. And he is 6'7" - you can't teach that.

He has played a grand total of 19 minutes and some of you want to write him off

It's a rebuilding year - I have tons and tons of patience to see if he can elevate his game to the NHL level because the payoff would be enormous!

I wouldn't say he's shown to be more than competent at the AHL level. I'd say he's become competent in the last year, but hasn't exceeded that mark by what I can tell. He's improved his position internally (I have him 2nd behind Billins and ahead of Ramage), but he's still limited in what he can offer, especially at NHL pace.

Breen doesn't do anything fancy, he's just a big body who plays positionally and has a long reach. He's looked at his best this season, but it's still hard to tell, everyone on the Heat is looking good right now.

I've said this before, and I think this is a fair assessment of Breen: If you don't like what Butler or O'Brien brings to the table, I don't think you'll be impressed by Breen.

I think Breen is a great AHL top-4 guy, but as far as rebuilding our top-6 to compete for the cup, I don't know where to pencil him in... there is a chance he could be a bottom pairing guy... Does anyone think his ceiling is above a #5-6 limited icetime defender?

--

Breen and Jones are veteran call ups. They'll see limited ice for the Flames but more importantly they'll free up heavy minutes on the farm for the guys that we are really wanting to rebuild around. That's how I see it right now anyway.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by thymebalm

I wouldn't say he's shown to be more than competent at the AHL level. I'd say he's become competent in the last year, but hasn't exceeded that mark by what I can tell. He's improved his position internally (I have him 2nd behind Billins and ahead of Ramage), but he's still limited in what he can offer, especially at NHL pace.

Breen doesn't do anything fancy, he's just a big body who plays positionally and has a long reach. He's looked at his best this season, but it's still hard to tell, everyone on the Heat is looking good right now.

I've said this before, and I think this is a fair assessment of Breen: If you don't like what Butler or O'Brien brings to the table, I don't think you'll be impressed by Breen.

I think Breen is a great AHL top-4 guy, but as far as rebuilding our top-6 to compete for the cup, I don't know where to pencil him in... there is a chance he could be a bottom pairing guy... Does anyone think his ceiling is above a #5-6 limited icetime defender?

--

Breen and Jones are veteran call ups. They'll see limited ice for the Flames but more importantly they'll free up heavy minutes on the farm for the guys that we are really wanting to rebuild around. That's how I see it right now anyway.

Very much disagree with the bolded.

They are three completely different styles of players. I believe what you are trying to say here is that you think Breen's talent level / ceiling is similar to those two, as in #7 D.

I don't agree with that straight up, and I certainly don't think that they paly any kind of similar game.

I'll say it again: there is a huge learning curve to playing defense in the NHL. Some guys will climb higher than others. To dismiss Breen as nothing more than a #7 is just as silly as those that dismissed Brodie as nothing more than a 5/6 2 years ago.

Breen has the size and he has added some grit. He has shown steady progression in the A on how to play defense. There is every reason to give him a good long look in the NHL to see if he can continue to progress.

Again, if so, the dividends would be huge.

[Stay Golden]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Very much disagree with the bolded.

They are three completely different styles of players. I believe what you are trying to say here is that you think Breen's talent level / ceiling is similar to those two, as in #7 D.

I don't agree with that straight up, and I certainly don't think that they paly any kind of similar game.

I'll say it again: there is a huge learning curve to playing defense in the NHL. Some guys will climb higher than others. To dismiss Breen as nothing more than a #7 is just as silly as those that dismissed Brodie as nothing more than a 5/6 2 years ago.

Breen has the size and he has added some grit. He has shown steady progression in the A on how to play defense. There is every reason to give him a good long look in the NHL to see if he can continue to progress.

Again, if so, the dividends would be huge.

Agree. I hope Breen gets a longer look and takes Butlers minutes. I firmly believe SOB is going to be dealt before Butler. Trade both of them, Flames are not going anywhere this season it is a full blown rebuild so rebuild in the right direction away from SOB and Butler.
At the Flames fan fest i could not believe how much Breen towered over every player around him and his shoulder width is like a DE.
So long as he plays the line and keeps his stick down puck side i will be happy. Something Butler just doesn't seem to get through his thick skull.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Stay Golden

Agree. I hope Breen gets a longer look and takes Butlers minutes. I firmly believe SOB is going to be dealt before Butler. Trade both of them, Flames are not going anywhere this season it is a full blown rebuild so rebuild in the right direction away from SOB and Butler.
At the Flames fan fest i could not believe how much Breen towered over every player around him and his shoulder width is like a DE.
So long as he plays the line and keeps his stick down puck side i will be happy. Something Butler just doesn't seem to get through his thick skull.

All Breen has to do is play defense at a similar level of competence to Butler. If he can, his size and grit make it an automatic upgrade.

If he fails to develop, what has it cost the team?

[Poe969]

I like Breen just for his size. If he develops into even just an average defender, his size will give him an advantage due to the strength that comes with it. I would love to see him play in as many games as possible to develop him. If he turns into a Chara kind of player then that's awesome. If he turns into a mainstay on the Flames defense, that's really good too. If he turns into a bust, well at least we tried.

We aren't going to damage the teams future or even it's present by playing him. Him being here is a good thing.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Poe969

I like Breen just for his size. If he develops into even just an average defender, his size will give him an advantage due to the strength that comes with it. I would love to see him play in as many games as possible to develop him. If he turns into a Chara kind of player then that's awesome. If he turns into a mainstay on the Flames defense, that's really good too. If he turns into a bust, well at least we tried.

We aren't going to damage the teams future or even it's present by playing him. Him being here is a good thing.

If he turned into 1/2 the player Chara is, I'd have my #### out stroking it.

[Poe969]

Exactly lol. If he turns out to be amazing, we look great. If he doesn't then oh well. If we never give him a chance then we'll never know.

We're in a position to give just about everyone in the system a chance since this year is a wash. By letting younger players prove what they can do, we could find an all-star player.

I don't expect Breen to be a Chara kind of player but I do expect him to regress if he's never given a chance.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Learning how to play defense in the NHL takes time - it is a HUGE learning curve.

He has shown in the AHL that he is more than competent. And he is 6'7" - you can't teach that.

He has played a grand total of 19 minutes and some of you want to write him off

It's a rebuilding year - I have tons and tons of patience to see if he can elevate his game to the NHL level because the payoff would be enormous!

See the problem you are failing to see is that it took him a long time to become a good not great AHL defenseman. It's one thing to get a lot of rope in a developmental league but he's simply not going to be afforded a few more years to see if he can become a good but not great NHL defenseman. He's going to have to become at least good quick or he will be passing through waivers in a few months. We have seen Hartley doesn't have the patience to see guys learn on the fly so I simply don't see this ending well for Breen.

Personally I would love to see him become the 5th defenseman if it would mean that Hartley would have less excuses to ice McGratton every night.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

See the problem you are failing to see is that it took him a long time to become a good not great AHL defenseman. It's one thing to get a lot of rope in a developmental league but he's simply not going to be afforded a few more years to see if he can become a good but not great NHL defenseman. He's going to have to become at least good quick or he will be passing through waivers in a few months. We have seen Hartley doesn't have the patience to see guys learn on the fly so I simply don't see this ending well for Breen.

Personally I would love to see him become the 5th defenseman if it would mean that Hartley would have less excuses to ice McGratton every night.

Irrelevant.

Larger players often develop later. The only thing that matters for Breen will be if he can continue to progress.

Often it takes years to fully develop a quality defenseman. My memory is bad, but wasn't it Languay that Montreal worked with for years before he finally put it all together (and eventually won the Norris)?

I think most fans don't understand how to develop defensemen.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Irrelevant.

Larger players often develop later. The only thing that matters for Breen will be if he can continue to progress.

Often it takes years to fully develop a quality defenseman. My memory is bad, but wasn't it Languay that Montreal worked with for years before he finally put it all together (and eventually won the Norris)?

I think most fans don't understand how to develop defensemen.

Since you know how to develop a defenseman why are you posting here and not working in the NHL?

[Enoch Root]

lol

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by fotze

QF the awesome spelling of Languay.

told you my memory was bad!

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

told you my memory was bad!

perhaps you should start a class action.......

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Since none of us posting on this site work in the NHL what is the point?

Fixed.

[Enoch Root]

how do you know I'm not one of the 10?

[thymebalm]

Enoch: What exactly are you using to be able to project such a beautiful future for Breen?

His height? Because his counting stats are bad, his plus minus is meh, he's never carried the mail at the AHL level, he's not quick or an explosive hitter.

He has improved every season, but I think Feaster is gambling big time that this player has NHL upside.

As a Flames fan, I hope i'm wrong, but I don't see how his skill set will translate.