[Rumour] DEL star David Wolf to join the Flames this summer?

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Wolfman

This thread is confusing...so he signed or will sign in offseason?!

If he signs it will be in the offseason.

[neo45]

Another guy I could see Burke signing/trading for is Leo Komarov, who reportedly is coming back to the NHL next season and has played very good in the KHL.

[ricosuave]

∆ you tell us, man

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by neo45

Another guy I could see Burke signing/trading for is Leo Komarov, who reportedly is coming back to the NHL next season and has played very good in the KHL.

Komarov is an UFA, don't see the need to trade for him.

[StrykerSteve]

Komorov is too small, no thanks.

[PeteMoss]

I would love Komorov... he's a pest and a hitter. The Leafs miss him this year. Pretty much a 2nd Lance Bouma.

[Wastedyouth]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

I would love Komorov... he's a pest and a hitter. The Leafs miss him this year. Pretty much a 2nd Lance Bouma.

He's an excellent bottom 6 player.

[dammage79]

I could not understand why they let Komarov walk last year, he was a huge spark for the Leafs. I'd take a flyer on him for sure if I was a GM.

[Yoho]

We will soon have the most depth at bottom six of any NHL team in the league.

[flamesfan6]

Originally Posted by Yoho

We will soon have the most depth at bottom six of any NHL team in the league.

don't we already? 12 forwards for bottom 6

[T@T]

Asked around about this star, stuff like "not really a great skater" and "a dumb meathead" were mentioned.

I fear the worst!

[bubbsy]

i am all for teams like the flames (heck even the oilers going out and getting belov) looking outside NA to try to find a diamond in the rough abroad. I was happy with the thought process behind cervenka (despite the C/winger controversy and all).

That being said, are there examples where such an experiment works out and a team really finds a solid player like this?

[Da_Chief]

Of course there are, you won't score on 100% of the shots you don't take.
There have lots of flops but some good ones too.

Mats Zucarello (Norway) has 43 points in 58 games for Rangers this year.
Jonas Gustavsson is finally living up to the hype, 22 gp, 13 wins, 2.55 gaa, .911 sv%
Jonas Hiller is known
Viktor Fasth in Anaheim as well
Aanti Raanta in Chicago
Anton Belov you mentioned has been ok
Michael Raffl in Philly has grabbed a spot, 18 points this year
Eddie Lack in Van has been fine.

There are probably some others but I don't mind taking these shots at all, if they don't work you let them go.

Fedor Malykhin is a hot name out of Russia this year.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I think scouting in the professional ranks in Europe and signing one or two of these guys every year or every couple of years is a good idea. Some work out, some don't. There is no risk in doing so. Just because some don't pan out doesn't mean it is a waste. Not all draft picks pan out either, and I don't see any team trading away all their draft picks every year. Not exactly a fair comparison I know, but the reasoning is there.

If one guy pans out every now and then, it is a 'free' player. If he doesn't, he goes back to where he came from. I like teams with a bit of an international flavor myself. Wolf seems like a good bet to stick in the NHL as a depth player. Nothing wrong with that. He will have to earn his icetime. If not, Hartley will end up benching him just like he did with Cervenka (whom I didn't think was too bad - still would have liked to see another year out of him).

If nothing else, it is just another player to talk about and look forward to watching. You sometimes have no idea how it works out until you try it. I just don't see how it hurts. Hartley isn't going to give this guy time undeservedly. If someone else beats him out for a spot, he won't be playing.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by T@T

Asked around about this star, stuff like "not really a great skater" and "a dumb meathead" were mentioned.

I fear the worst!

The worst is he comes over, doesn't make the team and either spends the season in the AHL or goes back.

If that's the worst, it isn't too bad.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by T@T

Asked around about this star, stuff like "not really a great skater" and "a dumb meathead" were mentioned.

I fear the worst!

he isn't the best skater, but he has improved in that area. I won't comment the "dumb meathead" because it's just wrong on every level.

Also, calling him a "DEL star" is not a reach at all. He's obviously worked hard and that Wolf-Festerling-Flaake line has really clicked for Hamburg. All three exploded at the same time and that line has been a force in the league for three years now. Really wish I had paid more attention to Wolf in the Hamburg games I've seen over the past years, but the one thing I can say is that this line was always noticeable.

Also, from what I've read about him, it feels like Wolf is a prototypical Hartley player. The first things that are always mentioned to describe him seem to be hard working, good attitude, gritty, wears his heart on his sleeve. Hartley loves players like that. He's big and gritty enough to play a bottom six role, plus he has some offense to work with. I just don't see the risk. As many others have mentioned, worst case is he doesn't pan out and goes back to Europe. All the Flames have to give up is a roster spot, and I don't see an issue with that. I'd rather give a contract to someone like Wolf than the Bryan Camerons, David Eddys and James Martins that were signed out of junior in the past.

[FlamesAddiction]

There seems to an idea among some fans that if we make signings like this and they don't pan out, it somehow hurt the reputation of the organization or brings them shame.

I honestly don't think that anyone should care if it doesn't pan out., at least any more so than with any other player or prospect.

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

There seems to an idea among some fans that if we make signings like this and they don't pan out, it somehow hurt the reputation of the organization or brings them shame.

I think it has less to do with the reputation of the organization and more to do with Feaster's annoying "best player not in the NHL" gimmick.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

I think it has less to do with the reputation of the organization and more to do with Feaster's annoying "best player not in the NHL" gimmick.

well maybe, just maybe, it's time to move on.

[Poe969]

Das is true. Time to move on, if Burke likes him odds are he'll be good