[Signing] Flames Sign Devin Setoguchi to one year 750k deal.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

The difference is, as I've said before, Edmonton has been relying on their young forwards for 1st line duty. We wouldn't be doing that.

Looking at our depth on RW, we would be doing exactly that. We've got Hudler and Colborne who can also play on their off-wing on the right side, and then David Jones. Setoguchi is a stop gap until we manage to acquire or develop a RWer who can play at the NHL level. I would not force Baertschi, Gaudreau, or Granlund to play on their off-wing unless we absolutely had to.

I'm still having trouble with this thread. We had a giant gaping hole on the right wing that is now just a little less gaping, but is still a hole to be filled by someone. Year 2 of the rebuild people, let's be just a smidge more patient, okay? No need to force a young player into a league they're possibly not ready for in a non-natural position. I thought we wanted these young players to have success and build confidence? Is that likely going to happen learning a new position in a new, and much tougher, league?

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

Looking at our depth on RW, we would be doing exactly that. We've got Hudler and Colborne who can also play on their off-wing on the right side, and then David Jones. Setoguchi is a stop gap until we manage to acquire or develop a RWer who can play at the NHL level. I would not force Baertschi, Gaudreau, or Granlund to play on their off-wing unless we absolutely had to.

I'm still having trouble with this thread. We had a giant gaping hole on the right wing that is now just a little less gaping, but is still a hole to be filled by someone. Year 2 of the rebuild people, let's be just a smidge more patient, okay? No need to force a young player into a league they're possibly not ready for in a non-natural position. I thought we wanted these young players to have success and build confidence? Is that likely going to happen learning a new position in a new, and much tougher, league?

We'ver got Hudler, Jones, Colborne and McGratton who are all comfortable on the right side. Raymond can also play RW, so I don't see the big hole you're talking about.

Anyways it's what I'd like to see from a fan's perspective, not something I want to get into a war over. I like the energy that rookies bring.

[Poe969]

Just because they can, doesn't mean they should. Hudler is more valuable on the left side, Jones isn't really that reliable on....well he's not that reliable. McGratton is a fourth line guy with very limited minutes. Colborne can play wing but is better at C. Sure rookies bring energy but so does red bull. Take the time to develop rookies properly or trade the picks since they won't usually pan out if you rush them.

[Flickered Flame]

Last season, Colborne was a much better player after Hartley moved him to the wing.

[Gaskal]

Setoguchi's a natural RW.

Colborne can probably stay at RW and learn to play that way. I don't know if he'll ever be put back at center again if he has healthy progression.

Hudler and Raymond can play both sides, but they are natural LW'ers.

Jones hurts himself like clockwork and McGrattan's a face puncher.

RW depth!

[Calgary4LIfe]

I believe Hartley stated last season that he has not given up on Colborne being utilized at center, but was used as a RW'er more due to injuries and the lack of depth on that side. It is also not a rare thing to see a center converted to wing in his rookie year, and then converted back to center either once he becomes a bit more adjusted to the NHL.

However, he may end up on RW too. We just shouldn't all start penciling-in Colborne as a RW'er quite yet.

[foshizzle11]

Calgary4Life, I agree with this. It would be great if he succeeds at RW and becomes a strong, big forward who can score. I think he still has great potential and I love his attitude, he wants to be a flame and I think he loves playing here.

If after a few seasons and he progresses and improves on faceoffs and positioning on the ice then put him back at centre. He seems to be versatile and open to it, most players need to be like this.

[ricardodw]

I don't see how there can be much of an argument that the Flames were very much more successful when they called up the kids:

In the Last 21 games... the post Stempniak era: The Flames went 12-9-0 a .591 winning %.

Knight 7 games
Granlund 4
Van Babrant 6
Agostino 6
Rienhart 4
Hanowski 11
Arnold 1
Gaudreau 1
Wotherspoon 14
Ortio 8

These were the last quarter of the season games where traditionally Bouwmeester and Stempniak played like crap and the Flames lost playoff spots.

The prospect ladden roster would definitely have a chance to make a playoff run and not be a bottom 4 club.

Setegouchi is the Stempniak replacement. A filler on a non-playoff team.

The Flames should reduce ticket prices this year as they are just marking time until next draft and the 2015-16 season

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I believe Hartley stated last season that he has not given up on Colborne being utilized at center

He probably should. At least on a full-time basis... It'd take a rather large leap in talent for Colborne to usurp a spot from any of Monahan, Backlund, and Stajan in the short-term and in the long-term there are plenty of guys knocking on the door from below (and probably more on the way). Unless he'd rather be a 4th line C then a top 9 W it's probably better that he get more reps in at a wing position.

I think he's better suited as a winger anyways... let's him use that big frame of his better with the added board work.

Originally Posted by ricardodw

The Flames should reduce ticket prices this year as they are just marking time until next draft and the 2015-16 season

Unless there's been a drop off in sales no need for them to cut prices... although I agree this is just another filler year. They'll season the top prospects for a year in their respective developmental leagues, trade off a bunch of guys for mid round draft picks, extend Backlund and Brodie (and maybe Ramo depending on Hiller), likely draft one of McDavid/Eichel/Hanifin and then hopefully make real progress in 15-16.

[Tinordi]

To those impatient few, these next few years are going to be agonizing. Burke and Treliving both have stressed on numerous occasions their conviction in developing prospects over the long haul in the minors. Treliving has stated that it almost never hurts the development of a player for him to spend long periods of time in the minors. They do not care about your impulses to watch prospects because you're excited about them. They care about turning prospects into real players which takes years. I would sit back and let that sink in otherwise you're going to be incredibly annoying to me and others with the constant complaining about giving young players a chance. They'll get their chances, and then they'll get sent down as the coach and GM deem fit. Deal with it.

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

I don't see how there can be much of an argument that the Flames were very much more successful when they called up the kids:

In the Last 21 games... the post Stempniak era: The Flames went 12-9-0 a .591 winning %.

Knight 7 games
Granlund 4
Van Babrant 6
Agostino 6
Rienhart 4
Hanowski 11
Arnold 1
Gaudreau 1
Wotherspoon 14
Ortio 8

These were the last quarter of the season games where traditionally Bouwmeester and Stempniak played like crap and the Flames lost playoff spots.

The prospect ladden roster would definitely have a chance to make a playoff run and not be a bottom 4 club.

Setegouchi is the Stempniak replacement. A filler on a non-playoff team.

The Flames should reduce ticket prices this year as they are just marking time until next draft and the 2015-16 season

Correlation does not imply causation.

Too many factors come into play in the final games for it mean anything. For example the final game of the year was against the Canucks who essentially mailed it in for that game.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by Weitz

Correlation does not imply causation.

Too many factors come into play in the final games for it mean anything. For example the final game of the year was against the Canucks who essentially mailed it in for that game.

The Canucks won that game 5-1? I'd hate to see how the game would have looked if they tried.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by Weitz

Too many factors come into play in the final games for it mean anything.

Yeah, other then the few teams still fighting for a playoff spot no one really has an incentive to put out their best effort... teams out of the hunt have sold off pieces at the deadline and are auditioning young guys for the next season and teams safe in their position are resting up for the playoffs and using their black aces. It's not as obvious a drop-off as September baseball but it's there.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

I'd rather we have options than having to run with rookies. You'd think after all the ridicule Edmonton gets on this board some posters would be a bit more reflective on supporting what has essentially been their strategy over the past 3-4 years.

The rookies would still have to fight for a spot without Setoguchi in the line-up. I'm not sure why some people think rookies would be forced into large roles without the Setoguchi signing.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

To those impatient few, these next few years are going to be agonizing. Burke and Treliving both have stressed on numerous occasions their conviction in developing prospects over the long haul in the minors. Treliving has stated that it almost never hurts the development of a player for him to spend long periods of time in the minors. They do not care about your impulses to watch prospects because you're excited about them. They care about turning prospects into real players which takes years. I would sit back and let that sink in otherwise you're going to be incredibly annoying to me and others with the constant complaining about giving young players a chance. They'll get their chances, and then they'll get sent down as the coach and GM deem fit. Deal with it.

As I've said, I have no problem dealing with it, I just have a preference. It seems to me that you have the problem dealing with other peoples opinions.

[Tinordi]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

As I've said, I have no problem dealing with it, I just have a preference. It seems to me that you have the problem dealing with other peoples opinions.

You must be new here...

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by ricardodw

I don't see how there can be much of an argument that the Flames were very much more successful when they called up the kids:

In the Last 21 games... the post Stempniak era: The Flames went 12-9-0 a .591 winning %...

The prospect ladden roster would definitely have a chance to make a playoff run and not be a bottom 4 club.

It's just not as simple as that. When players are playing their first few games in the NHL, or ares on a call-up, they are often functioning on a high level of adrenaline, and with a big chip on their shoulder with something to prove to the coach. The sample size is too small and the circumstances not stable or normalised enough to know how a "prospect laden roster" would perform over a full season. I am quite sceptical that it would have as positive an outcome as you have implied.

[Finger Cookin]

12-9-0 is a 0.571 wining %.

[heep223]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

Burke and Treliving both have stressed on numerous occasions their conviction in developing prospects over the long haul in the minors. Treliving has stated that it almost never hurts the development of a player for him to spend long periods of time in the minors.

Treliving has also stressed that there are open spots on the team for rookies if they can earn it. Specifically in regards to Bennett he said that there's an opportunity to earn his way onto the team this year. It's not as cut and dry as you think!

[Point Blank]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

To those impatient few, these next few years are going to be agonizing. Burke and Treliving both have stressed on numerous occasions their conviction in developing prospects over the long haul in the minors. Treliving has stated that it almost never hurts the development of a player for him to spend long periods of time in the minors. They do not care about your impulses to watch prospects because you're excited about them. They care about turning prospects into real players which takes years. I would sit back and let that sink in otherwise you're going to be incredibly annoying to me and others with the constant complaining about giving young players a chance. They'll get their chances, and then they'll get sent down as the coach and GM deem fit. Deal with it.

Couldn't have said it better myself. I'm not looking forward to reading the same posts whining about the same thing in the future. Our prospects needs time and it's safer not to rush them, whatever our preferences are, that's the right way and that's how things have to be done. Our young players will play eventually, there's a reason all of our recently signed contracts have only been max 3 years