[Signing] Flames sign LW David Wolf (1 yr ELC, $925k)

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by Scoutski

Sorry to bump a super old thread.

Just curious as to whether or not people think that Wolf has a future up in the NHL? His stats in Adirondack look alright, but that probably doesn't tell enough of the story. Do we expect him to push for a 3rd/4th line spot next year?

Drury and I were talking about this on the Back Burner forum. I saw Wolf as a fringe NHLer/career AHLer, but he brought up a good point that convinced me otherwise. He argued that Wolf is the "new NHL goon" where he's intimidating, physical and can fight, but also has the hands and skills to score in a limited role.

I'm convinced now that Wolf could push for a fourth line spot next season and could even get a call up if anything were to happen to Bollig or Bouma.

[Scoutski]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

Drury and I were talking about this on the Back Burner forum. I saw Wolf as a fringe NHLer/career AHLer, but he brought up a good point that convinced me otherwise. He argued that Wolf is the "new NHL goon" where he's intimidating, physical and can fight, but also has the hands and skills to score in a limited role.

I'm convinced now that Wolf could push for a fourth line spot next season and could even get a call up if anything were to happen to Bollig or Bouma.

Interesting, that definitely sounds ideal. Not to be a total downer, isn't that exactly what we expected Bollig to be when we got him. Are you and Drury convinced that he can bring his scoring touch with him?

[Cflames_12.5]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

Drury and I were talking about this on the Back Burner forum. I saw Wolf as a fringe NHLer/career AHLer, but he brought up a good point that convinced me otherwise. He argued that Wolf is the "new NHL goon" where he's intimidating, physical and can fight, but also has the hands and skills to score in a limited role.

I'm convinced now that Wolf could push for a fourth line spot next season and could even get a call up if anything were to happen to Bollig or Bouma.

Would Raffi Torres be a good comparison?

[SportsJunky]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

Drury and I were talking about this on the Back Burner forum. I saw Wolf as a fringe NHLer/career AHLer, but he brought up a good point that convinced me otherwise. He argued that Wolf...

I thought Drury18 was a she-fan?

[nik-]

Originally Posted by SportsJunky

I thought Drury18 was a she-fan?

Everyone is a he on the internet.

[Drury18]

Originally Posted by Scoutski

Interesting, that definitely sounds ideal. Not to be a total downer, isn't that exactly what we expected Bollig to be when we got him. Are you and Drury convinced that he can bring his scoring touch with him?

From what I've seen of Bollig and what I've seen of Wolf, Bollig doesn't have the speed or puck control that Wolf does when he has the puck. Bollig with the puck isn't exactly an offensive threat. Wolf with the puck and some speed is like a 200lb solid steel freight train coming up the boards and THROUGH defencemen. He's not afraid to make room for himself if he's not given it. In Germany, as much as he played a physical game, he was 2nd on the team for scoring the last two years and 3rd the year before that. He has scoring talent.

I think Wolf would be good for 15-20pts a season in a limited 4th line role. Something in the 5G, 10A sort of range. I think he's capable of that while getting 4th line minutes. If he gets more minutes, I would expect the totals to go up.

[Caged Great]

Wolf is a banger that's for sure. He is so large physically that he is overpowering. If he was faster, he might have top 9 upside because he could play the role that Byfuglien does up front for the Jets. He plays a similar game to Buff, where he'll just push guys over as he tries to get to where he's going.

He doesn't have nearly the same skill set as Buff though.

[GettinIggyWithIt]

Originally Posted by Scoutski

Interesting, that definitely sounds ideal. Not to be a total downer, isn't that exactly what we expected Bollig to be when we got him. Are you and Drury convinced that he can bring his scoring touch with him?

In addition to the first hand comments from the other posters, I think it's a positive indication that Wolf has 13 points in 30 GP and Bollig had something like 16 points (EDIT: 24 points as per Karl) in 146 AHL games played - Bollig never really has shown that much of a scoring touch. I'd like to see Wolf get a few games and see if he can translate this to the NHL.

[Karl]

Originally Posted by GettinIggyWithIt

In addition to the first hand comments from the other posters, I think it's a positive indication that Wolf has 13 points in 30 GP and Bollig had something like 16 points in 146 AHL games played - Bollig never really has shown that much of a scoring touch. I'd like to see Wolf get a few games and see if he can translate this to the NHL.

It's a touch better. 24 points in 146 AHL games. Still no good though.

[Scoutski]

Originally Posted by Drury18

From what I've seen of Bollig and what I've seen of Wolf, Bollig doesn't have the speed or puck control that Wolf does when he has the puck. Bollig with the puck isn't exactly an offensive threat. Wolf with the puck and some speed is like a 200lb solid steel freight train coming up the boards and THROUGH defencemen. He's not afraid to make room for himself if he's not given it. In Germany, as much as he played a physical game, he was 2nd on the team for scoring the last two years and 3rd the year before that. He has scoring talent.

I think Wolf would be good for 15-20pts a season in a limited 4th line role. Something in the 5G, 10A sort of range. I think he's capable of that while getting 4th line minutes. If he gets more minutes, I would expect the totals to go up.

Thanks for the feedback Drury! So is it fair to say that you expect he would get a legitimate shot with the NHL Flames?

[Drury18]

I do expect him to get a shot. I will be surprised if he doesn't because as I've said, I believe he's the new school "NHL Goon". I think once McGrattan leaves the team (however it may be) Wolf comes in and takes his place. A player like Wolf, you can have on the ice every night rather then someone like McGrattan or Bollig where you have to give them limited time because of their limited playing abilities.

I want to point out, I'm in no way in an anti-McGrattan camp. I have respect for how he played and what he battled and how he carries himself. I do like fighting in hockey and I do like fighters like him who follow the code and have respect for their opponents. Unfortunately, when he's being sat more games then not, from a business side it is a waste of a contract spot, a waste of a prospect development spot as well as has to be frustrating for him. I do hope that the Flames either move him to somewhere he could be used or release him so he can go onto life's next adventure. I would love to see him actually take on a huge role with the NHL Drug and Alcohol program as he's both a graduate of it and speaks publicly quite often with this own struggle. I think he also has the right persona to do that sort of work as he's well liked on the team and even by past teammates. This, to me, seems like where he would best fit after hockey so that he stays in the game, but uses his experience and his "gifts" to benefit the game as well.

[bigbadboss101]

IS Ferland like Wolf, but with more speed and better hands?

[Zevo]

Ferland has more skill, better hands, and less crazy, imo. He is better suited(hopefully) as a 2nd or 3rd liner able to provide some size and toughness without sacrificing offence.

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by Drury18

From what I've seen of Bollig and what I've seen of Wolf, Bollig doesn't have the speed or puck control that Wolf does when he has the puck. Bollig with the puck isn't exactly an offensive threat. Wolf with the puck and some speed is like a 200lb solid steel freight train coming up the boards and THROUGH defencemen. He's not afraid to make room for himself if he's not given it. In Germany, as much as he played a physical game, he was 2nd on the team for scoring the last two years and 3rd the year before that. He has scoring talent.

I think Wolf would be good for 15-20pts a season in a limited 4th line role. Something in the 5G, 10A sort of range. I think he's capable of that while getting 4th line minutes. If he gets more minutes, I would expect the totals to go up.

Want!

Are you his agent or something?

[Drury18]

Originally Posted by Badgers Nose

Want!

Are you his agent or something?

Damn, I've been found out!

No, I think I'm just the resident AHL nerd. Least that's what it seems like looking at my posts today

[FBI]

OK Treliving, based on Drury's posts, we hereby decree Bollig to be demoted and Wolf to be called up

[GioforPM]

Interesting - a teammate of Benn in the lockout. A decent skater for his size, and this says he knocked Kanzig pretty good in camp and the coaches had to rein him in (nice).

http://www.firesidechat.ca/prospects/david-wolf

[Drury18]

What timing, the Flames have an interview/feature about Wolf on their site today: http://flames.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=747762

[Stay Golden]

Originally Posted by Drury18

What timing, the Flames have an interview/feature about Wolf on their site today: http://flames.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=747762

Good article worth the read.

[FBI]

Agreed with that comment in the article, I hope we re-sign him too.