[News] Flames claim David Schlemko off waivers. Wotherspoon sent down.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Thanks for your help. I am not trying to counter you, but I would suggest that his performance at this years camp is more relevant than a thread speculating on this years lineup which includes guys like Mike Green or Aaron Ekblad on defence.

I imagine Wotherspoon could outplay Engelland on a lot of nights. That doesn't mean that I want him to have those minutes as opposed to a better role in Adirondack. And I do trust Hartley and his decisions on lineups. He could have put Wotherspoon in and he didn't. I would, in fact, have an issue if Treliving started dictating to Hartley what his lineup is going to be.

If you want to discuss the pros and negatives of a player, you should know that he was recovering from shoulder surgery for most of camp.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Bandwagon In Flames

There's nothing wrong with a prospect playing bottom pairing minutes. He was still getting 12-15 minutes of ice time per night. It's not the same as a forward like Poirier on the 4th line getting 5-7 minutes of ice time (which nobody seems to even have exception with).

So why, in your opinion, did Hartley not play him? He played the other call ups.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

If you want to discuss the pros and negatives of a player, you should know that he was recovering from shoulder surgery for most of camp.

Thanks. I thought that was the case after I posted it. But then again, if someone had said "there wasn't a view at camp because he wasn't there most of the time" that would have been a pretty helpful response instead of "look it up yourself".

My only pro/con statement was what I saw last year, which was he was just under NHL standard, like I said. It could well be a minority opinion, but the thread that was posted didn't seem to say that. Most had him as a 7 or on the farm.

I think Engelland is a bad defenceman, but it seems Hartley wanted him in over Wotherspoon. So why?

[SuperMatt18]

It's hard to play a guy when you have a veteran who has been a good soldier all year as a 7th d-man (Both Potter and Diaz fit this bill at the time of injuries).

Remember that it was Potter's first NHL game of the year after being the 7 for a long time, and for Diaz he kind of ran with it after getting to dress last time so not going to take him out.

I think he likely would have played tonight, but then a guy who Treliving likes and is familiar with was on waivers so they picked him up.

[GioforPM]

I'm actually pretty hopeful about Schlemko, solely because of Treliving's insider knowledge. Can't say I noticed him before. I just remember a gm getting a player from his former team that turned out pretty good. Based on descriptions, the guy has an OK skill set.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

So why, in your opinion, did Hartley not play him? He played the other call ups.

Your guess is as good as mine. If I knew than I wouldn't have made the original post stating my displeasure with it.

SuperMatt18 gave the only reasonable explanation, but I still think in a rebuilding year we can afford to bench Diaz for a game.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Thanks. I thought that was the case after I posted it. But then again, if someone had said "there wasn't a view at camp because he wasn't there most of the time" that would have been a pretty helpful response instead of "look it up yourself".

My only pro/con statement was what I saw last year, which was he was just under NHL standard, like I said. It could well be a minority opinion, but the thread that was posted didn't seem to say that. Most had him as a 7 or on the farm.

I think Engelland is a bad defenceman, but it seems Hartley wanted him in over Wotherspoon. So why?

Engelland fills a team need as a fighter and he gives some muscle on a defence corps which is lacking in that.

[Yoho]

Is there any way "Schleprock" sticks as a handle?

[dammage79]

Next training camp is going to be a big indicator as to how Wotherspoon fits in next season. I really see no reason with his steady play both in the AHL and his 14 games in CGY he regresses so much he doesn't earn a spot on the team. I thought he was a shoe in this year. another year of development hasn't hurt him.

Add onto that, I remember listening to the FAN and some commentators saying Wotherspoon s game is more suited to the NHL rather than the AHL. I believed it then and I still believe it now. I hope he makes it full time next year.

As for Schlemko, if he comes anywhere near to the revelation Kris Russell has been and the Flames get him for free we should move Engelland at the soonest opportunity. The bottom pairings should look completely different next year.

[GioforPM]

If Wotherspoon develops even more and Schlemko is even as decent as reported, they should have no trouble taking the bottom pairing (even with Diaz' improved play of late). I envision dropping both Smid and Engelland.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Yoho

Is there any way "Schleprock" sticks as a handle?

Good Lord, I hope not.

True story: Jamie Farr, the famous Cpl. Max Klinger of M*A*S*H, was born Jameel Farah, and started his acting career under his real name. Then some critics who didn't like his work nicknamed him ‘Schlemiel Farah’, and it looked like the nickname might stick because of the cute wordplay. So he changed his stage name to Jamie Farr.

‘Schleprock’ is at least as bad as ‘Schlemiel’.

[bob-loblaw]

The guy plays seven minutes in his first game and gets the nicest shootout goal we've seen.

This was the quietest move Treliving made up to the trade deadline. We'll see what happens, but if he can perform like Russell says he can then Treliving looks like a genius. Has anyone heard from BT since Schlemko's goal last night? I'd love to see a big BOOYAH from him or something - ha.

[Gaudfather]

Hartley's wish came true.

[Hack&Lube]

How that came about was even more funny.

Hartley looked down the bench for the next shooter and stopped at Schlemko and asked "are you any good at this?". Schlemko said he was 1-for-1 and his Med Hat D partner Russell pipes in: "yeah he's very good at this".

[Geeoff]

I guess we should have picked up Brad Gushue instead.

[DazzlinDino]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

How that came about was even more funny.

Hartley looked down the bench for the next shooter and stopped at Schlemko and asked "are you any good at this?". Schlemko said he was 1-for-1 and his Med Hat D partner Russell pipes in: "yeah he's very good at this".

Wish I could see the convo on the bench. I am an expert lipreader was looking forward to watching it.

[Zevo]

Lol, from a Boston fan on Reddit.

"This was a Holy ####! Followed by a quick turn off of the TV in anger."

[AC]

This was just posted on Reddit (thankfully since I don't have access to this replay!)

It's the whole bench reacting to The Schlem-K.O.
http://www.gfycat.com/EnchantingMellowAiredaleterrier

Worth watching in slow motion and focusing on each individual person.

• Diaz jumping up and down like a little kid
• Hartley losing his mind then excitedly pointing at Russell, likely because Kris vouched for Schlempy
• Jooris almost injuring himself scrambling to jump over the boards
• Bouma losing his mind

[FireItUp]

Originally Posted by AC

This was just posted on Reddit (thankfully since I don't have access to this replay!)

It's the whole bench reacting to The Schlem-K.O.
http://www.gfycat.com/EnchantingMellowAiredaleterrier

Worth watching in slow motion and focusing on each individual person.

• Diaz jumping up and down like a little kid
• Hartley losing his mind then excitedly pointing at Russell, likely because Kris vouched for Schlempy
• Jooris almost injuring himself scrambling to jump over the boards
• Bouma losing his mind

Pure awesomeness.

[SebC]

The best is the woman in the Bruins Jersey behind Hartley.