QOTD: What do do with Ryan Wilson

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Another reason not to sign him is space and ice time in the AHL.

If say Wotherspoon is in Calgary more ice time for Kylington, Kanzig, Morrison, Sieloff etc in the AHL

It is okay to give these 4 young guys more ice time without them earning it? Sort of like the Oilers but at the AHL level?

Having a really bad AHL team that is defaulting ice time based on draft position and reputation is a recipe for slow disappointing development.

So far the Flames AHL teams have had a total of 12 playoff games in 4 seasons winning 5. Not a lot of pressure tested players being developed there.

Has Wotherspoon become too good for the AHL? No further room for him to develop?

In 2006 do Hudler, Fippula, and Quincey have great years in the AHL and a long playoff run as 20-21 years old in the AHL without Team leaders Donald MacLean (28) Eric Manlow (30), Kent McDonell (26), Bryan Helmer (33) and Nate DiCasmirro (26)? These guys were 5 of the top 9 scorers and played over 70 games on the Griffins along with Hulder, Fippula and Koeppky.

Not only did Detroit make them earn their NHL shot they stocked the farm team with solid AHL players that made the team a winning team and made the kids earn their AHL time.

[GioforPM]

I said I'd sign him, but this somewhat depends on Nakladl's health. I think the same considerations for him apply - he is not a prospect who needs a lot of ice time somewhere.

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Just going by the evaluation of others, I think you sign him to the league minimum on a one-way. Worst case scenario is that you pay him that in the minors, but some veteran AHL players are close to that anyway.

If he played well enough to earn it, then I think it sends a bad message to other players in the future that may try out. It would basically say that there was never an intention to sign him and he may have wasted his time with them.

Not at all.... Morrison had a great training camp, exhibition season with the Canucks and the flames signed him for the regular season.

The Flames have the inside track on Wilson but other teams that are disappointed in what their D prospects are doing are able to contact him and give him a contract. Boston for example is in a scramble to get 6 NHL d-men. They sure as shooting are not going to take Smid and his contract when they could fill in with Wilson for 1M.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by FlamesFanFromBC

I don't think he signs a two-way contract.

Why not?

He has played fewer than 50 total games over the last three seasons, and is in camp on a PTO. It's not like teams are lining up to throw guaranteed contracts his way.

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by getbak

Why not?

He has played fewer than 50 total games over the last three seasons, and is in camp on a PTO. It's not like teams are lining up to throw guaranteed contracts his way.

He has showcased that he is healthy and very likely able to play the game very close to the level that he was at when he was playing 18 minutes a game.

Nobody wanted to give him a guaranteed contract when his injury situation was still up in the air.

[Sainters7]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

I don't want to sign Ryan Wilson for this reason. It escapes my lips literally every time his name comes up

Haha me too. Which is extra annoying because of all Boomer's little drops, that's the only one I never found funny. But it's stuck in my head anyway. Just a lame jingle that's become etched into me like a Pavlovian dog.


Posted from Calgarypuck.com App for Android

[868904]

When I look at the depth chart and see how the young defensemen are performing, I think it's not necessary to sign him.

I was thinking that he would be good to sign because he brings something a little different and lacking, in terms of truculence, but then I keep forgetting that Smid is still around.

Plus sometimes I forget that even though Giordano and Russell are very skilled puck movers, that they have no hesitation to drop the gloves to stick up for their teammates. Engelland has enough truculence for two players, and Hamilton looks like he could take care of himself too.

And with how Sieloff has looked this training camp, he might be a guy you can call up if there is an injury to Engelland. Sieloff's play has been very encouraging as he is a rare commodity in the system. Actually when I think about it, I think it could come down to if Sieloff can maintain his good play. He is essentially a younger version of Wilson, probably a better skater with less offense, but there's already plenty of that on the backend.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by 868904

When I look at the depth chart and see how the young defensemen are performing, I think it's not necessary to sign him.

I was thinking that he would be good to sign because he brings something a little different and lacking, in terms of truculence, but then I keep forgetting that Smid is still around.

Plus sometimes I forget that even though Giordano and Russell are very skilled puck movers, that they have no hesitation to drop the gloves to stick up for their teammates. Engelland has enough truculence for two players, and Hamilton looks like he could take care of himself too.

And with how Sieloff has looked this training camp, he might be a guy you can call up if there is an injury to Engelland. Sieloff's play has been very encouraging as he is a rare commodity in the system. Actually when I think about it, I think it could come down to if Sieloff can maintain his good play. He is essentially a younger version of Wilson, probably a better skater with less offense, but there's already plenty of that on the backend.

I think Smid is still very doubtful for opening day. And even when he played, I don't think he was any better than Wilson (or Seiloff).

[Calgary4LIfe]

You still need a 7th defencemen to warm the bench and pop into a game on occasion. That is not something you want your young players to be doing. That would have been (expensive) Smid's role, but he is still out. In my opinion, you don't sign him because Brodie is down, but you sign him because Smid is out.

If the contract is cheap enough, I do think Wilson (as long as he stays healthy) is the type of depth defencemen teams actually do spend a pick on. He is mobile, good defensively, physical, and he is a decent player in his own right. I do think you could end up getting a 4th or so out of it.

Giordano - Hamilton
Russel - Wideman
Engelland - Kulak/Wotherspoon
Smith

That is how I see things at the moment with Brodie out.

It is a very short term solution with Smid, as I think he is supposed to be ready in mid-late October IIRC. I would still rather sign him and have him sit rather than use one of the prospects for that.

[Gaudfather]

With Nakladal to be back soon, and Kulak and Wotherspoon - there is no need to sign Wilson.

[Fire]

Sounds like Nakladal is healthy and ready to go. No need for Wilson. Smid also close.

[Huntsy]

Think you offer him a $800 K/$80 K. NHL/AHL deal. Think the flames will wait as long as they can too offer it. That way he wont get scooped up so fast. Teams always looking for depth defensemen. Unfortunately Calgary has that already and wants young players to get a shot. Would be a great insurance policy to have him in the AHL. My guess though is Wilson has shown enough that he will want one way and if Flames don't offer it he will get it somewhere else. I.E Coilers..He would be a top 4 with Edmonton.

[FBI]

Hunter on D!

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

You still need a 7th defencemen to warm the bench and pop into a game on occasion. That is not something you want your young players to be doing. That would have been (expensive) Smid's role, but he is still out. In my opinion, you don't sign him because Brodie is down, but you sign him because Smid is out.

If the contract is cheap enough, I do think Wilson (as long as he stays healthy) is the type of depth defencemen teams actually do spend a pick on. He is mobile, good defensively, physical, and he is a decent player in his own right. I do think you could end up getting a 4th or so out of it.

Giordano - Hamilton
Russel - Wideman
Engelland - Kulak/Wotherspoon
Smith

That is how I see things at the moment with Brodie out.

It is a very short term solution with Smid, as I think he is supposed to be ready in mid-late October IIRC. I would still rather sign him and have him sit rather than use one of the prospects for that.

[gvitaly]

I think Wilson had a good camp, and he deserves an NHL contract, but I don't the Flames should be the ones to offer it. Here are a few questions I asked myself to evaluate-

Will he make the Flames better? Yes, but marginally.
Does he bring something the Flames lack? Yes, open ice hits.
Will the Flames gain any extra points in the standing because of him? Doubtful.
In how many games will he play this year? 10-20.
What message will it send to our prospects? I think at this point the log jam at defense will frustrate more than encourage our prospects. That's because I expect the prospects will stay hungry if they get the occasional call up.
Do we have a veteran to sit in the press-box this year?Yes, starting from November most likely one of Smid or Engallend.
Will the Flames be able to use him to generate assets this year?No


Signing Wilson seems like a good idea at first, especially due to the low risk. At the same time it seems like a low reward. Wilson seems like an insurance to an insurance on an already deep blue line. Finally, the opportunity and excitement will simply benefit one of our prospects more in the long run.

PS:I am biased because I love the energy our prospects bring when they are brought up.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Where are people hearing that Smid will be ready mid-October? It honestly doesn't sound like there's any definitive return time that I've heard of. I'd be more shocked if he ever played again, hence why there were so many guys on PTOs this camp.

[JohnnyTitan]

Not trying be a pessimist or paranoid (or a jinx)...but what if we were to sustain another injury?

Here's the scenario we DON'T want.
- One of Gio / Wideman / Russell / Dougie misses some time in October
- Flames either lose games due to rushing young / immature D-Men, OR
- Flames burn out the remaining three non-injured "Studs" with too much ice-time early in the season
- OR BOTH

I like the train-of-thought that has Smid, Brodie and Nakladal all healthey by Oct 20th. But what happens if we lose another guy before then?

It's not my money. Sign Wilson! ;-)

[D as in David]

In my mind, there's little downside either way. The young defenders have shown enough to me that they wouldn't do poorly in the NHL. At the same time, having some more veteran depth on the NHL squad and allowing youth to over-cook some more, is not a bad situation either.

Here is a scenario to consider, looking at the 2016-17 season, there is going to be an even bigger dogfight for the younger d-men to make the blue line with all of Wotherspoon, Kulak, Culkin, Kyllington, Andersson, Morrison having a decent shot at making it (assuming one more year in college for Hickey). To make room for them, does Russell become expendable at the trade deadline this year? Keeping Wilson would provide some veteran depth for the, hopefully, long playoff run. Could Russell get us a second or a third?

[Locke]

Well, for what its worth I just got a Score Update indicating that Smid has been cleared for contact.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by FBI

Hunter on D!

Doh! I meant Smid! And I'm an idiot!

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by Locke

Well, for what its worth I just got a Score Update indicating that Smid has been cleared for contact.

Well, in that case, I retract my position that the Flames should sign Wilson. With Smid looking really close, and apparently Nakladal close as well, then Wilson would just be redundant (though perhaps an upgrade on Smid, but not enough to warrant the signing).

Keep him around for the rest of the preseason, just in case injuries hit to someone like Smid or Engelland, and if not, you just release him. Smid and Engelland can take turns being the 7th defencemen.