[Signing] Flames sign Trevor Lewis (1 year, $800K)

[Goriders]

I have a feeling the rumours around lucic are true. They’ve been upgrading the team’s toughness today with guys that can skate.

[Canada 02]

Originally Posted by edslunch

We don’t leave room for prospects, not the Calgary way

a prospect needs to outperform Trevor Lewis or Brett Ritchie, or last year, it was Simon, Nordstrom, Leivo, Nesterov, Stone. That is not a high bar. If they can't, they don't deserve a spot

[Jore]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Outside of Ryan, our forward depth was not remotely good offensively last year. It sort of contributed to us missing the playoffs. We didn't manage last year.

Without Ryan, who actually produced at one of the more productive rates in the league, it'll probably be just as bad.

I'm hopeful guys like Ruzicka, Phillips, Pelletier, Zary are given an opportunity ahead of a guy like Trevor Lewis. That's all.

Looks like the Flames are trying to go for it, I doubt they leave roster spots open for prospects.

[bzoo02]

Originally Posted by edslunch

We don’t leave room for prospects, not the Calgary way

I don't get this narrative either. If the prospects aren't good enough to make the team they won't make the team.
No coach is going to put them on the big club just so the team can say they promote their prospects?

[CroFlames]

Can he play goal?

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Canada 02

a prospect needs to outperform Trevor Lewis or Brett Ritchie, or last year, it was Simon, Nordstrom, Leivo, Nesterov, Stone. That is not a high bar. If they can't, they don't deserve a spot

Last year Ritchie and Stone weren’t even signed - just PTOs and the kids still couldn’t manage it. Not even for the taxi squad (though arguably they were better off in the AHL).

[Flamesfan05]

You know if you want Eichel, you need minimum guys to fill the roster

This is just another Sutter signing

[868904]

Originally Posted by bzoo02

I don't get this narrative either. If the prospects aren't good enough to make the team they won't make the team.
No coach is going to put them on the big club just so the team can say they promote their prospects?

It's a dumb narrative that keeps getting parroted out here.

Flames have put Gaudreau, Monahan, Tkachuk, Bennett (injury aside) right into the lineup and ruined Bennett's development in the process.

Zary and Pelletier belong in the AHL this year.

Ruzicka and Philips are not ready. Score at a point per game pace for a good period in the AHL before even considering them ready; that's the Mangiapane development path. Hell even Garnet Hathaway scored at that pace before they called him up for good and he's a 4th liner.

If the prospects are ready, they will play. If they aren't, you sign veterans to fill the roles until they are.

[Kipper_3434]

Our PK should be amazing next season. Our 5v5 should also be better....the only glaring hole rn is a PP QB. Solid off season so far for the flames.

Edit: Forgot we don't have a backup goalie. 2 holes

[N-E-B]

I like this signing. Good 12th/13th forward. Adds lots of experience for cheap.

[djsFlames]

Oh this has Sutter written all over it.

Sutter suggesting a fringe, off the radar signing that pushes the kids down? You know Treliving was all about that.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Cheap guy who can sit in the press box if necessary. You don't call up the kids to sit in the press box.

[looooob]

Originally Posted by 868904

Ruzicka and Philips are not ready. Score at a point per game pace for a good period in the AHL before even considering them ready; that's the Mangiapane development path. Hell even Garnet Hathaway scored at that pace before they called him up for good and he's a 4th liner.

If the prospects are ready, they will play. If they aren't, you sign veterans to fill the roles until they are.

I agree with your thesis. in eyeballing things (maybe too hastily) Ruzicka's production in year 1 and year 2 AHL look quite similar to Hathaway (at about 3-4 years younger), by that following year Hathaway was more NHLer than AHLer...so while he still has to take that step I have wondered if it may be nearly Ruzicka time on the 4th line

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by mrdonkey

What part of that statement is wrong or even negative? The Flames being short on offensive skill without a big shakeup is an obvious truth that I think almost everyone can agree with. Chill out, my guy.

I think you're so negative on things you don't even see it.

The Flames signed Trevor Lewis to a very cheap one year deal. It's free depth. If he doesn't play well you can bury his entire cap in the AHL. There is literally nothing to worry about on this contract.

Yet you feel that this was the time to point out that the team can't score goals.

[Teroy]

Originally Posted by bzoo02

I don't get this narrative either. If the prospects aren't good enough to make the team they won't make the team.
No coach is going to put them on the big club just so the team can say they promote their prospects?

The problem is that we bring them up and then just sit them. If they don't perform the first few times they are on the ice, they don't get another chance. Now, if they aren't a Sutter guy, they won't even get a chance. No wonder none of our prospects pan out.

[getbak]

2 UFA signings today, 4 Stanley Cups between them.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Teroy

The problem is that we bring them up and then just sit them. If they don't perform the first few times they are on the ice, they don't get another chance. Now, if they aren't a Sutter guy, they won't even get a chance. No wonder none of our prospects pan out.

This is also just completely not accurate. As already noted, the Flames have graduated and given a tonne of games to depth prospects like Andersson, Mangiapane, Dube and Kylington. Two of these players worked their way up the lineup and into impact roster positions.

It is a convenient narrative for people who are pretty consistently highly critical of the team regardless of what they do.

[Darkon]

I am very happy that we seem to have backed off somewhat from the overuse of “this is so Flames” or “this is such a Treliving thing to do”. But am not so excited that the narrative seems to have changed to “this is such a Sutter move”! I know this is a discussion board but could we calm down on the making false/non factual assumptions/leaps and then pronouncing them as absolute truth? Is that possible?

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

I would prefer a fourth line akin to Mangiapane - Ryan - Hathaway where you have speed and skill to go with compete and grit.

Yep They just play Maniapane-Coleman and Pitlick 8-10 minutes a game and dominate the 4th line scoring.

[bubbsy]

Interesting.... In a be a gm mode of ea nhl games for years now, I always seem to add Lewis as a 4th line depth guy to the flames.