Around the league PTO season

[dissentowner]

No thanks to Gio. Thanks for the memories but time to hang them up. My bet for training camp is Hunter Brzustewicz steals that number 6 D spot.

[Vinny01]

Not sure why Gio would want to play his age 41 season on a rebuilding team?

[gvitaly]

Can a team give a PTO to a player under an AHL contract? Like Nylander? Or do they have to offer him on NHL contract if they like his play in TOR's camp?

Vrana used to be such a good player, but it's difficult to see him get his career back on track at this point.

Yamamoto seems like a Flames PTO. Also, Klingberg could be an interesting target.

As for Gio - I would love to have him around as an 8th D/coach, and transition into a job with the team. I think he would be great at sharing his experience, and greatly improving the play of guys like Solo, Miromanov, Bean, and Pachal.

[butterfly]

Originally Posted by LokiMotion

Only thing is he has zero chance to win here so I imagine he'd hold out as long as possible for a more competitive team to offer anything.

He has zero chance to win anywhere by playing. Of all the competitive teams last year, Toronto probably had the weakest defense and he couldn't even crack their lineup.

If he wants to "win" by eating popcorn, sure.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Not sure why Gio would want to play his age 41 season on a rebuilding team?

To show well and get traded at the deadline. What offers does he have now?

[activeStick]

Love Gio, but sign him to a 1-day contract so we can retire his jersey as a Flame, whenever that day comes.

[Calgary4LIfe]

As it stands right now (ignoring pairings and sides):
Weegar - Andersson
Bean - Miromanov
Bahl - Pachal
Solovyov - Grushnikov
Kuznetsov - Poirier
Brzustewicz - Jurmo


You can argue that Brzustewicz should probably spend a full year in the AHL, and I believe he will, but it will further complicate matters if he steps up and shows he belongs in the NHL. Morin will most likely be returned to Junior, but he showed at last camp that he didn't appear far off, even if his subsequent season was underwhelming (though injuries probably had something to do with that). Jurmo can probably benefit from a full season in the AHL too, but it isn't like he is coming from a junior team - he played against men now for a few seasons, and may show himself ready for some NHL time. Everyone else has put in their time in the AHL already. Many of them had looks in the NHL. Poirier would have if not for an injury, and I don't think anyone can say that he shouldn't start getting some NHL games in as part of his development.


As it stands right now - with no surprises in camp (injuries or unexpected strong performances on guys pushing to make the team) - Flames are carrying 7 D this season, unless they are willing to have Pachal or Solovyov claimed. Adding Giordano makes the Flames carry 8 D, and adds another piece in front of the young defencemen from getting some reps at the NHL level.


I do agree that Giordano's mentorship has value. I also think that if he is brought back the right way - lots of talk about him not having the legs he once had, etc., - that you could bring him back. I thought the same thing (more so actually) about Iginla adding something to the team when we went to LA and then retired. I don't think Giordano has anything to offer to the Flames on the ice, but off of it I believe he does - the mentorship. Also helping them realize just what it takes to keep yourself in the best shape possible, building good habits, etc.


I just think that at this point, playing time is more valuable for these kids than anything else, and I think Weegar and Andersson can help develop them, Backlund and Coleman provide a lot of leadership, and Huska and his staff are great at development already.



Part of the issue for me is that I don't think that Giordano can play any longer. Having a young kid partnered up with him sounds great on paper, but in practice, I think this puts the young kid in an awkward spot of trying to protect Giordano too much. Sure, Giordano may know where to go and can yell directions at the kid (valuable), but I also think that Giordano's legs are gone, and the kid is going to have to cover for Giordano a lot, which will make him second-guess where he SHOULD be going. That's probably not a positive development experience for him. Had the Flames brought back Jarome, then I do believe it is far easier to insulate Jarome and not have him be a detriment (or at least an impactful detriment) to the team. It is easier covering for a slower winger than it is for a defencemen, especially considering the defensive obligations.


Bring him back for 10 games? I would rather those 10 games go to Poirier or Kuznetsov or somebody else who may be a long-term piece of the future. Bring him back as an assistant coach in some capacity, I am all for that. Maybe he can join Stone as part of the development team.

As for any PTO's, I agree with Bingo - unless you can bring in a guy who you can then flip at the deadline for something worthwhile, then I say avoid it.


Conroy specifically talked about this last year, and the reason he didn't want to do it then was (Loosely quoted): "A vet on a PTO trying to earn a contract will always look better than a prospect without much experience during the preseason. However, halfway through a season, the young prospect will usually end up being the better player."



Unless there is a Versteeg out there somewhere or someone to that effect, I would just rather give the opportunity to the young kids. There really aren't many spots available anyway, if any.

[sureLoss]

Another one that might be looking at a PTO:

https://twitter.com/user/status/1824158170631041271

[Eric Vail]

I think signing Gio to a playing contract would lead to difficult situations. He is a franchise all time great, and the Flames could be forced to send him to the minors if his play isn't great or if they want to give playing time to young guys for development. I'd hate for the Flames to do that to him.

Better to leave it alone. If they want him around the team, hire him for another role.

[Reggie Dunlop]

I doubt Looch will have any takers....

[MrMike]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Gio on a PTO seems rife with issues.

First thats a ####ty way to treat a former captain, Norris winner and possible candidate for jersey retirement down the road.

Second, as the former captain that was his team and his room It wouldn't be that anymore. While I'm sure he'd handle it well it may be awkward especially for a guy like Backlund.

Third, he wasn't good any more. He just wasn't. Less and less ice time and it was warranted in TO.

Only if it was a favour to him. Both parties know Calgary wont be the landing spot but it gives him a chance to show 31 other teams he has a year left in him.

I would be okay in that situation.

[Paulie Walnuts]

We are moving on, no to Gio.

We have enough vets, and it's a bit overrated the vets for the young kids thing anyways. Goodrow and Coleman never won anything, and they pushed Tampa over the top to help them win cups.

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

I think the Flames bring in a couple of PTOs, if for anything else to give some competition to the youngsters.

Didn't the dark reign of Treliving confirm that PTOs pretty much mean the exact opposite of competition for youngsters?

[Nammer403]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

I doubt Looch will have any takers....

Up north will take him again

[the-rasta-masta]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Gio on a PTO seems rife with issues.

First thats a ####ty way to treat a former captain, Norris winner and possible candidate for jersey retirement down the road.

Second, as the former captain that was his team and his room It wouldn't be that anymore. While I'm sure he'd handle it well it may be awkward especially for a guy like Backlund.

Third, he wasn't good any more. He just wasn't. Less and less ice time and it was warranted in TO.

You probably propose to him that he comes back on PTO, let's see if you still have it. If you do, we'll sign you to a contract and we could look at flipping you at the deadline to a contender. If the PTO doesn't work out, we have a front office job waiting for you.

[sureLoss]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1826021337615446425

[ballin]

Honestly if we plan on dressing the amount of young players we did last year would it be the worst thing if Lucic came back at 1X1?

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by ballin

Honestly if we plan on dressing the amount of young players we did last year would it be the worst thing if Lucic came back at 1X1?

Yes, it would be bad because he's still suspended by the league for the domestic violence allegations and possible substance abuse issues. So that's pretty much the trifecta of nope.

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by ballin

Honestly if we plan on dressing the amount of young players we did last year would it be the worst thing if Lucic came back at 1X1?

No.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Originally Posted by ballin

Honestly if we plan on dressing the amount of young players we did last year would it be the worst thing if Lucic came back at 1X1?

The team has brought in Lomberg to be the scary veteran. No need for Looch.

Besides, as others have mentioned, there's all kinds of baggage he's dealing with.