[Signing] Flames sign RFAs Kerins, Kuznetsov, and Poirier

[Locke]

[Calgary4LIfe]

What's worse than big and slow? Small and slow. Kerins is a tweener. He needs to really work on his skating to become an NHL'er. Whether top 6 or bottom 6, it doesn't matter - he needs more speed or he won't make it. Hopefully he will manage to improve it.


I think all of Poirier, Kuznetsov and Solovyov should get a healthy dose of NHL games this year. They all need it. Tough to rotate them into the lineup, however, as you simply can't play that many inexperienced defencemen in the lineup (and we assume Parekh will make the team). Huska and Conroy have their work cut out for them trying to get these kids some ice at the NHL level.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

.80 PPG wasn't good enough for Huska apparently.

Yeah the ignorant bastard!

If only coaches in the NHL had more to go on that points in a 5 game sample size ...

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

What's worse than big and slow? Small and slow. Kerins is a tweener. He needs to really work on his skating to become an NHL'er. Whether top 6 or bottom 6, it doesn't matter - he needs more speed or he won't make it. Hopefully he will manage to improve it.


I think all of Poirier, Kuznetsov and Solovyov should get a healthy dose of NHL games this year. They all need it. Tough to rotate them into the lineup, however, as you simply can't play that many inexperienced defencemen in the lineup (and we assume Parekh will make the team). Huska and Conroy have their work cut out for them trying to get these kids some ice at the NHL level.

but but but ... he had 4 points in 5 games!

[Flames Fan, Ph.D.]

I know they're not the same type of defenseman, but do those contracts suggest Kuznetsov higher up in the Flames chart than Poirier? Or is it just age / contract dynamics that's accounting for the extra year in the Kuznetsov contract.

Consistent with what Jiri said, it's looking like Poirier has to really change some opinions and turn some heads this year.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Flames Fan, Ph.D.

I know they're not the same type of defenseman, but do those contracts suggest Kuznetsov higher up in the Flames chart than Poirier? Or is it just age / contract dynamics that's accounting for the extra year in the Kuznetsov contract.

Consistent with what Jiri said, it's looking like Poirier has to really change some opinions and turn some heads this year.

Seems like for these type of stay at home dmen, they are more willing to grant 1 way deals. Solovyov has a 1 way deal this year, then Kuznetzov next year.

I'm guessing it's because those guys are more suited to have a role on the final pair or even 7th/8th dmen.

A guy likedPoirier has to be getting power play time and other offensive opportunities to take advantage of what he's good at. So you aren't going to play him in a #6 role.

I always liked Poirier (because of the skill) but having a hard time seeing where he is going to get an opportunity here.

[Bingo Jr.]

I really feel for him. He looked excellent before that freak wrist injury.

Gotta think it stung for him to watch the Flames bring in Bru, Parekh, and Mews in a 6-month timespan.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Bingo Jr.

I really feel for him. He looked excellent before that freak wrist injury.

Gotta think it stung for him to watch the Flames bring in Bru, Parekh, and Mews in a 6-month timespan.

And Morin the draft before.

[redmile04]

Originally Posted by Bingo

but but but ... he had 4 points in 5 games!

Would that not be worth more of a look on a team starved for offense?

[Reggie Dunlop]

I can see a few minor league deals just to give the farmhands a fresh start with another organization, if it isn't going to happen for them here.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by redmile04

Would that not be worth more of a look on a team starved for offense?

He's good with the puck. He sees the ice well.

He's slow a foot, and doesn't have great size.

Lots to learn in his own zone.

That makes it tough to put him in the top six because of speed, and tough to put him in the bottom six because he isn't great defensively.

We are polling top prospects and he hasn't had a sniff through 10 rounds because most see the 4 points in 5 games as not enough to suggest he's being kept back.

But I'm rooting for him.

Round out the defensive side of the game, and add 10% to his speed and he's a different player.

[CFO]

Kerins has improved every year. Constantly moving up both league level and line level on each team.

Continues to find ways to make impacts.

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Poirier really needs to show something soon. He is going to get passed by several others very soon.

Think he already has Solovyov, Parekh, Kuznetsov, Bahl, Pachal for young defenders ahead of him.

His window is closing.

Not a fair business.

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by Bingo

He's good with the puck. He sees the ice well.

He's slow a foot, and doesn't have great size.

Lots to learn in his own zone.

That makes it tough to put him in the top six because of speed, and tough to put him in the bottom six because he isn't great defensively.

We are polling top prospects and he hasn't had a sniff through 10 rounds because most see the 4 points in 5 games as not enough to suggest he's being kept back.

But I'm rooting for him.

Round out the defensive side of the game, and add 10% to his speed and he's a different player.

You can tell he thinks a good offensive game though. Holds the puck. Doesn’t panic. Not many Flames forwards do that.

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

I can see a few minor league deals just to give the farmhands a fresh start with another organization, if it isn't going to happen for them here.

Lots of D bunged up. Wouldn’t hurt to trade one or two for centers.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Goriders

You can tell he thinks a good offensive game though. Holds the puck. Doesn’t panic. Not many Flames forwards do that.

Yeah I personally saw a guy who had NHL skills but needed NHL time to adapt.

You can't always learn how to be an NHLer and play at NHL pace in the AHL.

Hopefully he has a strong offseason and comes to camp a little quicker and a little stronger because the hockey sense and puck skills are there.

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by Flames Fan, Ph.D.

I know they're not the same type of defenseman, but do those contracts suggest Kuznetsov higher up in the Flames chart than Poirier? Or is it just age / contract dynamics that's accounting for the extra year in the Kuznetsov contract.

Consistent with what Jiri said, it's looking like Poirier has to really change some opinions and turn some heads this year.

I think Poirier’s window will run out and he will end his career in europe.

[Goriders]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Yeah I personally saw a guy who had NHL skills but needed NHL time to adapt.

You can't always learn how to be an NHLer and play at NHL pace in the AHL.

Hopefully he has a strong offseason and comes to camp a little quicker and a little stronger because the hockey sense and puck skills are there.

Those things are harder to coach/learn.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

.80 PPG wasn't good enough for Huska apparently.

He was 22 and got 5 games in. He didn't look ready yet. He'll get many more chances.

[PepsiFree]

I know it’s fun to trot out “4 points in 5 games” for Kerin but when you dig in he earned his demotion just as much as he earned his call up. Wasn’t ready.

3/4 assists were secondary, he showed below average skating and shot metrics, and was absolutely caved in his last two games.

Promising player, but wasn’t ready for the NHL yet. Tons to prove yet but he’s got all year to earn a bigger opportunity. Klapka went up and down until it clicked. I see no reason why Kerins would get special treatment.