[GDT] Flames @ Kraken 8pm MT

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by howard_the_duck

Great that Gridin is pushing in camp. I’m in no rush to have him starting with the Flames. Go prove you can do it in the AHL and if he does, all the more reason to move a guy like Coleman to free up a spot and recoup some assets.

If a guy earns it in camp, I think you have to give it to him.

Not saying Gridin is an automatic, but “rushing” to me is putting guys in who don’t look or play like they’re ready. If a guy is showing you he is, what’s he going to go prove?

I want guys that look NHL ready to prove it in the NHL. Nobody proves they’re NHL ready in the AHL.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

Why? Its available.

No it isn't. There is a reason nobody has worn it since. It might not be retired in the rafters but no player will wear it because the players know it should be.

[howard_the_duck]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

If a guy earns it in camp, I think you have to give it to him.

Not saying Gridin is an automatic, but “rushing” to me is putting guys in who don’t look or play like they’re ready. If a guy is showing you he is, what’s he going to go prove?

I want guys that look NHL ready to prove it in the NHL. Nobody proves they’re NHL ready in the AHL.

I just don’t think a little time to marinate in the AHL will hurt his development, especially when the team will be hard pressed to create a spot in the top 9 he’d need.

I love that he’s pushing but a big season for his development can start with the Wranglers and mean a graduation at some point.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

No it isn't. There is a reason nobody has worn it since. It might not be retired in the rafters but no player will wear it because the players know it should be.

That’s not why they don’t give it to a player
It’s because they don’t want to subject that player, particularly a young one, to the #### storm that would ensue both from some portion of the fan base and Theo himself

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

That’s not why they don’t give it to a player
It’s because they don’t want to subject that player, particularly a young one, to the #### storm that would ensue both from some portion of the fan base and Theo himself

That isn't what I have heard. Also, there has been some mending of bad feelings between the organization and Fleury recently from what I have also heard. I would honestly not be surprised if 14 went into the rafters next and in the not so distant future.

[dino7c]

Theo just needs to STFU for a while...he has a grade 9 education FFS

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Theo just needs to STFU for a while...he has a grade 9 education FFS

He's 57. He ain't changing. I wish they would just give his number and say nothing about it, to normalize it being just a number.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

That isn't what I have heard. Also, there has been some mending of bad feelings between the organization and Fleury recently from what I have also heard. I would honestly not be surprised if 14 went into the rafters next and in the not so distant future.

I hope not.

Fleury is a piece of $hit and I wish the organization would distance themselves from him.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by howard_the_duck

I just don’t think a little time to marinate in the AHL will hurt his development, especially when the team will be hard pressed to create a spot in the top 9 he’d need.

I love that he’s pushing but a big season for his development can start with the Wranglers and mean a graduation at some point.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think time in the AHL will hurt him either. I’m just not worried about making room in the top 9 for him if he’s earned it and looks like he’s going to bring something other guys can’t.

Put a guy like Farabee on the 4th line, send down the likes of Kirkland or Klapka or Kerins, whoever and however many you have to in order to make it work.

Again, not saying he’s that guy every game, but if he looks the way he’s looked in the offensive zone and the shootout so far on a regular basis, we’d be worse off with him down and any of Kirkland/Klapka/Kerins up.

[Strange Brew]

You should always give a chance to a player if they are exceptional. Stars don't necessarily need AHL time, so I"d love it if Gridin earned a spot out of camp. He can always be sent down if he is not ready when they start playing real games.

Some guys like Tkachuk and Monahan were ready from day one.
Some like Honzek weren't, it didn't hurt him any to be up with the big team for a few games.

[The Fonz]

I hope 14 does come available, but it can't be a young NHL hopeful that wears it first - it needs to be a guy like Clark Bishop, in their last year in Calgary.

The media attention will be a problem for the player.

[Steve's Stick]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

I hope not.

Fleury is a piece of $hit and I wish the organization would distance themselves from him.

Look I avoid politics, but I'll risk this -

Set aside your view of him politically and even the fact that he's experienced serious difficulties and trauma.

He was simply the best Calgary Flame of the 90s.

There is way to honor that. I think if you are true Flames fan, you can accept and acknowledge this.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Originally Posted by Steve's Stick

Look I avoid politics, but I'll risk this -

Set aside your view of him politically and even the fact that he's experienced serious difficulties and trauma.

He was simply the best Calgary Flame of the 90s.

There is way to honor that. I think if you are true Flames fan, you can accept and acknowledge this.

There is a way, but it does not need to be a retired number. He was a really good player in the 90s. Remember that, and that is about it.

[dino7c]

quality of the person is always considered when retiring numbers

[D as in David]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

That isn't what I have heard. Also, there has been some mending of bad feelings between the organization and Fleury recently from what I have also heard. I would honestly not be surprised if 14 went into the rafters next and in the not so distant future.

The problem from the Flames' perspective is that there is no way of knowing if and when Fleury would go off the deep end, once again.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Steve's Stick

Look I avoid politics, but I'll risk this -

Set aside your view of him politically and even the fact that he's experienced serious difficulties and trauma.

He was simply the best Calgary Flame of the 90s.

There is way to honor that. I think if you are true Flames fan, you can accept and acknowledge this.

Originally Posted by dino7c

quality of the person is always considered when retiring numbers

Originally Posted by Fighting Banana Slug

There is a way, but it does not need to be a retired number. He was a really good player in the 90s. Remember that, and that is about it.

Dino7 & FBS hit it.

Phuck Fleury

[SutterBrother]

You just wait for him to die. Then retire it and don't worry about what he says on social media.

If you do it before then he will 100% slap you in the face for it.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Steve's Stick

Look I avoid politics, but I'll risk this -

Set aside your view of him politically and even the fact that he's experienced serious difficulties and trauma.

He was simply the best Calgary Flame of the 90s.

There is way to honor that. I think if you are true Flames fan, you can accept and acknowledge this.

Theoren Fleury - Forever a Flame.

[Lewis_D]

I think it's pretty much impossible for any NHL team to decide who's number does or doesn't get retired with the approval of an entire fanbase - I think the criteria for many varies quite a bit. That's why I think the 'Forever a Flame' thing wasn't a bad concept, just poorly executed.

Could have been a cool opportunity to designate space in the concourse of the new rink for some little murals acknowledging players who maybe don't qualify for jersey retirement but deserve some recognition. I think other NHL teams around the league have done this. I know at Emirates Stadium in London (Arsenal) they do something similar where they have statues for club legends, and then around the perimeter of the exterior they have murals scattered around with photos of other notable players over the years along with some quotes from former coaches & teammates along with some stats & accomplishments. I'd be on board for something like that.

There have been many Flames we've been fond of over the years that deserve some special recognition from the club & fans post-retirement. But I also don't want a franchise that isn't even 50 years old with 1 cup to their name have 9 numbers in the rafters.

[GioforPM]

Fleury was my favorite Flames of all time when he played here. I thought he was potentially a top 5 player in the league. But he showed who he is after the failed comeback.

It's not just about politics though his views in that area are weird and pretty sick. He's also an a-hole generally. Plus, I bet he would make unreasonable demands if they wanted to do a ceremony. He's a grifter so I bet he'd want to be paid somehow.