Prior to this season, Sven put up 24 points in 51 games in the NHL. His output was a mess this year when his linemates were pretty much Setoguchi, Byron and Bollig, and he really shouldn't even have been called up since I think he was pretty cold in the A. He got off to a really bad start to the season in either league. Oh, and I'm pretty sure Byron scored about two-or-three goals directly created by Sven. I don't think he's potted one since.
You're wrong (but not by much).
But if you want to talk "prior to this season" then Raymond is a great scorer, Setoguchi is a great scorer, Bollig is capable of points, Stajan's a 20 goal man...
The whole point of this entire forum is to discuss minutae, give opinions and debate trivial flames things. If there wasn't a debate about which 4th line player has greater offensive upside on our team, I'd have to actually do work, at work. So I care.
They really do need to get rid of some of these less appealing veterans (Bollig, Stajan, Raymond) before the start of next season to make room for (Granlund, Sven, Wolf, Ferland, etc).
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I have to agree with Cleveland Steam Whistle - nobody can come in and say definitively that "Wolf is better than Bollig" right now, or that he would be an upgrade of any sort.
Wolf has had a total of zero NHL games. Even comparing them through the AHL is a little bit unfair - at least without looking at quality of team mates, role on the team, etc.
To add to that, there are players that end up blossoming in the NHL and seem to take that next big step much better than another player who has better numbers in the AHL.
With that being said, it is NOT wrong to say: "I want to see Wolf get a call-up and think he deserves it based on his performance thus far in the AHL, and I feel he has the potential to displace Bollig." There is little to argue with in that statement.
I personally feel he projects higher than Bollig does, and I am very optimistic that the Flames have found a diamond in the rough. However, until he makes the jump and actually displaces Bollig, it has to remain a projection.
For the record, I really like Wolf, and feel he projects to be a pretty decent 4th liner, or even a 3rd liner if things go really right. I am indifferent to Bollig - I acknowledge that he has had underrated moments in terms of his contribution to the team, and has long stretches of 'meh'. I neither like him nor do I feel the Flames are better off without him. I do think Engelland plays with a more noticeable 'edge' to his game. I do think the biggest question as to whether or not Wolf transitions well into the NHL will be centered around his overall skating ability - especially his agility and acceleration. McGrattan actually had impressive speed, it just took him too long to get there. On a high-tempo team that plays a very quick transition game, McGrattan stuck out. Bollig isn't really that much better of a hockey player, but his overall skating and agility allows him to keep up better to the team, and lessens him being a liability out there. If Wolf can match Bollig's overall skating ability, I am going to guess that he will eventually displace Bollig on the roster.
He needs a call up. Best player on the Flames right now! By far!
Do you think the flames would call up wolf, after all star break before granlund? It might make sense to give wolf a couple of games as a reward for the way he has been playing in the AHL .
Do you think the flames would call up wolf, after all star break before granlund? It might make sense to give wolf a couple of games as a reward for the way he has been playing in the AHL .
Yes, I think Wolf should be called up before Granlund. I think going on the whole earned thing, he's earned it.
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I think based on his contract status being a 1 year deal and coupled with his play lately. Its hard to argue that this guy hasn't earned the next call up. Assuming Glencross is still injured after the all star break, I'd like to see this guy get a shot. He's been in full on beast mode now for a few weeks.
Safe to say that for the time being he has supplanted Ferland for that first power forward call up.
But if you want to talk "prior to this season" then Raymond is a great scorer, Setoguchi is a great scorer, Bollig is capable of points, Stajan's a 20 goal man...
Don't want to derail the thread. But you can't compare a prospect who is only going to improve and get better to vets that are on the decline...
Is Wolf better than Bollig? Many people seem to be asking that. Wolf hasnt played in the NHL yet, fair point I guess.
What does Bollig bring to this team? Toughness? I am so disappointed in his play in this regard. Does he bring offense? Think we can all agree he does not. Is he a defensive liability? Plays die on his stick and the puck goes to the other team always. I really want to like Bollig, I was hoping for another Bouma when we got him, just tougher. We didnt get that.
Is Wolf the answer? Wont know till he gets a shot. In the A he is showing some offensive skill, maybe Bollig would too in the A. Physical game though is a regular thing for Wolf, not so much for Bollig.
If we let Bollig go and Wolf does not pan out what happens? We play Ferland, or Agostino, or Van Brabant or a host of others. I say its time to call up the WOLF! I promise you I will never say that was a mistake, wish we still had Bollig.
As for point totals and stats? Bollig has 39 games played, 2 assists, and is a minus 7, and 42 penalty minutes. His play is uninspired, he protects no one and does not play a physical game.
I want to like Bollig, I really do. Guy is a good skater for his size, he can play agressive but chooses not to. He is like a Rene Bourque of the fourth line forwards lol! Toolbox is there to be excellent at his role but just does not pull it off.
Don't want to derail the thread. But you can't compare a prospect who is only going to improve and get better to vets that are on the decline...
I was talking about his use of Sven's previous years, as opposed to this year, to make a point. I figure this year's stats are probably the indication of this year's play.
But I know of a few prospects who didn't improve over time. Their initial impact was better than their later play. Are you talking about Wolf? Or Sven? Wolf doesn't have much more time to make it, at 26. He's older than Backlund, Jooris, Byron, Colborne, Brodie, 1 year younger than Bollig.
Time to bring Wolf up, and put Bollig in the press box. Better yet, let's get our 3rd back, ohh wait our GM thinks that Bollig is a 3rd line player given a chance.
