[Signing] Calgary signs college prospect Kenney Morrison to 2yr ELC and ATO to play in ADK

[Tacopuck]

Dear Mr. Treliving,

So let me get this straight, you signed a college free agent that one) was a huge oilers fan growing up, two) was connected to the Oilers development system three) was pursued by a significant amount of teams in the NHL, some that would most likely guarentee NHL ice time this season and four) Signed him to a contract that starts next year and still gets him to play this year FOR FREE on an ATO.

So with all this in mind I have one last question for you:

Spoiler!

Thanks,
TP

[CaptainCrunch]

When I read the Hockey News Future watch, they had him listed as the top college free agent this year. I guess to be honest it was really the first time I'd heard of him. Its a great move not only from asset management, but also that it dose address a marked weakness in the Flames prospect system.

[CaptainCrunch]

Kid probably walked into rookie camp last year and says "Hey wherze the ping pong table. And why are there plates of kale instead of donuts"

And Eberle walks by and says. "Coach Eakins took our ping pong table and our donuts"

And the Kid probably sayz "Screw this, I an't signin here"

[FlameZilla]

He's obviously smart enough to realize he fits the Flames D profile perfectly; He can really skate and is good in his own zone. He looks like he could be the kind of player that suits the style of hockey Bob Hartley has instilled in Calgary. I like that he's fast and big. The cannon of a slap shot could come in handy on the PP. He could end up being an excellent D partner for Brandon Hickey in a couple of years, who sounds like he has a similar skillset, only left-handed.

He immediately becomes the Flames best RH defense prospect and has a realistic chance of cracking the lineup next year. I've been really keen for us to sign him since SureLoss first brought him to CP's attention in the Back Burner thread. For now I can't wait to hear how he gets going in Addy in a couple of weeks time.

[Hockey_Ninja]

Wait a sec. We actually won the bidding war for a top college prospect for once? Oh the times be a changing!

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Hockey_Ninja

Wait a sec. We actually won the bidding war for a top college prospect for once? Oh the times be a changing!

I know!

Half expecting the New York Rangers to swoop in and steal him.

[MacDaddy77]

This alone signals how the Flames are viewed from out of market players.

The fact that we won a bidding war with a top NCAA prospect speaks volumes

[CroFlames]

If I was from Llyodminster, AB and I had my pick of teams, I would certainly be going with

A. Kings
B. Ducks
C. Rangers
D. Sharks

That's great that he picked us though

[FlamesAddiction]

The Flames have a lot going for them right now from a young player's perspective, especially for a defenseman at the age of 23. The fact the Oilers are in rough shape might have helped a little if it came down to him preferring Alberta in general, but I think this is a club that sells itself.

[Itse]

We also play a system where defensemen have a chance to put up a lot of points. Can't hurt in a situation like this.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

This does say great things about how the organisation is perceived, and I'm sure this young D man saw Calgary as a great organization, maybe even a nice city, and mostly a spot where he'd have a chance to make an impact (weak D prospects) and a place that seems to do well setting it's young players up for success. All the while, not feeling like the team is that far away from being competitive. All of that combining to a great signing.

That said, I don't think this signals the same thing about the organizational perception YET, as attracting a top end UFA signing would. Don't confuse my statement to be one of support for the Flames going the UFA route to bring in talent, all I'm saying is I'm not sure the signing of a top end NCAA FA means the same thing as when top UFA's already in the league view your org. as a premier destination. Ways to go there yet I think.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by Tacopuck

Dear Mr. Treliving,

So let me get this straight, you signed a college free agent that one) was a huge oilers fan growing up, two) was connected to the Oilers development system three) was pursued by a significant amount of teams in the NHL, some that would most likely guarentee NHL ice time this season and four) Signed him to a contract that starts next year and still gets him to play this year FOR FREE on an ATO.

So with all this in mind I have one last question for you:

Spoiler!

Thanks,
TP

This is what really got me... not so much that we got him, but I'm sure others were offering him the rookie max + NHL spot and burn a year off his ELC, and he takes a ATO to play for our minor league team?

really (pleasantly) surprised

[jar_e]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

If I was from Llyodminster, AB and I had my pick of teams, I would certainly be going with

A. Kings
B. Ducks
C. Rangers
D. Sharks

That's great that he picked us though

And be stuck in the AHL for a long time? He picked a team on the upswing with a lack of defensive prospects in an attempt to break our roster. Though it is great he chose us, he obviously expects this was one of the rosters he'd be able to make an impact on and to move up quickly.

[GioforPM]

Yeah, you sign with LA dreaming of living near the beach, and you end up in Manchester shovelling two feet of snow.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Yeah, you sign with LA dreaming of living near the beach, and you end up in Manchester shovelling two feet of snow.

Not anymore, their AHL affiliate is a 45 minute drive away from the Staples center starting this Fall.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Not anymore, their AHL affiliate is a 45 minute drive away from the Staples center starting this Fall.

Oh yeah, forgot about that.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Not anymore, their AHL affiliate is a 45 minute drive away from the Staples center starting this Fall.

A 45 minute drive in LA?

So they play across the street from Staples?

[GioforPM]

Waitasec - we are all too excited. I just read on the HF Oiler board that this guy is no big deal.

Note - read only the last few pages of the thread for that opinion.

[jeffman]

Mentorship probably was a big factor. Here you have guys like Gio and Wideman working with younger players such as Brodie and Russell for development

[squirtle]

Originally Posted by darthma

I am assuming this is supposed to be read with Joey (from Friends) voice? Cuz that's how I read it.

lol yeah that was the intention