🚨 The Zayne Parekh show has arrived 🚨

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by kehatch

He still has things to learn in junior. More importantly, playing another year in junior is not going to hurt his development.

I am not saying he shouldn't or won't make the NHL. But IF HE IS NOT READY he shouldn't and won't.

I don't know why anyone would want us to channel our inner Edmonton and rush a prospect to the NHL before they are ready.

What does he have left to learn in junior? I’m curious what you think he’s missing than can be learned at a league where he’s so dominant.

Playing another year in a league where he’s going through the motions can absolutely hurt his development, and we already know he can handle himself in the average NHL game. He didn’t look passable or like his head was just above water, he looked like one of the better players on the club after the jitters settled. So I don’t know why you’re pretending he’s not ready or pulling the we don’t wNt to be Edmonton!” nonsense. We’re not.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I personally think Parekh makes the team - he should be ready physically. I think it would be a waste of a year in junior. He is too good for that league, and has proved it.


The big question mark for me is if he even goes to the WJCs. I think if he is doing well, the Flames don't release him. Teams don't usually release players back to the WJCs unless they are either doing poorly, or they are tanking. So if the Flames find themselves floundering, maybe they give him that break. If I was him, I wouldn't want to go. As fun as that tournament would be, it would affect my pay - I am not getting paid my NHL salary to play in the tournament, plus I will be taking a hit on potential bonuses. For instance, if I miss out on being a Calder finalist/winner because of the games missed to be at the WJC. I think if he is struggling, or at least not quite finding his footing yet, then he goes to the tournament. Otherwise, I would be surprised. I just think Parekh will stick. Whether he gets 20 points this season or 80 is beyond me, but I think he plays well enough to stick this year at the NHL level.

[kehatch]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

What does he have left to learn in junior? I’m curious what you think he’s missing than can be learned at a league where he’s so dominant.

Playing another year in a league where he’s going through the motions can absolutely hurt his development, and we already know he can handle himself in the average NHL game. He didn’t look passable or like his head was just above water, he looked like one of the better players on the club after the jitters settled. So I don’t know why you’re pretending he’s not ready or pulling the we don’t wNt to be Edmonton!” nonsense. We’re not.

He would be getting development focused coaching, working with trainers, and playing high level hocky. It may not be the ideal situation, but its much better then forcing him into the NHL if he isn't physically, mentally, or developmentally ready for it. Not to mention he still needs to show up in camp and earn a spot.

To be clear, I am not saying he isn't ready for the NHL. But if he isn't ready then you don't force it. The premise that he should be in the NHL no matter what because we can shelter him there and junior isn't an option is a bad one in my opinion.

See how fitness testing and camp goes. If he earns it then give him up to 9 games. If he continues to earn it and your confident he is ready then give him game 10. But it's August and camp hasn't even started. Lets not put Baertschi level expectations on the kid because he had a great junior year and one good NHL game.

[Robbob]

I also think that CHL would be a wasted year. Do what you can to protect him, but let him start getting some NHL games under his belt.

[Groot]

Originally Posted by kehatch

He would be getting development focused coaching, working with trainers, and playing high level hocky

And in the NHL he wouldn't get development focused coaching or trainers? And it isn't high-level hockey for him anymore, it's beneath him.

Nobody is talking about forcing a prospect who isn't ready into the NHL. People are saying they think he is ready, and any deficiencies can be worked on in the NHL.

If somehow he came into camp and regressed massively, okay then have the discussion. But right now, there is nothing to think that he isn't ready to make the transition.

[D as in David]

The level of that high-level hockey in the CHL has gone down a notch with players jumping to the NCAA.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by kehatch

He would be getting development focused coaching, working with trainers, and playing high level hocky. It may not be the ideal situation, but its much better then forcing him into the NHL if he isn't physically, mentally, or developmentally ready for it. Not to mention he still needs to show up in camp and earn a spot.

To be clear, I am not saying he isn't ready for the NHL. But if he isn't ready then you don't force it. The premise that he should be in the NHL no matter what because we can shelter him there and junior isn't an option is a bad one in my opinion.

See how fitness testing and camp goes. If he earns it then give him up to 9 games. If he continues to earn it and your confident he is ready then give him game 10. But it's August and camp hasn't even started. Lets not put Baertschi level expectations on the kid because he had a great junior year and one good NHL game.

He would be getting NHL-level coaching and training and playing NHL-level hockey in the NHL, which is far superior to the OHL, so not sure I see the value there.

I just see the argument that he should be in junior entirely based on hypotheticals. Nobody wants to says he’s already a lock for the NHL but I think everyone, including Conroy, knows it would take a pretty epic step backwards this summer for that not to be the case, which I don’t think anyone is predicting.

If your argument was some AHL seasoning, sure, but that’s not an option, so having him join the long list of NHL defencemen who started their careers under 20 years old is not controversial.

I think we have to accept that he’s not going to win the Norris year one, he’s going to make mistakes, he’s going to need some sheltering as he develops. That’s true of almost every rookie defenceman at the start, so it’s not unusual. The real question is why wouldn’t you want that?

The Baertschi and Edmonton references are just distraction. And suggesting this is about one good game or one great season totally ignores the reality. That one good game shows he can hang in the NHL. If it’s not every game, let him watch some games, but give him the benefit of NHL practice, training, etc. And that one great season, which is actually one season of one of the most dominant junior careers from a defenceman ever, shows he’s outgrown the OHL.

Growth requires challenge, you don’t get better if you never challenge yourself. Given the options on the table and what we know/have seen today (not hypotheticals or predictions of giant steps backwards), another year in the OHL will delay his development far more than managed minutes and deployment in the NHL will. Fine if he’s a total disaster and completely lost, but nothing suggests that will be the case.

Just re-adjust your expectations of what a first year defenceman is going to be. If he comes in and puts up 20-30 points and is a minus player it’s a huge success. He’ll join the long list of 18/19 year old defenders who did exactly that and went on to become top tier players.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Another year in junior, and maybe some seasoning in the AHL. No need to rush.

I think Dion Phaneuf was rushed to some degree and it went to his head.

**ducks and runs**

[CFO]

Playing him in the CHL would be a waste. This shouldn't even be contemplated.

[Monahammer]

If he had to go somewhere not the NHL, he should play college or AHL. I think they made the AHL rules such that he could play there this season. Under no circumstances should he play in the OHL for another year.

[Monahammer]

He really should play in the NHL this season. It shouldn't even be a question frankly. We need to make room for him and start bringing him up as what he is- the only hope for this franchise's success in the current build.

[Snuffleupagus]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

Another year in junior, and maybe some seasoning in the AHL. No need to rush.

I think Dion Phaneuf was rushed to some degree and it went to his head.

**ducks and runs**

Not saying you're completely wrong but 20+ years ago players weren't as prepared as they are today, plus Phaneuf played 4 years in Red Deer, he wasn't rushed he was just well frankly not the smartest tool in the toolbox.

[FanSince'01]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

If he had to go somewhere not the NHL, he should play college or AHL. I think they made the AHL rules such that he could play there this season. Under no circumstances should he play in the OHL for another year.

Starts next year, so not an option for Zayne this year unfortunately.

And since college is also out-of-the question for him, it's OHL or NHL and I 100% agree he doesn't need to spend another year in the OHL. Kid is good enough for the NHL right now.

[Charcot]

Is Europe an option? Other than Austin Matthews I have not seen North American players use it as a development path for the NHL (COVID times excepted). I'd have thought a year in the German, Swedish or Finish leagues would be a good option for those who fall between the CHL and AHL.

[Red_Baron]

Remeber when some posters thought Dustin Wolf wasn't ready for the NHL last year?


This whole comparison to Edmonton rushing their draft picks is getting old and stale.
They rushed Draisaitl, sent him down to the WHL when he struggled and it didn't cause any long term harm.

[#-3]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

Another year in junior, and maybe some seasoning in the AHL. No need to rush.

I think Dion Phaneuf was rushed to some degree and it went to his head.

**ducks and runs**

A D-man successfully playing 2nd pairing minutes and scoring 21 goals was not rushed.

Did his success go to his head? sure seems like it.

Could the Flames have helped prevent that with better coaching / management? Probably.

But a guy who very very credibly finishes 3rd in the Calder Race to Crosby and Ovechkin was not rushed to the league, he was ready to play.

[getbak]

Phaneuf almost-certainly would have played in the NHL in 2004-05 if not for the lockout. He turned 21 before the end of his rookie season. He wasn't rushed in any way.

He would have won the Calder Trophy if his rookie season hadn't coincided with the two best players in the NHL over the last 20 years.

[Johnny Makarov]

Kyle Okposo didn't think Phaneuf was rushed..... boom!

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Red_Baron

Remeber when some posters thought Dustin Wolf wasn't ready for the NHL last year?


This whole comparison to Edmonton rushing their draft picks is getting old and stale.
They rushed Draisaitl, sent him down to the WHL when he struggled and it didn't cause any long term harm.

Really? Do you mean the year before? Because heading into last year he'd played 18 games.