[Signing] Hanowski signs 1 year, 2 way deal (850k AAV)

[Drury18]

Decent story in the Sun about Hanowski's signing. He is working on his skating this off season: http://www.calgarysun.com/2014/07/12...calgary-flames

Admittedly a bit relieved to have finalized a contract for next season, the 6-foot-2, 210-lb. Hanowski can now focus on his off-season efforts, including training sessions with a group of NHLers in his home state of Minnesota and one-on-one work with a skating instructor.

“I think my skating has been an issue, probably since I was in college. I’m just working on the technical side of it — just being a more efficient, fluid skater,” Hanowski said. “I think I have a lot of wasted energy in my stride, and it’s just not very efficient, so that’s something I’m try to fix up. Just trying to become faster and, overall, a better skater.”

[Dajazz]

Originally Posted by BACKCHECK!!!

Lol.

Hanowski scored 2 more points while playing 14 more games than Baertschi at the AHL level. Because Baertschi was playing in the NHL, where he scored 11 points (for a 35 point pace), compared to Hanowski's 2 points in the NHL (for a 15 point pace).

So Baertschi scored more total points in the season. And more of them at a higher level than Hanowski. And had a higher points-per-game than Hanowski in both leagues.

You swallowed that bait in full, it was almost too obvious.

[combustiblefuel]

Originally Posted by Drury18

Decent story in the Sun about Hanowski's signing. He is working on his skating this off season: http://www.calgarysun.com/2014/07/12...calgary-flames

Raymond and Gaudreau should train him.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by Drury18

Decent story in the Sun about Hanowski's signing. He is working on his skating this off season: http://www.calgarysun.com/2014/07/12...calgary-flames

That's good to hear. If he has any chance at being an NHLer he has to improve his skating significantly. I doubt he will be anymore than a once in a while NHL call-up throughout his career, but if he improves this season in the AHL then keep the one year 2-way contracts coming.

I agree with Drury18, not sure why he got called up over other more NHL ready players like Reinhart. The guy was a healthy scratch at times in the AHL last year.

[Yrebmi]

Originally Posted by Dajazz

You swallowed that bait in full, it was almost too obvious.

Ha. Guess I did too (and everyone else who thanked that post)
Reminds me of that meme that says - That moment where your sarcasm becomes so proficient that people actually think you're stupid.

[Freeway]

Waiver exempt, BTW.

[djsFlames]

Can we be more consistent with our past/present/future tenses in thread titles around here? Is it too much to ask?

[Da_Chief]

Flames recently hired a skating specialist. I think we're going to see an improvement with most of these guys.

[kl83]

Good signing. He has potential to be a decent 3rd/4th liner, hopefully he can continue to improve

[SeanCharles]

I'm usually not one of the realists who comes temper expectations of our prospects cause the reality is not all of them will make it...

But I think Hanowski is one of those guys that prob will never get over that hump...

I'm fine with this considering Guadreau, Bennett, Poirier, Reinhart, Klimchuk, Baertschi, Granlund, Wotherspoon, Sieloff etc. all seem to be trending towards becoming NHLers..

Throw in Brodie, Backlund, Bouma and Colborne as legit NHLers and it's even less concerning. Not to mention the guys I didn't list who still have NHL potential and things look good in cowtown..lots of competition in the younger ranks!!

[Pliddy]

I am always fascinated by the number of Nhl prospects that have to work on skating. My son's atom team has at least 3/4 of the kids in power skating all summer, Power Skating is also part of the program and a huge emphasis on skating in placed on these kids. You would think that if you were Lucky enough to be drafted in the NHL that any fine tuning of your stride would have already been taken care of by now

[playmaker]

Originally Posted by Drury18

Decent story in the Sun about Hanowski's signing. He is working on his skating this off season: http://www.calgarysun.com/2014/07/12...calgary-flames

Good to hear, but there's a reason to be skeptical though. Perhaps its my superstition or something but I don't remember a single good sized flame with serious skating issues who's significantly improved in this area. The most notable examples are probably Greg Nemisz and Krys Kolanos - both potential top 6 forwards and both terrible skaters (or course, by today's standards of skating era)
I like Hanowski but at the same time I don't see him being a part of contending team. I know how many people here consider the old "not skilled enough for the top 6 and not fast/tough enough for the bottom 6" cliche being archaic and no longer relevant but seriously, it still seems to be a destiny for some players (hopefully I'm wrong here with Ben though)

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by Pliddy

My son's atom team has at least 3/4 of the kids in power skating all summer

And with that, and in all likelihood, zero of them will be good enough skaters to be drafted - in the Bantam draft.
That first stride is often the difference between an NHL career and bouncing around the minors. They all work on skating all the time.

[5by5]

Originally Posted by Da_Chief

Flames recently hired a skating specialist. I think we're going to see an improvement with most of these guys.

Keith Crowder. Going to teach them how to glide truculently. Apparently he has a company that uses insole tech specific for skates. From what I have seen of Hanowski he could use an extra 1/2 step for sure.

[Iniggywetrust]

Originally Posted by Pliddy

I am always fascinated by the number of Nhl prospects that have to work on skating. My son's atom team has at least 3/4 of the kids in power skating all summer, Power Skating is also part of the program and a huge emphasis on skating in placed on these kids. You would think that if you were Lucky enough to be drafted in the NHL that any fine tuning of your stride would have already been taken care of by now

I think that's probably the case. It's why you don't see a lot of guys drafted with poor skating attributes, who all.of a sudden turn that around and become good skaters. They might improve marginally but not usually substantially. I also think this will be the case with Ben. When he first came to the team he was so far behind NHL pace, I don't see him making that up I his career.

[Freeway]

Originally Posted by 5by5

Keith Crowder. Going to teach them how to glide truculently. Apparently he has a company that uses insole tech specific for skates. From what I have seen of Hanowski he could use an extra 1/2 step for sure.

Troy Crowder.

[puckedoff]

If Hanowski had even average wheels he'd be a great bottom six guy. He has good hands, great shot and can play the body. As an added bonus, he has an odd shaped noggin.

[FlameZilla]

Glad to hear Big Ben is working hard on his skating. He has a visibly awkward stride which is holding him back, but if he can improve his skating technique he may have a shot of eventually playing in the NHL.

I think he's an awesome player to have on the farm team and I'm glad they've re-signed him.

[PeteMoss]

He needs to learn to play like a Bouma or a Prust. He was an ultra skilled guy in high school etc, and it's hard to make the jump to playing that game.

[StrykerSteve]

Hansowski is a 6'2 210 LH RW, only 23 years old.

Absolutely filthy stats in high school, he's clearly got the ability to score.



For a rookie in the AHL, I he had a decent year last season. Hoping to see some real progression in his second season as a Pro. 50 points would be my expectation.