Flames assign Wotherspoon to Stockton and 2 days later recall him

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by DazzlinDino

I am assuming he got paid while he was here, got to spend time and work out with the guys. That's a nice little bonus. Not sure why we need to make something negative out of that. If the right opportunity was there for him to play I am sure he would have but lets not make it overly negative.

Beggars can't be choosers. Wotherspoon isn't close to good enough to demand ####.

[curves2000]

Originally Posted by MarkGio

If the Flames spend this off season doing things like signing Mason Raymond's and Nik Grossman's, then yes, I would have to agree that they can't develop well. They said from the start they wanted a push from the bottom, but in all fairness to the guys, they need to have legitimate spots open.

There's no question the Flames have had lousy drafting for many years, especially in the top 6 forward position, but they've managed to find some diamonds with Ferland, Gaudreau, Mangiapane, and maybe Jankowski.

Where the Flames have only been good at scouting and developing is with bottom 6 forwards (ie, Bouma, Hathaway, Byron, Chiasson).

They really needed Jankowski, Klimchuck, Poirer, Granlund/Shinkaruk, Baertschi and the Hunter Smith pick to be the top 6 guys. Instead it's possible Mangiapane and Ferland could be closer to those guys at top 6 duty.

Let's not forget about the Douglas Murray's (twice) the Ryan Wilson's and the others. Better off having a kid like Wotherspoon, Kulak (now) and other plays have a chance to earn some spots.

[The Fonz]

Originally Posted by curves2000

At what point does this kid say enough is enough and look for another organization?

He passed through waivers without being claimed, so I don't think any other organization is comfortable giving an NHL spot to him either.

[Locke]

The dude has been through how many coaches? How much coaching staff? Training camps and evaluations?

Hes been measured and weighed and been found wanting. By a huge group of qualified people.

So right now what the Calgary Flames are doing is using his existence to make sure that the guys who need to play in Calgary play and the guys who need to play in Stockton play.

Hes practically a professional bench warmer at this point. Making up the numbers.

And I know that sounds harsh, and I dont mean it to, I dont have any reason to hate Wotherspoon, I'm sure hes a great guy. Hes never done or said anything to engender any dislike. In fact, I love his name!

He just...is what he is. And pretty much everyone around the league knows it. I dont think that just saying that hes never gotten a fair shake is an accurate statement.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Darren Haynes ‏@DarrenWHaynes
Brett Kulak not in Stockton's line-up tonight after playing the past 4 games for the Heat. I'm guessing he'll be at #Flames practice Sunday.

[Machiavelli]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

Darren Haynes ‏@DarrenWHaynes
Brett Kulak not in Stockton's line-up tonight after playing the past 4 games for the Heat. I'm guessing he'll be at #Flames practice Sunday.

I've missed Kulak, actually. He was letting some mistakes/poor decision-making creep into his game but overall I'm very pleased with his NHL progress.

I want to see him continue to grow with the team.

[bigrangy]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

Darren Haynes ‏@DarrenWHaynes
Brett Kulak not in Stockton's line-up tonight after playing the past 4 games for the Heat. I'm guessing he'll be at #Flames practice Sunday.

I'm pretty sure I recall Kisker saying that he had a minor injury so he was kept out for maintenance today.

The Flames will need to call a 7th d-man up though.

[sureLoss]

Wes Gilbertson @WesGilbertson
Only six defencemen on ice for Sunday's #Flames practice. Will be another joining them in Arizona.

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Wes Gilbertson @WesGilbertson
Only six defencemen on ice for Sunday's #Flames practice. Will be another joining them in Arizona.

My money's on Kenney Morrison

[Erick Estrada]

It looks like Wotherspoon's route to the NHL isn't going to be with the Flames. In the eyes of two different staffs he hasn't been good enough.

[Mister Yamoto]

Wotherspoon was a better player three years ago. I don't know why the Flames even have an AHL team. Whatever it they are doing down there, it isn't working.

[Toonage]

Stockton Heat
1st in Pacific
16-6-1

[Bear]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

My money's on Kenney Morrison

I had presumptively pencilled Kulak into the lineup already but Morrison is a good shout. Even just to b around be the big club for a few days can be beneficial and he's at the age where we soon need to find out what he's got.

[N-E-B]

Guys the reality is that 99.99% of hockey players don't make the NHL. Every single team has guys who look promising but for whatever reason don't pan out. Wotherspoon is one of those guys. If you look at Kylington, Andersson, Kulak and Hickey who I would say are our top 4 defense prospects the reality is that one of those guys might pan out. That's not just a problem Calgary has, and that's why it's always good to keep stocking the cupboards.

The Flames have developed several guys quite well. Brodie, Monahan, Gaudreau, Bennett, Tkachuk, Backlund, Ferland, and Bouma are all guys who have succeeded in Calgary's system and are on the team. Wotherspoon not working out isn't an indication that there's a flaw here, it's an indication that he's like most human beings and just isn't good enough for the NHL. Seriously, if he was the decent 5-6 defenseman some of you think he is (I still don't know why anyone thinks that) he would be on the team. Wotherspoon, at this point in time, just isn't good enough and he's at that age now where it's probably do or die for him. Obviously I hope he does well but if he doesn't it's not the end of the world. Just move on and hope the next guy can do it better.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Stockton Heat
1st in Pacific
16-6-1

I'm very excited to see them doing so well, but the real measuring stick is developing players into productive NHLers. Hopefully we see some of that this year or next.

[gunnner]

Many a dmen appear one or two seasons from being a regular, then never develop that last bit. Jared Tinordi I thought would be there by now. Duncan Siemens, Gormley, etc... It happens to every team.

[Blarg]

Oh look, he's back

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by gunnner

Many a dmen appear one or two seasons from being a regular, then never develop that last bit. Jared Tinordi I thought would be there by now. Duncan Siemens, Gormley, etc... It happens to every team.

Don't forget about Tom.

[sureLoss]

Calgary Flames @NHLFlames
The #Flames have recalled defenceman Tyler Wotherspoon from the @AHLHeat.

[Toonage]

Well, that was....odd.