[News] Gillies on waivers. Upd: clears and assigned to Stockton

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

echl

Can't do that unless Gilles agrees. I suspect he gets loaned out to another AHL team.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by jlh2640

He played well at times last year. Rittich was awful last preseason so I don’t put to much stock into it all

Not especially well—especially not for a fourth year pro who is looking to make an impact in the AHL. Goaltenders at Gillies's stage of development need to start dominating at the AHL level, and he has never done that.

You're right: Preseason is fairly meaningless, although in Gillies's case I would argue that it was an opportunity he needed to show that he was ready to take that necessary next step, and he didn't. Maybe he catches on with another organisation, but with each passing year he becomes just that much more of a long-shot to be a NHL player. He is pretty close to the end of the runway.

[mikephoen]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Can't do that unless Gilles agrees. I suspect he gets loaned out to another AHL team.

He might agree if it's the only way he gets any starts. If he's told he won't see playing time in the AHL even if he forces himself onto the roster, he might decide his only option is playing in the ECHL.

They could also send Parsons back to the ECHL. It's not like he's looked anything other than poor since leaving junior either.

[Locke]

It doesnt 'suck' per se but it unfortunate when someone doesnt pan out to be as good as you'd hoped they'd be.

Even worse when they just really dont pan out at all.

[mikephoen]

As an aside, where did this myth that preseason is meaningless come from? It's certainly not very meaningful for the vets, but it's definitely meaningful for prospects and it's incredibly meaningful for older prospects nearing their best before date.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by mikephoen

He might agree if it's the only way he gets any starts. If he's told he won't see playing time in the AHL even if he forces himself onto the roster, he might decide his only option is playing in the ECHL.

They could also send Parsons back to the ECHL. It's not like he's looked anything other than poor since leaving junior either.

That is not true.

Parsons is a highly skilled goalie—probably moreso than any other goalie in the Flames system. He had some spectacular games last year. The big problem with Parsons has been battling through off-ice stuff and injuries. He looked great in his games in training camp this month, and I think if he shows well he needs to be on the starting roster in Stockton.

I prefer getbak's idea. As a last resort, send Zagidulin to LV to play until something can be done with Gillies.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by mikephoen

He might agree if it's the only way he gets any starts. If he's told he won't see playing time in the AHL even if he forces himself onto the roster, he might decide his only option is playing in the ECHL.

They could also send Parsons back to the ECHL. It's not like he's looked anything other than poor since leaving junior either.

I suspect he would refuse then they mutually terminate his contract in that case. Gilles would be better off looking for an AHL deal somewhere, or even Europe, than going to the ECHL in an organization that's clearly given up on him.

[sempuki]

Originally Posted by alan21

Why can't you stop the puck?
You cover most of the net!!!

Sucks for the human, and sucks we didn't get anything from his development.

We've seen a lot of promising goalies flame out here.

[Flash Walken]

Gillies would be better off making 700k for one year and then looking elsewhere.

Turning down 700 thousand dollars would not make him better off.

[sureLoss]

The list for today's waivers was updated, and Gillies is on there. Team did not miss the deadline.

[Geeoff]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

I suspect he would refuse then they mutually terminate his contract in that case. Gilles would be better off looking for an AHL deal somewhere, or even Europe, than going to the ECHL in an organization that's clearly given up on him.

Gillies is on a one-way deal, so he'd be dumb to terminate it.


ECHL isn't a death sentence for a career. Jordan Binnington played in the ECHL

[iLoveLamp]

Originally Posted by Geeoff

Gillies is on a one-way deal, so he'd be dumb to terminate it.


ECHL isn't a death sentence for a career. Jordan Binnington played in the ECHL

Not really a relevant comparison to make. Binnington was 20 when he played in the ECHL, Gillies is 25. ECHL is basically a career death sentence for him at this point

[Lanny_McDonald]

Hope someone grabs him. He needs a fresh start away from the Flames organization.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Gillies would be better off making 700k for one year and then looking elsewhere.

Turning down 700 thousand dollars would not make him better off.

True, there is a good chance that salary will be his peak earnings for a single year even if he has a career in Europe.

I can't imagine it is too easy to find an AHL team to loan a goalie to either. Most are already being supplied with 2 from their NHL affiliate.

It happens rarely, but I believe an NHL team can loan a player to a team in Europe.

[Canada 02]

I think loan to another AHL team or traded for a similar bust/contract who needs change of scenery as well

[tvp2003]

It sucks because he seems like a good guy, just couldn't put it all together consistently (not unusual for goalies trying to make the jump to the NHL). Having hip surgery didn't seem to help -- goalies really are a crapshoot.

[gamesaver]

Originally Posted by getbak

Because he is on his ELC, Zagidulin could also be sent to the ECHL. They might prefer that because it would allow both Parsons and Zag to carry the bulk of the workload for each team rather than having them split playing time in Stockton.

ECHL would be a waste of potential. Even AHL is probably going to be too easy for him, don't be surprised if he steals most of the starts for himself. For sure he has to get used to NA rinks, but from what I have seen so far he wasn't struggling with that either. He might be even better than Rittich when he came overseas for the first time. I think he is the number 3 choice already and if anything happes, they will give him a nod.

[jlh2640]

Originally Posted by VilleN

Gillies has never given the team a reason to keep him up with the big team. Rittich did that last year. Also, Rittich has had pretty good AHL numbers, which is a good indicator of NHL success. Gillies has not... He's been pretty bad overall, and has shown no signs of being an NHL calibre goalie... could change, but as of now he doesn't have very much value to the organization.

Ya I can agree with that, I don’t think he has been horrible by any means just not good enough

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by gamesaver

ECHL would be a waste of potential. Even AHL is probably going to be too easy for him, don't be surprised if he steals most of the starts for himself. For sure he has to get used to NA rinks, but from what I have seen so far he wasn't struggling with that either. He might be even better than Rittich when he came overseas for the first time. I think he is the number 3 choice already and if anything happes, they will give him a nod.

Zagidulin's entire NA hockey experience to this point consists of a game in a rookie tournament and a split-squad game. That's all. I have liked what I have seen from him so far, but to suggest that he is ready to steal a job in the AHL is really optimistic. Starting the year in the ECHL will certainly not hurt him, and I suspect that if he is as good as we imagine he is, then it would not be an extended stay.

[cowtown75]

Well this is a surprise...said no one.