Oliver Kylington: a shilling for your thoughts...

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Steve Bozek

I think we lose him on waivers if they try to send him to Stockton

I agree, and I think this is a new development that has management scrambling a little bit right now about what to do, but these are the sorts of problems that teams would prefer to be dealing with than attempting to fill out a defence-group with a shortage of good options. The Gudbranson contract was mentioned above, and I think the reason management and coaches were so focused on filling out the defence in the summer was precisely because none of us really knew what to expect from Kylington in camp. I am really happy that he seems to be taking a step here.

[Geeoff]

If I were to bet $1 on Kylington winning the Norris, what would be the pay out?

[saillias]

Nault on the Big Show yesterday thinks he won't even make the team due to Gudbranson/Stone logjam. I don't think that's a serious concern

The opportunities Kylington keeps getting and the things Sutter has been saying in post- and pre-game scrums don't suggest he's getting cut. He's still getting top 4 minutes. when questioned Sutter said (paraphrased) it's obvious the D lacks his skillset.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by saillias

Nault on the Big Show yesterday thinks he won't even make the team due to Gudbranson/Stone logjam. I don't think that's a serious concern

The opportunities Kylington keeps getting and the things Sutter has been saying in post- and pre-game scrums don't suggest he's getting cut. He's still getting top 4 minutes. when questioned Sutter said (paraphrased) it's obvious the D lacks his skillset.

Yeah I’m more of the opinion that the D is set the way it is for serious game management. Barring injury, I think everyone outside the top 4 of Hanifin, Tanev, Andersson, and Zadorov, sit 10-15 games each.

[Harry Lime]

I think that the key to a strong defense is to match complementary skillsets. Hanifin and Andersson have the ability to be pretty well rounded. Following that, we have four stay at home defensemen and two with stronger offensive/skating upside. I think that the best path forward is to pair Valimaki and Kylington with a combination of Tanev/Gudbranson/Zadorov/Stone.

Since Zadorov doesn't seem to play off-side, that means swapping Valimaki and Kylington out on the left side, and one of Gudbranson or Stone will have to bide time in Stockton.

Signing Gudbranson was not a smart move, unless they were looking for that veteran presence in the AHL and as an emergency call-up. That contract will let him pass through waivers.

[dammage79]

At worst he has raised his trade stock and could be a piece to Goin a trade. But I'd personally be livid if they didn't give him a top 6 spot out of camp because other worse players are bigger.

But, I think Sutter has his stuff together so I believe Kylingtons long road to the NHL is finally over.

Doesn't mean there won't be bumps in the road during the season. But for once the organizations patience with player development looks to be paying off with Kylington.

[Enoch Root]

Kylington has had a great pre-season. And while that matters, it is still a tiny sample size, with random opponents.

I think it means that he will be in Calgary when the season begins, but I don't think it necessarily means he will be in the lineup.

I think it is a slam dunk at this point that Mackey is going down - he needs to play. No way they send Kylington down, and it seems doubtful that they send either Gudbranson or Stone down, so they'll have to start with 8.

And I imagine they rotate those 3 into the lineup to see what they like best. We're probably looking at 20 games in before we know where everyone stands.

[SuperMatt18]

He's played top 4 minutes in every game this pre-season under Sutter, I'd be a bit surprised if Sutter didn't like him.

I also think we carry 8 d-men to start the year.

[Enoch Root]

I would never have thought this possible, but I think we are getting to the point where there is a chance he takes the 3rd LD spot from Valimaki. Juuso has the inside track, but I don't think the door is closed.

[Knightslayer]

There is 0 chance he clears waivers. I hope Flames don't make the same mistake like they did with Bennett just in a different way.

He has shown he can play. He looks better than any D-man let alone the 5th 6th guy. If Kylington doesn't make it there will be something truly wrong with this organization. They've already shown that with signing Gudbranson.

[calgarywinning]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Yes but is this team the difference between making or breaking Kylington?

Let's ask Sam when he finishes his season this year in Florida; should be interesting.

[Macho0978]

Originally Posted by Geeoff

If I were to bet $1 on Kylington winning the Norris, what would be the pay out?

The Oilers have the last 2 Hart winners but when you fail to draft and develop anyone outside your top 10 picks you still set yourself up for failure

Kylington probably will never be a top pairing dman but any young player with upside earns a spot on your team and plays well it has a positive impact moving forward. He’s cheap and an rfa who likely even with a break out season won’t command big dollars. Him valimaki and Mackey all play well it’s pushes out higher priced players. Gives Treliving options on zadorov or guys like Hanifin if the right trade presents itself.

[Poe969]

They will lose him on waivers. They'll keep Gudbranson on the bottom pairing with stone. Tannev, Hanifin, Andersson, and zadorov will be top 4. They don't want to look bad for signing Gudbranson then not playing him.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

He's played top 4 minutes in every game this pre-season under Sutter, I'd be a bit surprised if Sutter didn't like him.

I also think we carry 8 d-men to start the year.

If they send anyone of the three down to start the year then I could see it being Stone. I think he is the most palatable from a cost and roster management perspective.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Poe969

They will lose him on waivers. They'll keep Gudbranson on the bottom pairing with stone. Tannev, Hanifin, Andersson, and zadorov will be top 4. They don't want to look bad for signing Gudbranson then not playing him.

You know what makes you look bad? Losing.

They'll play whoever they think will help them win.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

If they send anyone of the three down to start the year then I could see it being Stone. I think he is the most palatable from a cost and roster management perspective.

I agree.

If they send one down and start the season with 7 D, I think Stone is the most likely candidate.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Poe969

They will lose him on waivers. They'll keep Gudbranson on the bottom pairing with stone. Tannev, Hanifin, Andersson, and zadorov will be top 4. They don't want to look bad for signing Gudbranson then not playing him.

This just sounds to me like being unnecessarily negative for the sake of it. There is no good reason at all to think that the Flames would even expose Kylington to waivers if there was a chance they would lose him.

[Hockey-and_stuff]

I wouldn't mind a longer look at a Hanifin-Andersson pair and a Kylington-Tanev pairing

It makes the 3rd pair a black hole with Stone/Gudbranson/Zadorov though. Those will be ugly minutes.

Edit: completely forgot about Valimaki. My bad.

[SuperMatt18]

I think Valimaki-Zadorov would be fine in more sheltered bottom pair minutes.

[Parallex]

Based just on the preseason he should probably be in the Top 4. But based on the pre-season Anton Stralman should have been a Calgary Flames but Sutter wanted the Bigliest Bigness of Staffen Kronwall so who knows.

My bet would be that he makes the team. He's clearly earned it but ice-time is still a question mark.