Flames WHL Prospects

[Azure]

3rd-4th line grinders that play like Bouma are few and far between.

Nystrom has put up 10 goals this year on a Flames team that is offensively challenged. Can he put up 15? Could Bouma put up 15?

That potential is there because of the style of game they play.

And that is why I would never trade Eric Nystrom.

[TopChed]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

I watched the Vancouver Giants/Kamloops Blazers series the other night. Bouma is like Johan Franzen in front of that net. The coach has assigned him that role and he's damn good at it. He has something like 3 or 4 assists of the 5 goals scored the other night.

The way that Holmstrom and Franzen have been able to tear it up against Calgary makes me excited that we might finally have a player in our system that can do the same to other teams.

[jeremywilhelm]

Originally Posted by TopChed

The way that Holmstrom and Franzen have been able to tear it up against Calgary makes me excited that we might finally have a player in our system that can do the same to other teams.

Bouma may stand in front of the net on the PP, but he is no Franzen.

[Patrick]

Originally Posted by Azure

3rd-4th line grinders that play like Bouma are few and far between.

Nystrom has put up 10 goals this year on a Flames team that is offensively challenged. Can he put up 15? Could Bouma put up 15?

That potential is there because of the style of game they play.

And that is why I would never trade Eric Nystrom.

Why? Its called asset management if you have guys in the system that can do the same thing and are younger and cheaper, you move an older asset to get a pick, restock the system and bring up cheaper youth for the bottom line so that you can spend that money savings in the top 6. You do these say 3 times on the bottom line and you can easily say 750K to 1.5 million in total and thats a decent chunk of change considering you can now potentially go for say a 4-4.5 million player instead of a 3 million player.

A team that does this the best if Buffalo.

[Canada 02]

Originally Posted by jeremywilhelm

Bouma may stand in front of the net on the PP, but he is no Franzen.

Franzen wasn't Franzen at 19/20

[Azure]

Originally Posted by Patrick

Why? Its called asset management if you have guys in the system that can do the same thing and are younger and cheaper, you move an older asset to get a pick, restock the system and bring up cheaper youth for the bottom line so that you can spend that money savings in the top 6. You do these say 3 times on the bottom line and you can easily say 750K to 1.5 million in total and thats a decent chunk of change considering you can now potentially go for say a 4-4.5 million player instead of a 3 million player.

A team that does this the best if Buffalo.

Hey I agree, but you can't constantly blow up your team every few years.

Even Buffalo hangs on to a few 'core' players.

I would place Nystrom in the core because I honestly believe he's a 20 goal scorer.

[Patrick]

Originally Posted by Azure

Hey I agree, but you can't constantly blow up your team every few years.

Even Buffalo hangs on to a few 'core' players.

I would place Nystrom in the core because I honestly believe he's a 20 goal scorer.

This isn't blowing up your team. Mostly your core is typically players in your top 6F, top 4D and #1G. The rest are all pieces.

[Azure]

Like I said, Nystrom is to me a top 6 forward. His development has just been slower.

The guy has scored almost as many goals as Langkow with 4th line minutes.

[Patrick]

Originally Posted by azure

like i said, nystrom is to me a top 6 forward. His development has just been slower.

The guy has scored almost as many goals as langkow with 4th line minutes.

omg.

[Ring of Fire]

I'm looking forward to seeing Bouma in a Flames uniform in the next few years. Of all the WHL prospects he looks the most ready to make the jump to the pros in a 3rd or 4th line role. I'm hoping Howse can continue his development next year, but smallish scorers at the junior level are pretty hit and miss at the pro level.

[kirant]

Originally Posted by Patrick

omg.

I think it has shown how bad a year Langkow has had.

Though, Nystrom definately has really become really good this year.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by Patrick

omg.

Omg what?

He's added a lot more production as a 4th line player and shown at time the ability to generate more offense.

He's a better puck cycler than Iginla, and drives the net a hell of a lot more as well. His hands aren't half bad either. He can skate, hit....don't really know about his shot though.

Plus he's very responsible defensively and brings it more often than some of our top players.

If you look around the league there are a LOT of players who developed the offensive side of the game at relatively the same pace Nystrom did. No they're not all 50 goal scorers, but just because a guy doesn't put up 20 in his first 5 seasons in the NHL doesn't mean he isn't capable of it.

I honestly believe Nystrom is a legitimate top 6 forward and future captain material for this team.

Out of all the UFAs in the NHL right now, signing HIM to a long-term deal is really important.

[mikey_the_redneck]

Bold prediction Azure....

I think he could be captain material, but I'm skeptical of him reaching 20 goals..

[Azure]

He spent 4 years in college so his development will be a lot slower than most other people.

He's not a flashy type player, but he still managed to score 10+ goals this year. 10+ on a team that struggles offensively is pretty damn good.

I know its a bold prediction, but give him 10 min per night with two linemates that are really effective at cycling the puck and working the corners and he could put up more goals.

[3 Justin 3]

I wouldn't say Nystrom has good hands. When he comes in on the rush he never hits the net with his shots. They are usually wide by 4 feet.

[Matty81]

Watched the Rockets/Silvertips game tonight and am holding out longshot hope that I get to see a next round and that Mitch Wahl and Spokane are in town for it. Dallas Jackson from Kelowna would be worth a FA flyer right now. He is a good two way dman with size and is not a bad skater. Could more likely see the Flames offering Chris Langkow a FA contract if the Sutter regime lasts long enough.

[Patrick]

Originally Posted by Azure

Omg what?

He's added a lot more production as a 4th line player and shown at time the ability to generate more offense.

He's a better puck cycler than Iginla, and drives the net a hell of a lot more as well. His hands aren't half bad either. He can skate, hit....don't really know about his shot though.

Plus he's very responsible defensively and brings it more often than some of our top players.

If you look around the league there are a LOT of players who developed the offensive side of the game at relatively the same pace Nystrom did. No they're not all 50 goal scorers, but just because a guy doesn't put up 20 in his first 5 seasons in the NHL doesn't mean he isn't capable of it.

I honestly believe Nystrom is a legitimate top 6 forward and future captain material for this team.

Out of all the UFAs in the NHL right now, signing HIM to a long-term deal is really important.

Nystrom plays good when hes played into his correct rol, bottom 6 forward. Anytime he has played top 6 he has struggled. Sure he has 10 goals but didnt he have something like 3 or 4 of them in the first couple of weeks into the season, where he than went something like 25+ games or something crazy without a goal. SURE, that soudns EAXCTLY like a top 6 forward, nice and consistent.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by Patrick

Nystrom plays good when hes played into his correct rol, bottom 6 forward. Anytime he has played top 6 he has struggled. Sure he has 10 goals but didnt he have something like 3 or 4 of them in the first couple of weeks into the season, where he than went something like 25+ games or something crazy without a goal. SURE, that soudns EAXCTLY like a top 6 forward, nice and consistent.

You do realize this team has struggled to score goals all season long?

Chances are that if Nystrom is a 20 goal guy like I said, he won't be scoring goals all year long. He WILL have dry spells.

Maybe calling him a top 6 forward is a bit much, but we don't know how he would preform on a team that could actually score a lot of goals. I think he could put up 20.

[Patrick]

Originally Posted by Azure

He spent 4 years in college so his development will be a lot slower than most other people.

He's not a flashy type player, but he still managed to score 10+ goals this year. 10+ on a team that struggles offensively is pretty damn good.

I know its a bold prediction, but give him 10 min per night with two linemates that are really effective at cycling the puck and working the corners and he could put up more goals.

Thats bull about NCAA development. Look how many guys are now coming through Uni and being undrafted players and signed or impact players as well (drafted but went NCAA route).

Fact is Nystrom is a solid 3/4th line player. He has been given quite a few chanes to play top 6 at various times this year and isn't consistent enough nor offensively gifted enough to be a top 6 consistent 20 goal guy.

For those that say capitain..wtf. Maybe assistant captain but having a 3/4th line player as captain is like Moreau in Edmonton.

[Patrick]

Originally Posted by Azure

You do realize this team has struggled to score goals all season long?

Chances are that if Nystrom is a 20 goal guy like I said, he won't be scoring goals all year long. He WILL have dry spells.

Maybe calling him a top 6 forward is a bit much, but we don't know how he would preform on a team that could actually score a lot of goals. I think he could put up 20.

If the Flames had legit consistent top 6 guys, Nystrom wouldn't get a sniff at top 6 time. Hes there at times because of guys struggling. Once again, look at his scoring, he had something like 4 in the first week or so and than went 1/3 of the season without a goal.