Emergence of the young guys

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by Hockey_Ninja

I have to agree. It's great to see the young guys playing well but we are pretty much sounding like Oiler fans now. We still have to add a lot more young pieces to our team and that's not going to be fixed just with this draft. Patience pays off guys, trust me.

It definitely isn't a one year plan. I think a lot of those players are two year out. I think the difference between the scenarios is that the Oilers had all their eggs in one basket at the forward position. I think our prospects are at each position which is a lot more balanced which can only help getting things turned in the right direction.

IMO I fully expect at least one more season where we pick in the top 5.

[Huntingwhale]

Flames need to send Bart to Gary Robert's offseason training camp. In fact, Feaster should make in mandatory for all young players to train with him.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Badgers Nose

That's just crazy. They had no potential.

Val Bure, Jarome Iginla, Derek Morris and Denis Gauthier will likely have played many more games in their careers that Baertschi, Brodie, Horak and Reinhart

[freakinsaprikin]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Val Bure, Jarome Iginla, Derek Morris and Denis Gauthier will likely have played many more games in their careers that Baertschi, Brodie, Horak and Reinhart

Stillman and Savard also both had pretty good careers as well. The Young Gun era could of turned out a bit better if we had some money to supliment the young core. Also if we didn't give Savard away for nothing.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by _Q_

Horak - Don't know why, but he's my favorite out of the young guys. Just like Backlund, never takes a shift off. Has good speed, OK hands, but is determined and tenacious as hell. I think 21 year old Horak is a better player than Backlund at 21 and would not be surprised one bit if he developed into a better player than Backlund. That's not taking anything away from Backs, but I think Horak is that good. If Horak can develop his shot a bit, then watch out.

With the Wotherspoon signing last week that Erixon trade is looking better and better!


And FBI ... I like the enthusiasm and there is nothing wrong with being optimistic. I'm guessing the team is in for two to three tough years but those years get a lot tougher if people get hammered for attempting to provide some sunshine.

Overall I like the fact that the Flames have a lot of horses in the prospect race now. Gone are the days where you'd go to a development camp and only focus on Eric Nystrom. Will they all turn out? Of course not, but it's good to add some quantity to quality.

[_Q_]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Much like happened with Chicago you need to hope these guys turn into good second and third line guys much like what happened with Versteeg, Bolland, Byfuglien, etc.

You cannot expect these guys (except for maybe Baertschi/Janko) to become your first line core (Toews/Kane) . We need to pick up those two stars in our next two drafts (Mackinnon/Reinhart), hope that these guys develop into secondary impact guys, and then add a couple key UFAs.

I would argue that Baertschi might also not become a first line elite player as well. He's good. He'll most likely be an NHLer, but for some reason, I don't see elite like Toews, Kane or Iginla during his prime. He'll be a solid secondary guy on a good team like a Cammalleri, Pominville or Sharp type of player.

This is why, I think, if the Flames have a chance at grabbing another top 5 pick in this draft and the asking price is Baertschi plus the St. Louis and Pittsburgh picks, then I say they go ahead and do it. The players at the top end of this draft look as though they can be real game changers that are difficult to acquire in a trade. Secondary guys like Baertschi projects to be can be traded for or lured here via free agency during their primes.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by _Q_

I would argue that Baertschi might also not become a first line elite player as well. He's good. He'll most likely be an NHLer, but for some reason, I don't see elite like Toews, Kane or Iginla during his prime. He'll be a solid secondary guy on a good team like a Cammalleri, Pominville or Sharp type of player.

This is why, I think, if the Flames have a chance at grabbing another top 5 pick in this draft and the asking price is Baertschi plus the St. Louis and Pittsburgh picks, then I say they go ahead and do it. The players at the top end of this draft look as though they can be real game changers that are difficult to acquire in a trade. Secondary guys like Baertschi projects to be can be traded for or lured here via free agency during their primes.

I am expecting a develolpment line similar to Backlunds for Sven. Won't see him hit his stride until he is likley 22-23. So a couple-few years until we see his real emergence. Which I do not mind at all.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Bingo

With the Wotherspoon signing last week that Erixon trade is looking better and better!


And FBI ... I like the enthusiasm and there is nothing wrong with being optimistic. I'm guessing the team is in for two to three tough years but those years get a lot tougher if people get hammered for attempting to provide some sunshine.

Overall I like the fact that the Flames have a lot of horses in the prospect race now. Gone are the days where you'd go to a development camp and only focus on Eric Nystrom. Will they all turn out? Of course not, but it's good to add some quantity to quality.

I'm eager to see these prospects (junior and college prospects) in the AHL even to gauge potential, as it is quite a bit tougher in the leagues they're in.

I need to see some new blood fighting for spots

[GreenLantern]

What I have enjoyed the most with the prospects is that many of them are enjoying success at the junior level, it has been exciting to watch them progress and I think it will bode well for this franchise to breed a team of winners.

I like what Giguere said the other day, you need to start focusing on winning now. Flames are doing that at a sub level, and hopefully that carries over to the big club.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Regulator75

I keep reading young guns.

I don't get why everyone is so down on these players and this era. Yes the team overall was poor, but it was no shame to promote these players at the time. I'm pretty sure Iginla panned out ok.

Cory Stillman-may not have been elite talent, but played over 1000 games and had over 700 points. Not bad for a chunk of his career played in the clutch/grab/trap era.

Derek Morris-didn't end up being a top 2 defender, but was a serviceable top 4 with better than average offensive skills and ok defensive abilities. A solid overall player that has some holes in his game. Again, played over 1000 games in the NHL with over 400 points as a defenceman. If he was terrible he would have been gone long ago.

Val Bure-just too small, especially during that clutch and grab era. He had great skill, but never put it all together. He did have a 75 point season while with the Flames. He later had 45 points in 55 games with the Panthers. Injuries just caught up with him. 600+ games with 400 points.

Notably Todd Simpson and Jason Wiemer do NOT belong in this picture, but Simpson did at least serve as captain for a while and was a very physical defender.

Wiemer...the less said the better. Best season was 31 points...'nuff said.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Cali Flames Fan

I don't get why everyone is so down on these players and this era. Yes the team overall was poor, but it was no shame to promote these players at the time. I'm pretty sure Iginla panned out ok.

Cory Stillman-may not have been elite talent, but played over 1000 games and had over 700 points. Not bad for a chunk of his career played in the clutch/grab/trap era.

Derek Morris-didn't end up being a top 2 defender, but was a serviceable top 4 with better than average offensive skills and ok defensive abilities. A solid overall player that has some holes in his game. Again, played over 1000 games in the NHL with over 400 points as a defenceman. If he was terrible he would have been gone long ago.

Val Bure-just too small, especially during that clutch and grab era. He had great skill, but never put it all together. He did have a 75 point season while with the Flames. He later had 45 points in 55 games with the Panthers. Injuries just caught up with him. 600+ games with 400 points.

Notably Todd Simpson and Jason Wiemer do NOT belong in this picture, but Simpson did at least serve as captain for a while and was a very physical defender.

Wiemer...the less said the better. Best season was 31 points...'nuff said.

And it's a good lesson that a team is not made of decent prospects alone. Chemistry, attitude and work are a large part of it. The most skilled teams are not necessarily the best teams

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

And it's a good lesson that a team is not made of decent prospects alone. Chemistry, attitude and work are a large part of it. The most skilled teams are not necessarily the best teams

I agree. The only thing I would add is that a team full of chemistry, attitude, and hard work will not go far without some top talent. Hopefully we have some of that talent on the way and we will draft more of it this summer.

[Bourque's Twin]

The Flames are slowly building a good young core. Add in 1 ready rookie next year, 2 other first rounders, and a late 2nd and this team's prospect pool will be great.

Adding Agostino, Hanowski, Cundari, and Berra is a positive even though none of whom are projected to be outstanding.

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

Val Bure, Jarome Iginla, Derek Morris and Denis Gauthier will likely have played many more games in their careers that Baertschi, Brodie, Horak and Reinhart

Thats a low standard to beat. Ill bet you a dollar, lets meet here in 10 years.

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by freakinsaprikin

Stillman and Savard also both had pretty good careers as well. The Young Gun era could of turned out a bit better if we had some money to supliment the young core. Also if we didn't give Savard away for nothing.

No one expected much from Savard when the flames obtained him. Like St. Louis most fans were happy to get rid of him and only regretted it after the fact.

I guess my point is that it's pretty stupid to suggest that the current crop of prospects will end up being worse than the Young guns were. Not because they were bad, but because it's going to be many years before you can make any kind of assessment on it. Why even bother making the case? Just enjoy the team as it exists today. It's just entertainment.

With potentially three first-round picks coming up in this year's draft it's hard for me to see how the current generation of flames players won't have success.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

This thread is such a nice breath of fresh air.

I too am pretty impressed our young guys. I know some of you may not believe me, but a general rule I've been seeing the last couple of seasons is that many of our young guys look better in the NHL than they do in the AHL.

Ward has mentioned it a few times that it's easier to score at the NHL level. I'm starting to believe it. Horak look OK here in Abby, but he's looked awesome in Calgary. Reinhart brought it every shift in Abby, but was prone to turnover a bit. He's looked good in Calgary.

It's weird because Baertschi, while our most highly touted prospect, has looked the least ready for the NHL level in these last few games.

I'm really excited to see what Cundari can bring this weekend. He's only slightly taller than Sylvester, but he's a big dude.

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by Bourque's Twin

The Flames are slowly building a good young core. Add in 1 ready rookie next year, 2 other first rounders, and a late 2nd and this team's prospect pool will be great.

Adding Agostino, Hanowski, Cundari, and Berra is a positive even though none of whom are projected to be outstanding.

We have to ask ourselves this; which of these prospects is going to turn into the next Savard, St Louis, or Anderson?

Flames fans should know by now that patience is a virtue. And holding onto assets is almost always the best course of action. But having patience doesn't mean that you have to sit quietly and not cheer loudly for your team.

[Roof-Daddy]

Yeah, I'm looking forward to your observations on Cundari PMM.

Really too bad Breen got hurt, would have been really nice to get a look at him at the NHL level right now.

[Canada 02]

Originally Posted by Pierre "Monster" McGuire

a general rule I've been seeing the last couple of seasons is that many of our young guys look better in the NHL than they do in the AHL.

Ward has mentioned it a few times that it's easier to score at the NHL level. I'm starting to believe it.

I can see there being an element of truth to that. If you are an NHL level talent playing with minor leaguers, your linemates may not anticipate the play as well, get to open spots as fast, read the play the way an NHLer would

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Yeah, I'm looking forward to your observations on Cundari PMM.

Really too bad Breen got hurt, would have been really nice to get a look at him at the NHL level right now.

I know. I feel so bad for the guy. He'd easily be in the NHL right now if it weren't for his shoulder.

Something tells me he's going to be the Flames #5-7 d-man next season. He's legit good. Strong, mean, excellent stick checker, intimidating, no one can even touch him in a fight. Can't wait to see him at training camp.