[News] Flames recall Chris Breen

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by thymebalm

Enoch: What exactly are you using to be able to project such a beautiful future for Breen?

His height? Because his counting stats are bad, his plus minus is meh, he's never carried the mail at the AHL level, he's not quick or an explosive hitter.

He has improved every season, but I think Feaster is gambling big time that this player has NHL upside.

As a Flames fan, I hope i'm wrong, but I don't see how his skill set will translate.

He's big, physical, can make a simple, smart outlet pass. He can fight as well. Looked good the only time I watched our farm team live.

We've spent a bunch of time developing him. Might as well see what we've got. I think the Gill comparisons make some sense. And if you've got a guy who could end up like a Gill you don't want to squander that on waivers.

Sarich and now SOB haven't proven to be the answer to the #6 tough defenseman role but Flames management thinks Breen has the potential for this role. I'd rather waive Smith again, he's redundant at this point.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by fotze

At the summer camp, breen was alone on the ice working on something with one of the assistants. Everyone (the public) was mulling around wondering who the ridiculous giant was on the ice. Weisbrod was standing against the glass with the biggest 'get a load of this guy' smile. Beaming.

• These next few years are for developing players.
• Some players will not work out.
• You have to take advantage of this time to freely develop players.
• We acquired Breen for nothing.
• Spent 3-4 years developing him on the farm.
• The Flames have given every indication he will be snapped up on waivers meaning other teams value him.
• Maybe at worst we can turn a zero acquisition cost into a 3rd round pick or something.
• At best we can have a beasty 3rd line defencemen.
• PMM and other Heat observers have said he is one of the most NHL ready players last year.
• If he sucks, who cares.

The Flames are very much acting like this is true. They don't want to expose him to waivers so they've taken every opportunity through his injuries to push off that decision as long as they possibly can.

Now they are getting to crunch time.

I think Smith goes down and that buys them time, but at some point (Giordano) they will have to make a move of a vet or risk sending the kid down, and if they haven't figuered out what they are losing at that point they are in a pickle.

I don't mind O'Brien, he's come as advertized and been fine. I never judge 6/7 defensemen in the same light as 1-5, it's not fair.

So move him and get a 5th, and then work Breen in ... make a call at the end of the season. Probably the most prudent asset management.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by thymebalm

Enoch: What exactly are you using to be able to project such a beautiful future for Breen?

His height? Because his counting stats are bad, his plus minus is meh, he's never carried the mail at the AHL level, he's not quick or an explosive hitter.

He has improved every season, but I think Feaster is gambling big time that this player has NHL upside.

As a Flames fan, I hope i'm wrong, but I don't see how his skill set will translate.

I predicted nothing - simply saying he is worth patience because if he does pan out, it would be a huge find.

And as long as there is continued progression, it is worth being patient.

If guys aren't progressing, at some point you have to cut bait, but if they are, why not let them continue to move forward.

Again, with defensemen, you never really know which ones will keep climbing the learning curve and which ones will simply plateau.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I predicted nothing - simply saying he is worth patience because if he does pan out, it would be a huge find.

And as long as there is continued progression, it is worth being patient.

If guys aren't progressing, at some point you have to cut bait, but if they are, why not let them continue to move forward.

Again, with defensemen, you never really know which ones will keep climbing the learning curve and which ones will simply plateau.

To add to this, the defense has only been the worst in the league all year. Maybe it's system, maybe it's talent, but we have enough skilled puckmovers. We need some dudes that can put hurt on people, and take a regular shift. We need defensemen that can go to war on the PK, block shots and make life difficult for the opposition.

Breen could help with this. Let's see what he's got, some of us have been waiting to see for close to two years.

[thymebalm]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I predicted nothing - simply saying he is worth patience because if he does pan out, it would be a huge find.

And as long as there is continued progression, it is worth being patient.

If guys aren't progressing, at some point you have to cut bait, but if they are, why not let them continue to move forward.

Again, with defensemen, you never really know which ones will keep climbing the learning curve and which ones will simply plateau.

One thing I will say about Breen, he continues to grow. 4 years in the AHL and strides forward every year. Well liked by two coaches. Until you try to shut down NHLers I guess you just don't know.

You are right that they've put in a lot of time into Chris. And you are also right that if he pans out it will have been worth it. 24 year old rookies are about as old as they come. It's a make it or break it age for a player, maybe this is Chris' year.

[cowtown75]

Originally Posted by Tyler

Am I the only one who doesn't understand why we have this giant pylon cone in our system, let alone on our main squad?

Because it's a pylon with a large wing span that can knock your teeth in during a fight. Also, calling him a pylon during his very short stint this year is pretty harsh. He certainly took on our new heavyweight Lane MacDermid this year and did quite well. I look foward to him smashing more faces and hopefully by the time Kanzig comes up, Calgary may once again may be one of the more scarrier teams to face again.