Unless you can sign another decent UFA, of course you keep Butler. You're going to have injuries, so you need more d-men than you have space in an ideal scenario. He's a serviceable guy, and has been playing solid the last few months.
There's a reason why defense is the biggest hole on this team, we just don't have many of them who can play at the NHL level who we can call up if injuries happen. Wotherspoon was kind of that guy for us...and he's still a young guy. He could easily regress enough next year where you have to send him back to the AHL.
Granted that we are a 26th place team, and didn't play as well at the beginning of the year. I hate it when people bring up a +/- stat, it means nothing.
That's like saying you want to give up Monahan because he is a -15.
Monahan is 19 years old and in his rookie season also bringing something to the team. Butler has zero hockey IQ. Can't see the play ahead of him and is usually scrambling in the D zone. Wotherspoon is ahead of Butler by far and he's only played 11 NHL games.
What does Gio at +11 tell you? That he's bad playing against the NHL's best lines?
All I am saying is that we shouldn't give up on Butler just yet. I feel like he has been getting better, and is only going to get better. He has had a better season that previous ones.
I do agree that Wotherspoon is ahead of him, but I think it would be best to keep Butler as a 5/6 defenseman at a reasonable price. If he asks for more than his contract he has right now, he can walk.
Also, you can't compare Gio to Butler. Gio > Butler by a longshot.
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I think we're getting a little ahead of ourselves regarding Wotherspoon. Brodie looked great in his first stint int he NHL, too. No need to rush this kid, I think Wotherspoon has a very high ceiling if developed with patience.
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Actually meet Tyler's grandparents at the supermarket the other night. The cashier was trying to pronounce the last name and the Grandmother says it is Wotherspoon, like the new Calgary Flame. Of course my ears pick up right at the name. Had a quick conversation, they are, of course, very proud of him as they should be. I told them I was a big fan of his (which I am, love me my defensemen) and that I thought he had a bright future with the Flames. End of Cool Story Bro.
Thought Wotherspoon struggled a little last night but it was more in the quick decision making and battle along the boards type scenarios. Stuff that will come as he matures and gets stronger and fully adjusts to the speed of the game. Skates well, has a good frame and really seems to see/think the game well. I have been impressed with him in the offensive zone as well, good instincts and gets the puck to the net well.
I am a big fan and I do think he is on the team next year but I will not be disappointed if he is not. I think he is going to be very good and I am very willing to wait.
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All I am saying is that we shouldn't give up on Butler just yet. I feel like he has been getting better, and is only going to get better. He has had a better season that previous ones.
I do agree that Wotherspoon is ahead of him, but I think it would be best to keep Butler as a 5/6 defenseman at a reasonable price. If he asks for more than his contract he has right now, he can walk.
Also, you can't compare Gio to Butler. Gio > Butler by a longshot.
I just don't think he should be resigned long term, taking a spot up. If he's a 6th I'd be fine with that, but not top 4. Maybe another year to see if he can continue but nothing more.
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I just don't think he should be resigned long term, taking a spot up. If he's a 6th I'd be fine with that, but not top 4. Maybe another year to see if he can continue but nothing more.
I don't think he would agree to a 2-way either. Glad we're agreeing on something, I never did project him to be higher than a top 4 guy, (although he's capable of playing the minutes when someone is injured). I wouldn't mind him walking, but I'd rather keep him for another year or two.
It was like Woe-ther-spoon way but no really emphasis on it like I hear other people say it. The cashier was saying Wortherspoon. I tend to go with Wha-ther-spoon.
I wonder if any player in the history of hockey has been villified by it's fan base as much as Butler has simply because he plays on a team lacking depth at his postion and therefore consistently gets played up way beyond his ability because the coaches view him as the best option?
Rediculous the so many on here can't see how Butler is a 5/6 d-man who until recently has been forced to play anywhere from the 2 to the 4 spot on this team almost his entire tenure. Says something about him that the coaches always go to him to fill the void.
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Maybe stop flipping the channel when it's not Gio's shift because based on some comments I don't think some are actually watching Butler.
Butler's improvement this season has been phenomenal and expected for his age, tenure and draft position....even from pre Christmas until now. Something clicked...he is better positionally, way less turnovers and playing with a bit of an edge.
If you can flip the switch in your mind and stop searching for that one mistake he may make then you may see that he is a keeper for the 4-5 role. All D-men make those mistakes but some won't let it go just because it's the Regehr return guy.
I was a huge Regehr fan and I am no Butler fan boy but to let him walk and then try to find someone to fill the role that he is just starting to fill quite nicely is not logical. I am not saying he will ever be a 1/2 but he is developing into a good 4/5 and spot 3 guy.
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Butler has been very good as well. I'd bring him back
Bring him back, are you kidding me?
When you say Butler has been very good, do you mean, for him? Like, he's not plain out causing goals against on a nightly basis? Or, do you mean he's actually been very good, like he's got some real talent. I tend to lean towards the former myself, as his play has improved somewhat, but when the bar is set that low there's bound to be an improvement.
However he still struggles to execute even the most basic of plays pretty regularly. He plays like a rookie, and I've seen more than enough to come to the conclusion that the guy has reached his ceiling as somebody who can maybe play 10 minutes per game and MAYBE not make a drastic error.
I think the Flames have to move on and admit defeat in this project. Nice guy who puts in an honest effort, but man is he a timebomb on the ice.
When you say Butler has been very good, do you mean, for him? Like, he's not plain out causing goals against on a nightly basis? Or, do you mean he's actually been very good, like he's got some real talent. I tend to lean towards the former myself, as his play has improved somewhat, but when the bar is set that low there's bound to be an improvement.
However he still struggles to execute even the most basic of plays pretty regularly. He plays like a rookie, and I've seen more than enough to come to the conclusion that the guy has reached his ceiling as somebody who can maybe play 10 minutes per game and MAYBE not make a drastic error.
I think the Flames have to move on and admit defeat in this project. Nice guy who puts in an honest effort, but man is he a timebomb on the ice.
You clearly have missguided expectations on what Butler is suppossed to be. Maybe you assumed we were gaining a legit Top 2 D-man prospect in the trade when we brought him over, maybe that's not your fault because people tried to hype him that way to justify a bad trade.
But Butler has not hit his ceiling, continues to improve and has potential to be a solid Bottom 3 NHL d-man. We aren't exactly bubbling over depth in this area, so why move him along. More likely is you need to move on, admit that he's not, nor was he ever a top flight D prospect and adjust your expectations.
Everyone talks about how great the team has been since the brawl, butler has been a -3, people need to take off the butler goggles and realize he is way more serviceable than he is given credit for. He has played very solid minutes lately and if he can be had at a reasonable dollar why not bring him back? He is a great stop gap while Wotherspoon continues to grow and while seiloff heals
