[Signing] Calgary signs college prospect Kenney Morrison to 2yr ELC and ATO to play in ADK

[Itse]

Would be nice of course, but I'll get excited if we actually sign him. Rumours are rumours.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Realtor 1

What a absolute treat to be named in the running for these free players.

If only we could have landed hayes too

It's ok. As soon as Arnold makes the team he'll force another trade to Calgary to play with his college bros.

[hurtin_albertan]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Sounds like Justin Schultz.

Is this how Schultz was described prior to signing with the Oilers (cannon shot, hard hitter)? I don't think I've ever even seen the guy attempt a slap shot, all he does is fire wristers. Physical play? Practically non-existent.

Off topic but Schultz strikes me as a guy who found a niche playing forward disguised as a defenseman. Seems like he only plays the position for the wealth of minutes and being coveted as a rare-ish puck mover/offensive d-man. I.e. he has no interest in playing any semblance of defense, only wants to score goals.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Realtor 1

What a absolute treat to be named in the running for these free players.

If only we could have landed hayes too

I prefer situations like this, where another team didn't spend a pick on him and then refuse to sign with them.

[sureLoss]

Justin Schultz put up way more points than Morrison in the NCAA.

0.93 PPG for Schultz
0.47 PPG for Morrison

[codynw]

Originally Posted by Itse

Would be nice of course, but I'll get excited if we actually sign him. Rumours are rumours.

But it's a Bob McKenzie rumour. He usually knows what he's talking about.

[Fire]

Sure why not, but I'm not going to get too excited over a 23 year old with solid, but not great, college stats.

[Itse]

To continue on a more positive thought:

Exciting team looking to be on the rise, seems to have done very well developing their young players, but lacking in defensive prospect depth. Also a team willing to spend to the cap if necessary, so there's a good chance a good team could last here.

Pretty easy to see how we could be an interesting destination right now, especially for a young defenseman.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Stud_McCool

Can someone explain why these undrafted guys all of a sudden is coveted by every team in the NHL? Did the scouts not do their work in watching these college players?

To play in college you often have to play in lesser leagues like the CJHL or the USHL during your draft year. People are always hesitant about draft guys from lower leagues than NCAA or CHL or Europe simply because they're harder to project. Just consider your own personal thoughts on these Flames' draft picks when they were made:

Johnny Gaudreau - USHL
Bill Arnold - USHL
John Gilmour - USHL
Brandon Hickey - AJHL
Mark Jankowski - High School

It was usually "okay, their skillsets look okay but can their game translate to a bigger, faster, better league?"

That better league, the NCAA, is where the question marks become answers.

[dammage79]

Would be cool to sign a highly touted NCAA player like Morrison. The fact he's from the region as well has it's bonus's.

Fits in the age grouping, can jump in and develop with Kulak, Culkin, Wotherspoon, Kanzig, Roy, Rafikov. Even this one signing puts the Flames D depth at better than average. Good for them if they manage to ink the kid to a deal.

Quick question though, max ELC for NCAA players is 2 or 3 years? More pointedly, for Morrison who is 23 years old. I feel like it'd be 2 years max.

[killer_carlson]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

A potentially better D partner than Deryk Engelland next year?

TBH, Morrison seems to be a right-stick Wotherspoon anyways. About the same amount of experience, the generally same kind of offensive contribution.

The hope is that either of these guys can be an upgrade over Smid/Engelland which isn't exactly the highest bar if you ask me.

Engellend brings other things to the roster coupled with his increased quality of play since being promoted makes him a solid #6 guy. So i'm not sure he's the guy to be replaced. Diaz, Smid and Schlemko though are at risk of being replaced.

[Stud_McCool]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

To play in college you often have to play in lesser leagues like the CJHL or the USHL during your draft year. People are always hesitant about draft guys from lower leagues than NCAA or CHL or Europe simply because they're harder to project. Just consider your own personal thoughts on these Flames' draft picks when they were made:

Johnny Gaudreau - USHL
Bill Arnold - USHL
John Gilmour - USHL
Brandon Hickey - AJHL
Mark Jankowski - High School

It was usually "okay, their skillsets look okay but can their game translate to a bigger, faster, better league?"

That better league, the NCAA, is where the question marks become answers.

Thanks for the info.
Would he have been draft eligible when he was a freshman or sophomore in the NCAA? Surely he must've been decent enough to spend a 7th rounder on, yes?

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Would be cool to sign a highly touted NCAA player like Morrison. The fact he's from the region as well has it's bonus's.

Fits in the age grouping, can jump in and develop with Kulak, Culkin, Wotherspoon, Kanzig, Roy, Rafikov. Even this one signing puts the Flames D depth at better than average. Good for them if they manage to ink the kid to a deal.

Quick question though, max ELC for NCAA players is 2 or 3 years? More pointedly, for Morrison who is 23 years old. I feel like it'd be 2 years max.

2 years per the CBA.

[Itse]

Originally Posted by codynw

But it's a Bob McKenzie rumour. He usually knows what he's talking about.

Well, true... But still, nice to be close, but it's worth nothing if we don't actually sign him.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Stud_McCool

Thanks for the info.
Would he have been draft eligible when he was a freshman or sophomore in the NCAA? Surely he must've been decent enough to spend a 7th rounder on, yes?

After he finished his first year of college he was already too old for the draft.

[Francis's Hairpiece]

Hate to get the hopes up, but it's so hard not to. Would be thrilled to land this kid.

[dammage79]

Would still have two years of RFA rights after his ELC is up too if he pans out. Win win.

Was hoping Colgate would be missing out so the Flames could put the full court press on nabbing Kyle Baun too. But then again I feel with his lineage, he'll probably sign with DET or TOR.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

So basically he's like Jesus on skates. Sign him up!

Well, he does walk on water. Of course, they all do.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

After he finished his first year of college he was already too old for the draft.

Even if he wasn't, I would think it would be a better idea to wait out until he decides to go to free agency and sign him then and spend a pick on a different player than to pick an overage NCAA player who can't sign until leaving anyways. That is, unless he was absolutely destroying the NCAA.

How would he be handled under the CBA if he had been a year younger in his freshman year? Would he become UFA earlier than most, or does the 4 years at college still apply?

[Hackey]

Originally Posted by Finger Cookin

I'm all for attempts to improve depth on the Flames blueline, even if they don't pan out.

Exactly it's a free pick up. Low risk move with potential. Hopefully we can sign him.