[Signing] Flames sign Tyler Wotherspoon to ELC ($925k AAV)

[devo22]

Originally Posted by timbit

Wotherspoon can play up to 10 games with Abbotsford and/ or Calgary this season without burning a year towards free agency.

it's only 5 games this year because of the lockout.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by #-3

A Player May play in the NHL once he is 18.
May Play in the AHL once he is 19
and May Play in the CHL leagues until he is 20 at the start of the season (although each CHL can only have a limited number of players in their 20 year old season).

So after they are draft they can either play in the NHL or Junior the first year, and in any of the 3 leagues the second year.

The CHL has an agreement with the NHL that all players under 20, if they don't make the NHL, they are returned to junior. College players or Euros don't have this agreement.

Confusion starts for 19 year olds as the NHL draft has a Sept. 15 cut off while the CHL has a Jan. 1 cut off. A player like Sven who was born after Sept. 15 but before Jan. 1 can play in the AHL in his so called NHL 19th year.

[Savvy27]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

I know nothing about him or how he plays. But everyone says its a good move, so I agree.

I'm sure that there are other people who watched him play a bunch in the WHL who could describe him more accurately, but I think he plays a bit like Dan Hamhuis (though with less offence).
-He's a good skater who makes smart, conservative decisions both with and without the puck.
-He's good down low and on the penalty kill when he has to keep track of where opponents are on the ice.
-He's a willing shot blocker and seems to have good timing at it.
-He makes accurate breakout passes to open players and rarely forces plays.

I don't think you're going to see too many spectacular hits or goals from him, but you'll get effort and good decisions from a capable defender.

I'm thrilled that they signed him. I think he can be a top 4 D in the NHL.

[FlameFan21]

[Husky]

He's similar to that vlasic type defeseman. Isn't young to wow you but will get the job done.

[FlameZilla]

Does he play a strong physical game or is he more of a weak stick-checker like Bouwmeester? We need some big crease-clearing Regehr-in-his-prime types!

[Machiavelli]

Originally Posted by Husky

He's similar to that vlasic type defeseman. Isn't young to wow you but will get the job done.

That's a decent example. I was going to use Methot as one.

[Kaine]

Originally Posted by FlameZilla

Does he play a strong physical game or is he more of a weak stick-checker like Bouwmeester? We need some big crease-clearing Regehr-in-his-prime types!

Haven't seen him go out of his way to crush people like Regehr did (good thing in the "new NHL") but otherwise I would say he's somewhere in the middle of him and Jbo. Not as much offensive upside as Jbo but Wotherspoon seems to have much better defensive IQ.

He's made huge strides in the past little while, seems to have solid second pairing potential and I expect he would be a great partner for the type of player Brodie is shaping up to be. Assuming Wotherspoon continues to develop as he has been.

[Husky]

We have enough bruisers with breem, ramage and sieloff.

[Bourque's Twin]

How's Wotherspoon's speed?

[Fire]

How wotherful!

[cannon7]

Glad we got him signed. He was great in the WJCs. Shaping up to be a mid-round steal.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

don't follow the CHL, any chance he gets some Heat time after his CHL year completes?

Nope. The Winterhawks will still be playing when the Heat miss the playoffs.

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

Is $925k standard? That seems like a rookie max.

It likely includes bonuses too.

Originally Posted by browna

Interesting timing.

Playing the devil's advocate role, any chance, now that he's signed, its with the thought of moving him at the trade deadline as part of a bigger deal?

Not that interesting, 2011 draft picks need to be signed by June 1st.

[you got PHANUEFED]

Have to start locking up these kids and start the youth moment I have a feeling we will end up signing a lot of NCAA players in the near future just to see if we can hit the jackpot with one of them.

[_Q_]

I hope the Flames are working hard on trying to sign Gaudreau as well. If he's not signing with us, I hope Feaster can try to fleece the Bruins rather than allowing him to go back into the draft.

[Dorkmaster]

Originally Posted by _Q_

I hope the Flames are working hard on trying to sign Gaudreau as well. If he's not signing with us, I hope Feaster can try to fleece the Bruins rather than allowing him to go back into the draft.

NCAA player. Flames own his rights for 4 years. Plus Gaudreau is highly likely to go back for another year or even two.

[J epworth]

Originally Posted by _Q_

I hope the Flames are working hard on trying to sign Gaudreau as well. If he's not signing with us, I hope Feaster can try to fleece the Bruins rather than allowing him to go back into the draft.

We don't need to worry about signing Gaudreau until 4 years after his draft since he is an NCAA athlete and not allowed to sign a pro contract as long as he wants to play for BC

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Savvy27

I'm sure that there are other people who watched him play a bunch in the WHL who could describe him more accurately, but I think he plays a bit like Dan Hamhuis (though with less offence).
-He's a good skater who makes smart, conservative decisions both with and without the puck.
-He's good down low and on the penalty kill when he has to keep track of where opponents are on the ice.
-He's a willing shot blocker and seems to have good timing at it.
-He makes accurate breakout passes to open players and rarely forces plays.

I don't think you're going to see too many spectacular hits or goals from him, but you'll get effort and good decisions from a capable defender.

I'm thrilled that they signed him. I think he can be a top 4 D in the NHL.

That is an excellent discription of him - very positionally sound, and always looks for the safe, smart, and simple play. Much like Regehr in that sense, but he is not physical like Regehr.

I would add that he is a smart, but conservative player. Moving up to the next level is something that happens slowly for him because he needs time to get comfortable at the new level.

Expect at least one, probably two full years in the A, but I think he will be an excellent NHLer one day - probably a 2nd pairing guy, but maybe the defensive side of a top pairing (i.e. the #2) as his upside.

I have felt for a long time that he would turn out to be a very solid pick for the Flames. I watched him a lot last year and have always liked the way he plays.

[StrykerSteve]

TSPOON77 Pumped about my new workout shirt! #superman #neon #green #black #underarmor #DicksSportinggoods http://t.co/Hi7cczp2Z2
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[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by fotze

Crap, he could even fill out a little. That Neanderthal brow is going to look much more scarier as he ages too. Nice.

Yes I am sizing up the physique of a guy.

Better yet a teen age boy.