Most intriguing player heading into Camp.

[Canada 02]

Originally Posted by agulati

Doesn’t Ruzicka need waivers to be sent down? I’m not sure if he passes waivers.

In the next month, ~300-400 players will need to pass through waivers. Guessing, <10 will get claimed.
Ruzicka might get claimed; Better players have cleared waivers, and worse players have been claimed. Interesting to look at last years waivers claims. A handful went back on waivers only to be re-claimed by the original team. I don't see any great risk with any of the Flames waiver eligible players

[TheScorpion]

I think Ruzicka has a greater risk of being claimed than Valimaki, Phillips, or Mackey, but even then I put the odds at around 15-20%. Not super high.

That being said ... I have a tough time not seeing him as one of the Flames' 14 best forwards.

[Muta]

No disrespect to Backlund, but I hope Ruzicka takes the ball and runs with it, and emerges as our third line centre by the end of the year. Would love to see him grab that proverbial brass ring.

[Macindoc]

Originally Posted by Muta

No disrespect to Backlund, but I hope Ruzicka takes the ball and runs with it, and emerges as our third line centre by the end of the year. Would love to see him grab that proverbial brass ring.

That’s either a massive step ahead by him or a massive step back by Backlund. I hope if if happens it’s the former, as unlikely as that seems.

[Jay Random]

If Ruzicka is playing regularly on the third line this year, either he's playing wing or there's a major injury at centre.

[CGY12]

For me its Tyler Toffoli. This year will tell us whether that contract is going to be an anchor moving forward or one that will be tolerable. The depth on the right side is weak and I believe Toffoli is our only true top 6 RW on the roster. With the acquisition of Kadri, we now have a true legit 2nd line centre, that has the offensive game to make a strong impact. Toffoli is going to get every opportunity to play either on line 1 or 2 with some strong offensive minded teammates. He needs to show out this year for us to have any chance go where we want to go.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

I think Ruzicka has a greater risk of being claimed than Valimaki, Phillips, or Mackey, but even then I put the odds at around 15-20%. Not super high.

That being said ... I have a tough time not seeing him as one of the Flames' 14 best forwards.

I think the risk of Ruzicka getting picked up is higher than that. Not 100%, but maybe 50/50.

I there are a few rebuilding teams that would take a flyer on him. He looks close to finding his groove and if it doesn't work out, they could just waive him again, and the Flames would likely claim him back.

The other guys, yeah, I am sure they will clear waivers.

[Steve Bozek]

A centre with size and skill, with evidence of progress in being able to handle NHL responsibilities - hard to believe that not one other NHL ream would want to take a chance on him

[Canada 02]

Originally Posted by Steve Bozek

A centre with size and skill, with evidence of progress in being able to handle NHL responsibilities - hard to believe that not one other NHL ream would want to take a chance on him

sounds like Gabe Vilardi who passed through waivers last season, and has done more at the NHL level than Ruzicka

[Canada 02]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

I would be amazed if Zary doesn't start at 1C. He has a way better claim to that spot than Schwindt, for sure. And I don't think Ruzicka will be with the Wranglers at all. I think there's a better chance Schwindt starts on the wing.

Two points of debate
First, why do you think Zary has a better claim to #1C? Seems Schwindt had a better 1st year pro than Zary, so would have done more to earn a top spot in the AHL roster

Second, scouts say Schwindt is a 200 ft player who is good at face-offs. Regardless of his position on the depth chart, I don't think it would make sense to move him to wing when he has attributes the Flames like at a key position

[sketchyt]

I want to see Wolf get more pre-season game minutes in.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by sketchyt

I want to see Wolf get more pre-season game minutes in.

Why?
In my view the key is to get both Markstrom and Vladar ready. I could see Wolf getting half a game, but he's not competing for a job, and early in camp he will be playing rosters that are more similar to what he will see in the AHL.

What's the reasoning for wanting to give him more pre-season minutes?

[sketchyt]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Why?
In my view the key is to get both Markstrom and Vladar ready. I could see Wolf getting half a game, but he's not competing for a job, and early in camp he will be playing rosters that are more similar to what he will see in the AHL.

What's the reasoning for wanting to give him more pre-season minutes?

Just want to see how well he does against higher-level shooters. More of a curiosity (or intriguing?) thing to me... I think he might be the Flames most important prospect and would like to see more of him first-hand.

[Snuffleupagus]

Weegar for me, is he really a top pairing Dman or was he just propped up on a very good Florida team?

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by Canada 02

Two points of debate
First, why do you think Zary has a better claim to #1C? Seems Schwindt had a better 1st year pro than Zary, so would have done more to earn a top spot in the AHL roster

Second, scouts say Schwindt is a 200 ft player who is good at face-offs. Regardless of his position on the depth chart, I don't think it would make sense to move him to wing when he has attributes the Flames like at a key position

Schwindt, fully healthy, scored 19 goals and 40 points in 72 AHL games on a decent team.

Zary, injured almost all year, scored 13 goals and 25 points in 53 AHL games on a very deep AHL team. That would pro-rate to 18 goals and 34 points in 72 games.

So I'm not sure if Schwindt's season was actually that much better. I think it was a case of him playing a bigger role on a team with less forward depth. But the Flames have a ton of incentive to give their own first-round pick significant playing time on the top line, and frankly I think he's earned it after everything he dealt with last year.

We have to remember Zary is an outstanding prospect. And I don't think he's done anything to hurt his draft stock at this point.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by sketchyt

Just want to see how well he does against higher-level shooters. More of a curiosity (or intriguing?) thing to me... I think he might be the Flames most important prospect and would like to see more of him first-hand.

Do you live in Calgary? If so, I have some good news for you!

[TheScorpion]

Wolf is worth the price of admission all by himself. Go see him.

[Hot_Flatus]

Ruzicka and Pelletier. The team needs both of these players to really elevate on the 3rd and 4th lines this season.

If they do that, the Flames go from solid playoff team to flirting for the division title again.

[Canada 02]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Schwindt, fully healthy, scored 19 goals and 40 points in 72 AHL games on a decent team.

Zary, injured almost all year, scored 13 goals and 25 points in 53 AHL games on a very deep AHL team. That would pro-rate to 18 goals and 34 points in 72 games.

So I'm not sure if Schwindt's season was actually that much better. I think it was a case of him playing a bigger role on a team with less forward depth. But the Flames have a ton of incentive to give their own first-round pick significant playing time on the top line, and frankly I think he's earned it after everything he dealt with last year.

We have to remember Zary is an outstanding prospect. And I don't think he's done anything to hurt his draft stock at this point.

by your analysis, they are close. That does not say guaranteed or better claim to the #1 spot

I think Zary has a lot to prove this season. I hope he is healthy and consistent. If he can be that, he might earn the #1 spot with the Wranglers. Froese, Kirkland, Gawdin, DeSimone played as much if not more than drafted players like Zary or Valimaki. I don't think Mitch Love is influenced by draft pedigree, and he shouldn't.

[Roof-Daddy]

I'm intrigued to see who ends up on Huberdeau's opposite wing, and if they have a massive break out offensively because of it.

Dube
Ruzicka
Phillips
Pelletier

Would love to see that happen.