The days of thinking that the next 'step up' for a first line AHLer is an NHL 4th line, is a dinosaur mentality and should be ended. Today's coaches need play to people's strengths, skills, and speed - not tenure. Mitch Love's system is similar to Darryl Sutter's (apparently), so don't give Phillips a new role just because he's 'on the big club'; put him with the top offensive talent and see what happens. One thing is for sure - he ain't gonna play like Lucic/Lewis/Duehr do, so why expect that?
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Phillips is never going to impress in that role - he's not a 4th line grinder.
That role works for Pelletier and Duehr because they can play that game - they can go out and hit and be quick on the forecheck in a 4th line role.
If you are expecting Phillips to do that then you are not putting him in a position to succeed. Which IMO has been an issue with Sutter all year - he's trying to force people to fit instead of adapting around the players with have and putting them in a position where there strengths allow them to succeed.
I agree with you.
But maybe Sutter wanted to see how he could handle the defensive side of the game. Sutter watches the Wranglers regularly, and knows what he can do offensively. So maybe he was giving him a 'show me you can handle the rest of your NHL responsibilities' trial.
I have no doubt Wolf fully deserves this call up, what a season.
But if Coronato plays, what message does it send to Zary who has played a full season to date, recovered from his injury plagued first season, put up great points and was drafted the year before Coronato.
Is there something in play here with the limited number of calls ups the Flames have? Are they out? Is it not physically possible to call up Zary with Wolf being called up?
Coronato cannot play anywhere else.
It is either Flames or nowhere.
Zary can play in the AHL.
I think it is really that simple.
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