[Signing] Flames sign Kylington to ELC

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by TX_Flame

Very few posters are suggesting Kylington is a sure thing. However to write him off because he has defensive shortcomings that show up when he plays above his "weight class" against men is ridiculous. Yes, Phaneuf was a higher rated prospect at his age and didn't look as suspect defensively but he was playing against kids. Also, as already pointed out, even in his own draft year Shea Webber was not as highly rated either. I know who I would prefer now and it's not Dion. This is not to say that Kylington is going to become Shea Webber, but neither is he condemned to be worse than Phaneuf either.

His stepping up against bigger competition is a good indication that maybe his defensive shortcomings are often taken out of context. He was 16 when he was playing in professional leagues, and while that's not quite Hockey Canada's "exceptional player" status, it's still good merit.

I think it's good to have cautious optimism with Kylington. It's equal parts the trust in our scouts and prospect development coupled with the raw talent of Kylington.

In the last few years, more prospects have made the jump than ever before. Players like Ferland, Granlund, and Bouma have panned out quite well and justify the coaching and scouts being given more trust from the fanbase. The belief that Kylington will show some decent upside (which happens to be pretty high) is a reflection of that.

I don't think anyone's guaranteeing him being a top pairing NHLer in future. Kinda ridiculous when he hasn't played a season on NHL ice like Andersson has. But suggesting that the coaching staff and management has what it takes to teach him how to play defence isn't out of reach, especially when they've done a good job with our current D prospects so far. Not to mention the Flames' intent to have his development in their control.

Also, Kylington's skills aren't just being big, strong, or a wicked shot - he has elite skating ability and very good puck-handling skills. Those are traits that translate very well for a defenceman in today's NHL game. Teaching him defensive zone coverage and systems shouldn't be too much of a stretch unless he has a Baertschi-like attitude. I seriously doubt that - he fell all the way to #60. If he was picked at #15 I might be worrying about the percieved attitude issues more, but you could tell from his interviews that he was anxious as hell and relieved when the Flames called his name. Now he's motivated and has something to prove, that he will become one of the best defencemen of this draft.

As Calgary4Life outlined, Burke would've been present during all the talks and interviews with Kylington. IIRC, they took him out to dinner during the combine...probably to pick his mind more. So the Flames picking him after all that questioning from our management suggests that he's not a 'head-case' as previously mentioned.

He'll be soaking up whatever the coaches tell him, and this'll be even better if he was learning the Flames system in the AHL first to get used to the assignments and positioning. Someone mentioned his team Farjestad playing the AHL all-stars and he had a pretty decent showing, so unless he has a bad camp I expect him to start in Stockton this year if AIK is agreeable as Swedish Flame said.

[TX_Flame]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

His stepping up against bigger competition is a good indication that maybe his defensive shortcomings are often taken out of context. He was 16 when he was playing in professional leagues, and while that's not quite Hockey Canada's "exceptional player" status, it's still good merit.

I think it's good to have cautious optimism with Kylington. It's equal parts the trust in our scouts and prospect development coupled with the raw talent of Kylington.

In the last few years, more prospects have made the jump than ever before. Players like Ferland, Granlund, and Bouma have panned out quite well and justify the coaching and scouts being given more trust from the fanbase. The belief that Kylington will show some decent upside (which happens to be pretty high) is a reflection of that.

I don't think anyone's guaranteeing him being a top pairing NHLer in future. Kinda ridiculous when he hasn't played a season on NHL ice like Andersson has. But suggesting that the coaching staff and management has what it takes to teach him how to play defence isn't out of reach, especially when they've done a good job with our current D prospects so far. Not to mention the Flames' intent to have his development in their control.

Also, Kylington's skills aren't just being big, strong, or a wicked shot - he has elite skating ability and very good puck-handling skills. Those are traits that translate very well for a defenceman in today's NHL game. Teaching him defensive zone coverage and systems shouldn't be too much of a stretch unless he has a Baertschi-like attitude. I seriously doubt that - he fell all the way to #60. If he was picked at #15 I might be worrying about the percieved attitude issues more, but you could tell from his interviews that he was anxious as hell and relieved when the Flames called his name. Now he's motivated and has something to prove, that he will become one of the best defencemen of this draft.

As Calgary4Life outlined, Burke would've been present during all the talks and interviews with Kylington. IIRC, they took him out to dinner during the combine...probably to pick his mind more. So the Flames picking him after all that questioning from our management suggests that he's not a 'head-case' as previously mentioned.

He'll be soaking up whatever the coaches tell him, and this'll be even better if he was learning the Flames system in the AHL first to get used to the assignments and positioning. Someone mentioned his team Farjestad playing the AHL all-stars and he had a pretty decent showing, so unless he has a bad camp I expect him to start in Stockton this year if AIK is agreeable as Swedish Flame said.

"Cautious optimism". I like that expression. It sums up my feelings about Kylington quite well, which is about as good as it's going to get for a late 2nd rounder. I just felt Mike F. (who I enjoy reading) was being overly harsh with the comparisons to Phaneuf. Most 18 yr olds are going to have warts defensively. The fact that Dion didn't get rid of his has nothing to do with Kylington.

[saillias]

Useless history time. Not everyone thought Dion Phaneuf was the next perennial Norris winner. Before they made the NHL Kypreos said on air he thought Weber was better (and he was widely attacked and hated for it). There were many junior watchers who wondered about Phaneuf's defensive IQ and decision making. They just weren't on Flames forums.

Interestingly I don't think those things are his biggest problem right now, it's more his foot speed and mobility, which was always a strength of his in his younger days.

[BigRed]

Dion Phaneuf is not very good at hockey playing.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by BigRed

Dion Phaneuf is not very good at hockey playing.

Incorrect.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by BigRed

Dion Phaneuf is not very good at hockey playing.

Untrue. Dion Phaneuf is good... just not as good as he was hyped to be when he was young nor as good as his current paycheck warrents.

[BigRed]

Originally Posted by Parallex

Untrue. Dion Phaneuf is good... just not as good as he was hyped to be when he was young nor as good as his current paycheck warrents.

I was using a Reggie-ism, but at the same time, I really don't think Phaneuf is any better than average.

I think being paired with a savvy vet like Hamrlik really allowed Phaneuf to blossom, but losing him and then getting traded -- for what appeared to be peanuts, but what has actually proved to be a fair return -- really exposed his shortcomings.

He's not a competitor except on offense, he makes poor decisions and has the hockey sense of a lamp post (or Taylor Hall, take your pick). Phaneuf, since being moved, has proven to be a decent complimentary to a solid, well-rounded D man like Hamrlik, but a failure at being a top or lead D man himself. On top of that, he's lazy and entitled.

There is no-one in the Flames current top 5 (Gio, Brodie, Russell, Hamilton, Wideman) I would trade for Phaneuf straight up, and that's even without salary considerations. Frankly, I'd maybe even rather have Engelland.

[bax]

Originally Posted by BigRed

I was using a Reggie-ism, but at the same time, I really don't think Phaneuf is any better than average.



I think being paired with a savvy vet like Hamrlik really allowed Phaneuf to blossom, but losing him and then getting traded -- for what appeared to be peanuts, but what has actually proved to be a fair return -- really exposed his shortcomings.



He's not a competitor except on offense, he makes poor decisions and has the hockey sense of a lamp post (or Taylor Hall, take your pick). Phaneuf, since being moved, has proven to be a decent complimentary to a solid, well-rounded D man like Hamrlik, but a failure at being a top or lead D man himself. On top of that, he's lazy and entitled.



There is no-one in the Flames current top 5 (Gio, Brodie, Russell, Hamilton, Wideman) I would trade for Phaneuf straight up, and that's even without salary considerations. Frankly, I'd maybe even rather have Engelland.

I'm assuming most of this pure hyperbole, but could you imagine having Phaneuf as out 6th d-man for the price of 3 million or whatever Engelland makes. Wow that would look nice.

Phaneuf with > 20 minutes a night against top competition= not so good.

Phaneuf with < 15 minutes a night against lesser competition= very nice.

I think he will bounce back somewhat under Babcock as well.

[Hugh Jahrmes]

Haha @ wouldn't take Dion for any of our defenders at even money.


Gio - Hamilton
Russell - Wideman
Brodie - Phaneuf
xx Engelland


Hell, we could try Phaneuf - Hamilton and keep two of the most effective pairings in the league intact.
Just crappy

[BigRed]

It's never been an issue of talent with Phaneuf. That's not what I'm talking about. Phaneuf has never been a team player, and by all accounts isn't now.

Maybe Babcock can work some magic with him. Maybe Hartley could. But that's not a risk Id be willing to take.

Bax makes a good point - with reduced minutes and not playing against an opponent's top 6 he could be effective, so long as he didn't pout and dog it because of it. It's the last part I'm not sure about.

I'm going to make what I think is a safe statement: no team with Dion Phaneuf playing a prominent role will ever make it past the 1st round.

[TX_Flame]

Originally Posted by Hugh Jahrmes

Haha @ wouldn't take Dion for any of our defenders at even money.


Gio - Hamilton
Russell - Wideman
Brodie - Phaneuf
xx Engelland


Hell, we could try Phaneuf - Hamilton and keep two of the most effective pairings in the league intact.
Just crappy

I agree re Phaneuf, however Brodie HAS to be in the top 4.

[Hugh Jahrmes]

Originally Posted by TX_Flame

I agree re Phaneuf, however Brodie HAS to be in the top 4.

I should have been more specific - those weren't in order of ice time. Russel and Wiseman round out the third pairing. Every guy has proven at one point or another that they can ha she spot duty taking big minutes.

Dion may be no $7M AAV player, but suggesting he doesn't crack the lineup is laughable.

[TX_Flame]

Originally Posted by Hugh Jahrmes

I should have been more specific - those weren't in order of ice time. Russel and Wiseman round out the third pairing. Every guy has proven at one point or another that they can ha she spot duty taking big minutes.

Dion may be no $7M AAV player, but suggesting he doesn't crack the lineup is laughable.

Well, in that case, I agree completely.

[hockey.modern]

Glad to see Kylington enjoying his time in Stockton
http://flames.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=782459

Luckily for Kylington, he has landed at one of the newest and largest facilities in the AHL here in Stockton and he’s been one of the more vocal players about his excitement to be at this facility.

“The locker room and workout areas are both great,” Kylington exclaimed. “It’s always nice to have an office like this and I’m excited to be here.”

Of course playing pro hockey in California has other upsides too.

“I love California and the weather is my favorite thing about being here, Kylington said. “It’s nice to be able to have a good workout and then have warm weather outside.”

[Phanuthier]

Hopefully California gets El Nino this year as promised, the state is a giant tinder box right now.

[Coach]

Kylington to LAK due to concerns over Calgary weather - E5

[Bandwagon In Flames]

Lost in the big win over Vancouver and the Shutout to Gillies, Kylington seemed to have a great pro debut.

Goal and an assist in the 7-0 drubbing over what looked like a pretty decent AHL line-up.

http://ahl.neulion.com/ahl/video/sto...-icehogs/13510

Goal around 1:50. Tell me you don't see a little Erik Karlsson on that goal.

[T@T]

Originally Posted by Bandwagon In Flames

Lost in the big win over Vancouver and the Shutout to Gillies, Kylington seemed to have a great pro debut.

Goal and an assist in the 7-0 drubbing over what looked like a pretty decent AHL line-up.

http://ahl.neulion.com/ahl/video/sto...-icehogs/13510

Goal around 1:50. Tell me you don't see a little Erik Karlsson on that goal.

He sure can skate and get in the right area's offensively.

Nakladal really stood out for me though, it seemed his name was mentioned every 10 seconds of that clip, and what a cannon of a shot.

[sempuki]

Originally Posted by T@T

He sure can skate and get in the right area's offensively.

Nakladal really stood out for me though, it seemed his name was mentioned every 10 seconds of that clip, and what a cannon of a shot.

I kept trying to figure out who the hell "Nuck-loddle" was...

[Bandwagon In Flames]

Originally Posted by T@T

He sure can skate and get in the right area's offensively.

Nakladal really stood out for me though, it seemed his name was mentioned every 10 seconds of that clip, and what a cannon of a shot.

Agreed on Nakladal, he seems to be adjusting to North American hockey really well. He's really great at getting shots on goal resulting in lots of high quality deflections.

He's also 9 years older than Kylington however so you'd hope for him to be a step above.