[News] Flames recall Zayne Parekh

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by PugnaciousIntern

He really didn’t look great at camp to start the year. It would be a different story if he was on the brink of making the team to start the year, or had played a handful of games and was a known quantity in the NHL.

I do believe he will become a great player for the team, but his last NHL tryout didn’t blue my socks off

He openly admitted he felt like a fish out of water and had no idea what to expect.

I think what you saw what a guy having a novel experience who was just finding his bearings.

I wouldn't read into it much.

Lots of important players for this organization have had underwhelming camps. He's not the first and won't be the last.

[gvitaly]

Originally Posted by Bingo

I'm not calling him untouchable, nor am I suggesting he be signed, or kept as a top four defenseman.

I'm just saying there is very little logic in changing the team's top four in a do or die handful of games with the playoffs on the line.

Not sure how anyone would argue otherwise.

I definitely see where you're coming from, and I'm on the fence on this one. I usually go with "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" as well; and Hanley - Weegar has probably been the most consistent and reliable pairing for the Flames. At the same time, I just don't see CGY's top 4 as this defensive juggernaut, that must remain intact in order for them to win games.

I also think it's a much less risky decision than say putting Ritchie in a shootout of an elimination game. The coaching staff can try Parekh in a top 4 role, and it likely won't result in a goal against on his very first shift.

At the end of the day, I'm fine with either decision. It would be up to the coaches to gauge Parekh's readiness, and decide what would be the best for the team, and his development.

[browna]

Roman Hamrlik was specifically brought in by Sutter to be the capable vet to show Phaneuf the ropes...his partner on the ice for the first season or two most nights 5 on 5, and I think roommate off the ice for a couple seasons.

Would be useful for the Flames to find similar vet for this lad this offseason, Weeger would be fine for the off ice, but he wouldn't be the trusted partner on the ice because of the similar styles.

Sure do you get him in? I guess. First game won't be tomorrow and it won't be at home, probably. So...

[Erick Estrada]

I can't see him getting in the lineup until the Flames are mathematically eliminated. It would be different if he was a forward but being a defenseman, he's probably not ready to step in and play in the NHL without another training camp at the very least.

[Bingo]

Some of you set yourself up for so much disappointment.

Putting a player with zero NHL games of experience in a top four role in a do or die game has about a 0.5% chance of happening.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Some of you set yourself up for so much disappointment.

Putting a player with zero NHL games of experience in a top four role in a do or die game has about a 0.5% chance of happening.

I'll take the under

[8sPOT]

With a 95% chance of NOT making the playoffs I say give the kid a game or two, Suniev too for that matter.

This season is nothing in the grand scheme, so much to gain by letting them get their feet wet and knowing what they have to do in the off-season. Just being around the team is huge but actually getting in a game really lets them know where they are compared to NHL players.

[Two Fivenagame]

Fully agree with EE, Bingo, and others suggesting Parekh (and Suniev) will be held out until the Flames are eliminated. The last thing the fans and media need to be doing is ratcheting up the pressure on these kids.
Parekh isn't the savior. If anything, being around the team and practicing with them while they're in a battle for a playoff spot is a great development tool by itself.

If the kids want to be in the show, this is what it takes.

[DeluxeMoustache]

To me it’s not about the pressure

It would be a terrible message from the organization to the players who have been in the battle all year, to sit one of them in favour of Parekh

Once eliminated, fine. Until then, not a chance he plays

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Some of you set yourself up for so much disappointment.

Putting a player with zero NHL games of experience in a top four role in a do or die game has about a 0.5% chance of happening.

I've said this before, but for fans these prospects are like scratch tickets. For the coach, they're unproven tool.

Fans so badly want to see that they've won the Set For Life prize they're willing to scratch the ticket immediately. The coach probably doesn't want to take the risk of trying it a new tool when he's been using the tools he's got and it's been largely getting the job done.

As my favorite Peter Griffin quote goes:

"A boat's a boat. But a mystery box could be anything! Even a boat! You know how bad we wanted one of those!"

[Groot]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

I've said this before, but for fans these prospects are like scratch tickets. For the coach, they're unproven tool.

Fans so badly want to see that they've won the Set For Life prize they're willing to scratch the ticket immediately. The coach probably doesn't want to take the risk of trying it a new tool when he's been using the tools he's got and it's been largely getting the job done.

As my favorite Peter Griffin quote goes:

"A boat's a boat. But a mystery box could be anything! Even a boat! You know how bad we wanted one of those!"

The Peter Griffin quote would be accurate if fans were clamoring to trade Parekh for a high pick, in hopes of getting an elite prospect, like Parekh. Not in this scenario when the discussion is should he play before or after the Flames are (potentially) eliminated.

It's impossible to say, but if the Wild win by 1 goal it's impossible to say that Parekh playing wouldn't have helped drive a bit more offense. On the flip side, if he does play and the Flames lose, it's impossible to say they would have won if they kept him off.

Let the cards fall as they may, neither opinion is absurd or ridiculous. I trust Conroy and Huska to do what's best for the team and player. Meanwhile I'm stoked to cheer on the Flames beating San Jose tonight and adding some more pressure to the Wild on Wednesday.

[Toonage]

Play Parekh immediately. Live a little.

[Big Erned Nevergivn]

Originally Posted by Two Fivenagame

Fully agree with EE, Bingo, and others suggesting Parekh (and Suniev) will be held out until the Flames are eliminated. The last thing the fans and media need to be doing is ratcheting up the pressure on these kids.
Parekh isn't the savior. If anything, being around the team and practicing with them while they're in a battle for a playoff spot is a great development tool by itself.

If the kids want to be in the show, this is what it takes.

What am I missing? The flames are effectively eliminated... From what I see, if the flames win every game, then even if minny goes 500, we still lose out to the RW tiebreaker. Correct me if I am wrong.

The likelihood that we go undefeated is effectively 0%, and even during Minny's bad stretch recently, over their last 10 they are still playing at .500 points percentage.

Great season overall, but time to play the kids IMO.

[BrownDrake]

Our fastest and most mobile defender, pair him with Weegar and let him play meaningful games down the stretch, let him learn in this environment he’s either generational and can handle it or he’s a 4-6 defender and can play pp1/2. At least when he gets caught he has the ability to recover and take a man, offense is actually the best defense and it’s one you can actually translate into more goals, a good stick or big body that turns and rips the puck off the glass isn’t going to change our game.

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Some of you set yourself up for so much disappointment.

Putting a player with zero NHL games of experience in a top four role in a do or die game has about a 0.5% chance of happening.

Probably not wrong, but that is the biggest problem with the team and old school hockey thinking in general. Is keeping him out for the likes of Bean, Pachal or Hanley....even Klapka or Rooney if you wanted to go with 7D for that matter really that big of a risk?

You're talking about one of the most obvious blue chip prospects in the world and a player that can potentially take over games offensively here, not a good but not great prospect. Parekh is good enough that he might be the teams 4th best defenceman right now. Obviously with some areas that need work, but man if you aren't trying to tap into that asap there is something wrong.

It certainly didn't hurt Cale Makar to get thrown directly into the playoff fire when he did this with the Avs.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Give him a "C" while we're at it. If he's so great, it's time he acted like a leader.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Some of you set yourself up for so much disappointment.

Putting a player with zero NHL games of experience in a top four role in a do or die game has about a 0.5% chance of happening.

[Tbull8]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

Probably not wrong, but that is the biggest problem with the team and old school hockey thinking in general. Is keeping him out for the likes of Bean, Pachal or Hanley....even Klapka or Rooney if you wanted to go with 7D for that matter really that big of a risk?

You're talking about one of the most obvious blue chip prospects in the world and a player that can potentially take over games offensively here, not a good but not great prospect. Parekh is good enough that he might be the teams 4th best defenceman right now. Obviously with some areas that need work, but man if you aren't trying to tap into that asap there is something wrong.

It certainly didn't hurt Cale Makar to get thrown directly into the playoff fire when he did this with the Avs.

Difference is Makar played the season against men in college. Parekh is coming from 16-20 year olds in junior. Not saying he couldnt have an impact but I would imagine the jump would be tougher

[Buff]

Originally Posted by Tbull8

Difference is Makar played the season against men in college. Parekh is coming from 16-20 year olds in junior. Not saying he couldnt have an impact but I would imagine the jump would be tougher

Considering that Parekh admitted to feeling a bit overwhelmed at camp, I'm sure they will ease him onto the team. Get him some exposure to the NHL team operating on a day to day basis during the season, and get him practicing with the pros so he can feel more up to speed.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

Probably not wrong, but that is the biggest problem with the team and old school hockey thinking in general. Is keeping him out for the likes of Bean, Pachal or Hanley....even Klapka or Rooney if you wanted to go with 7D for that matter really that big of a risk?

You're talking about one of the most obvious blue chip prospects in the world and a player that can potentially take over games offensively here, not a good but not great prospect. Parekh is good enough that he might be the teams 4th best defenceman right now. Obviously with some areas that need work, but man if you aren't trying to tap into that asap there is something wrong.

It certainly didn't hurt Cale Makar to get thrown directly into the playoff fire when he did this with the Avs.

I don't know if I'd call it old school thinking.

To me it's just logic.

Makar is generational and an unfair comparison.

Most 19 year old defensemen don't get near the league. They'll be out with three games to go and he can still get his feet wet.

And to be more specific ... if they think he can boost the third pairing, or if they want to dress 7 D and try him on the powerplay. My biggest push back was to the drop Hanley from the top four movement.