Call up Phillips! Now!

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

any chance it was one of sutters motivational mind games to get Phillips to push himself over the last hurdle with his game (whatever that might be) ?

unlikely but who knows

[Mathgod]

Phillips points per game as the season goes on

[CF84]

When Sutter looks back to the first Kings cup, he probably remembers 21 year old Toffoli as a 28 year old. Toffoli didn't look any better than our top AHL players and he still got a solid look with the Kings.

Sutter may be my favorite coach, but his comments make him seem like an old stubborn mule. He should know a thing or two about old stubborn mules because of his summer vocation.

If they have a plan for Phillips that involves him getting a look sometime later in the year, I'll be happily satisfied. I'll be choked if they don't even give one good chance to someone who has CLEARLY earned a call-up.

Keep it up Matthew! Make this management look so stupid, they're forced into making a decision.

[FlamesAreOne]

Ah ffs, just call him the F up.

[madmike]

The Flames top forward this year is arguably Ruzicka, who is basically an AHL player. So the AHL argument is weak.

[Snuffleupagus]

Originally Posted by madmike

The Flames top forward this year is arguably Ruzicka, who is basically an AHL player. So the AHL argument is weak.

But but he's big, farm boy big.

[Draug]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Better off paying no attention at all to what he says to the media. I stopped listening his first time around.

Absolutely. Anything said publicly needs to be taken with a grain of salt. He often outright lies. It's not a shock to me if he doesn't say what he really thinks about Phillips, or anyone in the organization. Sutter will say only what he thinks gives himself, a player, the team, or the organization an advantage over others.

Anyone I know that has met Sutter will always say what a good human he is outside of the public spotlight. I'd guarantee he wouldn't be an ass to Phillips just to be an ass.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Originally Posted by Snuffleupagus

But but he's big, farm boy big.

Sutter probably does his ahl assessment by hay bale throwing ability

[Rejean31]

The fact that the blowhard Eric Francis was on the radio the other night going on about how he thinks Matthew Phillips is done in the Flames organization and will never play another game for the Flames gives me all kinds of hope that he will get a chance to prove himself with the Flames. Is Francis ever right about anything. Remember when he was on radio gauranteeing that Bruce Boudreau would be the next coach of the Flames. Claimed it was all but a done deal.

[TheScorpion]

I just have a hunch that Francis is right this time.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

it just sounds too fancis-y to be accurate

he's known for hot takes and doesn't have a crystal ball

how is Brad going to continue justifying keeping Phillips in the ahl .. it may take injuries further up the line up to happen but one way or another its tough to see it not happening

he's playing too well to be ignored

[Sofa GM]

If Phillips were to ever get called up I would run him with Huberdeau and Lindholm. You are bringing him up for offense, makes no sense to play him on a line with Coleman.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by Sofa GM

If Phillips were to ever get called up I would run him with Huberdeau and Lindholm. You are bringing him up for offense, makes no sense to play him on a line with Coleman.

I would get him with Kadri so he could help Kadri get going again.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Snuffleupagus

But but he's big, farm boy big.

I know people don’t believe this, but it really is helpful to be 6 ft 4 205 in the National Hockey League.

It’s especially helpful when you’re a skill player like Ruzicka.

[Lanny_McDonald]

What are the expectations for a Phillips call up? Are people going to be happy when he is on a very short leash? Are people going to be okay if he comes up, doesn't generate much, and ends up sitting most of the game?

If Phillips comes up it is highly probable that Sutter will believe he has to shelter Phillips rather than playing in all situations. This is why he isn't getting a call up IMO. It's not about one-way play, it's about the two-way play that Sutter demands. I don't think he has the confidence that the player coming up will be able to play both sides of the puck at the NHL level, which limits the coach in how he can deploy the player. That is a problem that Phillips won't be able to overcome.

I'm all for a call up, I just don't think Phillips is going to live up to the Scorpion hype that is being built up and Sutter will not deploy the player to meet anyone's satisfaction. It will be a no win situation.

[FormerPresJamesTaylor]

The pendulum has swung so far for Phillips now he'd have to blow the roof off to impress the general fan base. You call out Scorpion for his overhype but you're just the other annoying end of the spectrum Lanny. Unless Philips turns the the water into wine you're going to say he's not an NHL player.

I'd like to see Phillips get called up with spot duty the remainder of the season, getting in roughly 25-30 games leading to a potential full time roster spot next season.

[boogerz]

Originally Posted by Lanny_McDonald

What are the expectations for a Phillips call up? Are people going to be happy when he is on a very short leash? Are people going to be okay if he comes up, doesn't generate much, and ends up sitting most of the game?

If Phillips comes up it is highly probable that Sutter will believe he has to shelter Phillips rather than playing in all situations. This is why he isn't getting a call up IMO. It's not about one-way play, it's about the two-way play that Sutter demands. I don't think he has the confidence that the player coming up will be able to play both sides of the puck at the NHL level, which limits the coach in how he can deploy the player. That is a problem that Phillips won't be able to overcome.

I'm all for a call up, I just don't think Phillips is going to live up to the Scorpion hype that is being built up and Sutter will not deploy the player to meet anyone's satisfaction. It will be a no win situation.

It sounds like most people are fine if he spends 5-10 games with the big club and gets sent down again if he doesn't do much or is very ineffective. At least everyone will have a better idea of how Phillips looks in the NHL.

Regardless of whether Phillips is Czarnik-type tweener that can be called up with regularity for some scoring help or a third-line energy type like Yamamoto, both would be good successes for a 6th round pick.

[devo22]

I feel like he has done everything to earn an honest chance. There will always be those "yes, but ..." arguments about his size and two-way play, but leading the whole AHL in goals and points should be enough to get a serious look. Whether or not he could actually run with the chance in the NHL is another question, but there is no doubt in my mind that he has at least earned that chance and I think the Flames are dumb if they don't give it to him at some point. We'll just never know if he can sink or swim if we don't let him test the water at all.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Which just cycles us back to the fact that having both Rooney and Lucic in the lineup given how little they’re adding in terms of “tangibles” is difficult to justify when guys on the farm are making a case for a spot.

Rooney shouldn’t be on the team. Lucic should be subbing for injuries. That’s it.

Think our cycles are stopping with different conclusions.

Rooney hasn't really been playing, and I think Lucic has greater importance than you do.

I've said about a dozen times they could certainly bring up Phillips and sit down Ritchie but do that they have to find a player to move down out of the top nine.

With last night's three point performance that's not likely Ruzicka, so I think the holding pattern continues.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

To me always needing to have NHL veteran depth on your 4th line is a lot more “living in fear” than playing young players on your roster.

Those veterans are the low risk, no upside “safe” choice (if you consider getting caved in every night safe) . Young players are the high risk, potential high reward that is in no way “living in fear”

And it’s not just “top 3 AHL scorers” it’s two guys that have lit up the AHL the last two years in Pelletier and Phillips. Huge difference

Just keep going in circles ...

You can't just have Pelletier come up and play 7 minutes. So he can't be a fourth liner. If he his you up the fourth line to 10-11 minutes which means your top players get even less ice time.

Phillips I'm less concerned about at 24, but he'd have to work with Lewis and say Lucic and wouldn't get anything done anyway.