I'm willing to bet that if Fox keeps progressing like this and Calgary's defense stays as strong as it is and a prospect or two (Anderson/Kylington) graduate to the NHL he'll likely be looking to become a free agent for sure.
And we shouldn't even be offended or surprised, it would just be a prudent, no brainer move in his part and unfortunate for us due to our success of putting together a top NHL D-core.
There isn't much reason for him to make his NHL dream harder by signing with us just because we drafted him and therefore creating a harder path to a spot when he can open himself up to the league and sign with the best fit.
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I'm willing to bet that if Fox keeps progressing like this and Calgary's defense stays as strong as it is and a prospect or two (Anderson/Kylington) graduate to the NHL he'll likely be looking to become a free agent for sure.
And we shouldn't even be offended or surprised, it would just be a prudent, no brainer move in his part and unfortunate for us due to our success of putting together a top NHL D-core.
There isn't much reason for him to make his NHL dream harder by signing with us just because we drafted him and therefore creating a harder path to a spot when he can open himself up to the league and sign with the best fit.
Regardless he is a huge asset and if Anderson and or Kylington develop the way they should the Flames will have valuable trade pieces or they could move a defenceman from the big club to make room the young kids
Last edited by Gaudreau is a Ninja; 08-05-2017 at 06:41 PM.
Regardless he is a huge asset and if Anderson and or Kylington develop they they should the Flames will have valuable trade pieces or they could move a defenceman from the big club to make room the young kids
Oh definitely, having him is better than not having him. These days I just don't consider star college players to be actual drafted players until they sign that first deal.
Of course the drafting team has a slight upper hand with ELC years and a small signing bonus, but more and more these guys (wisely) see no reason to honour the team that drafted them when they have this incredible loophole to shop themselves as a free agent (if the desirable skill is there) and direct their own path to success in the NHL.
I mean why wouldn't they, they'd almost be stupid not to.
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There is always a trade market for good defenceman. When it comes time to signing Fox, leave it to Conroy - he will convince the kid to sign here.
Realistically, when the time is right I can see the Flames trading one of their up and coming d-men (Wotherspoon, Kulak or Kylington) or one of their existing NHL'ers (Bartkowski or maybe even Stone) and use these pieces to replenish draft picks, as well as convince Fox a spot will open up for him.
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