Does Dube make the team?

[Drunk Uncle]

Originally Posted by neo45

He waived Hathaway last year. I don’t think any team would claim Lazar, Klimchuk, or Hathaway at this point and all three players could benefit from bigger minutes in the AHL.

If the team is sticking with the “always earned” mantra I don’t see how Dube doesn’t at least start the year with the team. Tanner Glass came in and did what was asked of him by management without a contract and got a roster spot FFS

I'm not sure the team has had an "always earned" mantra since Hartley but I agree with what you are saying. I strongly believe we will be a better team with Dube in the line-up vs. Hathaway/Lazar/Peluso.

[Monahan For Mayor]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

Yup, that Sam Bennett guy is never going to play in the NHL.

If Sam doesn't improve a good bit he will be a bust at 4th overall. Yakupov played in the NHL too. He was still a bust at 1st overall.

[Drunk Uncle]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

Bennett played his best hockey with Backlund and Frolik.

Gaudreau - Monahan - Neal/Lindholm
Tkachuk - Ryan - Lindholm/Neal
Bennett - Backlund - Frolik
Dube - Jankowski - Czarnik
Klimchuk, Lazar

I am of the opinion that Dube should get top line AHL minutes, but, if he makes it, that 4th line could easily be our 2nd line on some nights.

Jankowski and Dube had good chemistry at last year's camp and Ryan and Czarnik had good chemistry game 1 in China. Both of those are big pluses given the limited amount of time they've had together.

I would try this:

Gaudreau - Monahan - X
Tkachuk - Backlund - X
X - Jankowski - Dube
X - Ryan - Czarnik

Fill the X in with any of Neal/Lindholm/Bennett/Frolik in whatever order. Only thing I wouldn't try is Frolik on the top line. Then like you said Jankowski - Dube slot in to any of line 2, 3 or 4 based on performance, who X is, and the match-up.

I think in that way you can get Dube enough minutes in the NHL. If that doesn't work 10-15 games into the season send him to the AHL. To me, that helps the team and the player.

[TheKurgan]

If it was up to me Dube would be making this team at the expense of Lazar and/or Hathaway. I like the energy Lazar and Hathaway bring but they just don't have any touch around the net.

Gaudreau - Monahan - Lindholm
Tkachuk - Backlund - Neal
Bennett - Jankowski - Dube
Frolik - Ryan - Czarnik

Mangiapane/Foo/Lazar/Hathaway as the extras.

If we could package up Frolik+ for a decent backup goalie I would be on board. That would open up some spots for Mangiapane and Foo who I think are knocking on the door for a regular NHL job.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by memphusk

I'm assuming Lazar is here on the advice from a ####ty coach that isn't here anymore? Did he play in China?

No GM's don't acquire players strictly based on what Asst coaches say. Lazar was scouted for the 2013 draft by the Flames management and scouts. They likely scouted him after that as well. Pro scouts and Flames management are the ones with the biggest say in player acquisitions.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by FlamesFanStrandedInEDM

Definitely looks like Lazar's days are numbered...

Well considering we haven't seen him play yet that seems premature. The team will likely run with 14 forwards. Its not strictly Dube vs Lazar

[EVERLAST]

this Whole discuss and debate about Dube makes me smile. It’s another year of excitement of what could be because we have depth.

Not long ago we had nothing.
Now Brads busting his butt making sure we have what we need.
Now we have Hakan Freeking Loooooooooooob scouting for more.
No more doom and gloom, dark years , GG is gone, and things are looking up for the Calgary flames in a big way.

The only question mark is what happens in net. That is my only worry after getting spoiled with a goalie like we had with Kipper. I love Smith but we’ll see.

One thing at a time and I’m confident Brad has his finger on the pulse of this team.

Cheering for Dube though.....I hope he stays.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by David Struch

I wonder why Calgary passed on the hometown kid...

2014 Entry Draft

#4 Sam Bennett
#34 Mason McDonald
#54 Hunter Smith
#64 Brandon Hickey
#79 Brayden Point

I wonder how much of a factor home town ever is.
Do organizations ignore it completely?
Or if they have opportunities to view the player more often do they become too focused on their warts?

My general belief is that it is a non factor, so the question shouldn't be why did the Flames pass on the home town kid but why did they, and the entire NHL (including the team that eventually drafted him) pass on Brayden Point?

I don't think proximity to the player, given modern scouting and technology, should mean that a team is more or less guilty for missing on a player just because they were physically closer to them.

[David Struch]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

I wonder how much of a factor home town ever is.

Mike Vernon comes to mind.

[edslunch]

I don’t think he should start in the NHL. He’s looking good in preseason and may well do ok in the regular season, but he is still young and has no pro experience. He doesn’t have the pedigree or even size of the high first rounders that made the jump from junior. Let him get some experience in the AHL.

More than one poster has suggested retroactively that Bennett could have used seasoning in the AHL (though IIRC he was too good for junior but too young for AHL). It’s ironic that this thread is full of debate about Bennett yet many are pushing for Dube to take a similar fast track.

[Jay Random]

Dube is a year older than Bennett was in his rookie year, and didn't miss a year's development due to injury. Not exactly comparable cases.

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by keenan87

Hmm I wonder what is more intense. Your love for Dube or Scorpion's love for David Jones

I only have one Jones jersey. This guy has 5 Dubes... jeepers

[greentree]

Not even penciling him into the lineup until we can actually see him play with the, uh, team...and it is still in China.
Dube looks good but these are very early days!

[H2SO4(aq)]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

I only have one Jones jersey. This guy has 5 Dubes... jeepers

His dube obsession is rather.... bizarre.

[brew]

It's a collecting thing, why is it bizarre?

[Scroopy Noopers]

I have quite a few dubies myself.

[bluck]

Kid just continues to impress. What a pass to Mangiapane tonight

[Reggie Dunlop]

Dubé can make his case in Stockton to start. Give him the opportunity to tear up the AHL and play the All-Star Game and give him a few NHL games down the stretch as a reward.

[FlamesAddiction]

I don't know. I really think given how he played, he should get a taste of the NHL at the start of the season (assuming he keeps it up). If he goes back to the AHL, he will certainly be really motivated to return. I think a team needs to reward the effort he has shown.

[Karl]

Yes. He should be in the starting regular season lineup. Too much skill not to be there. This team still can use that little bit more offensive skill in the bottom 6, so why not.

Lazar and Hathaway IMO should be on the periphery in terms of the 12th forward spot because they are a downgrade on Dube and should have a better chance at fighting it out for the 13 & 14th spots with Anthony Peluso.