[Signing] Flames sign Wotherspoon (1 yr, 2-way, $650k)

[sureLoss]

https://www.nhl.com/flames/news/flam...?tid=282300716

[TheScorpion]

Yep, not surprising.

[Locke]

Obligatory.

[sureLoss]

And barring any other moves, the Flames defensive depth chart battling for the 6th and 7th position:

[GreenLantern2814]

I'm going to make a bold prediction and say that our 6th and 7th defensemen will combine to make less than $1.5M.

[sureLoss]

Also of note if Wotherspoon does not play in at least 44 NHL games this season he will be a group 6 UFA on July 1st.

[red sky]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

I'm going to make a bold prediction and say that our 6th and 7th defensemen will combine to make less than $1.5M.

Much better than Wideman!

[dammage79]

Shocked, I honestly thought Spoon was done as a Flame. Camp is going to be fun!

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Shocked, I honestly thought Spoon was done as a Flame. Camp is going to be fun!

I wouldn't be surprised to see him involved in a trade.

[foshizzle11]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

And barring any other moves, the Flames defensive depth chart battling for the 6th and 7th position:

I kind of hope Kulak and another youngster make it out of camp. Spoon if he earns it, otherwise I wouldn't mind seeing an Anderson/Kyllington as the 7th. I know the argument about needing to play, but they would be training at the highest level with an awesome top 4 to learn from in practice. There will be inevitable injury and they can slot into the bottom pairing or 2nd pairing based on who is out.

I didn't mind Bart last year, I just hope someone beats him for a spot.

[dammage79]

I'm banking on Kylington coming into camp and absolutely robbing the left side third pairing spot from 4 other guys (Kulak, Spoon, Bart and Valimaki who will get the Anderson treatment, meaning he will be one of the final cuts before the roster is set)

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by dammage79

I'm banking on Kylington coming into camp and absolutely robbing the left side third pairing spot from 4 other guys (Kulak, Spoon, Bart and Valimaki who will get the Anderson treatment, meaning he will be one of the final cuts before the roster is set)

Perhaps next season he'll make a case for making the Flames full-time, but needs more fine tuning defensively. Also looking at waiver status of all the RFA defencemen indicates that he'll be sent back to Stockton to mature more and make the simple plays.

I don't have high hopes that he managed to rein in his questionable decision-making overnight, but maybe after this season. He's shown leaps in improvement for sure (almost doubling his PPG from rookie year) but hasn't yet tore up the AHL in a way that would force the Flames to play him over Kulak. Unless he has an absolutely beastmode training camp and preseason, I don't see him getting the nod.

[Geeoff]

I think he's good depth. Hopefully Stockton will be a beast team with all these vets on it.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by dammage79

I'm banking on Kylington coming into camp and absolutely robbing the left side third pairing spot from 4 other guys (Kulak, Spoon, Bart and Valimaki who will get the Anderson treatment, meaning he will be one of the final cuts before the roster is set)

Hopefully you haven't banked too much money on it as I think that's a long shot to happen. Last I saw Kylington he still needed to add a lot of weight/strength and still refine his defensive game. I think he's still a year or two out.

Kulak and Wotherspoon have a huge developmental and experience edge on Kylington. Big upside with Kylington but we're not a rebuilding team that can afford to have rookie dmen making potential catastrophic turnovers. We need the most polished 6/7 guys out of the bunch and I'd bet on Kulak/Wotherspoon winning the coaching staff's trust over Oliver.

Best thing for Kylington is probably to log huge minutes in the AHL in all situations again. He's only 20 years old, there's no rush. 23 year old Kulak who is waiver eligible and 24 year old Wotherspoon who is waiver eligible are much more likely to win a role.

[JBR]

Treliving systematically checking the boxes. Bennett next, Jagr to follow.

[shotinthebacklund]

In his radio hit with fan960, spoon did not come off as the most up beat pom-pom waving flame. Seemed a little begrudged to me about oppertunity. Cant really blame him but, he better put his skill on the ice or expect to be relagared for the year and future in the ahl. For the record i hope it works out for him

[Reggie Dunlop]

Wotherspoon was a reliable, top-minutes guy in Stockton. Stands a good chance of making the cut.

[Robbob]

The problem I see is his development isn't progressing as quickly as some of the younger dmen. He may have a few years of development on them, but the gap has narrowed or he has/will be passed. I am still surprised they brought him back tbqh.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by shotinthebacklund

In his radio hit with fan960, spoon did not come off as the most up beat pom-pom waving flame. Seemed a little begrudged to me about oppertunity. Cant really blame him but, he better put his skill on the ice or expect to be relagared for the year and future in the ahl. For the record i hope it works out for him

Then he'd better damned well grab it this time.

I didnt hear the interview and I'm normally pretty sour on 'Spoon because hes gone through numerous managements and coaching staffs and not made it.

Its not as though there were teams lining up to take up or calling up about his availability.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

Wotherspoon was a reliable, top-minutes guy in Stockton. Stands a good chance of making the cut.

IIRC he was the best defenceman in Stockton.