[Game Takes] Kraken 4 Flames 2

[PepsiFree]

The concussion factor is real with Pospisil, but outside of that I only see a player who is going to get better and he rounds out his defensive game. He’s probably never going to score 40 or win the Selke, but I see a 30-40 point guy who can be good defensively, play with an edge, and be a middle-six mainstay. Maybe he tops out as a bottom-six guy, which would be fine, too. Those guys are important.

I also don’t think he has to fight. Clean up the dirty hits and know guys are going to come after you, but he doesn’t have to answer to anybody. He played the “fight” perfectly last night. Protect yourself, take a few lumps, and draw the penalty.

I don’t know, maybe I’m a little sour about how Tkachuk was treated around here. Look at him now. I know Pospisil is never going to come close from a talent perspective, but you have to embrace guys who play the game hard and get under the skin of the other team. Again, you don’t want dirty stuff and intent to injure, but you move guys like Bennett, Tkachuk, and Pospisil and end up wishing you had someone like them.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Him smoking Larson to start the game should have energized the team, instead we remained flat until the 2nd.

If someone offered a 2nd for him it would be foolish to say no.

[howard_the_duck]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

The concussion factor is real with Pospisil, but outside of that I only see a player who is going to get better and he rounds out his defensive game. He’s probably never going to score 40 or win the Selke, but I see a 30-40 point guy who can be good defensively, play with an edge, and be a middle-six mainstay. Maybe he tops out as a bottom-six guy, which would be fine, too. Those guys are important.

I also don’t think he has to fight. Clean up the dirty hits and know guys are going to come after you, but he doesn’t have to answer to anybody. He played the “fight” perfectly last night. Protect yourself, take a few lumps, and draw the penalty.

I don’t know, maybe I’m a little sour about how Tkachuk was treated around here. Look at him now. I know Pospisil is never going to come close from a talent perspective, but you have to embrace guys who play the game hard and get under the skin of the other team. Again, you don’t want dirty stuff and intent to injure, but you move guys like Bennett, Tkachuk, and Pospisil and end up wishing you had someone like them.

I love the player. Tkachuk had to answer the bell at some point though, too.

I would think Pospisil will have to dial it back if he chooses to not answer the bell. I think he has the skill and potential to still be a very effective player without being right on the edge.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Again, no one is saying "get rid of him". The concept was selling high on him if a team places high value on the player.

Yeah if he's seen as the next Tom Wilson and over pay, you do it.

I don't see him as a top six player. It's worked in this odd year, but it's not how they go forward in my mind.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

I guess it depends on how you project the player. I wouldn't be surprised if this is the best season he ever has. I don't think he has the skill to play up in the lineup. It's a great story, but long-term I just don't see it.

And yeah the physicality part worries me because of the concussion issues. Which means he can't fight (everyone knows my feelings on fighting so wont' go into them here, except to say I understand the problems with a guy that rides the line like he does, but won't back it up).

Again just reminds me of Ferland.

I'm with you.

He slides down the roster ... he's Bouma in some ways. I like the player, but don't over project him.

And if someone else is over projecting him move him.

I think every player on the team should be assigned a value and if someone bids say 20% over that value they should look at moving him.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

On Pospisil, I mentioned this in the GT, but I would entertain selling high on him if there is a team out there that is high on him. I think long-term he's a bottom 6 or 4th line player, and the concussion issues worry me.
If a team places value on him, as part of a package for a player with potential to be higher in the line-up - I look at it. Not dissimilar to what they did with Ferland.

Maybe Tampa will give up a draft for him…

[Strange Brew]

I think the counter is that selling high sounds great in theory, but you can't necessarily build a team like that either.

Getting a second for Reto Berra made tons of sense because there wasn't much reason to believe he was an NHL goalie. He was overvalued by one team

Getting a second for a guy who has become one of the focal points of the team is alot riskier IMO. I understand someone who says don't do it.

[Bingo]

Focal point though?

He has 15 points in 45 games.

I think he's a bottom six winger in my evaluation. He's playing top six but won't when the Flames add higher end youth.

If someone wants to pay up as if he's an emerging Tom Wilson you take it.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Focal point though?

He has 15 points in 45 games.

I think he's a bottom six winger in my evaluation. He's playing top six but won't when the Flames add higher end youth.

If someone wants to pay up as if he's an emerging Tom Wilson you take it.

He is type of player a contender would love to have on a playoff run. It would take a comical overpay for Zary for me but Pospisil is in the normal overpay range.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Focal point though?

He has 15 points in 45 games.

I think he's a bottom six winger in my evaluation. He's playing top six but won't when the Flames add higher end youth.

If someone wants to pay up as if he's an emerging Tom Wilson you take it.

I think he's a big part of Kadri playing like he gives a crap again. That line and the Backlund line have been the reasons to watch really, beyond the goaltending.

I give Pospisil some credit for that. Now that could fade for sure, or you could trade him and find the team is back to playing like earlier in the season. He is a rookie so saying 15 points in 45 games is his high water mark seems unfair, I hope Zary's 29 points aren't that for him.

Back to the Berra example, no one was worried about how losing him would affect the team.

If overpaying for Pospisil is one 2nd round pick, I'm not rushing to unload him. If he is the piece that completed a trade for high level young talent, well that's a different story.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Focal point though?

He has 15 points in 45 games.

Averaging 12 minutes a night with very little PP time....in his rookie campaign. Hard to believe this is his ceiling.

I think he's a bottom six winger in my evaluation. He's playing top six but won't when the Flames add higher end youth.

Fair but I see someone who, again, is just starting to figure things out. Maybe he is a bottom guy but with his size and speed, I can also see a 40 pt. guy.

Compare that to 88 and then their AAV. Then the size and whatnot he brings.

Pospisal is likely close to 88 in pts per 60 now...never mind if he pops.

If someone wants to pay up as if he's an emerging Tom Wilson you take it.

Well for sure. I really doubt that is a thing until there is a larger sample size though.

[SeanCharles]

What is this malarkey?

I would rather have Pospisil than another 2nd round pick.

It is true he will move down the lineup as we continue to add higher skilled guys to the lineup but that doesn't mean Pospisil can't be a valuable piece to a solid 3rd line.

[timbit]

The most concerning issue with Popsisil is the reported SIX concussions he has incurred.

He plays a “game” that is not conducive to any sort of longevity, health wise.

I’ve never heard of a player that had 6 concussions.

[D as in David]

I think the guy must be freakishly strong and/or has no give in his body. He doesn't seem to have to exert a lot of energy into his hits but his opponents fly off him.

[Bingo]

And please don't get me wrong ... love the player. He adds intrigue to every game.

I'm not shopping him.

I just think you place an internal value on him, and move him for a premium. You can't get too attached to bottom roster players, and I think that's where he ends up.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by timbit

The most concerning issue with Popsisil is the reported SIX concussions he has incurred.

He plays a “game” that is not conducive to any sort of longevity, health wise.

I’ve never heard of a player that had 6 concussions.

Primeau says he had 10. Multiple guys had 7 or more. Crosby has had at least 5 but hasn’t had severe symptoms for a decade since he missed the majority of two full seasons.

Concussions are also identified and reported far, far better now than they ever were before. They are a concern, obviously, but not all concussions are equal either.

They aren’t the kind of thing you can really predict. The next one could end Pospisil’s career, or he might never get another one again. In the same way, the first one could end another player’s career. You just don’t know.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Bingo

And please don't get me wrong ... love the player. He adds intrigue to every game.

I'm not shopping him.

I just think you place an internal value on him, and move him for a premium. You can't get too attached to bottom roster players, and I think that's where he ends up.

I guess I just don’t know how that would be different from any other player, and why Pospisil is the focus of that conversation.

If any team offers a premium for any player, you move him. There are probably only a handful of players that are the exception to that rule, and the Flames don’t have any of them.

[timbit]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Primeau says he had 10. Multiple guys had 7 or more. Crosby has had at least 5 but hasn’t had severe symptoms for a decade since he missed the majority of two full seasons.

Concussions are also identified and reported far, far better now than they ever were before. They are a concern, obviously, but not all concussions are equal either.

They aren’t the kind of thing you can really predict. The next one could end Pospisil’s career, or he might never get another one again. In the same way, the first one could end another player’s career. You just don’t know.

I should have included, “at his age”. My mistake.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Bingo

And please don't get me wrong ... love the player. He adds intrigue to every game.

I'm not shopping him.

I just think you place an internal value on him, and move him for a premium. You can't get too attached to bottom roster players, and I think that's where he ends up.

What would you consider a premium? Do you move him for a 2nd? A 3rd?

I mean, if someone offers a 1st, okay I'll talk. but for less than that, I don't think it's worth the message you send. And if I were Kadri, I would be pissed.

[SeanCharles]

Originally Posted by Bingo

And please don't get me wrong ... love the player. He adds intrigue to every game.

I'm not shopping him.

I just think you place an internal value on him, and move him for a premium. You can't get too attached to bottom roster players, and I think that's where he ends up.

I agree with this, but for me that value is higher than a 2nd rder.

A guy who hits like a truck and has the skill to make plays in the offensive zone is extremely valuable IMO.

Other teams hate that guy cause he (usually) delivers hard clean hits and wins a lot of board battles.